My Top Reads for 2021

1. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E.Schwab

It has been a long time since I have loved another book as much as I loved this one. Do you remember how reading a classic feels? – drawn-out stories, ample time invested in the plot and character development, and a story that needs the reader’s patience for one to understand its essence. That’s how this book made me feel.

This book is an emotional rollercoaster. After finishing this one, I just held it close, absorbing the ending. I have cried, I have laughed, and I have thoroughly enjoyed every piece of Addie’s story. I adored all of the characters in the book, especially Luc, Bea, and Sam. It is a great read with fabulous characters.

2. My Boring Life by Kerry Chaput

The book is a fabulous read on so many levels. The author has tackled several social issues- some were prevalent in the 60s and some that persist. In a lot of ways, the book depicts how much farther we have come as a community. In the book, Gavenia attends Barnard College because Columbia does not accept women. In the book, Barnard is constantly referred to as a “consolation prize.” It is hard to believe that Columbia College first admitted women in the fall of 1983, after a decade of failed negotiations with Barnard College, the all-female institution affiliated with the university, to merge the two schools.

The book touches on various important topics such as discrimination and victimization of cross-dressers, racism, and the impact of war on soldiers and their families. Gavenia’s family is Mancunian, and the book wonderfully explores the emotions/thoughts first-generation immigrants grapple with. It beautifully depicts how immigrants hold onto their homeland in multiple ways and try to imbibe a similar upbringing in their children.

The book is funny, edgy, and eccentric. While it is not a page-turner (I don’t think it was written with that motive), it engages the reader on multiple levels. A subtle exploration of social issues, a beautiful depiction of emotions, and a strong storyline are the book’s strengths. It is a coming of age historical fiction done right.

3. The Sacrifice of Lester Yates by Robin Yocum

The book is fast-paced and intriguing. The plot is well-laid, the characters are interesting, and as for what happens to Lester Yates has me hooked till the last word. Yocum takes you on a journey filled with strong and powerful characters, including Van Buren, his secretary- Margaret Benning, and Liberatore.

The story has well-developed characters, and they all have their backstories and strengths and weaknesses that impact the storyline. Even though the book is a political thriller, there is more to it than just politics, politicians, and prison. The book does include humor and shows its characters in a softer light as well. While the conclusion is not suspenseful, it is the journey to get to it that is exhilarating.

This book has kept me awake at night, and I have read till I ended up drooling on my kindle.