Top Ten Tuesday is an awesome meme previously hosted by the lovely folks @ The Broke and the Bookish and now hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl
Best Books I Read In 2021
I’ve had my top reads of 2021 in my head this week, preparing for my annual edition of best in books post, so this post was a little less challenging than usual (I struggle to limit myself to just ten normally – and it wasn’t that easy this go around either).
I have added limitations to this list though; only one book per author, can only list my particular favourite book in a series, and it has to be a book read for the first time (i.e. no re-reads included). Simple enough (well, kinda haha!) 😀
So here are my top ten picks (in no particular order):
1. Hunt the Fae by Natalia Jaster
I have loved every single book (so far!) in this series but this one is particularly special. I just adore Puck and Juniper and their story has been the one to move me the most (though Cove and Elixir are seriously closing in to try and take the top spot and they just might in a re-read!)
2. Running Barefoot by Amy Harmon
I’ve had this book on my radar for literally years but I only finally read it earlier this year. I am kicking myself for putting it off for so long because it is a truly beautiful book – one I will definitely see myself re-reading many times over the coming years.
3. The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang
This was one of 2021’s most anticipated reads for me (I loved books one and two!) It did not disappoint at all and actually might have snuck in as my favourite of the three (which I really didn’t expect!)
4. Any Way the Wind Blows by Rainbow Rowell
This might be my most anticipated books of the decade never mind year haha! Seriously though, after Wayward Son’s cliffhanger I was counting down the days to the release of the final book in the trilogy. Luckily, it lived up to the hype I had built up in my head!
5. Winterkeep by Kristin Cashore
This book was an unexpected treat since I never expected a follow-up in this series (I thought it was over and done with Bitterblue). I was very happy with how the story developed and how certain romantic entanglements transpired… 😉
6. Fandom by Eden Finley
This whole series has been a delight but I loved Fandom the most and Denver and Mason own my heart! I love this series even more than Fake Boyfriend series which is saying a lot because one means a lot to me.
7. Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Great, another long and unwieldy title to type out (the first book I adore but lord do I hate having to type the full title out every time I rave about it!) I never expected this follow-up to Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (*grumbles*) but it was great to catch up with Ari and Dante even if it didn’t quite match the beauty of the original book.
8. All Rhodes Lead Here by Mariana Zapata
This book was so wonderful, I have loved all of Zapata’s books but this one is definitely my new favourite! The characters are endearing and the love story is honestly amazing.
9. Relative Justice by Gregory Ashe
Gregory Ashe was the reason I had to set limits or his books would have dominated this list haha! I read a few new (to me) books of his this year but how could I not include the first book in a new series about Hazard and Somerset? It just wouldn’t be right… 😉
10. Head Above Water by C.E. Ricci
This book is everything. It’s beautiful and bleak, inspiring and devastating. It just ticks all of the boxes for me and I had to include it in my top ten reads of the year.

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I loved the one book I’ve read by Amy Harmon. I need to read more of hers. They all sound SO good!
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
Darned if I STILL haven’t read a Zapatas book, but this looks like yet another good one!
–RS
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Hunt the fae by natalia jaster is a gem, I 100% recommend you read the first book and this one. The first book is the closest I’ve ever good to proper Labyrinth vibes and this book was just as good. Jaster’s writing is so suited to fairy tales. Whilst her language can occasionally be a but overblown (like the use of visage when face would do every now and again) her writing really is beautiful.