It is that time of year again. When we all reflect back and decide which books will make our favorites list… I always find this task extremely difficult. This year I read 131 books, many of them spectacular, making the choices harder than ever.
Here are my FOUR FAVOURITES of the year:
Also, I thought I’d share my TOP TWENTY-FIVE titles that I enjoyed the most overall (in no particular order – with links to my reviews underneath the graphic).
These are a mixture of new releases and back-list titles.
“The Secrets of Strangers” by Charity Norman
“Before She Disappeared” by Lisa Gardner
“The Downstairs Neighbor” by Helen Cooper
“The Daughters of Foxcote Manor” by Eve Chase
“Exit” by Belinda Bauer
“Life Sentences” by Billy O’Callaghan
“Season of Second Chances” by Aimee Alexander
“A Measured Thread” by Mary Behan
“The Night She Disappeared” by Lisa Jewell
“When I Was Ten” by Fiona Cummins
“Looking For Leo” by J.A. Baker
“How The Penguins Saved Veronica” by Hazel Prior
“Look What You Made Me Do” by Nikki Smith
“The Searcher” by Tana French
“The Winter Sea” by Susanna Kearsley
“Magpie Lane” by Lucy Atkins
“Margreete’s Harbor” by Eleanor Morse
“The Good Sister” by Sally Hepworth
“Still Life” by Sarah Winman
“The Last House on Needless Street” by Catriona Ward
“Painting the Light” by Sally Cabot Gunning
“Not A Happy Family” by Shari Lapena
“Rock Paper Scissors” by Alice Feeney
“The Leftovers” by Cassandra Parkin
“Unsettled Ground” by Claire Fuller
“The Second Woman” by Louise Mey
(translated from the French by Louise Rogers Lalaurie)
“The Girl In The Maze” by Cathy Hayward (review to be posted on Jan. 1st)
“The Downstairs Neighbor” by Helen Cooper
“Under Violent Skies” by Judi Daykin
“Please See Us” by Caitlin Mullen
Nine crime series that I started in 2021 and plan to pursue:
The Frankie Elkin series by Lisa Gardner (my review of “Before She Disappeared“)
The D.I. Kate Young series by Carol Wyer (my review of “An Eye For An Eye“)
The Sebastain Clifford series by Sally Rigby (my review of “Web Of Lies“)
The P.I. Charlie Cameron series by Owen Mullen (my review of “Games People Play“)
The Batvia-On-Hudson series by Tina deBellegarde (my review of “Winter Witness“)
The D.S. Sara Hirst series by Judy Daykin (my review of “Under Violent Skies“)
The Boyle & Keneally series by S.A. Dunphy (my review of “Bring Her Home“)
The D.I. Henry Ford series by Andy Maslen (my review of “Shallow Ground“)
The Detective Shona Oliver series by Lynne McEwan (my review of “In Dark Water“)
Now, because you can’t love every book you read… I thought I’d share the three titles that I read in 2021 that I enjoyed the LEAST. You might have loved these novels, but sadly they were just NOT FOR ME and I cannot in good faith recommend them to others.
I’m looking forward to another year of excellent reading.
Hopefully I’ll be tempted by fewer new titles so that I can work on my backlog of review commitments. (Who am I kidding?)
Also, in 2022, I want to regain my NetGalley 80% badge and earn my 500 reviews badge.
I hope that everyone sees good health, happiness, and a return to normality in 2022.
Thank-you all for your continued support of my book blogging efforts. ♥
Fictionophile 
Pingback: Looking Around……. – reviewsrevues
I could never do a favourites post, so I applaud you. I have read a few of these and have some on my TBR, but I am going to check the rest to see what else I should add.
LikeLike
Favorites posts are so hard for me to do. I’m so indecisive so I’m always questioning what I’ve chosen and whether I should have put something else on there etc. I read 133 books this year and enjoyed most of what I read. I hope you have a Happy New Year!!
LikeLike
Thanks for this Lynne, I shall take my time checking against what I’ve already bought, but needless to say not read yet, and add the others to be considered for my reading list. Wishing you all the best fir the coming year, hope it’s a happy and healthy one. xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy New Year Jill. Funny how you take health for granted until you don’t have it…
Happy Reading in 2022 😘📚🎉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very true Lynne, I think we’ve both found that out! Here’s hoping this year will see a vast improvement., but we’ve always got books xx
LikeLike
Great to see The Secrets of Strangers as one of your top reads Lynne. 😀
LikeLike
It was fabulous Nicki. I recommend it to everyone I talk to. 😍📚 I’m SO grateful to Charity Norman for sending me a copy because you can’t buy it in Kindle format here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Fictionophile’s Top Reads of 2021 – #BookRecommendations #GreatReads – Book Library
Great list!!
LikeLike
Thans so much Jo. 😘📚
LikeLike
Pingback: Fictionophile’s Top Reads of 2021 – #BookRecommendations #GreatReads – Imobiliare 24
It’s always fun to look back over your reading year! But difficult to narrow it down to those special few! Great year Lynne!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Carol. To whittle th list from 131 down to 25 did take some soul searching 🤣😍📚
LikeLiked by 1 person