2021 Book Recap

Hello, friend! Can you believe we're already at the end of the year? It has somehow felt like the longest and shortest year EVER! This year, a lot happened. I graduated with my BA in English, I started this blog (which really needs to have an actual schedule... sorry😅), and I started working at one of my favorite places -- Barnes & Noble. It has been quite the year. While I didn't have much opportunity to read for fun during the school year, I still managed to read quite a few books this year (about 3/4 of these are from the past few months). So, naturally, I thought to create a recap of all the books I read and let you know which ones are worth the read and which aren't. SPOILER: All of them are worth the read. Without further ado, let's just jump into the article, shall we?

Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 4 Stars

Why: It had it's moments of "seriously," but it was overall very good. Think "You've Got Mail" but turned modern.

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 Stars

Why: Five words -- Prince Cardan Greenbriar of Elfhame... That is all.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 Stars

Why: Classic, so duh. Rochester drives me insane, but Jane's autonomy is on point. DOWN WITH THE PATRIARCHY (I'm looking at you, St. John).

Morganville Vampires: Daylighters by Rachel Caine ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 4 Stars

Why: Honestly, I read this book about 9 years after reading book 14 of this series (Daylighters is the last one) and the ending was a little too simple -- but it was still good. Plus, I read the first 14 books...I couldn't just not read the last one.

Hush, Hush (re-read) by Becca Fitzpatrick ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 Stars

Why: Just perfection. Patch was my first book boyfriend and the dynamic between Patch and Nora is great. This is also the book that really got me hooked on YA. So....

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 Stars

Why: This book made me love murder mystery and it is so good and I'm waiting to read the last one in this series.

Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 Stars

Why: ^^^^^

Crossings by Alex Landragin ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 Stars

Why: This book can be read in two ways and I HIGHLY recommend the Baroness sequence (jumping from one chapter to another to create a complete and unique story). I read it this way -- PLEASE BUY IT.

One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 Stars

Why: This is the first book that actually stumped me. Usually I can figure out the plot of a story early on, but I could not figure out this book for the life of me. I had a theory, but I wasn't set on that theory (I was right, but that just further proves how good of a book it was because it kept me guessing).

One of Us Is Next by Karen M. McManus ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 4 Stars

Why: The first book was better, but it still had a good storyline. The end left me gasping though. In the middle of the night. When I should have been asleep. But read instead. I woke up my dog. He was very concerned.

You Won't Know I'm Gone by Kristen Orlando ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 4 Stars

Why: The character of Luke is so cool and I love Reagan, but some things in this book drove me insane. But, like, not in a bad way.

You Won't See Me Coming by Kristen Orlando ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 4 Stars

Why: ^^^^^

The Grimrose Girls by Laura Pohl ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 4 Stars

Why: Grimm tales meets Once Upon a Time meets slight Disney meets Pretty Little Liars. Need I say more? No.

Today, Tonight, Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 Stars

Why: Literally read this in two days. The characters brought me life. Enemies to lovers but add high school seniors. So good. Please read.

Love & Luck by Jenna Evans Welch ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 4 Stars

Why: This was a cute book. It had some moments where I felt bored (very, very few) and the progression of the main character was really well-developed. Must read.

UPCOMING BOOK REVIEWS:

• Today, Tonight, Tomorrow

• A Good Girl's Guide to Murder & Good Girl, Bad Blood

• One of Us Is Lying & One of Us Is Next

• Crossings

• The Grimrose Girls

That's about all I have for you. What books have you read this year? And have you read any of those listed above? Let me know. Let's start a conversation!

Merry Christmas!

- Kaylee