Top Reads of 2021

Here are my overall top reads of 2021!

  1. Circe by Madeline Miller
    Circe is such a great book. I loved the reimagining of the original tale of Circe and how we got to see this sorceress as a main character. In many Greek Mythology stories, Circe is shown as the villian of her tale, but in this story we see her as her own, bright character. If you like mythology or re-imagined fairy tales, then ou’ll definitely love this book!
  2. The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman
    4 siblings and none of them alike, yet they have to journey together to find the mythical Ivory Key. They each have different reasons for wanting it, but if they fail, they could all lose everything. I love the characters so much and the plot twists along the way. If you like fantasy or mythology, this book is perfect for you!
  3. The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
    This book is filled with plot twists and riddles, secrets and hidden compartments that you never would’ve seen coming. I’ve really enjoyed reading the first two books in this triology, though I especially loved the second book. Avery has grown so much, though she’s still as stubborn and plucky and she was in the first book. The plot is entertaining, but it’ll leave you wanting more. I can’t wait to read the final book!
  4. The Pronoun Book by Cassandra Jules Corrigan
    I really love this book. It’s sweet and simple and explains pronouns and identities in a way that’s easy to understand. The illustrations are cute and match the text perfectly. Anyone, regardless their age, can understand this book and take to using its tips and tricks. I love this book!
  5. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
    This is another great mythology book. The Trojan War is probably the subject I know least about, but this book definitely helped with that. While it focused more on Achilles and Patroclus’ relationship (one of the best ones I’ve ever heard of), it still got a close look at the Trojan War. The writing style is so delicate and at any given time, I feel like I’m actually in ancience Greece. This book is definitely one of the best.
  6. King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo
    I’ve only read the first book so far, but this duology is off to a great start. It focuses on Nikolai, Zoya, and Nina- characters in past books, now starring in their own. Their problems are like no other and they require a new solution that is bold and brave and only heard of in myths. I loved this story and the characters from the beginning to the end. It is such a new, but ownderous story and I really enjoyed it.
  7. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
    This book has consistently popped up on my Instagram and so I decided to give it a try. It was one of the best decisions I’ve made. I love all the characters and their unique personalities. They are unique but they all work together to make a diverse cast of characters. I haven’t ever met a group of characters who I’ve loved as fiercely as Kaz, Inej, Nina, Matthais, Jesper, and Wylan. This two-book series is packed with twists and turns and will have you crying and laughing at the same time. I totally recommend it to you.

What were your top reads of 2021? Did you read/like any of these books?

Fictional Characters I Admire: Inej Ghafa

I marvel at Inej’s wisdom and strength as she defeats her only real match. She truly is such a crucial part of the team. Inej Ghafa is one of the Crows from the Six of Crows duology written by Leigh Bardugo. She’s strong, brave, and courageous.  I love her story and here’s some reasons why.

Inej has so many layers. She’s soft and kind, but can also be tough. While she is vulnerable, she knows how to kill. I love how we learn about all these layers and not just one side of her. Unlike a lot of characters in fantasy, Inej is kind and vulnerable. While she has had her share of traumas, she still has a glimmer of hope which guides her.  She’s also strong. While she refuses to kill, she knows how to and is able to wound someone. I love all the different sides of her!

Inej has her own beliefs and won’t sacrifice them for anyone else. She knows her worth and carries it around proudly and I love her for that. While she knows that she wants to get close to Kaz (a fellow colleague), she also lets him know that she won’t until he opens himself up to him.She also makes it clear that she can live without him if he never opens up to her. One of her quotes is “She would fight for him, but she could not heal him. She would not waste her life trying”. She is fine continuing her life without him. 

Inej Ghafa will always be one of my favorite characters, because of her layers and the fact that she knows her own worth. I love reading about her and the person that she is.

July’s Top Books

Here are my top books for July!

  1. The Tower of Nero by Rick Riordan
    This is the last book in the Riordanverse (others have been hinted at, but there is no proof for them yet). I loved the classic Rick Riordan style and the way how our main character, Apollo/Lester has changed over his time as a mortal (normal human). This book is so great and the different aspects, like Piper’s identity and Meg’s love for unicorns, were amazing. Overall, this was a really great book.
  2. Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
    This is SUCH a great duology. I loved getting the different viewpoints and the humor was perfect. You can definitely see the development in the characters and the plot was great. I loved all of the characters, especially Inej and Jesper. This book is filled with danger, love, sadness, and more. I loved every page and think that it was such a great book!
  3. Carry Me Home by Janet Fox
    This is such an amazing book. I love the characteristics of all the characters and the how the plot developed. This book brings together sadness, hope, and joy together in the best way possible. It’s an emotional read and I loved the way that the author wrote the emotions. I love this book so, so much and I totally recommend it to you!
  4. The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen
    This is a great graphic novel about a young boy struggling to come out to his mother. I love the illustrations and how fairy tales played a big part in the story. It was a really sweet book and I loved the plot and how everything fit together. The fairy tales were beautiful and I loved how the book ended. This is such a great book!
  5. The Pronoun Book by Cassandra Jules Corrigan
    This book is a great guide to pronouns for people of all ages! It talks about the main pronouns (she/her, he/him, they/them), but also others (ze/zir, xe/xem, fae/faer). It’s an amazing book with fun pictures. There are also examples of how to use pronouns. It also touches on different parts of LGBT+ like trans, intersex, genderfluid, etc. This is a really great book and it’s really helpful!

Top Books of January: click here
Top Books of February: click here
Top Books of March: click here
Top Books of April: click here
Top Books of May: click here
Top Books of June: click here