Throughout 2021, I read many books. According to my Goodreads account, I have read over 70 books this past year. First, I started with memoirs then gradually I branched out and fell in love with other genres too. Out of all the titles I became acquainted with, the seven novels published in 2021 that I appreciated the most are compiled here for you by genre.
Set against the vista of over 100 forlorn animals, Laura Coleman narrates one of the best books of the year. Laura’s memoir is written lyrically. Her multifaceted literary work lures readers down paths of opposition. In an attempt to protect our ecosystem, Laura befriends a Puma named Wayra. Emboldened by her love for Wayra, Laura combats forest fires, animal cruelty, flooding, and unfathomable living conditions.
Throughout Laura’s book, I could almost feel the heat of the jungle, hear the high-pitched screech of a monkey and capture the shapes between the stars in the night sky. Perhaps Laura’s finely tuned traits reinforce her motivation to nurture the sanctuary. You can read the full review here.
I adored this book which was based on historical facts. Rutledge’s tale reads like an old-fashioned picture show. When 2 giraffes named Boy and Girl set sail from East Africa to the coast of New York the pair are destined for the San Diego zoo.
While on board the deck of the S.S. Robin Goodfellow, Boy and Girl survive one of the most treacherous hurricanes ever to shock the upper East Coast.
Rutledge introduces Boy and Girl as they resurface from the high seas. Then, San Diego head zookeeper Charley Smith greets the giraffes and loads them in his truck bound for California.
Before Charley can depart for San Diego, he quarantines in New Jersey with Boy and Girl for 15 days. Not far behind is Woody Wilson, a seventeen-year-old rowdy hoping to hitch a ride with Charley to escape the Texas Panhandle Woody once called home.
After Charley discovers his hired driver is an alcoholic, Charley gives Woody a chance to prove himself behind the wheel. Meanwhile, a female photographer is hot on their trail in a desperate attempt to connect with the caravan.
Rutledge’s chapters follow Woody, Charley, and the giraffe truck across the Lee Highway. She brings to life the grittiness of America during 1938. The country had suffered a Great Depression, filling the terrain with Hoovervilles and shanty towns too. Fueled by the government’s WPA and CCC projects, migrants struck out on foot in search of a new beginning.
Simultaneously, Hitler began to inundate Eastern Europe, so the pressures of war were temporarily sated by the spectacle of the traveling giraffes.
Together with Boy and Girl, Woody and Charlie alongside a female reporter found love and companionship on the road to freedom.
If you are looking for an adventurous tale about two giraffes dispersing light during darker times, then this story will mesmerize you.
Every year I find at least one book that soars above most others. In 2021,West With Giraffes tookthe reigns asone of my favorites by far.
As I watched Amanda Gorman recite her poem at the 2021 presidential inauguration, tears escaped from my eyes. Her beautifully crafted words remain at the forefront of my memories as I recall that momentous day in January of 2021.
For there is always light if only we’re brave enough to see it.
If only we’re brave enough to be it.
Amanda Gorman’s poem “The Hill We Climb” is an eloquent poem that is both powerful and enlightening.
Guncle is the story of Patrick a famous sitcom star who decides to retire from acting. Previously, Patrick lost his beloved partner Joe in a car accident. Then Patrick relocated to swanky Palm Springs where he lives a virtually solitary existence.
Suddenly, Patrick’s life veers sideways when another family tragedy arises. Patrick is designated to care full-time for his niece and nephew Maisie, 9 and Grant, 6.
Maisie and Grant have so many uncertainties about their uncle Patrick that their time together starts with a rocky beginning. Despite Patrick’s initial disdain of Maisie and Grant, Patrick soon learns that the children are as misplaced in the world as he is. With the recent loss of their mother, the children are fearful and reluctant to articulate their feelings. Patrick uses his humor to loosen up his niece and nephew. Gradually, Patrick, Maisie, and Grant all fall into a pattern of lazy summer days aplenty with bike rides, dips in the pool, and mutual respect for one another.
Overall, The Guncle is an amazing read containing sorrow, trepidation, finality, and love.
Confessions of a Curious Bookseller is easily an enjoyable reading experience. Green’s main character Fawn is the most unusual woman I have been introduced to for some time. The owner of an old dilapidated book store, Fawn resorts to desperate measures to keep her business alive. When a trendy new posh book store settles in a few doors down, Fawn sets out to sabotage the owner. Broke and frantic, Fawn will not be satisfied until she is the only shop in town. Elizabeth Green’s story is so funny, I couldn’t refrain from laughing almost every time I picked up her book Confessions Of A Curious Bookseller.
Lia Louis’ second novel Eight Perfect Hours is a heartfelt story that will tug at your emotions from beginning to end. Louis’ distinctive writing style takes a deep dive into the lives of Noelle Butterby and Sam Atwood. Eight Perfect Hours is built around 2 endearing characters. Each one is in pursuit of the happiness that an earlier catastrophe destroyed.
Serendipitously, Noelle meets Sam on a snowy evening when she is stuck in her car without food, water, or a fully charged cell phone. Noelle determined to contact her ailing mother accepts Sam’s offer to take respite from the storm in his car while attending to her phone.
Since traffic is at a standstill, Noelle and Sam spend 8 splendid hours together until the dangerous storm passes. When the two depart life keeps bringing them back together again. Louis’ intricately woven chapters are sure to keep you guessing until the last page.
Eyes That Kiss In The Corners begins with a young girl marveling over the difference between her eyes and her friends eyes…
I have eyes that kiss in the corner and glow like warm tea.
This thoughtful children’s book is filled with fascinating illustrations. Each page is an acknowledgment of the girl’s enthusiasm over the secrets that her family’s kissing eyes contain. I hope this children’s book becomes readily available to young readers.
My wish for you is that one or more of these 7 novels brings as much joy to your life as they brought to mine.
