10 BEST books of 2021│unlikely favs, hard hitting contemporaries, & fantasy

TL;DR

A book lover shares their top 10 favorite books of 2021, featuring a wide range of genres and diverse authors.

Transcript

what up my channel welcome back to another video i'm jesse and you're watching it is time it is finally time this is the video that i think a lot of us wait all year to make because it's the video that we're the most excited about like every book that we pick up for the most part i think as readers we hope we secretly hope in our heart of hearts th... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧍 Trans author Victoria Lee's book "A Lesson in Vengeance" stands out as a surprising favorite in the dark academia genre.
• ✍️ "The Sweetness of Water" by Nathan Harris shines for its exceptional writing and exploration of post-slavery America.
• 🤠 "The Thirty Names of Night" by Zeyn Joukhadar delves into the struggles of a closeted Syrian-American trans boy.
• ❓ "Dream Country" by Shannon Gibney addresses issues of immigration and belonging within the Liberian community in Minnesota.
• ⛹️ "Mañanaland" by Pam Muñoz Ryan offers a graphic novel portrayal of empowerment and friendship through basketball.
• 👨‍⚖️ "Son of the Storm" by Suyi Davies Okungbowa presents a richly developed fantasy world with themes of justice and prejudice.
• ⚡ "How Beautiful We Were" by Imbolo Mbue sheds light on environmental issues and the plight of an African village against an American oil company.
• 💀 "Razorblade Tears" by S.A. Cosby explores themes of prejudice and redemption through the collaboration of two fathers seeking justice for their murdered gay sons.

Questions & Answers

Q: What made "A Lesson in Vengeance" stand out among other dark academia novels?

Despite the creator's usual disinterest in the genre, "A Lesson in Vengeance" impressed with its exceptional writing and character work, as well as its incorporation of sapphic themes.

Q: What sets "The Sweetness of Water" apart from other historical fiction novels?

"The Sweetness of Water" is unique in that it explores the post-slavery period and sheds light on the struggles faced by freed African Americans, showcasing exceptional writing and storytelling throughout.

Q: How does "Dream Country" address issues of immigration and belonging?

"Dream Country" dives into the experiences of Liberian refugees in Minnesota and examines the prejudice they face from both white and black communities, offering a powerful portrayal of the aftermath of immigration.

Q: What makes "Dear Senthuran" a highly personal and impactful memoir?

"Dear Senthuran" is a deeply personal memoir that addresses the author's experiences and challenges, inviting readers to connect on a personal and emotional level, making it a profoundly impactful read.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The book selection consists of 10 standout titles that the creator found to be the most impactful and meaningful reads of 2021.

• The first book on the list is "A Lesson in Vengeance" by Victoria Lee, a dark academia story with sapphic elements that surprised the creator due to their usual preference for the genre.

• "The Sweetness of Water" by Nathan Harris is praised for its exceptional writing and explores the aftermath of African chattel slavery.

• "The Thirty Names of Night" by Zeyn Joukhadar follows a closeted Syrian-American trans boy who struggles with his identity and connects deeply with birds and birdwatching.

• "Dream Country" by Shannon Gibney tackles issues of immigration, identity, and Liberian refugees through the perspectives of multiple generations.

• "Mañanaland" by Pam Muñoz Ryan is a graphic novel about a group of troubled girls who form a basketball team, highlighting themes of friendship and empowerment.

• "Son of the Storm" by Suyi Davies Okungbowa is a fantasy novel set in a richly developed world, following a black scholar who fights against prejudice and strives for justice.

• "How Beautiful We Were" by Imbolo Mbue addresses environmental issues and the destruction caused by an American oil company in a fictional African village.

• "Razorblade Tears" by S.A. Cosby tells the story of two fathers, one black and one white, who join forces to avenge the murder of their gay sons, exploring themes of prejudice and redemption.

• "Dear Senthuran" by Akwaeke Emezi is a memoir that delves into personal experiences and challenges, making it a deeply intimate and impactful read.