2021 Yearly Wrap Up

We’re at the end of 2021! We’re still stuck in the pandemic, but you know. Maybe things will change in 2022. We’ll see. But that means it’s time for my 2021 Yearly Wrap Up! I read over 400 books this year, the most I’ve ever read in a year. I’m not really even sure how I did it, but I will take it! Like last year, I’m going to focus on my favorites in different categories. Because there’s no way I’m making a list of 400 books.

Once again, here are the categories I’m going to focus on for this wrap up: Graphic Novels, Audiobooks, Fantasy/Sci-fi, Contemporary, Nonfiction, TV Shows, and Movies! I’m going to try to stick to 5 for each category, but we’ll see if I can stick to that. If you’re interested in seeing more of what I read this year, either check out my Monthly Wrap Ups or my Weekly Bite Size Review posts!

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2021 Yearly Wrap Up

Top Graphic Novels

1. Himawari House by Harmony Becker: A more recent release, but this graphic novel was amazing. I loved the way language was incoporated and the characters were great.

2. The Golden Hour by Niki Smith: Another recent release, but I was blown away by this. Not only was it perfectly paced, but the art was gorgeous. Almost perfect middle grade novel.

3. The Legend of Auntie Po by Shin Ying Khor: I am absolutely a sucker for a watercolor graphic novel. And this was one! Not only was the art well done, but the story shed light on an important aspect of history, too.

4. Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms by Crystal Frasier: Maybe a bit on the short side, but this graphic novel was adorable and wonderful. I loved every moment of it and wanted more!

5. Heartstopper Volume 4 by Alice Oseman: Heartstopper was on my list last year, too. It will probably be on my list in 2022, too! It’st just one of those series that is always at the top of my list.

Top Audiobooks

1. A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger: The storytelling aspect of this book is what makes it so great. It’s based on Apache storytelling techniques, and listening to the audiobook is 100% worth it.

2. Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean: From the beginning, I was hooked on the characters in this. There’s a sequel coming out next year and I can’t wait!

3. A Complicated Love Story Set in Space by Shaun David Hutchinson: Listening to this on audiobook made the story even better for me. Especially with that twist at the end!

4. A Sitting in St. James by Rita Williams-Garcia: A narrative set during the time of slavery in the United States. The audiobook narrator for this is also fantastic!

5. Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry by Joya Goffney: An adorable rom-com, in the vein of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. If you’re looking for a romance, this is definitely a great one!

Top Fantasy/SciFi

1. Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao: I didn’t want to put this book down once I started it! An interesting world with great characters.

2. Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune: I have yet to meet a TJ Klune book I didn’t like, and I hope that this trend continues in 2022!

3. Legendborn by Tracey Deonn: The sequel to this comes out in 2022 and I can’t wait. Unique magical world, I need to know what happens next!

4. Wolfsong by TJ Klune: I read this entire book in one sitting and for good reason. Once you start it, you won’t be able to put it down.

5. Any Way the Wind Blows by Rainbow Rowell: I know some people didn’t like the ending to the Simon Snow trilogy, but I loved it. We got all the Simon/Baz moments we’ve always wanted!

Top Contemporary

1. In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner: This is actually my top book of the year. It just came out in 2021 and I already read it twice.

2. The Sky Blues by Robbie Couch: Another book I read in basically one sitting! Plus, it’s set in Michigan and that always adds a nice home aspect to it.

3. Loveless by Alice Oseman: Technically not out in the US yet, I bought the UK edition as a congratuations gift for my new job!

4. Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley: This has gotten all kinds of buzz this year, and for good reason! There’s so much to love about it.

5. Here’s to Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera: This book just came out a few days ago, but I reviewed an ARC of it and I loved it. Such a satisfying ending.

Top Nonfiction

1. From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry by Paula Yoo: This is about the spark of the Asian American Rights movement in the 1980s. Which I never learned about, even though it happened in Michigan.

2. The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green: A series of short essays about humanity, by John Green. So many of his words strike home, and I loved it.

3. Black Birds in the Sky by Brandy Colbert: About the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, which we also didn’t learn about in school, this should be in every classroom.

4. Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask by Anton Treuer: This book is formatted like every day questions Indigenous people get, and it is a great source of information.

5. Determined to Stay by Jody Sokolower: If you’re looking to learn about about the Palestinian conflict, this book breaks it down in a way that’s really easy to understand.

Top TV Shows

1. Hawkeye: Maybe a surprise, but I loved the way that this show incorporated the comics. It worked so well.

2. WandaVision: This show did so many things right. So many twists and turns, and so emotional.

3. The Witcher: If you’re looking for a new fantasy show to watch, this one has some great characters!

4. Maniac: This show will make you think about mental health, and what it means to “cure” it. Engaging and fascinating!

5. Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Including this because it officially ended this year and it might make it into my sitcom rotation.

Top Movies

1. Spider-Man: Far From Home: The best movie I watched all year, hands down. I’ll be writing a review for it, probably next week!

2. Black Widow: It’s about time Black Widow got her own movie, and this one was great! Even though we know how her story ends in the MCU. She got the movie she deserved!

3. Luca: One of Pixar’s latest movies, and it was so adorable! Serioiusly, I loved it from beginning to end.

4. Tick, Tick…Boom! A Netflix show about the guy who made Rent, starring Andrew Garfield. If you like musicals, I’d definitely recommend this one!

5. The Devil All the Time: Another Netflix show, but this one shows you Tom Holland’s acting chops. It’s dark, but it’s good!