Happy New Year - The five best books that I read in 2021
2021 is coming to an end, and I’d like to wish you all a very happy new year. While I don’t quite have any news to share about the future of James and the Supers, I do have something else to share: my top 5 books that I read this year! If you’re looking for a great read to kick off 2022, check out any of these:
#5 Till We Have Faces - C.S. Lewis
Till We Have Faces is one of C.S. Lewis’s lesser-known books, but it quickly became one of my favorites. This retelling of the mythological story of Cupid and Psyche is a wonderfully written meditation on life and love.
#4 A Gentleman in Moscow - Amor Towles
This book was … difficult. At times it’s charmingly bright and clever, and at others it’s deeply sad and introspective. Amor Towles creates an enchanting, rich world while confined just to a single hotel. It’s a story of small moments contained within a larger, more epic tale.
#3 The Anthropocene Reviewed - John Green
The only nonfiction book on this list, and in my opinion the best thing that John Green has ever written. Even if you’re not a fan of his young adult stories, you should check this book out. Green’s essays will leave you contemplating every aspect of the human experience.
#2 Rhythm of War - Brandon Sanderson
If you’re a fan of Brandon Sanderson’s epic Stormlight Archive series, this book needs no introduction. Rhythm of War continues the story of Kaladin, Dalinar, and Shallan, and the 1200 pages absolutely fly by. As a writer, I’ll never understand how Sanderson churns out so many pages of high-quality fiction so quickly. Even if you’re not a fan of fantasy novels, I highly recommend you check out the Stormlight Archive.
#1 Piranesi - Susanna Clark
This. Book. It’s not just the best book that I read this year, it’s also one of my favorite books I’ve ever had the pleasure to read. The atmosphere created in the writing is astounding, and the story leaves a sense of melancholy that will stick with you long after you turn the final page. Do yourself a favor and don’t look up anything about the story before you read this fantastic book.
Honorable mentions: Tree of Smoke, The Great Divorce, The Pearl
What are the best books that you read this year? Let me know!
That’s all for now. Here’s to a very happy 2022!