Top 5 Fiction Books of 2021

TL;DR

Olive shares her top 5 fiction books of 2021, including a modern Anna Karenina retelling and a captivating romance novel.

Transcript

hi guys olive here here today to tell you about my five favorite fiction books that i read in 2021 now normally this is a top 10 video basically since this channel got started i've made top 10 books of the calendar year videos at the end of the year but over the years i've been reading more and more non-fiction like in 2021 i read more nonfiction b... Read More

Key Insights

• 🫠 Olive's shift towards reading more non-fiction in 2021 led to a reduced list of top fiction books.
• 🤨 "House for Al" stands out for its intense and high-brow nature, focusing on themes of despair and language learning.
• 😮 "Evie Drake Starts Over" impresses Olive with its slow-burning romance and realistic portrayal of relationships.
• 🤕 "Mary Jane" is a charming 1970s coming-of-age tale with depth and a sense of fun.
• 🍰 Lily King's short story collection, "Five Tuesdays and Winter," showcases her ability to create memorable characters despite Olive's usual aversion to short stories.

Questions & Answers

Q: Can you provide a brief overview of the book "House for Al" by Jill Alexander S. Baum?

"House for Al" is a modern retelling of Anna Karenina, following the dissatisfied American housewife Anna as she navigates her life in Switzerland. The book explores themes of despair, language learning, and extramarital affairs.

Q: What makes "Evie Drake Starts Over" by Linda Holmes the best romance book of 2021 for you?

"Evie Drake Starts Over" tells the story of Evie Drake, a woman whose husband dies right before she planned on leaving him. This book stands out due to its realistic portrayal of romance, gradual character development, and palpable chemistry between Evie and Dean, a former professional baseball player.

Q: What is the setting and main theme of "Mary Jane" by Jessica Anya Blau?

"Mary Jane" is set in the 1970s and revolves around a 14-year-old girl named Mary Jane who becomes a summer nanny for an eccentric couple. The main themes include coming-of-age, conservative upbringing, hiding secrets, and forming lasting connections.

Q: Why is "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston your favorite fiction book of 2021?

"Their Eyes Were Watching God" follows the journey of Janie, a black woman in 1930s Florida, as she explores different relationships and seeks personal fulfillment. Olive praises the book's beauty, unexpected twists, and impactful lines of wisdom that have influenced her daily life.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Olive's annual top 10 fiction book list is reduced to a top 5 due to less mind-blowing fiction reads in 2021.

• She discusses her fifth to first favorite fiction books of the year, including "House for Al" by Jill Alexander S. Baum, "Evie Drake Starts Over" by Linda Holmes, "Mary Jane" by Jessica Anya Blau, and "Five Tuesdays and Winter" by Lily King.

• Olive's favorite fiction book of 2021 is "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston, a classic novel that exceeded her expectations.