the best books i read in 2021 (i still can't pick favorites)
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- Опубліковано 11 вер 2024
- hi everyone! i cant believe its already time for another one of my yearly wrap ups. I hope that you guys had a great reading year and PLEASE let me know your favorite book (if you can choose lol) of 2021 in the comments!! i'll be in quarantine for the first 10 days of the year so i need all the book recs i can get :') love always!
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the best books i read in 2021 (i still can't pick favorites)
I really appreciate that you mentioned liking romance books without apologizing or trying to justify it. Too much stigma and undeserved shame is attached to the romance genre, and it brings me joy to see new people discovering and liking it.
I saw an amazing post some time ago:
Women are often shamed for reading/loving romance books and are told romance is not real literature, it is not serious or ambitious enough. We are shamed for reading books where women are actually happy and good things happen to them like it's somethig to avoid. Instead, we are told to read "serious" books like thrillers, crime etc. where woman is often a victim.
It's not exactly how the post went, I can't find it, but the general idea is the same... it was really eye-opening.
I've always felt apologetic for liking a romance book 🤷♀️
Thanks a lot😊
📖Books mentioned:
If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha
The Binding by Bridget Collins
The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
Red White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Fable by Adrienne Young
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
In addition:
The Shadows Between Us
These Hollow Vows
Chain of Iron by Cassandra Clare
Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto
The Vanishing Half
Thanksss
video idea: try reading books that you see strangers read in cafes, on the bus, in the park etc.
i feel like i rarely see people with physical books anymore :/ everyone in seoul is always on their phones hehe (and i read mostly ebooks so thats no shade!!)
This is the first time I stumble upon your videos and I must tell you I felt connected to your presence almost Immediately. You’re have a very calming aura. And you’ve encouraged me to get back to reading. I stopped during COVID. I’ll go back to the library tomorrow!
thank you so much!! the library had better be ready for you!!
@@caricanread I just got back, Got myself the Comfort Book by Matt Haig, since I want to start slow, last book I read was the 48 Laws of Power and my God what a heavy book that was! Thank you again!
I read 'If I had your face' in one day I loved it so much!! So happy to see it get the hype it deserves
I live in Greece so usually when you post it's past midnight here, a perfect time for me to consume interesting book recommendations. Your videos are so soothing and radiate wholesomeness. I usually wake up the next day with an urgent need to grab one of the books you suggested and delve immediately into the plots. Thank you for your amazing and hard work!
oh my gosh thank you so much :')
The Gilded Wolves and The Love Hypothesis 👌🏻🥰 I swear we have the same book type! Happy holidays and happy birthday Cari! Thank you so much for this channel! Congratulations!
yesssss!!!!! thank YOU!
I was literally just waiting your recommendations to add new books to my firsts reads of 2022! Btw Merry Christmas and a Happy New year ❤️
yessss happy happy new year to you too!!!
Picked up The Binding because of this video and I have to say I was blown away. It's definitely a book that is best enjoyed when you have no expectations whatsoever, because the twists and turns are just too good! I was pleasantly surprised by the romance too, as I assumed it would be more centered around the fantasy aspect (judging by the cover). But it most definitely had me squealing under the covers 😂. The ending wasn't /extremely/ satisfying to me only because I wanted the characters to be a bit more emotional, but it was still a very good read overall. Thanks for the recommendation!
I lost my lifelong passion for reading fiction years ago but am slowly coming back thanks to your recommendations. Almond was a great work of fiction to return to. Happy Holidays 🎄🎉. Have a safe journey back here and can't wait to see your parents new home.
i hope you keep finding more fiction to pull you back in
I'm glad The Binding is getting some love! It was one of my favourites as well but barely anybody talks about it.
right?! thank god peri told me hehehe
I've just added so many books to my Libby shelf. Gonna be busy after Christmas
the best kind of busy!!!
Hey Cari,
I read The Binding last summer and absolutely LOVED it, it’s beauty literally broke me, and I now hold it so close to my heart. But I had never met anyone who had read it before, so seeing you talk about it crushed me and made me feel truly seen and understood. Thank you so much for making me feel this way! That’s it haha
I'm a person who has all notifications on my phone turned off to silent. And yet I find myself clicking the bell icon in Cari's channel because I'm literally addicted to her videos. I love the chaotic energy Cari has when she is talking about a certain book, specially if she doesn't like it and is therefore ranting. And she can be very persuasive. I literally read almost 90% of the books because of how she talks about them. This should be illegal lmao. Really love your videos Cari. Thank you so much. 💜💜💜
According to my storygraph I mostly read mediocre books this year, things went downhill after finishing the Winternight trilogy in January. What's funny is that I got at least one book in every star category from 2 to 5 except a 2.75, if I could fit one in before 2022 my star rating graph will take the shape of a crown it's such an odd thing to focus on but.... brain does what it does lol. My highest rated books this year were by Katherine Arden and Ruth Ware. And also manga, this cute one called Sleepy princess in the demon castle had me in stitches for the first half of the year.
Your books are so interesting and different from others I'm really happy I follow your book journey.
omg all the books that were in my "on-hold" list were ur favorites. i really need to read them
yes you do!!!
I love the way you explain the books. Even Legendborn because I want to read it.
pls doooooo!
I loved daughter of smoke and bone! So underrated! YOU HAVE TO READ STRANGE THE DREAMER....IT'S ANOTHER LEVEL.
I *highly* recommend Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent. It was by far my favorite fantasy read of 2021. It was action packed and heart wrenching in the best way possible, with a kick ass heroine and complex villains. I haven’t heard anybody talk about it nor it’s sequel and I desperately need people to discover this masterpiece of a series!
ohhhhh noted!! thank you!
YES finally someone else who knows and loves this book
I agree. It is a lovely book.
One of my favorite books of 2021 is The Kingdoms by Natasha Pulley! Easily the most beautiful thing I read this year. It has a few similar elements to The Binding, like queer romance and amnesia trope. Also it is set in like the 1800's and has alternate history, which you might find interesting.
omg you have me VERY interested!!!!
You've made me understand why I didn't love SOC as much as everyone else. I'm a character and deep relationship driven reader, and SOC is more about the action, master mind and etc. I'm kind of relieved to have found a reason
I am so happy I found your channel last year around the time you started it, you give me motivation to read every time and that's why I can never miss a video, Happy new year Cari! you are amazing! 👌
thank you always :')
I’ve been so busy with school and haven’t watched your vids in ages and ugh such a comfort channel!!!
gahhhh hope school is going well for you!! sending love!!
@@caricanread omg thank youuu
I really love how you don't want to spoil the plot for us. I've come across many many content creators who are just spoiling the entire story without putting any warning ahead which pisses me off. Thanks for this!
I was expecting to find We hunt the flame because you sounded so enthusiastic last summer! Such a cosy and cute video ❤️🔥 festive wishes x
it was a close call but i think gilded wolves overshadowed every fantasy series this year :')
i only read 7 books (hopefully eight if i can finish tender is the flesh before new years) but this year was very underwhelming for me in terms of what i read. i had the most fun with unmasked by the marquess (first book of the year did Not set up the tone for the rest lmao), the most accomplished book i read was vanished birds but my most enjoyed read was almond (which i read bc of your vlog!). i highly recommend reading the sparrow by mary doria russell its SO good the characters are very endearing it is my favourite book of 2021 and i read it last year lol
looking that one up immediately thank you!!!
omg i understand you!!!! ranking things stresses me out so bad i really struggled to make my video of fav books 😭😭😭 also just added a bunch of yours to my to-read list so thank you hehehe
right?! ahahha and hope you enjoy!!!
Oh, Cari, I feel your pain with trying to review / recommend The Binding. I loved that book, but saying absolutely anything is a spoiler! Can I also say, the audiobook was amazing. It made getting through the slightly slower start easier but also made it so atmospheric. I think anyone who likes reading seasonally, that book is great for the spooky chill fall season. 🎃 😊
definitely need to try the audiobook omg!!!
Happy Holidays Cari! Just wanted to thank you for all of your recommendations. You recommended Crying in Hmart a while ago. I read it recently because of the video you made about it and I absolutely loved it and it helped me during hard times. Thank you for making this year better with your videos and for giving me more books to add to my tbr. I'm so glad that I stumbled upon your channel this year 🌟
thank you always :') im so glad you loved it too!!
OMG, Cari- this video just made my Christmas-break week a whole LOT better!! 🎄 I just finished reading Fable and Namesake a few weeks ago and absolutely LOVED it - thanks for your recommendation! Young is one of my fav YA fantasy authors...she's just soo magnificent! I'd highly recommend that you read her Sky in the Deep duology; imo, it's just as great as Fable. 😆 Merry Christmas Cari, from Florida~! 🥳❤
yes omg!! and she is working on an adult fantasy too and i cant waaaait!!!!
Best books of 2021 for me are MXTX' books for sure.
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation? 12/10
Heaven's Official Blessings? 12/10
Scum Villain? 10/10
Literally god-tier books, I was so happy when they ended up on the NY Times best sellers list.
YES! Best books ever!
Watched the Untamed and been obsessed since then.
Cannot wait for Heaven's Official Blessing and Scumbag Villain season 2
Thank you for adding a billion more books to my already three-page long book list...😂
If I had your face
The binding
The gilded wolves series
Legengborn
The love hypothesis
Red white royal blue
Fable and namesake
My favorite book of 2021 would have to be the Mask Falling by Samantha Shannon, which is book 4 in the Bone Season series, my MOST favorite series of all time. I have re-read the books an embarrassingly large number of times 😅.
ohhhh i will look it up thank you!
Cari, thank you so much for sharing your love of books. Love your recommendations and summary skills! This year I read 20 books, I can't believe it, even tho I kept track and I know the number is real. Books are fantastic.
Also the binding, I was done reading it when you uploaded your first review and I felt it so much. The romance had me in tears 😭❤️ this totally is my trope haha
I am more of a romance reader so my favourite standalone of the year was it happened one summer by Tessa Bailey
But in fantasy my favourite was the throne of glass series by Sarah j mass(don’t kill me) and the wrath and the dawn duology
This just confirms that you're the booktuber whose taste most closely aligns with my own :) also loved Red White and Royal Blue, the Love Hypothesis, and Legendborn (it took place at University of North Carolina! Which is where I went, so extra points there). I also picked up the Guilded Wolves trilogy because of your earlier recommendation, but I still need to read Bronzed Beasts before I pass judgement on how I feel about the series as a whole.
that makes me so happy ahhhh!!!
I am bummed there won't be a dedicated "Gilded Wolves" trilogy video, but your discussion of it here is fantastic. I liked the second book the most too! Yes, "Legendborn" -- I wouldn't have paid attention to it without your recommendation. I *love* the "Daugher of Smoke and Bone" trilogy. One of my faves. The way it presents the angels and demons gave me ancient civilizations vibes. Great video, Cari. Hope you're having a good time back stateside.
Early this year i had just finished the shadows between us, and i was so lost, because all of the book community (instagram, tiktok, you know..) was loving it and going crazy, and i was there "??what was that??". Then youtube recommended me your video, and i was finally feeling represented 😂
Since then i never lose one of your videos, it's officially my favourite channel (both of them)
Thank you for your work, merry christmas 💕
ughh same it felt pretty childish imo
lmao hahahhahahh i am so glad we found each other :')
can't wait to watch this. Your vibes are comforting in some way
thank you :')
I love literaryperi's page so much and I'm so happy to see her name mentioned here
she's the best!
@@caricanread yesss
HAHA! I can't pick favorites too...it's just so hard to pick out books above the 50 or so books you've read this year! And my TBR just got longer
love seeing The Love Hypothesis here 💕
Have you read "The Octunnumi"? It's supposed to be like a really awsome book and a real experience to read It's really special. You can only buy it at one spot and only like a physical book because of the things you have to "experience " during the read, but haven't found the money yet to read it myself
the second book of the gilded wolves was also my fav and i too have a problem with the ending of the series
merry christmas and an advanced happy birthday to my fellow 90’s baby! see you in 2022 ✌🏼
thank you thank you!!! happy new year!!
Lol, heard so much about Legendborn but never knew what it was about? Apparently it was enough to just hear it's about Arthur and the Knights and I AM IN :D (That and the mystery of Atlantis are my top two legends? stories? mysteries? since I was 12 so... :D ) And yes for the Binding! You recommended it earlier in the year and I bought it and ohmygod, definitely on my top 10 list for 2021!
RIGHT?! and omg im so glad you loved it too!!!
Ahah i love the chaotic energy in the beginning.
Have a great end of the year Cari.
same to you!!
This video is the perfect start to my vacation!!
I definitely recommend reading "The Hundred-year-old man who climbed out a window and disappeared " by Jonas Jonasson. It was such a wonderful read! Love your videos as always ❤
yes!! i started that once and never finished it but i should give it another try!
Pls do a dedicated video on the gilded wolves trilogy, would absolutely love to hear your thoughts about everything❤️
one day i promise to!!
I know this is off topic but I’ve been very distracted by the floral/mint colored painting behind you! 😂Did you make it?! I love it!
thank you! yes i drew it but its a copy of van gogh's oleanders!
Started Six of crows a few hours ago and I am already halfway through :) Thank you for the recommendation!
I love daughter of smoke and bone!! Glad you thought it was one of your best reads this year!
yes!! i actually want to reread it hehe
aw glad you responded! it's totally worth the reread, it's my favorite book from that author!
OMG! I need to see you reading more romance hahaha! Anyway, I loved it! Thank you for this year, your videos made my days and brought me happiness! Have a amazing end of year, enjoy your family aaaand happy bday!
bahahhah im definitely working on it!! and thank you!! happy new year!
Merry Christmas Cari! 🎄❤️ See you next year and thanks for the awesome reviews! 🤍
thank you!! merry christmas!!!
my fave in 2021 was definitely six of crows
i have never seen any of your videos before but i have watched this 3 times now and have subscribed! i have added a few of these books to my tbr! i am amazed at how you explain these stories and i can’t wait to go watch more of your videos!
oh my goodness thank you so much!!!
My favorite book series this past year was Bewitched and Bewildered by Alanea Alder. I thought it was the greatest thing ever. My favorite book series on Wattpad is The Dragonwall Series. The series is not complete yet and I'm excited to see how it concludes.
Some book recs (idk if you mentioned any of these at some point in any of your videos. Trying not to mention ones you've talked about that I remember you've talked about.): "So Close To You" trilogy by Rachel Carter (small author I found years ago and loved/time travel stories), "Air Awakens" series by Elise Kova (read "Deal with the Elf King" by her and loves and picked up this giant book with the complete series. Reminds me of a lot of books you & me like/read), "The Secret Circle" series (one of my favorites even though written by multiple authors, so much better to me than The Vampire Diaries books.), "Among Others" by Jo Walton (I'd say angsty, well read teen, road to recovering from grief and trauma, boarding school, fairies.), "Something Wicked This Way Comes" Ray Bradbury (became one of my all time favorite books this year. Also, there is a movie.).
I read quite a few books you've recommended this year or in videos in general, most which I've enjoyed. So thank you! Hope you have a nice visit home for the holidays and a great birthday!
omg thank you thank you thank you! happy holidays!!
Hey Cari this is a bit random but I was able to get six of crows recently! Also Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!🎉
omg yay!! hope you can get crooked kingdom just as fast hehehe
Had to pause the video because Cari's face during "enemies to... ehem... question mark..?" is so hilarious to me i choked on my lunch
;) hehehehhe
yay thank you for more recommendations, you literally made me read again!
Cari your channel gives me so much serotonin 🤩💛
:'''''')
I liked Laini Taylor's Strange the Dreamer. I still need to read the second one, but Daughter of Smoke and Bone is on my radar too.
yessss!!
I immediately put a hold on Legendborn on Libby after you said it’s about taking Arthur
Laini Taylor (Daughter of Smoke and Bone) has the BEST storytelling i've seen and it's so crisp and yummy the way she tells stories
Thank you for this list! My PAL (pile à lire) is getting bigger every day but I surrender, I know I'll need more than a lifetime to read it (I hope scientists find the key to immortality... )
I think my favorite book this year was Anne of Green gables, that I read with my book club (my friends and I started it this year and I love to have tea time and discuss about books with them ❤️☕📚) The book and the series Anne with an E are so lovely, poetic and with feel good vibes, I can't wait to read the sequel
Happy holidays Cari 🎄🎁🎉
I’ve started the green bone saga by Fonda lee !! Sheeeeeeesh such a good read
Cari it is you who inspired me to read book starting last year. I love your videos of going to cafe and reading book. Love you and Merry Christmas 😘❤
I know I’m a year late but if anyone is reading this, then the betrayals is by the author of the binding and I haven’t read the binding and I hear that the betrayals is comparatively, a disappointment, but GOD I LOVED IT SO MUCHHHHHH. it was really confusing for me at first, and there’s one thing that still doesn’t really make sense to me, but it was still so good. I guessed the plot twists though, but like, there’s just something about it.
i love listening to you talking 🥺 merry christmas & happy early birthday !!💞
thank you so much and happy new year!
thank you for once again reminding me that i need to read the guilded wolves!!!
YES YOU DO!
I screamed when I saw the binding. I've been forcing myself not to pick it for a month now due to finals and all but it's definitely going to be my 1st pick for 2022. I am skipping this part on ur video cuz I wanna go into it blind 🙈 but so happy that it made it to your list.
yes!!! thats the way to do it hehehehhe
definitely Letters to the Lost and More Than We Can Tell, by Brigid Kemmerer, the Giver Quartet, by Lois Lowry, and Orbiting Jupiter, by Gary D. Schmidt are my favorites I read in 2021. Everyone needs to read all of these
I was listening to If I Had Your Face while I did work today and I was at the brink of tears. Man I haven’t even gotten through a lot and I already know that am going to have a lot to talk about.
To add on to what Cari said, it’s like you are looking into the lives of real people. Definitely doesn’t feel like fiction
such a great book :/
I read sorcery of thorns at your recommendation this year and it's become one of my favourites!! Love your channel
wahhhh that makes me so so so happy!!!
Read it like a month ago and absolutely loved it too. My favorite book of 2021.
I read the binding in 2020 and loved it!!
so good!!!
Not me screaming like crazy when she said Daughter of Smoke and Bone lol. It's so underrated, I love those books with every fiber of my being
YESSSSSSSSS
question: could you maybe post a video someday where you talk about korea, why/since when you live there, how well you speak the language (and if we could hear a little), the culture there, etc.
i looked for something like that in your videos but never found one. korea is something i am very interested rn in and i’d love to hear something about it from you.
love your videos, thank you
i have lots of Q&As on my main channel where i answer those questions!
ua-cam.com/channels/a-DreapaYm4Roo0CfUBGQg.html
@@caricanread ohhh, i didn’t know that you had a main channel, thank you so much!!! :)))
I had trouble getting into Gilded Wolves too so I borrowed the audiobook and was hooked. I read the rest of the series and really enjoyed it.
glad we both gave it another try :'''')
I think one of my favorites this year was definitely ACOTAR. Also, I just finished reading The Awakening by Nora Roberts and it was soooo good!! Disclaimer it is a trilogy I believe. But I would love for you to check it out and read it? 😄
love always!! 💕
i definitely need to read it!!!!
I’m adding all of these books to my reading list, thanks for sharing! 💫 Keep rising to be who you want to be! 💫 #keeprising #risingtobe #aswerise #riser
I love every single one of your videos!💖 And if you don't like to select and rank your favorites, maybe you can just make a "What I read in 2021" with all the books you've read and your opinion about them 🌸
Hi Cari! Been binge watching your videos because I just disovered your channel through your BTS book content, and I found that we have the same taste in books! So thanks for your recommendations, these will be added to my TBR pile. Thanks so much again!
My five favorites of the year in no particular order because I couldn't chose just one: ACOTAR (binge read the whole series in October and it got me out of a reading slump), Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard, The Binding (Guess on whose recommendation I read that one;)), Midnight in Everwwood and Salt to the Sea
yessssss love seeing the binding on your list!!!
What does ACOTAR stand for?
@@katv7401 a court of Thorns and Roses
Ah ok
@@katv7401A Court of thorns and Roses
I have been a fan of the fake dating into fall head over heels for each other troupe ever since I watch the first Full House Kdrama a million years ago. Love both of those books 🙃
dude, i was talking about my book and my friends were like “your books are boring” and then one of them was talking about how her grandma describes her books and they are interesting, and they said mine are boring. GIRL YOU JUST DONT READ. sorry not related at all, but i had to tell someone who also reads cuz none of mine do
YALL NEED TO READ VESPERTINE BY MARGARET ROGERSON!!!
It’s like marvels Venom, but an ancient sassy demon spirit, and a totally done teenage girl just trying to live, in a world where spirits, when a person dies, become violent creatures who attack others 🌸
YA FANTASY AT IT S BEST, FOR ANYONE WHO NEEDS A MYSTERIOUS FANTASY
I have a whole reading vlog about it!
@@caricanread WAIT OMG HI CARI, that makes me so glad! I was really starting to feel like I was the only one who has read it
Congrats on your 100k!
I read the gilded wolves series because of you!!! Currently on the last book. Please do the video 😭😭🥺🥺
yay!!! i will try hehehee
Ngl, I wish you showed the cover of the book instead of some writing in the corner.
thats just my style :)
LEGENDBORN YASSSS
i've been waiting on that sequel for TOO LONG AHHHH
Ayy luv your stuff as usual!!. Happy new year to yall and hope you have bookie 2022! :))
thank you so much!!!
I just found your yt but if you haven’t yet, you should read shatter me! It’s my favorite book ever read, Ive yet to read The entire dearies but it’s sooo good
Very off topic but I love your top
you should definitely read Laini Taylor's other series 'strange the dreamer' too. its so so SO good!
I literally have GoodReads open during your videos just adding books to my "Want To Read" section
^_^
Enticing choices of yours that you make appealing, & I like knowing various books like that cuz I make book trailers on my channel so I seek various stories to bet inspired from which your selections do since you describe them so intriguingly. Many thanks!
I would love if you making a video like "Book recommendations about friends and friendship"
btw i love watching your videos ♥️♥️
you talked me into looking into the guilted wolves. it’s on kindle unlimited!!