I enjoy reading and hope to convince everyone around me to pick up a book and start reading too. This was honestly such a great year for me reading wise. I tried to read one book every week. I also caved in and finally joined TikTok and it seems that my for you page is basically #BookTok! I thought I would summarise all the great books that I read and loved this year. Some books did nothing for me and will share my reasons here. Let’s get into it.
Books I Loved ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
If we interacted in December you already know the book that had me on my toes. My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell. I loved this book so much that I dedicated a post sharing why this was a favourite for me.
15yr old Vanessa enters into a ‘relationship’ with 42 year old Professor Strane! The story moves between past and present as Vanessa shares her ‘relationship’ with Strane! Vanessa was in denial for so long, thinking that she was in a consenting relationship with Strane! she did not see herself as a victim!
My Dark Vanessa is a reminder why fiction will always be more effective and superior!! The way Kate writes about the #MeToo movement from the victims perspective is so eye opening! You get to understand why some victims do not want to come forward with their stories and not be associated with their past!
The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory
Okay, I loved this book because it introduced me to the romance genre. Can you believe 2021 was my first time/year ever reading a romance book? Written by Jasmine Guillory, it’s about Alexa Monroe and Drew Nichols who agree to a fake date for a wedding. Of course they fall in love but the chemistry was amazing, the spice was good and steamy! I also feel like fake dating is my favourite romance trope. It was a 5 star book for me because it encouraged me to be more open minded and read romance novels.
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
I also loved Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi. The book is about a Stanford pHD student who struggles to cope with the death of her brother who died of a heroin overdose. The brother’s death affected her entire family especially her mother who became depressed and suicidal.
I read Homegoing back in 2019 and was impressed with the writing. Likewise, the writing in Transcendent Kingdom is amazing. I still get so bothered how Gifty’s boyfriend invaded her privacy by reading her journal and breaking up with her because of the private thoughts in her journal!