13 Best Books I Read in 2021

Plus 7 honorable mentions, 9 readable recommendations, and 10 books that did not impress

Richa Bhattarai
14 min readDec 29, 2021

In 2021, I read 51 books, completing my personal Goodreads challenge.

This year was a mostly solitary year for me like for everyone else, and books were my company. I sought books that would soothe me, enliven me, and fill me with joy. I desperately wanted to feel — shock, terror, empathy, delight, and most of all, love.

Before I begin the list, I *must* thank the DC Public Library, which has delivered to me every single book I requested [at times even making purchases I suggested]. You are the best, DCPL!

Here are the books I enjoyed reading the most [not necessarily published in 2021 or even in the recent past].

Images obtained from Amazon Books, and collaged by me

13. Commonwealth, Ann Patchett

Themes: Blended family, affair, marriage, power and dynamics in relationships, loyalty

Ann Patchett is an amazing writer, that we all know. Everything comes to life with her pen. I breathed alongside characters as they married and remarried and defined their relationships again and again. A scene overflowing with guests was so triggering I dreamt about it that night. I did not like how everything felt so random, but then that is what the novel is trying to…

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Richa Bhattarai
Richa Bhattarai

Written by Richa Bhattarai

Ardent book reader, reviewer and recommender.

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