Favorite Books of 2021

2021 finished up sooner than I expected. Maybe it had to do with all the good books that I got to read this year?

So I have decided to share my favorite reads from 2021.

Romance

There are 3 romance books that I have enjoyed a lot this year. All of them getting a solid 4 star from me. With great writing, storyline, and unique format they made me both squeal and sigh as I follow them throughout their journey to fall in love with each other. 

Love Is For Losers – Honestly, when I saw the title I immediately brought it. I didn’t even check the synopsis – as I ever do- or who wrote it. I just knew it will be a read. And I was right. 

The is story is told in a diary format with very little dialogue. We are just listening to her day. 

I love the humor in here. As a teenager, she was snarky, sarcastic, and utterly funny inside her head. It was funny without being too in the nose.

The relationships and slow-burn romance felt so good. It was nice to see how she slowly discovered herself, the people around her, and her dreams.

It was funny and cute.

The first third of the book was my favorite. I was laughing out loud. The banter between both lead characters was witty, funny, and it made me swoon. 

Unhoneymooner – It was said to be enemies to lovers but it was more of ‘not really close with you’ to lovers. 

The book is written from a single perspective, so it is easy to follow the pace.

I finished this in one day, a few hours actually. And as this is the first Christina Lauren book that I have read and it being romance in general – something I try to avoid – I really enjoyed it. 

The Hating Game – This was on my TBR list for months but I only started when I found out that the movie adaptation will hit the theater soon. 

Of the 3 books, this had the best writing. It was so charming and whimsical in places. The way Lucy – our protagonist – thinks and acts, honestly it wasn’t boring for a single second being inside of her head. 

From the get-go, the banter, the chemistry, and the comedy were in abundance and I really enjoyed those first few chapters. 

It was a fun read. I watched the movie a few days ago and it was good! Though I would prefer the book as the superior. 

Thriller

I have read quite a few thrillers as it is my favorite goto genre. But only one stood out to me most when I look back.

Pretty Girls – This was one of my favorite books of 2021. 

Not just because it is a Thriller but the way the book itself is written, how things are shown here. Instead of having all the information and clues fed to us, we were given small clues that solves the puzzle. It gives you – the reader- the satisfaction of connecting the dots- something I love- but at the same time leaves you guessing for what might happen next.

It is very graphic with the details about the crimes, but that adds to the severity of the crime. The change in POV was also nice. Especially the Dad’s POV, that was the emotional punch served right.

Though it is graphic and borderline horror, it is also about family and love -trust between them. This is what makes this story even more compelling and heartbreaking to read.

Overall, I really enjoyed this. 

Horror

Mexican Gothic– Another beautifully written book. It is eerie and haunting. You can feel the dampness through the words. Love the characters. Loved the ending! Left me thinking for days. And I love that when a book leaves a mark on me. 

It had an open ending. I had a specific outcome in mind and it just wasn’t that. And since the story is going to be turned into a live-action drama, the open ending leaves the directors and screenwriters enough room to change and make something new. So I am very excited about that.

As an honorable mention, Such a fun age was great. The story was predictable and the characters do feel like someone you might meet in real life. I think for me, that is why I liked it. It felt real as it is something that could/does happen in real life.

I also choose Almond. Like others, I started this cause of Min Yoongi/SUGA from BTS.

The story was very realistic in places cause of that the ending felt kind of, off to me. But overall it was a great book that I finished in a day.  

I rated the story 4 and a half star, when I read it at the beginning of the year. Because I really liked it. But at the same time when I was thinking back to the books I have read, this didn’t even came to mind once.

Hence the reason Almond is here as an honorable mention.

So these were my favorite 5 books, with an additional 2 that I read in 2021. 

Since I started this website and Literary Hana on a whim, I have no idea what I was doing at the beginning. As I am not a reviewer I don’t know how to write up reviews or am I, capable of judging someone’s work. But as the year-end, I felt like I have learned something. At the end of the day, I am only sharing the ones that I like with the world. They are my opinion and that is all that is.

I have also met a lot of new people and made friends on IG. And honestly, that was fun. Having a blast on IG, so join me if you have the time! 

So follow Literary Hana on Instagram and Twitter. 

With that, wishing you all a happy new year! Stay safe and happy reading!

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