books i read in 2021.

I fell a little short of my 2021 goal to read 50 books, but considering I had a baby last year, I can’t complain about 30. Given the state of the world, I mostly read fiction – stories that allowed me to escape from the twisted(?) reality we’ve been living in. My two favorites: Sharks in the Time of Saviors by Minneapolis author Kawai Strong Washburn and Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson. But I’m also still thinking about Chanel Miller’s memoir Know My Name, and will forever love and re-read Paul Kalanithi’s When Breath Becomes Air.

With that, here’s what I read in 2021.

1: Yes Please by Amy Poehler

A fast read full of laughs and some nuggets of wisdom. Great read to kick off the year.

2: Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

The rise and fall of a rock back in the 1970s. Took me a bit to get into, but decent overall.

3: When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

This book is such a gift. Read it if you haven’t.

4: Brave Enough by Jessie Diggins

Enjoy read from super Nordic skier (and Minnesotan!) Jessie Diggins.

5: A Promised Land by Barack Obama

I miss Obama as POTUS. His memoir is excellent, and yes I read it in the sound and inflection of his voice.

6: Broad Band: The Untold Story of the Women Who Made the Internet by Claire Lisa Evans

Fascinating. The internet wouldn’t exist as we know it today without the contributions made by these amazing women.

7: The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin

Written in the 1960s, but could have been written today. Literally nothing has changed. #blacklivesmatter

8: We are the Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life by Laura McKowen

I don’t drink anymore – because most alcohol, even just one drink, makes me super sick – but this book was an insightful look into the life of an alcoholic.

9: Sharks in the Time of Saviors by Kawai Strong Washburn

I couldn’t put down this story about a Hawaiian family explores family bonds and legacy, the supernatural, and survival.

10: Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America by Beth Macy

There’s not a single good thing about the Sacklers and Purdue Pharma. We just started watching the Hulu series, too, and the Sacklers make me wanna scream.

11: Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey

Found this just meh. Sure, some good stories, but overall I found it too privileged white male-y.

12: Know my Name by Chanel Miller

Still thinking about Miller’s memoir, in which she tells her story of being raped by Brock Turner.

13: Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson

This was absolutely delightful.

14: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Read this after we watched the movie. I had to keep reminding myself the book was fiction because it felt like real life.

15: Love with a Chance of Drowning by Torre DeRoche

Scared of ocean author meets dude and they sail the ocean. Light read about adventure and facing and embracing your fears.

16: When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole

This book was absolutely bonkers and I couldn’t put it down.

17: The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John

Took me a bit to get into this one (because I read it right after Jackson was born).

18: Nurture: A Modern Guide to Pregnancy, Birth, Early Motherhood – and Trusting Yourself and Your Body by Erica Chidi Cohen

One of the two pregnancy books I read (the other was Expecting Better). A thoughtful, mindful guide to all of pregnancy, labor and delivery, and the fourth trimester. If you’re pregnant and looking for one book to read, this is it.

19: The Memory Police by Yōko Ogawa

Bizarre and disturbing, as one by one things (like birds, flowers, arms) start disappearing from society.

20: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

This one made me think about all the different paths my life could have taken had I made different decisions.

21: Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam

Such an eerie read about the end of the world.

22: Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

Trevor Noah is the best – the best storyteller and an all-around incredible human. His memoir is a must-read.

23: Edie Richter is Not Alone by Rebecca Handler

A short read (I read in one sitting!) about Edie who moves to Australia with her husband and has to confront the secret she’s keeping.

24: Bravey: Chasing Dreams, Befriending Pain, and Other Big Ideas by Alexi Pappas

So many good nuggets of wisdom in this book by the Olympian and runner.

25: Send for Me by Lauren Fox

WWII historical fiction about mother-daughter relationships across generations in both Germany and rural Wisconsin.

26: Station Eleven by Emily St. John

Reading about the aftermath of a deadly pandemic while living through a deadly pandemic. Cool. But a great book and the HBO series is in my queue.

27: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

Addie makes a deal with the devil and we follow her life over hundreds of years. Bit of a slow start, but then a page-turner.

28: The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

Depressing and sad AF about a woman and her family during the Depression and Dust Bowl, but putting down Hannah’s books is impossible. Love her writing.

29: My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout

Strout is also a favorite! Her stories are so relatable and just… capture real life so well. Loved this one exploring the mother-daughter relationship.

30: That Summer by Jennifer Weiner

Beachy don’t-have-to-think-too-hard – thoroughly enjoyed!