I Read 78 Books Last Year, These Were My Favorite

I read a lot. Not as much as some people, but definitely quite a bit more than the average person. Last year I read 78 books (not including audiobooks), and while I very rarely meet a book I hate, I definitely find a few I love. Sometimes I have a standout year with dozens of favorites, and other times I have only a few that I would cal wonderful. This year I had a number 1, without a doubt, but I also felt really good about the other 4 I included on this list. Hopefully, you find something new that interests you!

5. The Alienest

So, during the dark year of 2020 I found The Alienest, starring Dakota Fanning, on one of my streaming services. I absolutely love Ms. Fanning as an actress, and I was pleastantly surprised at how much I loved the show. Yes, it is extremely dark, and it involves crimes against children, so if that’s going to upset you I don’t suggest this one. However, if you can handle it, I think it is a phenomenal show, and an even better read. I plan to add more Dr. Kriessler tales to my list in the last half of the year. Very Sherlock Holmes esque, but much grittier I think.

4. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Yes, I know this has been on every bestseller list and bookstagrammer’s feed, but it’s for good reason. This was one of those can’t put down books for me, and even though the twist was kind of predictable, I thoroughly enjoyed the ride we took to get there. I fell in love with so many characters along the way, and I was more than obsessed with Evelyn herself, as well as the glamorous lifestyle I pictured. The story has been contracted for a screenplay and should be hitting a streaming service near you in the next couple of years. I think it will translate beautifully, but as always, I suggest reading the book. It’s probably better.

3. Damnation Spring

Heart wrenching, but damn I loved it. This amazing story is based in the beautiful Redwoods during the late 1970s and tells the story of those trying to save the world and those just trying to save their lives. The the end, they’re fighting against each other. I have rarely connected with characters the way I did here, but I literally felt like I was living life with them. My heart broke for over 300 pages, but this is one I know I will read again and again. I cannot recommend it enough.

2. Once There Were Wolves

Maybe I’m just a sucker for books that take place in Scotland, or maybe it’s the wolves, I don’t know, but I loved every second of this book. The juxtaposition of the reentry of wolves in Scotland with the narrator’s relationships is amazing, and so much of it can be missed if you’re not paying attention. The backdrop for this tale is utter perfection, and the struggle to love such an imperfect and complicated character is an amazing ride to be on. Again, my heart broke more than once, and I’m pretty positive I actually cried, but it was worth it. I’ll read it again, and I hope I cry again.

1. Valentine

I love books, but rarely do I carry a story in my heart the way I do this one. When someone asks for a book recommendation or a favorite of mine, this is literally the first thing to come out of my mouth. Watching a town tear itself apart over the brutal rape of a young Hispanic girl in west Texas is excruciating to follow, but it’s worth it. I found myself literally exhausted from my feelings with this one. There are so many pieces of myself I found scattered across the pages, and the vulnerability from something like that isn’t what I’m used to. My heart bled across the dry landscape of Odessa, and what I left in that book once it was closed will be there forever. I’ll continue to leave a piece of myself each time I read it, but I know now it will be a piece of myself I give freely, and I believe I will feel a little bit lighter each time. Whether that’s for the good or the bad, I’m not sure, but this book is a part of me, and I want to keep it that way forever.

Okay, so I realized after writing this, that most of my favorite books illicit a pretty emotional response, and I know that’s not for everyone. I promise I read my fair share of fun and easy “beach reads”, as well as some great thrillers, but unfortunately, those just didn’t make the top 5 from 2021.

If you’re looking for *almost* all of my reads check out @SheBroughtABook on Insta!

Drop a comment if you’ve read one of these, or better yet, with one of your favorite reads!

Love,

Lilly