My Best-Loved Books of 2021

Let’s talk about books. Since 2015, I have shared my best-loved books of the year on the blog. I enjoyed most of the 45 books I read in 2021, it was another great year of reading for me.

There are far too many good ones to review, but I pulled out some of my favorites…

Novels:

Moon Over Manifest, by Clare Vanderpool: I immensely enjoyed this young reader’s book that is not just for kids. I often look for Newberry Award winners that I have not read, and this one is delicious. It is a story about a town, a girl, friendship, and so much more. It is a historical fiction that transports the reader to Kansas in the early 1900’s.

All She Ever Wanted, by Lynn Austin: One of my favorite Christian writers. This one focuses on four generations of women with heartbreaking stories and riveting writing. The best is that God wins in the end!

The Downstairs Girl, by Stacey Lee: A book geared to Young Adult readers that I couldn’t put down. The protagonist is half Chinese and it takes place in post-Civil War Atlanta with the beginning of segregation laws.

Anne of Green Gables, by L.M. Montgomery: Yes, another “kid” book that delighted my heart. It was just what I needed this summer. Anne brings out all the feels and her outlook on life and chattering on and on is a pleasure to read. I just adore her.

Next Year in Havana, by Chantel Cleeton: If you want a fantastic history of the 1950’s Cuban revolution wrapped in romance, this book is for you. The author was inspired by her family’s stories of their Cuban past. This is the first one in a series of four and it is my favorite.

Memoir:

Forty Autumns: A Family’s Story of Courage and Survival on Both Sides of the Berlin Wall, by Nina Willner: Wow. I was riveted by this amazing tale of a family living behind the Iron Curtain. I gobbled up the history that I had forgotten or did not know.  It read like a novel at times.  If you are in a book club, this is a great one to read and discuss in a group, as our group did.

Self/Spiritual Help: 

Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts, by Jennie Allen: I love the author’s voice and transparency in this exceptional book. It is a solid biblical and practical guide with lots of easy-to-understand neuroscience. I will reread this one.

Holding on When You Want to Let Go: Clinging to Hope When You Want to Let Go, by Sheila Walsh: I enjoy her books and this one hit me where I needed to be hit. Sheila lays out excellent questions and shares quite a bit of her story. She was once in a mental institution and has walked through deep waters. Lots of hope and help here.

Depression, Anxiety, and Other Things We Don’t Want to Talk About, by Ryan Casey Waller: This author goes there with all the things: medication, types of therapy, suicide, community, and how mental health plays out in the Christian community (and so much more). This book is for those who struggle with mental illness or love someone who does.

You Were Made for This Moment: Courage for Today and Hope for Tomorrow, by Max Lucado: Max did it again. A book for such a time as this, a life-giving read for this life-sucking hour in our world. I love the way he writes and how he focuses on Esther’s story as just what we need today.

Health and Food:

Food Babe Kitchen: More than 100 Delicious, Real Food Recipes to Change Your Body and Your Life, by Vani Hari: Yes, the recipes are good, but it’s the first half of the book that will change your life. It did mine. The author is the boss at going after the big food industry and fast-food restaurants, uncovering the garbage allowed in our food. It is depressing and enlightening at the same time. Follow her on Instagram for daily education.

Ancient Remedies: Secrets to Healing with Herbs, Essential Oils, CBD, and the Most Powerful Natural Medicine in History, by Dr. Josh Axe: Even though the amount of information was somewhat overwhelming to me, it was worth reading. I will use it for years as a reference. Great recipes and a vast range of topics.

May 2022 be a fabulous reading year for you. Let me know what you are reading in the comments or by message. I invite you to follow me on Goodreads.com to see what I am reading these days.

Blessings!