Top Ten Tuesday is an original blog meme created by The Broke and the Bookish and is currently being hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week’s topic is “Best Books I Read In 2021.” I don’t know why it always seems to work out this way, but I usually read around ten five-star reads throughout the year which makes these kinds of posts sort of easy to put together. I sometimes feel like I give out a lot of four-star reads which makes me an easy reader to impress, but on the other hand I don’t give out a lot of five-star ratings which makes me a hard reader to impress. I am a mess of contradictions I guess. Covers linked to Goodreads.
1. We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faizal
Why I Loved It: great world-building, hate-to-love romance, fun ensemble cast
2. Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson
Why I Loved It: deals with exploitive and predatory relationships with honesty and thoughtfulness, flawless execution
3. The Mirror Season by Anna-Marie McLemore
Why I Loved It: beautifully written, explores trauma while encouraging empowerment, magical realism
4. Witchmark by C.L. Polk
Why I Loved It: quiet fantasy, slow-burn romance, magic and politics collide
5. Monstress, Vol. 4: The Chosen and Monstress Vol. 5: Warchild by Marjorie M. Liu and Sana Takeda
(combining these two because I can)
Why I Loved It: graphic novel series that never lets me down, female-centered, multilayered characters
6. Fat Chance, Charlie Vega by Crystal Maldonado
Why I Loved It: loveable protagonist, clear genuine voice, sweet romance
7. Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw
Why I Loved It: messy characters, tension, Japanese folklore + horror
8. We Are Not From Here by Jenny Torres Sanchez
Why I Loved It: gutting and honest, will make you cry, unforgettable
9. How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
Why I Loved It: gorgeous writing, sex-positive, slow-burn romance, working through personal trauma
10. Gearbreakers by Zoe Hana Mikuta
Why I Loved It: sapphic slow-burn romance, heart-stopping action, found family, mechas
Have you read any of these or are they on your TBR? Let me know in the comments and be sure to leave me a link to your own TTT post, so I can visit!
A Kernel of Nonsense 
Witchmark is amazing. I wish more people read it.
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Sooo good! I am excited to continue the series.
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Well I haven’t read any of these, but I’ve only heard good things about Monstress. Happy reading! My TTT https://readwithstefani.com/the-best-10-books-i-read-in-2021/
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It’s such a great series! Thank you.
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I really need to get to Nothing But Blackened Teeth asap. Thanks for the recommendation!
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Yes, let me know if you enjoy it!
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The only one on your list that I’ve read is Fat Chance, Charlie Vega. I wish there were books like it when I was a teen.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/the-10-best-books-i-read-in-2021/
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It’s such a great book!
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Honestly, I’m scared tor ead Nothing But Blackened Teeth, but with a title and cover like that — and a rec from you based on Japanese folklore — who can resist this? Time to buck up and go read some horror!
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Do it! Do it! Do it!
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This post is basically my TBR list. I’m looking forward to Charlie Vega and Grown, so I’m glad you liked them.
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I hope you get a chance to read them, they are all wonderful!
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I love Monstress!! such a great graphic novel, even if, it’s intense and dark! I really enjoyed Charlie Vega too!
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Glad you enjoyed both of these. They are among my favorites.
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Awesome post. Haven’t read any but quite a few on my TBR, so seeing how much you liked them excites me.
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Yay, I hope you have a chance to pick some of these up soon!
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I haven’t read any of these yet. I need to take a closer look at a few I’ve seen before and been curious about, though, now that I see them making your list. Happy New Year!
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Yay, Happy New Year to you too!
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Adding WE ARE NOT FROM HERE to my TBR as soon as I am done here. Happy New Year! My 2021 Favorites
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It’s an essential read!
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Grown is fantastic! I really want to read The Mirror Season. I love Anne-Marie McLemore.
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The Mirror Season is amazing. I’m sure it will end up a fav for you since you are such a fan.
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Great list, I love We Free the Stars 💜
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It’s so good!
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I’ve not read any of these, but I’m glad they were favourites for you!
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2021/12/28/top-ten-tuesday-348/
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Thank you so much!
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🙂
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I haven’t read any of these, but it looks like it was a great reading year for you!
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Yes, it was, thank you!
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I’m the same way. I give out very few A grades since I reserve those for books that really move and impress me. I give out a lot of Bs and B- grades because I read a lot of books that are good, but not phenomenal, you know?
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
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I know exactly what you mean. I am much more stingy with five stars, reserving those for book that become true favorites.
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I haven’t read any of these, but I like the format you chose for this post. It was fun to read through your bite-sized snapshots of why you liked them; I couldn’t be that eloquently succinct if I tried.
–RS
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Oh thank you. I honestly struggle to be succinct and always feel like I fall short when I do these sort of posts, so I appreciate your comment.
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How has the entire year gone by without me reading The Mirror Season? 😭 Putting it on hold right now.
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Yes, it’s a must!
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I do want to read some of these. I’ve heard good things about Monstress!
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I have nothing but good things to say about Monstress!
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I am like that too-I am stingy about the 5 stars, but 4.5 and 4’s I don’t seem to have a problem handing out. Haha. I have been putting together my unofficial To Read list for this year and both We Are Not From Here and Witchmark are on it. I am glad to see they made your favorites list. I loved the first volume of Monstress. The artwork is so gorgeous. I need to re-read it and finally read the other volumes I have sitting on my TBR stacks. I hope you have a great New Year!
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We Are Not From Here and Witchmark are both incredible reads. Yes, I love the artwork for Monstress! Thank you!
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I loved seeing your favorite books of 2021 💗 I sadly haven’t read anything from your list but We Hunt the Flame and Fat Chance, Charlie Vega are definitely on my TBR! 😊
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Love both of these, I hope you get a chance to pick them up!
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Great list! I’m so glad to see you enjoyed Grown, it’s one I still need to get to. I love Tiffany D. Jackson’s work, but I’m still recovering from Monday’s Not Coming…
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Yes, I totally understand. Tiffany D. Jackson’s books have a way of staying with you.
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I have not read any of these, but I do have quite a few on my TBR! Gearbreakers, Nothing but Blackened Teeth, and The Mirror Season are all on my list, so I am glad to see them make yours!
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Loved all of those so much. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!
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