20 2021 Book Reviews

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If you follow me on Instagram, you know my stories have been POPPING off with book reviews. I swear every third story is me either starting a new book, finishing an old one or buying one from the thrift store. What can I say, the minute I stop having to study I go straight into avid reader mode and can’t seem to stop! I mean, it could be worse. I could be addicted to drugs. Instead, I spend all my time and money in the book isle of Goodwill. It is what it is.

My goal for 2021 was to read 25 books, but I really started off the year running. I’m now sitting at 26 books read and it’s only April. So I decided to way up my goal; we are now sitting at a goal of 40!

Since I love getting book reviews from others, I always love to give them as well. All the books I read are either recommendations from friends, rated at 4 stars or above on a social media account I follow, or on a topic I’m interested in (although that last type is usually reserved for biographies on random people I like).

Keep reading for the first 20 books I read in 2021 and if I recommend them to be added to your own reading list this year!

Such a Fun Age – Kiley Reid

Stars: 3/5

This was a good book that I originally gave it 4 stars. Thinking back though, it just didn’t have the compelling factor for me. I found it interesting, but I thought that after the first big storyline, the rest felt meh.

Recommend: NO

A Most Beautiful Thing: The True Story of America’s First All-Black High School Rowing Team

Stars: 4/5

I thought this was going to be really cool because I assumed the boys ended up being world competitive rowers. I was wrong. But that being said, it was an interesting look into the lives of kids who grew up very different from myself. It talks about how sport can ignite change and help steer kids onto a better path.

I thought the writing was good and if you’re interested in autobiographies, it was a great audiobook! But if you’re not looking for this type of vibe, it wouldn’t be the end of the world to skip this one.

Recommend: MAYBE

Big Summer – Jennifer Weiner

Stars: 3.5/5

This was good; I liked it. It was a mystery book that I didn’t realize was a mystery book until half way through. I guess that means I should read the back before I buy it right?! I thought the concept was interesting and the ending surprised me. Overall, would recommend if you’re looking for a light read. But this is the kind of book you snag from the library, not the kind you buy to have forever.

Recommend: MAYBE

Open Book – Jessica Simpson

Stars: 5/5

Okay, this has been on my list for a while. I heard a bunch of whispers here and there about how good it was! It did not disappoint on audiobook. Honestly, I don’t know if it would have had the same effect in print; Jessica Simpson was amazing as the narrator. I can’t say I was particularly interested in her beforehand but dang, it was worth the listen.

Recommend: YES

A Very Punchable Face – Colin Jost

Stars: 5/5

I LOVED this book! I’m usually only a mediocre fan of books written by comedians (you’ll see below) because I don’t love the essay style that most do. Colin Jost wrote his book as a memoir, and subsequently, I ended up liking it a LOT more. He talks about his life on SNL, his life pre-SNL and all his thoughts on what’s happened to him in between.

I listened to it on audiobook and if you can, I definitely recommend doing so as well; there was just something about his voice that made me like it even more. I was on a walk in downtown when I listened to a chapter he wrote on his mom’s heroism on 9/11 and I literally started bawling in the middle of the road. It was worth it.

Recommend: YES

Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan – Omid Scobie & Carolyn Durand

Stars: 2/5

I love the royal family. Or, maybe I’m just fascinated by them. I’ve read countless books about the royals, from biographies to picture books, etc. This one was bad. It was so fluffy, and felt like it had been written by someone dying to be Meghan’s BFF. Not good.

Recommend: NO

She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story that Helped Ignite a Movement – Jodi Kantor & Megan Twohey

Stars: 4/5

This was definitely interesting. I had followed the Harvey Weinstein case throughout its time in the news but never knew how everything had come together. I wasn’t super invested in it, which is why I wasn’t aware of the specifics. This book was written by the two journalists that investigated and broke the story in the New York Times. So obviously, they know how to write!

My reason for not giving it 5 stars, is the final 2 chapters. They discuss the story of Christine Blasey Ford. She accused Brett Kavanaugh of assault during his supreme court nomination. I thought this story was misplaced in this book. They had just spent 8 great chapters on Weinstein only to, what felt like, randomly switch to a new story.

Overall though, still recommend!

Recommend: YES

The Vanishing Half – Brit Bennett

Stars: 3.5/5

I wanted to like this one; I really, really did. Whether I just didn’t like it, or that I hyped it up beforehand, I’m not sure. Either way, it wasn’t my fave. I thought the storyline was super interesting, the writing was great, the author did a great job with character development, but it wasn’t compelling for me. The need to finish the book and find out what happened next just wasn’t there.

I still recommend you read it for yourself though. I know so many people absolutely loved it! Don’t let my 3.5 star rating deter you from giving this read a go.

Recommend: YES

What Alice Forgot – Liane Moriarty

Stars: 4/5

This has been one of my favourite non-fiction’s so far this year! I liked that even though it was long, every part seemed to fit and there wasn’t any trimming of the fat needed. That’s always a good thing for a fiction book since often, they can drag on without real purpose. Though, I’ll say it again… it was long. One of the longer fiction ones I’ve read.

Recommend: YES

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? – Mindy Kaling

Stars: 2/5

I’ve also read Mindy’s newer book and I liked that one a lot more. I didn’t find this one super funny. I felt like I just had to get through it – which is not the approach I like to take when reading. This was an audiobook listen for me, and I recommend avoiding it on audiobook if you can. There were too many lists, so on audiobook it felt a little strange.

Recommend: NO

Red, White & Royal Blue – Casey McQuiston

Stars: 4.5/5

Ugh. Loved this book.

It was the first love story I’ve read with a gay couple as the main characters. I’m a little sad to say that as well, because I feel I should have been making more of an effort to read about diverse characters. But, I’m here now and I’m ready to get reading!

This book is filled with love and humour and pure steam. It had a lot of moving parts since the characters were involved in many different storylines, but I liked that. I found that I never thought I hit a dull patch, which I loved!

Recommend: YES

Get a Life, Chloe Brown – Talia Hibbert

Stars: 5/5

Okay, I said I loved the last one but THIS ONE. Ugh. This book was pure steam.

By far the best easy, light read of the year so far. There are 2 more books in this series and I want to read them so bad. I’m trying to finish a few more on my shelf first, but I don’t know if I can wait!

Recommend: YES

Yes Please – Amy Poehler

Stars: 3/5

I read this book because it was available on audiobook from the library and I had nothing to listen to on my way to work. I found it fine; not particularly good or bad. I liked how people she spoke about in the book actually spoke on the audiobook, almost to the point that parts sounded like a podcast. Would I recommend it though? Meh, probably not.

Recommend: NO

Notorious RBG – Irin Carmon

Stars: 4/5

RBG is an absolutely amazing woman. There’s no doubt about that. This book was on the coffee table of my friend when I went to visit her in NYC. I should have realized it was a big book on the coffee table, so likely had lots of photos and tidbits in the margins – not exactly a biography. That’s my own mistake.

I didn’t learn anything new in this one since I had recently watched the Netflix documentary by the same people that authored this book. Would it have been good if you hadn’t watched the movie? Yeah I think so. Also, if it had been read instead of listened to. Maybe your takeaway from this should be that it was good, but I think the biography A Life – by Jane Sherron de Hart is probably more of the vibe to go for if you’re wanting to listen.

Recommend: MAYBE

A Promised Land – Barack Obama

Stars: 5/5

So. much. policy.

I was expecting it but it didn’t make it easier to digest. This book was phenomenally written. I mean, I didn’t expect any less coming from a man as charismatic as Barack Obama. I was only 12 when he got elected in 2008, so everything he spoke about was relatively new for me. At the time, I wasn’t exactly aware of much that was going on in the world past the basics. Now, with an understanding of politics and economics to some extent, it was crazy to read what he did, what happened, and the crazy stuff still in play today (or was in the Trump government).

It’s a tough read because there’s so much information. Sometimes I had to put it down and read something lighter given how tough the past few months have been on everyone. Overall though, if you’re into US politics, you’ll love this book. Well, maybe not if you liked Trump… but here we are.

Recommend: YES

One by One – Ruth Ware

Stars: 3.5/5

This book was my February book club book. When I started reading it, I confused myself. Had I read this book before? It seemed so similar to something I had already read. It turned out, I read a book last year called An Unwanted Guest with pretty much the exact same concept. Weird right? This one ended up getting a better star rating though. The characters were a little more believable, the storyline a little more intense. Overall, I’d recommend this one!

Recommend: YES

White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism – Robin Diangelo

Stars: 4/5

I hated this book when I first started because it made me feel uncomfortable. I have so much privilege and although I know I’m not racist, I can’t fully commit to the idea that I have been actively anti-racist. This book made me uncomfortable because it discussed things I knew I could be doing better, as well as opened my eyes to things I never thought about – mostly because I never had to. The time for change is now, and I am committed to actively and continually work on being anti-racist. This book is a great start for those of you hoping to do the same.

Recommend: YES

The Truths We Hold – Kamala Harris

Stars: 4/5

I’ve been on a political kick lately! I was interested in this one after I read Barack Obama’s book for no reason other than I wanted to know more about Kamala Harris. The book was great, with lots of interesting facts about her life and career, especially given I didn’t know much about her before. I LOVED the parts where she talked about her husband taking on the roles traditionally done by the wives of politicians. My only qualm is that the book was written in 2018, so many references I now consider “old news” given the hugeness that has been this past year.

Recommend: YES

What Happens in Paradise – Elin Hilderbrand

Stars: 4/5

This book is a part of a trilogy (I read the first one last year – my thoughts are here). I definitely liked this one more than the first. It had more substance and was less predictable – it lived a little more up to its notion of being a mystery novel! Elin usually writes love stories, and although this one has that too, I thought it was a pretty good (chill) thriller!

Recommend: MAYBE (if you’ve read 1)

The Rosie Project – Graeme Simsion

Stars: 4/5

This was a really cute little love story. I’ve never read a book where the main character has autism, so this was a first! In the first chapter or so, I wasn’t quite sure why the author chose the writing style he did, but once they noted the protagonist was on the spectrum, the writing style made more sense. This is such a cute love story and a very easy read, I flew through it in only 3 days!

Recommend: YES

There are SO many more good books that I want to read this year, and since I’ve gotten into audiobooks, I feel like my reading capabilities have just about doubled! I can’t wait to get my hands on a few more of the books on my 2021 reading list!

If you’re interested in books/reading, you can check out everything book related at these posts:

Have you read any of the books on this list?! I’d love to hear what you thought of them in the comments!

xx Victoria