Down the Book Jar’s Choice Awards {2021}
For the last 13 years, Goodreads has hosted their annual Reader’s Choice Awards. It’s one of the only book awards decided by readers. I always look forward to it, and make sure to vote for my favorites. You can check out the 2021 winners here!
Inspired by the Goodreads Choice Awards, I’ve decided to do my own awards as a way to wrap up my 2021 reading. I’m skipping some categories (AKA poetry), and adding in some of my own.
Best Humor
Broken by Jenny Lawson
I LOVED this book. Jenny was so honest and hilarious throughout the entire book. I didn’t understand the “purpose” of it as a book, and my sister reminded me that it’s just a funny escape from my reality (and into someone else’s).
Best Mystery/Thriller
When You See Me by Lisa Gardner
Bless book recommendations from friends! I asked no questions when someone told me I needed to read When You See Me, and I was not disappointed. This book full of girl power kept me guessing until the very end. I couldn’t put it down!
Honorable Mention: The Ballerinas by Rachel Kapelke-Dale
Best Historical Fiction
The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel
Technically, I think this may have been my ONLY historical fiction that I read this year, but it was still just a beautiful book. I would definitely recommend it. Even my mom liked it, and she isn’t a fan of historical fiction.
Honorable Mention: The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson (She has a sequel coming out in 2022!)
Best Fantasy
Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo
I didn’t keep up with the Grishaverse books as they were coming out. Thus, I devoured the entire series in 2021. Rule of Wolves was the kind of finale book series lovers always dream of. It wrapped everything up, and even brought back a few past characters too!
Best Memoir
Unfinished by Priyanka Chopra Jonas
I love Priyanka Chopra Jonas. She is beautiful and involved and just an incredible role model for young women all over the world. I mean, she nabbed her husband through Twitter DMs! (Seriously, read the book for the full story.) It was wonderful reading her story, and I really resonated with her concept of “creating rooms in a house.”
Best Book Series
The Mirror Visitor by Christelle Dabos
This book series was a complete surprise! These, I did read as they were coming out, and I’m already looking forward to the opportunity to read the series from start to finish in 2022. It was youthful and so creative with some of the best world building I have seen in a while.
Honorable Mention: Shadow & Bone Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo
Best Fiction
Find Her by Lisa Gardner
Find Her grabbed you from the very first chapter. It’s inspiring to read a story of a strong, young female with her wits about her, who is able to handle herself in any sort of sticky situation…especially the worst ones. This was my first introduction to Flora, and I LOVE her.
Honorable Mention: The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth
Best Nonfiction
The Myth of the Nice Girl by Fran Hauser
If I could purchase a copy of this book for every under-30-something woman in my life, I would. So often, women are looked over for being softer, but when we stand up for ourselves, we’re criticized. Fran Hauser introduces you to ways to be both strong and soft in a single interaction. She’s genius, and you should all follow her on social media. She even has a bookstagram!
Honorable Mention: Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies by Tara Schuster
Favorite Book of 2021
The Missing of Clairedelune by Christelle Dabos
Choosing a favorite book of the year was very hard. However, I sat and thought about what book truly blew me away. This is the second book in The Mirror Visitor series, and it was probably the most creative. The imagery and logic of the world were fascinating! I can’t wait to read it again!
Here’s to the first ever Down the Book Jar’s Choice Awards! I’ll turn this into an annual thing. It’s a great way to wrap up the year and really look back at all of the books I’ve read. I have some interesting reading goals for 2022, so stay tuned to the blog and my Instagram for more!
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