I know other blogs did this at the end of 2021 but I figured I’d start out the new year with a two-parter before I got back to the business of reading books. This week we’ll be looking at some of my favorite reads from the last year (mostly because I want to squee over them again) and next week, we’ll be talking about what I’m looking forward to in 2022.
So let’s get started!
Going back over my blog for the book I reviewed was that 2021 was the year that I jumped right out of my previous reading zone and fell in love with diverse books. Don’t get me wrong, Sherlock Holmes and Jane Austen variations will always be on my list of “things Mouse needs to read”, but I’ll admit, it was because of Jane Austen variations that I found some of my favorite books. 2020 introduced me to Ibi Zoboi’ s “Pride” but 2021 gave me Uzma Jalaluddin’s “Ayesha At Last” which was a Indian Muslim take on Pride and Prejudice and Eden Appiah-Kubi’s “The Bennet Women”.
Another Pride and Prejudice variation (sort of) I picked up was Alexandria Bellefleur’s “Written in the Stars” which not only introduced me to another favorite writer and her second novel “Hang the Moon” but also rekindled my love of the fake dating troupe.
Fake dating troupes got me into trouble this year, but it also brought me one of my favorite books that I spite bought, Ali Hazelwood’s “The Love Hypothesis”. Yes, I spite joined the Book of the Month Club JUST to get this book and it was the best decision I ever made in a pique of spite.
This was also the year I read a lot of LGBTQ themed romances and although I mentioned one already, Alexandria Bellefluer (whose second book is queer even though it’s a M/F story and I adore that), it would break my heart if I don’t mention some of my other favorites, Freya Marske’s “A Marvellous Light”, Casey McQuiston’s “Red, White, and Royal Blue” (this is a comfort read now), and an author I will go to the mats for, J.R. Lawrie and her two books “Let Your Heart be Light” and “The Sheltering Tree”. If you haven’t read them, just go do it. I have #ZachWynnGarstonfanclub and #Jalastairismycomfortship ribbons at the ready.
Before you all think that all I read were romances this year, I say nay! I have a few non-romance stories that hit my favorite list this year Jonathan Sims debut book “Thirteen Storeys”. If you’ve listened or are starting to listen to the podcast “The Magnus Archives” (and if you haven’t and like horror, what are you waiting for?), read this book.
If you want more horror, thriller or sci-fi, I was introduces to S.A. Asthana’s collections of short stories “At the Edges” and his newest released follow up, “Beyond the Edges” and finally for next years holiday season, Richard Riccard’s “Sherlock Holmes: The Twelve Days of Christmas”. Because I couldn’t end this without a Sherlock Holmes pastiche, not could I?
All reviews for these books are in last year’s reviews so if you aren’t sure please feel free to read my review before buying. Or just get them and read them, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.
Happy New Year my friends, I hope you enjoyed this look back and found some books to be added to your TBR pile. Winter is officially here with a vengeance so as always, find your favorite spot and your favorite drink and curl up with a good book.
Mouse's Reading Nook 