Favourite Books of 2021

A year for escapism

Perhaps it was because we were into the second year of the pandemic, or perhaps it was the personal events in my life, but this year I used books for pure escapism. I wanted to be whisked off to a different world.

Any book that can take your mind off the reality of your everyday can be an escapist read. For me, an escapist novel provides a narrative with clear resolution, often a happily-ever-after (such as in romance novels) and/or whisks you off to other worlds or alternate realities (such as through fantasy, horror, and science fiction). Even reading young adult fiction tends to be escapist for me – a trip back to the time of youth without the current worries or stresses of adulthood.

Escapist literature can still be thought-provoking, deeply moving, and deal with intense themes. Many of the books in this list are like this. It is more about how these books approach these themes and the sort of resolution that the book comes to which makes it escapist. A good escapist book is one I can get lost in, momentarily forgetting my everyday stresses and emotions, but still make me think and ponder about the world and human nature. Here are some of my favourite books that I read this year (although many have been published earlier). Each was a brief escape from my reality but also moved me and stayed with me long after the last page was turned.

Ghost Bird by Lisa Fuller

Lisa Fuller writes in such a vivid and visceral way that transports you to the setting of a small rural town in Queensland. An intriguing mystery unfolds as Stacey searches for her missing twin sister, Laney. This book is spooky, atmospheric, and compelling, and makes you question everything. Fuller writes with authenticity, bringing so much depth to this story. I read this amazing book after a friend recommended it to me and am so thankful. Ghost Bird is so much more than what my few sentences here can capture, and I don’t want to give away any spoilers. I urge you to go and read it and experience it for yourselves. You won’t regret it.

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s writing is so visceral and evocative that I felt it under my skin. In pure gothic fashion, Noemí goes to stay with her cousin in a large creepy mansion after receiving some strange letters from her. The house and people in it are not what they first seem, and Noemí is drawn into the madness of this place. The book sent shivers all over my body and made my stomach churn at times. I still can’t get some of the images out of my mind.

Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman

Challenger Deep is a challenging book. The surreal swashbuckling adventure of Caden Bosch on a ship headed for the Marianas Trench is juxtaposed with the story of Caden Bosch, a high school student who starts to act strange. Soon the two stories mix and meld together. It takes a little bit of time to get used to the style and flow of Challenger Deep but it is well worth persevering with. The book can be frustrating and emotional at times, but this all reflects the experience of its protagonist and highlights the struggles of mental health. There were moments of realisation that stole the breath out of my lungs and made me really appreciate Neal Shusterman’s writing. Not quite the escapist read I was looking for but still one of the most impactful books I read this year.

The Renegades Trilogy by Marissa Meyer

This series follows Nova and Adrian, two prodigies with superpowers who are on opposing sides. Marissa Meyer builds a rich world with a long history of people with powers, exploring the positive and negative impacts of this on society. The series explores themes and questions of good vs. evil, what is justice, and what makes someone a villain. Marissa Meyer balances the lighter moments (friends training together, characters flirting with each other) with heavier ideas (for example, how powers are born out of trauma). While there is a lot of introspection, there is also some great action. All three books in the series make for a compelling and exciting young adult adventure.

The King’s Lands by Robert Lee Henry

I may be a bit biased as this series is written by my dad, edited by myself, and includes cover art by both my brother and sister. Nonetheless, this is truthfully one of the best fantasy series I have read recently. Book One, The High Woods Hunter, sees Coric join the King’s calling to fight an army of strange beasts sent by the Hand, which threaten the King’s land and all those who reside there. Book Two, The Unnatural Hand, has the King’s army (and others) travel to face the Hand and stop this threat once and for all. Reminiscent of classic fantasy such as Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series, these books are filled with action and adventure. A perfect escapist read.

Call Me Maybe by Cara Bastone

Listening to a book is a different sort of experience for me. It reminds me of being a child when my parents would read me to sleep. There is something comforting about it. Many of the books I consumed this year were audiobooks and, of them, Call Me Maybe stood out.

This audiobook is a delightful romantic comedy. Call Me Maybe has been developed specifically for Audible and, as such, is a little different to your average audio version of a novel. Wonderfully narrated by Luci Christian and Neil Hellegers, the story follows Vera Hoffman on a very long phone call with website customer service representative, Cal Kantola. We listen to their conversation but also get enough moments of introspection and description to make it still feel like a book rather than a play. Call Me Maybe is funny, light, and charming. Cara Bastone has created characters that are flawed, yet very likable, and the romance unfolds with all the warm and fuzzy feelings you look for in a book like this.

And that is it, my favourite books of 2021. There were so many more that were close, but these are the ones I found myself recommending to friends over and over again. What were your favourite books of 2021? Were you also looking to escape into the pages like me?