Top 10 Fiction
The Testaments by Margaret Atwood After re-reading The Handmaid’s Tale this year, I finally picked up the sequel. Apparently some readers thought the multiple POVs cheapened the story, but I liked it.
The Measure by Nikki Erlick Sci-fi in which everyone receives a string indicating the length of their life. I’m not sure when this was written re: the pandemic, but I found the way the events unfolded very realistic.
Book Lovers by Emily Henry Upon reflection, I think People You Meet on Vacation is my favorite Emily Henry so far. But this is about writers and a bookstore, so I loved it as well.
Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez A believable romcom involving family legacy, an older woman/younger man scenario (represent!), a B&B, and a possibly magical small town.
How Lucky by Will Leitch The most underrated book I read this year – I don’t even remember how I heard about it, but it’s a unique and inspiring mystery with a protagonist you won’t forget. I gave a copy to my SIL for Christmas.
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel I think ESJM is just getting better with time. This near-future sci-fi, with creative ties to her other books, was my favorite of her work so far.
The Guncle by Steven Rowley A cute story about a bachelor uncle who takes in his sister’s kids after a family crisis.
Wayward by Dana Spiotta A novel of midlife crisis, gentrification, and needing a place of one’s own.
This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub Brenda Crack categories: Time travel? Check. Emotional father-daughter story? Check. New York City? Check.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin This novel of childhood friends who make it big is on everyone’s best-of lists for a reason. So good. BTW, for new fans of Gabrielle Zevin, please go back and read her Love and Chocolate YA trilogy. I’m thinking about a reread.
Other Fiction
- The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (re-read)
- The Husbands by Chandler Baker
- Upgrade by Blake Crouch
- The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo
- The Love That Split the World by Emily Henry
- The Gifted School by Bruce Holsinger
- Life’s Too Short by Abby Jimenez
- An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
- Several People Are Typing by Calvin Kasulke
- The Cats Came Back by Sofie Kelly
- A Night’s Tail by Sofie Kelly
- A Case of Cat and Mouse by Sofie Kelly
- The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
- A Chorus Rises by Bethany C. Morrow
- My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories by Stephanie Perkins et al.
- Currency by Kiley Reid et al.
- Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon
- In a New York Minute by Kate Spencer
- The Vacationers by Emma Straub
- Funny You Should Ask by Eliza Sussman
- This Golden State by Marit Weisenberg
- Impostors by Scott Westerfeld
- Enjoy the Poodle Skirt by Kate Willis
Top 10 Non-Fiction
Broken Horses by Brandi Carlile I reflect on this memoir way more than I expected I would when I read it. If you like stories about the creative process by misfits, you’ll like this even if you haven’t heard Brandi’s music (which you should!!).
The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet by John Green John Green writes essays about specific things he loves and hates. Enough said.
The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music by Dave Grohl So so good. Based on what Dave shares in this book, I’ve been concerned about him since Taylor Hawkins died. I hope he’s doing okay.
I’ll Show Myself Out: Essays on Midlife and Motherhood by Jessi Klein This was a right book, right time situation for me. I literally laughed and cried. Cannot recommend enough for any moms, but especially Old Moms.
The Nineties by Chuck Klosterman An engaging overview of my favorite decade. His thesis (which I agree with) is that the 90s actually began with the fall of the Berlin Wall and ended on 9/11. The last few pages haunt me.
I Take My Coffee Black: Reflections on Tupac, Musical Theater, Faith, and Being Black in America by Tyler Merritt I had never heard of Tyler before he became basically Mr. Jen Hatmaker, but I’m glad I did because this book is so insightful, entertaining, and funny.
I Guess I Haven’t Learned That Yet: Discovering New Ways of Living When the Old Ways Stop Working by Shauna Niequist I was chomping at the bit for this new essay collection by one of my longtime favorite writers, who has publicly Been Through a Lot since her last book. I should have known it wouldn’t exactly be the Shauna Deconstruction Diaries, but I felt she wrote about everything with a lot of class and grace without losing her honesty. Loved it.
Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah A funny, eye-opening memoir that taught me SO MUCH about South Africa. I wish I had read it sooner (it came out a few years ago).
Bomb Shelter: Love, Time, and Other Explosives by Mary Laura Philpott The new release by another of my favorite essayists. I don’t know how to describe it other than I felt it in my bones. Again, this one is making the best-of rounds for a reason. It also gives the title of her first book (I Miss You When I Blink) a whole new meaning.
The Lord Is My Courage: Stepping Through the Shadows of Fear Toward the Voice of Love by K.J. Ramsey My friend Alanna described this as one of the best books she’s ever read, so I made it an early selection for the book club I’m leading at church. I finally finished it this week. Each chapter fleshes out a section of Psalm 23 with research, scholarship, psychoanalysis, and Ramsey’s own story. It is fantastic.
Other Non-Fiction
- The Lazy Genius Kitchen: Have What You Need, Use What You Have, and Enjoy It Like Never Before by Kendra Adachi
- I Came All This Way to Meet You: Writing Myself Home by Jami Attenberg
- We Will Rise: A True Story of Tragedy and Resurrection in the American Heartland by Steve Beaven
- No Cure for Being Human: And Other Truths I Need to Hear by Kate Bowler
- Arriving Well: Stories about identity, belonging, and rediscovering home after living abroad by Cate Brubaker
- We Are the Baby-Sitters Club: Essays and Artwork from Grown-Up Readers by Marisa Crawford
- Living Brave: Lessons from Hurt, Lighting the Way to Hope by Shannon Dingle
- The Journal of Best Practices: A Memoir of Marriage, Asperger Syndrome, and One Man’s Quest to Be a Better Husband by David Finch
- Somebody’s Daughter by Ashley C. Ford
- Everything Is Under Control: A Memoir with Recipes by Phyllis Grant
- Dress Code: Unlocking Fashion from the New Look to Millennial Pink by Véronique Hyland
- Paris in Love by Eloisa James
- The Office BFFs: Tales of The Office from Two Best Friends Who Were There by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey
- Now What?: How to Move Forward When We’re Divided by Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers
- Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted by Suleika Jaouad
- Help Thanks Wow: The Three Essential Prayers by Anne Lamott (re-read)
- All the Rage: Mothers, Fathers, and the Myth of Equal Partnership by Darcy Lockman
- What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami
- Bookends: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Literature by Zibby Owens
- Moms Don’t Have Time to Have Kids: A Timeless Anthology by Zibby Owens et al.
- These Precious Days: Essays by Ann Patchett
- My Body by Emily Ratajkowski
- Ramshackle Glam: The New Mom’s Haphazard Guide to (Almost) Having It All by Jordan Reid
- Everything Belongs: The Gift of Contemplative Prayer by Richard Rohr
- When Thoughts and Prayers Aren’t Enough: A Shooting Survivor’s Journey into the Realities of Gun Violence by Taylor S. Schumann
- Keep Moving: Notes on Loss, Creativity, and Change by Maggie Smith
- This Will All Be Over Soon: A Memoir by Cecily Strong
- Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself by Nedra Glover Tawwab
- Forward: A Memoir by Abby Wambach
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