Our favorite books of 2021

2021 is in the books, and for us, it was all about books. Here are the books we read and loved last year and are still thinking about and recommending.

Tag us on social media (@booksandbookskw) and tell us what you loved. Even though we are replete with books, we’re always ready to add another to the TBR pile.

Judy

Our Country Friends by Gary Shteyngart

Six months in the country (waiting for the pandemic to end) with a cast of characters who will have you laughing, crying and cringing. His best book yet and that’s saying a lot!

The Magician by Colm Toibin

I thought I wouldn’t be interested in the life of Thomas Mann. How could I have been so wrong? Brilliant – the book, the man, and his family.

Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau

It’s the 70’s! Get ready to meet Izzy, the best five year old in modern fiction, her way out parents, their summer guests (a rocker and a movie star) and Mary Jane, the summer nanny. Hilarious, endearing, with enough going on underneath to change Mary Jane’s life. I loved this one.

And a picture book — The Little Wooden Robot and the Log Princess by Tom Gauld

You will love reading this story to the young ones in your life. And they will love it too.

George

A Bright Ray of Darkness by Ethan Hawke

A deep dive into into the travails of masculinity against the backdrop of a master class in the life of the stage. Hawke may be an actor, but he is a damn fine writer, too. His marriage dissolves, but Shakespeare (Henry IV) triumphs. Fascinating. (Out in paper 1/18.)

Burning Boy by Paul Auster

Takes us richly into the brief but astounding life and works of Stephen Crane, a man who redefined the meaning of the word “writer.” Both a biography that leaves us in awe of this intensely dedicated man, and, through examination of his work, an eye-opening course in modern writing.

The Hummingbird Gift by Sy Montgomery

The author of Soul of An Octopus takes us to another startling world, that of the champion of flying. Able to hover for as much as an hour, these fiercenessly competitive birds are warriors in their endless quest for food/fuel.

The Netanyahus by Joshua Cohen

It’s the 50’s and Bibi Neyanyahu’s father is an unwanted academic seeking an appointment at a second rate college in Upstate New York. His antics are the stuff of comic gold. Though a novel, it’s based enough in fact to provide perceptive insights about Israeli history and American Jews.

Emily

Infinite Country by Patricia Engel

The most realistic story of immigration I’ve read. It’s not a thriller or extreme drama. It’s just the life of a family and their journeys.

The Good Hand by Michael Patrick F. Smith

“I went to work in the oil field for the same reason most people go to boomtowns, I wanted to make money fast and I was out of options. You could say my demons were catching up to me. I was surprised by what I found, because it wasn’t much money. It was better than that. . .” Michael Patrick F. Smith discussing his book, The Good Hand. Read our Q&A with him from March 2021.

Editor’s note: Emily highly recommends The Good Hand as an audiobook.

The Queen’s Gambit by Walter Tevis

The book came out 1983 but I read it in 2021, and it is so good that I’m afraid to watch the show despite everyone telling me how good it is.

Lori

Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward.

A mind blowing psychological thriller/horror story about a man and his very unusual family. It kept me off balance until the end…and after.

My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones

One of my favorite horror novelists did it again with an homage to the slasher films of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. I was rooting for the heroine, Jade, the whole time. Look for the sequel, Don’t Fear the Reaper, coming August 2.

Little Devil in America by Hanif Abduraqib

A great exploration of the past, present and future of African-Americans in the performing arts. Dance, poetry, music, even preaching in church are covered by a dynamic cultural observer.

Gina

Salty Piece of Land by Jimmy Buffett

I’m a constant re-reader and Tully’s story needed to be finished.

Home at the End of the World by Rita Troxel

All I can say is I envy the people who discovered Key West before everyone else did!

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood

One of the most powerful stories I’ve read – we all saw shades of this happening in 2020 – and are still seeing it in 2021 – constantly reminds me to never lose my voice.

Riona

The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu by Tom Lin

This is everything I need in a great Western: a troubled & mysterious leading man, a traveling circus, and a splash of magical realism perfectly entwined with revenge and self-actualization. Ming stayed with me for a long time. 

Girly Drinks: A World History of Women & Alcohol by Mallory O’Meara

I love beer, books, and history. O’Meara presents a fantastic and inclusive history of women and alcohol, covering such topics as the scientific process, brewing as a means to financial independence, and drinking habits reflecting change in society. 

Editor’s note: Don’t miss this one as an audiobook.

Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff. I keep describing this book  to friends as a Death Metal album. Beginning in media res, Empire of the Vampire plays with timelines, the power dynamic between humanity and vampires, and the control organized religion imposes on its followers. Bloody, fun, and heartrending, I couldn’t put this down. 

Camila

Gladys the Magic Chicken by Adam Rubin, Illustrated by Adam Rex

My son Cannon & I loved this funny story about a magic chicken. Is she really magical? Or did the characters make their own magic? This is my new favorite picture book and we LOVE Gladys!

The Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman

I loved this final book about the Owens sisters. It’s a beautiful celebration of family and magic.

Brood by Jackie Polzin

I was drawn to this beautifully written book mostly because of the chickens. She captures the trials and tribulations of chicken tending so perfectly, and also tells a story of loss and grief.

Animal by Lisa Taddeo

Not about magic or chickens, but a book that left me a little disturbed and unsettled. Hard to put down.

Robin

The Girls I’ve Been by Tess Sharpe

Despite some heavy issues (that contribute to it’s thriller-ness), the writing style is light. Oceans8 for the YA reader. A page-turner about surviving and defining who you want to be.

A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine

Masterful world-building, politics, poetry and a mystery. I recommend it to people who enjoyed The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson. The sequel to A Memory Called Empire, A Desolation Called Peace, successfully changes venue from murder mystery to first-contact with a war threatening. Also, highly recommended.

A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark

A police procedural in magical, steampunk Cario. And queer to book. Marvelous fun.