Despite the pandemic, I managed to read more books in 2020 than I had since they were required reading on an English syllabus (here were my favorites). My resolve continued in 2021. I read fiction, non-fiction (thanks to the Best Book Club Ever), memoirs, really a little bit of everything. Since I (mostly) remember to track everything in Goodreads, I culled through the list and wanted to share my highlights because nothing makes me want to read a book more than hearing “You’ve GOT to read it!”.
Fiction
The Push
by Ashley Audrain
Severe post-partum depression? Or evil first-born? Debate it with your book club.
The Gown
by Jennifer Robson
I have to read at least one WWII-era fiction book a year, and this one didn’t disappoint.
Such a Fun Age
by Kiley Reid
A great way to explore race and privilege through the lens of fiction.
Fifty Words for Rain
by Asha Lemmie
It wasn’t an obvious choice for me, but I couldn’t put it down once I started reading it.
A Time for Mercy
by John Grisham
A fun indulgence for all John Grisham fans.
The Four Winds
by Kristin Hannah
If you loved The Nightingale or any of her others, you’ll love this one!
Memoirs
No Cure for Being Human: And Other Truths I Need to Hear
by Kate Bowler
I loved her first memoir, and this one is just as good.
A House in the Sky
Amanda Lindhout & Sara Corbett
Reads like the script of a Hollywood thriller, couldn’t believe it was a true story.
What We Carry: A Memoir
by Maya Shanbhag Lang
The relationship between the author and her mother is fascinating and will have you thinking about the “narratives” we tell ourselves and others long after you’ve put it down.
Good Apple: Tales of a Southern Evangelical in New York
by Elizabeth Passarella
She has a great sense of humor and breaks down the stereotype of what it means to be an “evangelical”.
Best Parenting Books
The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who are Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money
by Ron Lieber
Approachable advice that makes sense – I tried it with my own kids.
How Not to Hate Your Husband After Kids
by Jancee Dunn
Funny! And contains some helpful “gems”.
Read It Now, Then Binge It Later
Station Eleven
by Emily St. John Mandel
You won’t believe it was written before COVID – a little too close for comfort at times.
Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive
by Stephanie Land
Rare exception where I liked the series BETTER than the book, although the book wasn’t bad.
Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots
by Deborah Feldman
I had little knowledge of Hasidic Jewish culture and found the book fascinating–the series does a great job with it, too.
Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption
by Bryan Stevenson
The memoir is compelling, and Michael B. Jordan nails his portrayal of Stevenson.
Non-Fiction
Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting
by Lisa Genova
Fascinating explanation of how our brain “remembers” and “forgets” things and why, very approachable despite the complexity of the subject.
Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation
by Kristin Kobes du Mez
A bit of a slog, but helps explain “what is happening?!” in our current political climate.
Local History
The Broken Heart of America: St. Louis and the Violent History of the United States
by Walter Johnson
Getting through the first half of this book was a COMMITMENT, but it was worth it.
The Last Children of Mill Creek
by Vivian Gibson
Read The Broken Heart of America first, then follow with Gibson’s stories of the people who lived in, and were eventually forced out of, Mill Creek.
And finally…the winner of the “You Haven’t Read [INSERT PAST POPULAR BOOK HERE]?!” category:
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows
It lives up to the hype, and the Netflix adaptation was decent.
Whether you belong to a book club, read solo, or are just trying to learn more about something (including yourself), happy reading in 2022!
