It’s the end of the year, which of course means it’s List Season. And lo, here is mine.
These are my favorite reads of 2021. As a reminder: these aren’t my favorite books that were published in 2021—rather, they’re my favorites that I read in 2021. Some of them came out this year (see, for instance, the dazzling Cloud Cuckoo Land, by Anthony Doerr). And others came out many, many years ago.
As an example of the latter, this was finally the year I read Lonesome Dove, by Larry McMurtry. Many-a-time I held this book in my hands only to put it back on the bookstore shelf. Why? Who knows. But after reading it this year, I can soundly say that it’s not only one of my favorites of 2021—it’s one of my favorites of all time. It’s as epic as epic Western can go, in my opinion. The tale of Call and Gus will live on in my mind for as long as I breathe. Also, it’s part of a tetralogy—and I’ve read three of the four books so far. (With one of them, Dead Man’s Walk, making it on this list as well.)
Maybe you’re not in the mood for a western and, instead, prefer something a bit more horror-inspired. May I direct your attention to Don’t Look Now. It’s a collection of Daphne Du Maurier’s most haunting stories, including the short story that Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds was based on. It’s an incredible collection of terrifying tales—and a perfect example of why you should follow your local bookstores on social, as this is how I discovered that the book even existed.
Other short story collections on this list include the wonderful Tania James’s Aerogrammes, as well as Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self by Danielle Evans. Both gorgeous reads. And then there’s Louise Glück—decidedly one of my favorite poets—with a brilliant new collection entitled Winter Recipes from the Collective.
Realistic. Westerns. Fantasy. Historical. Sci-Fi. It’s all here, in the list below (and in no particular order). And I only hope that you pick up a book or two (or ten)—each linked to its respective title on bookshop.org.
Oh, and maybe you’re thinking, “Um, Gene, why isn’t (insert hot, new book that came out this year) on this list?” It might be because I haven’t read it yet. Or it might be because this whole damn thing is subjective to begin with.
At any rate, I hope you enjoy these books as much as I did. Happy reading.
Lonesome Dove, by Larry McMurtry
Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self, by Danielle Evans
A Children’s Bible, by Lydia Millet
Don’t Look Now, by Daphne Du Maurier
Thunderstruck & Other Stories, by Elizabeth McCracken
Cloud Cuckoo Land, by Anthony Doerr
