They say reading books and books books are not the same hobby. 2021 was a year in which I tried to shift from the former to the latter, with only mild success. (Trust me, my ratio of bought:read is not pretty.) However, I did manage to manage to move 30 books from that shameful "not-yet-read" shelf! My time in these tomes transformed the way I see the world around me, and while I know no one asked for this, but here's my list anyways.
First, I'd like to note this post is heavily inspired by one of my dearest friends, Audrey White, who writes over at audreykwhite.com. She is a gifted writer, designer, photographer, and home improvement aficionado. Audrey is one of my biggest sources of reading inspiration, and every year I eagerly await her "ALL I read in [insert year here]" posts. PLEASE go give her 2021 version a read, and check out her immaculate website while you're over there!!
Without further ado, here are my 2021 Reads in Review! You'll find my top favorites starred (*). Please check out my Goodreads for more detailed ratings & reviews.
Memoirs (and Memoir-Adjacent) I'm embarrassed to admit that it wasn't until December of 2021 that I realized I have an affinity for memoirs. I found myself drawn to these life stories again and again and again.
A Promised Land by Barack Obama*
Probably my favorite read of the year. I learned so much about the presidency & about the political events of the 2000s and 2010s. I cried an incredible amount listening to his stories to the point I was probably a danger driving, but the audiobook was worth every one of its 28 hours. Beautifully written, honest, and human.
Notes on Grief by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie*
I read this sitting in a quiet corner of a cafe in New York City and cried and cried and cried. My travel companion also read it and cried and cried and cried. It's an incredible, heartbreaking tribute to Adichie's father after his death during the pandemic.
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass
I Know This to be True by Bryan Stevenson
Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah*
I know everyone and their mother has read this book, but I, too, really enjoyed it. I picked it up while doing some recruiting in South Africa, and learned a ton about SA's history and daily life there. I appreciated Noah's unique story and perspective. Listening on audiobook was a move I didn't regret, especially with all the languages woven throughout its chapters.
Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hong
I liked Minor Feelings, but did finish it feeling like I don't know enough about art to really appreciate it.
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner*
I read a lot of stories about people dying this year, I'm realizing. Crying in H Mart surprised me - I didn't know much about the work or the author before I read it, and sometimes books are better that way.
Thirst: A Story of Redemption, Compassion, and a Mission to Bring Clean Water to the World by Scott Harrison
The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World by Melinda Gates*
Read this on recommendation of a friend at Stanford working in WASH (hi Gracie!). It's not a flawless approach, and the Gates Foundation and family are far from perfect. However, I thought it was a really educational read on how sexism and inequality pervades all elements of society, and how lifting women lifts whole societies.
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
Fiction
I feel I forgot my love for fiction in my late teens, and am happy to be reviving that love in recent times. While fiction was only 27% of my reading list this year, these works have stuck to my bones in the way only fiction can. All the fiction I read this year was written by people of color, and each connected to themes like race, class, gender, culture, and inequity. I really enjoyed each of these!
Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas*
Angie Thomas is absolutely incredible. Every single one of her books has absolutely captured me. Brilliant, brilliant storytelling and characters that jump to life on every page.
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
The Memory Police by Yōko Ogawa*
Fascinating dystopian novel written originally in Japanese in 1994. I think this book will become a classic adjacent to George Orwell and Ray Bradbury. A timely translation given the global rise of fascism - heavily inspired by Anne Frank's life & writings.
Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See*
Stayed up until 3 am finishing this because it was TOO GRIPPING. Read on the recommendation of Audrey White. Follows a girl in rural china in the 1980s and her experiences with modernity as she advances in the tea industry as an ethnic minority. Tackles many socioeconomic and cultural issues in the region - I also learned a ton about tea! Clearly See did an enormous amount of research and it really showed. Lisa See is on my reading list for 2022 again!
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo
Picked up from a "BTS' RM Reading List" display in a bookstore in Germany. Thank you Kim Namjoon #ARMY. Feminist novel, short powerful read.
A Burning by Megha Majumdar
I would be lying if I told you I didn't buy this partially because the cover was incredibly beautiful. The story inside, however, was equally compelling. Reminded me a lot of Mohsin Hamid's Exit West, one of my favorites. Also has themes of fascism and authoritarianism.
How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia by Mohsin Hamid
Faith The past two years have presented challenging new questions for many of faith. I wrote about this more in my 2022 Retune Guide workbook. The books I read this year helped encourage the healthy elasticity all faith needs to grow and change, and I'm grateful. I hope to read more women in this category in 2022 :)
The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth by Beth Allison Barr*
If you're a Christian, I think you should really consider reading this book and reckoning with its contents. It is written from the perspective of a Medieval Historian, so it's not an end-all-be-all takedown of Christian Patriarchy, but it offers many unique insights into the conversation around gender in the church. Let's set women free :)
Invitation to Solitude and Silence: Experiencing God's Transforming Presence by Ruth Haley Barton*
I love Ruth Haley Barton. And this book was such a breath of fresh air, super practical.
Garden City: Work, Rest, and the Art of Being Human by John Mark Comer
A really solid read on work. Definitely pretty individual-oriented (rather than system or institution-oriented) and parts of it feel like Comer is trying a little too hard to be relatable, but still one of the best Christian books on work I've read.
Searching for Enough: The High-Wire Walk Between Doubt and Faith by Tyler Staton
The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming by Henri Nouwen*
Henri. Nouwen. I think about this book all the time, it really changed how I view myself and my emotions in relation to God and helped me believe more my Belovedness. Please go read Nouwen.
Following Jesus: Finding Our Way Home in an Age of Anxiety by Henri Nouwen
The Gospel at Work: How the Gospel Gives New Purpose and Meaning to Our Jobs by Sebastian Traeger
Not recommended, please see Garden City above for a much better take, or Kingdom Calling by Amy Sherman
Everybody, Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People by Bob Goff
Etc. These books don't really fall into my above categories, but wanted to give them some airtime nonetheless!
The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country by Amanda Gorman
Instant tears.
Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Welcome to the New World by Jake Halpern
Graphic novel I learned about through a favorite NPR podcast (Rough Translation), documenting a Syrian refugee family's experiences resettling in America, wonderful!
Portraits of Israelis and Palestinians: For My Parents by Seth Tobocman
I hope you've enjoyed this 2021 Reads in Review! If you have recommendations for me, want recommendations from me, or ever want to chat anything related to the topics above, please shoot me a message and/or add me on Goodreads. I'm trying to save my soul from getting sucked down the vortex of TikTok in 2022, and would love some reading company. 0:)
xo Soph