The Booked Mama’s Favorite Books of 2021

Happy New Year, Readers! When I set a goal of 80 books for this year (10 more than I did last year) I never imagined I would be closing the year with a grand total of 100 books read! I’m so grateful to have had these books to escape to during yet another strange year. In some ways 2021 has felt like it has dragged on and on and yet I can’t believe it is already time to curate my “Favorite Books” list. It took me a bit to come up what my “favorite” book was this year as there were a few that could have been given this title but there was one that stuck with me and just had to be held a little higher than the rest. The other books that make up my “Favorites” list might not be for everyone but for one reason or another these titles made me sit and think, cry, laugh out loud, kept me up well past my bedtime or left me sinking into end of book depression after the last page. I would love to know if you have read any of these, what your thoughts are, if you had a “favorite” of 2021 or if you have suggestions of a book I should add to my must-read list for 2022. Once again, thank you for reading along with me and I hope your year is filled with good health, good luck and lots of good books.

2021 Book of the Year

“The Rose Code” by Kate Quinn

At the start of World War II three women dedicate themselves to serving their country at the top secret country estate Bletchley Park, where the smartest minds in Britain have gathered to help crack German military codes. Mab & Osla are sent to billet together at Beth’s home & an unlikely sisterhood is formed. Each of the women are assigned a different role at BP – translating, working the code breaking machines & one of them earns a spot as a cryptanalyst. As the war rages on Mab, Osla & Beth will each be tested & brought to their breaking points with the insurmountable pressure and loss. Fast forward to 1947 just days before the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip & post-war England is ready to celebrate. The once friends-now enemies have been brought back together thanks to an encrypted note claiming that there had been a traitor in Bletchley Park all those years ago, a traitor that sent one of them to an asylum for good. Now the three women must work together to crack one last code to uncover the true enemy of Bletchley Park & for one of them their life depends on it. I love a good Historical Fiction read & “The Rose Code” is a 5-star. I have a personal family tie to one of the events Kate Quinn writes about in this book. My grandmother was a young girl on November 14th, 1940 when the 500 German bombers blitzed Coventry for over 11 hours. Thankfully she survived but over 43,000 homes were destroyed & close to 550 lost their lives. You can still visit the Cathedral ruins in the city center. Stories like these are such an important part of history & Kate Quinn has done a wonderful job preserving these heroes’ stories for all time.

Purchase a copy of “The Rose Code” here.

Learn more about author Kate Quinn here.

Memoir, Non-Fiction & Biography

“Live Your Life: My Story of Loving and Losing Nick Cordero” by Amanda Kloots with Anna Kloots

“Live Your Life” is not just the story of Nick Cordero’s fight with Covid-19, it’s so much more. It’s love, strength, kindness, loyalty, honesty, hope, community and the most strongly felt genuine positivity. Amanda Kloots, along with her sister Anna, have written the most touching tribute to the life of Amanda’s husband Nick. The 41 year old, who with no preexisting conditions became gravely ill at the start of the pandemic in March 2020, an otherwise healthy, strong Broadway performer who everyone believed would pull through quickly. The world began following along with Amanda’s #wakeupnick campaign on Instagram (@amandakloots) as she built an army of positivity every day at 3:00pm singing and dancing to Nick’s song, “Live Your Life”. Amanda’s social media posts were also spreading awareness about this relatively unknown illness – young, healthy people can get severely ill with Covid. The Kloots family rallied behind Amanda and her infant son, Elvis, dropping everything in their lives to move in and manage day to day life especially her older brother Todd (known as Biggie) and her youngest sister Anna. In my personal opinion, everyone needs an Anna in their life. I have followed Anna Kloots on social media for some time now (@annakloots) but after reading this book I have a new found respect and admiration for the person that she is and the love and loyalty she gave her sister. I can’t recommend reading this book enough as the powerful way this family has handled this unimaginable loss is one we should all strive for. I listened to the audiobook while reading along in my physical copy as I wanted to hear this story told by Amanda herself and in my opinion is the way everyone should experience this story. “Live Your Life” reminds us all that the power of positivity can move mountains, create community, and helps us all to live our lives each day to the fullest.

Purchase a copy of “Live Your Life” here.

Follow Amanda: @amandakloots and Anna: @annakloots on Instagram

“The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11” by Garrett M. Graff

For anyone who witnessed the events of September 11, 2001 you will always be able to remember where you were that day. I clearly remember being at my parents house, walking into the living room asking my Nana what she was watching. Because the television was on mute she thought it was a movie. It was only when I pointed out to her that the program said “live” did we both comprehend what we were seeing and then soon after the second plane hit. “The Only Plane in the Sky” is an incredible, comprehensive collection of first hand experiences from September 10th and beyond from those that lived through that horrific day. Lifting the veil behind what was happening at the White House, where the President spent his day, shining a much needed light on the attack on the Pentagon, highlighting the brave citizens on Flight 93 and countless stories from emergency first responders and World Trade Center employees who escaped before and after the towers fell “The Only Plane in the Sky” is an absolute must read as the 20th anniversary approaches. A few years ago my husband and I visited the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and were moved beyond words at the experience. In my opinion, every American should visit this place to truly understand the magnitude of the day, especially those who were too young to have witnessed it themselves. I HIGHLY recommend listening to the audiobook version of this book as it’s narrated by 45 different actors and includes audio from the National Archives of phone calls, speeches and interviews from that day and beyond. I’m not a big audiobook person but this was an outstanding listen. It’s exceptional work like this that will help us all continue to honor those who lost their lives that day and continue to do so from WTC related illnesses. I will never forget.

Purchase a copy of “The Only Plane in the Sky” here.

Learn more about author Garrett M. Graff here.

“A Higher Call” by Adam Makos

In the skies over Germany on December 20, 1943, an unlikely alliance was formed. 2nd Lieutenant Charlie Brown, then twenty-one was flying his B-17 that was miraculously still in the air despite massive damage and a crew that was either gravely wounded or dead when out his window Charlie spotted a German fighter plane. What happened next was swept under the rug for decades but bonded the two pilots who never spoke a word to one another. The two men go on to survive the war through dangerous ordeals, always curious what happened to the other after that life altering decision between an enemy and an adversary. Forty years later Franz Stigler and Charlie Brown decide to take on one last mission, to find out what happened to the pilot who saved the other’s life and the other to find out if the decision he made that day was worth it. As a history buff, I couldn’t recommend “A Higher Call” more. Franz & Charlie’s stories were so incredibly interesting and so unique to hear first hand from a German officer’s perspective. I listened to the audiobook version which was very entertaining and well done. This might be my favorite non-fiction read of the year.

Purchase a copy of “A Higher Call” here.

Learn more about author Adam Makos here.

“The Splendid and the Vile” by Erik Larson

On an unimaginable first day on the job, Winston Churchill stepped into a war. Adolf Hitler had begun his march across Europe, claiming control of countries along the way. In his first year as Prime Minister, Churchill guided Briton through relentless bombings that caused tens of thousands of citizens to lose their lives. Erik Larson shares the story of how Churchill not only held Great Britain together but created a legacy as one of the greatest leaders in all of history. “The Splendid and the Vile” gives the reader a look into Churchill’s war room but also into his personal life and that of his family during WW2. Larson’s research is unparalleled using everything from personal diaries to previously classified documents to compile this work. I feel like you can’t consider yourself a history buff without having read this. I was so intimidated by the size of “The Splendid and the Vile” that I put off reading it for so long but tackling it as an audiobook was a great decision. I can’t wait to take on some of Erik Larson’s other titles, especially if they are as outstanding as this was.

Purchase a copy of “The Splendid and the Vile” here.

Learn more about author Erik Larson here.

“You Never Forget Your First” by Alexis Coe

George Washington like you have never read him before. Alexis Coe has written a light, overview biography of America’s First that makes reading this genre fun, manageable and accessible to all. If those door-stopper size academic biographies have you backing away, look no further than “You Never Forget Your First”. Coe gives the reader enough content to understand who Washington was in several stages of his life without overwhelming and finds a way to make history entertaining through fun facts often in list form while dispelling some of history’s most believed myths. (If only my history textbooks had looked like this!) “YNFYF” dives into Washington’s youth, his involvement in the Revolutionary War, his tireless commitment to the creation of the United States but also doesn’t gloss over G.W.’s faults – like his less than stellar stance on slavery (even for his time he was behind the times). I found the laundry list of his major illnesses mind-blowing! How this man lived long enough to be President without modern medicine is beyond me. For history fans this will be a quick read that will entertain and for those of you who may want to learn a little more about the man who started it all “You Never Forget Your First” is a great place to start. I would love to see Coe tackle the lives of other Founding Fathers along this same vein.

Purchase a copy of “You Never Forget Your First” here.

Learn more about author Alexis Coe here.

Mystery/Thriller

“Survive the Night” by Riley Sager

After the murder of her roommate and best friend Charlie wants to leave campus and get home as soon as possible as her guilt and grief have become unmanageable. Instead of waiting a few days so her boyfriend can drive her back to Ohio she opts to check out the school’s ride share board. As fate would have it Josh just happens to be looking for a passenger to make the same drive with and the two agree to share the journey. Her boyfriend, Robbie, begs Charlie to reconsider after all the Campus Killer is still on the loose leaving Maddy’s murder still unsolved. Charlie just can’t bare being in their room any longer and at 9pm the next night she climbs into the passenger seat of Josh’s car. As the night edges on and the dark, empty road stretches before them Charlie starts to recognize suspicious things about Josh and starts to believe she may just be sitting next to the man who took Maddy’s life, the Campus Killer himself. Trapped in his car, Charlie must play her cards carefully if she wants to survive the night. Riley Sager is one of my absolute favorite authors. He can do no wrong in my eyes and no matter what he writes, I’m buying it. Though “Survive the Night” wasn’t my favorite of Sager’s (“Home Before Dark” wins that title) it certainly is up there. Set in 1991 and filled with all the nostalgia – Nirvana on repeat in the tape deck, anyone? – I could not put this book down. However, this won’t be for everyone. Large portions of the book are set in the car with mostly conversation and inner dialog happening but man, can Sager bring it home. If you haven’t yet picked up a book by Riley Sager do yourself a favor and get on it immediately. You won’t regret it.

Purchase a copy of “Survive the Night” here.

Learn more about author Riley Sager here.

Fiction, Contemporary Fiction & Romance

“People We Meet on Vacation” by Emily Henry

Poppy Wright had big social aspirations when she left her small town to start college. At orientation she meets Alex, a khaki wearing, slightly too serious guy from the next town over back home. The two couldn’t be more opposite but somehow they form a familiar, undeniable bond on a road trip they decide to take together to commute back to Ohio for break. From then on, summer after summer for one perfect week the two travel all over the world together for Poppy’s job until everything comes to a screeching halt. Now Poppy hasn’t spoken to her best friend in two years and is fairly certain her depression might be related to their lack of communication. When a friend asks her to walk backwards to the last time she was truly happy Poppy knows for certain it was on that last fateful trip with Alex. She decides to put it all on the line and texts him to see if he would be up for another one of their annual vacations and to Poppy’s surprise, he accepts. Determined to make everything right between them and get her best friend back, Poppy is going to make this the most perfect trip yet, just like the old days. What could possibly go wrong? I did not want “People We Meet on Vacation” to end! I fell in love with Emily Henry’s writing last year and this newest book to her catalog is another hit. This modern day “When Harry Met Sally” has all of the ingredients for a perfect rom-com recipe.

Purchase a copy of “People We Meet on Vacation” here.

Learn more about author Emily Henry here.

“Shelter in Place” by Nora Roberts

Author Nora Roberts has set a scene that is all too common in our country these days when a mall outside of Portland, Maine is the target of a mass shooting. The assailants begin to wreak havoc on what was supposed to be an ordinary summer evening spraying their hate into innocent, unsuspecting shoppers, diners and movie-goers. For those that survived the eight minute ordeal their lives would be irrevocably changed. Years later the effects of the DownEast shooting have guided some on their life’s path – one joined law enforcement, another dedicated herself into creating and another left unsatisfied with the outcome of that night’s events still seeks justice for the wrongs done thirteen years ago. “Shelter in Place” dragged me out of the reading rut I’ve been in this month. I was so invested with these characters and could not put this one down. Fans of crime/thriller (with a little romance tossed in for good measure) don’t miss out on this one. I’ve never read anything by Nora Roberts before but if anyone has a favorite title be sure to send it my way so I can add it to my TBR list.

Purchase a copy of “Shelter in Place” here.

Learn more about author Nora Roberts here.

“The Great Alone” by Kristin Hannah

In 1974 the population of Kaneq, Alaska grew by three when the Allbright family rolled into the small town. Ernt Allbright, a former POW back from Vietnam, was given a secluded cabin by a fellow soldier and he has declared that this is where his wife Cora and thirteen year old daughter, Leni will now live to escape the world and all of the horrible things happening in it. Completely inexperienced and unprepared the Allbrights are thankfully embraced by their new community. Locals share resources and teach them what they need to survive the harsh Alaskan winters that seem to never end. As the cold weather draws closer, Cora and Leni learn that more than ever they need to rely on each other when Ernt’s mental health begins to spiral out of control. Unfortunately for the two women, living off the grid means that they are well and truly alone. Leni must learn how to fend for herself while living amidst her parents’ chaos, unsure if the dangers outside are as terrifying as the ones behind her cabin’s closed doors. You can always count on author Kristin Hannah to take you on an emotional ride and “The Great Alone” does not disappoint. I smiled, I was terrified, I cried, I held my breath…you name it. The Alaskan wilderness described by Hannah sounds absolutely stunning but I know for certain I wouldn’t have lasted more than five minutes living in the woods – the size of the mosquitos alone would have had me running for the hills. Fans of Kristin Hannah, be sure to add this one to your TBR list. (Disclaimer: This book deals with strong issues and graphically discusses topics such as domestic violence, alcoholism, PTSD, mental health struggles and death that may be triggering for some readers.)

Purchase a copy of “The Great Alone” here.

Learn more about author Kristin Hannah here.

“The Keeper of Lost Things” by Ruth Hogan

He will always know that she loves him as long as Anthony has the medallion that Therese gave him. Then on the day that she unexpectedly dies the unthinkable happens and he loses it. For the next forty years, Anthony becomes the keeper of lost things, collecting whatever he finds and labeling it meticulously with the intentions of somehow reuniting the item with its person to make amends for the one item he so wishes he could find again.. Now as the end of his life draws near Anthony must pass on his mission to someone in the hopes that all can be restored and made right again. Bequeathing his home and all of his possessions in it to his assistant, Laura has now been handed the impossible task of returning the random items to their owners to fulfill Anthony’s last wish. She is joined on her mission by Anthony’s gardener and a young neighbor who will do whatever they can to give their beloved Anthony his peace. Though “The Keeper of Lost Things” was slow to get moving I found this book so endearing. The characters, the stories each object has to tell and even the ghost are each a perfect charm on this little bracelet of a book. No, it’s not a page-turner. Nor is it a book that will draw you in immediately from the start but if you endure through to its end “The Keeper of Lost Things” will find its way into your heart.

Purchase a copy of “The Keeper of Lost Things” here.

Learn more about author Ruth Hogan here.

“What Comes After” by Joanne Tompkins

A small town in the Pacific Northwest is reeling from the deaths of two teenage boys, two best friends, Daniel & Jonah – one at the hand of the other, the other by his own. Their families being long time friends and neighbors are now fractured. Late one evening, Issac – Daniel’s father, finds a pregnant teenager in his backyard and decides to take her in after discovering she is living on her own with no family. Slowly, Evangeline integrates herself into the lives of Daniel and Jonah’s families all while harboring a secret that could change everything. Terrified of losing the only bit of normal she’s ever known, Evangeline walks on a cliff’s edge knowing eventually the truth could rip this happiness from her but could she live with the guilt forever? “What Comes After” is a heart-wrenching, powerful and well-written debut novel by author Joanne Tompkins. Following three different POVs with time jumps helping weave this moving story together. There are some strong scenes that may not be for everyone but I didn’t feel they were staged inappropriately or unnecessarily as some authors will do for shock value. Give this one a try if you can handle an emotional roller coaster of a book.

Purchase a copy of “What Comes After” here.

Learn more about author Joanne Tompkins here.

Historical Fiction

“The Shadow Land” by Elizabeth Kostova

Alexandra Boyd’s plane has only just arrived in Bulgaria from America where she is hoping to leave behind her painful past. When the taxi drops her off at the wrong hotel she meets an elderly couple in the taxi line and helps their struggling son with the luggage. Once safely back on her way to her accommodations Alexandra realizes she has accidentally kept one of the couple’s bags. Inside she discovers an urn containing a man’s ashes. Distraught, Alexandra is desperate to find the family and return what they are sure to be missing. As luck may have it, Alexandra’s taxi driver is just as invested in solving the mystery of who Stoyan Lazarov belongs to. The two unlikely travel companions set off on a quest to return the urn and along the way discover who Stoyan was in life and what dangers still are lurking from his past. “The Shadow Land” is a beautiful piece of historical fiction. Though the plot is a bit far fetched (young girl driving all over a foreign country to return an item she very easily could have left with the police) you make allowances because the story is that well written…and well it’s a work of fiction, far fetched is allowed. I knew nothing of Bulgaria’s history prior to reading “The Shadow Land” and Kostova does an outstanding job weaving lessons throughout the narrative.

Purchase a copy of “The Shadow Land” here.

Learn more about author Elizabeth Kostova here.

“The Lions of Fifth Avenue” by Fiona Davis

Living inside one of New York City’s most grand buildings with her family, Laura Lyons secretly dreams of a future that she may never have. While her husband is in charge of thousands of books inside the New York Public Library, Laura wants nothing more than to put her own words on paper but in 1913 this is no easy feat for a woman. A spot at the Columbia Journalism school is hers for the taking if she can somehow manage the fees, juggle her household responsibilities as well as the care of her two young children. Things seem to be working in Laura’s favor but then valuable, rare books start disappearing from secure areas of the library throwing her family under a veil of suspicion. Eighty years later, Sadie Donovan is helping to curate an exhibit at the library showcasing some of the best pieces from their collection. After going through a painful divorce Sadie’s main happiness lies with this job and the beautiful artifacts left in her charge, a role she takes great pride in, being one of only a few people with access to such rare works. As the opening of the exhibit draws near books start to vanish from the collection and an investigator is brought in to help. When the clues start to pile up, Sadie uncovers some hidden truths from her family’s past dating back decades to an unsolved mystery that had tragic consequences for the library. “The Lions of Fifth Avenue” is another hit for Fiona Davis. Lovers of the HF genre will find this heartbreaking page-turner hard to put down. Highly recommend adding this to your TBR list and checking out Davis’ other titles as well.

Purchase a copy of “The Lions of Fifth Avenue” here.

Learn more about author Fiona Davis here.

“The Four Winds” by Kristin Hannah

Times of extreme poverty were hitting the United States in the ’30s, even the rain was scares to be found. The farmers of the Great Planes are hanging on by a thread fighting to save every inch of the land they worked so hard for. The Dust Bowl era of the Great Depression bearing down on them all. Never wanting to give up on the land that had given her so much, Elsa Martinelli, wanted to stay in Texas on the farm she loves, forever. Giving her children the love and roots she craved so much for her own life was a dream she held onto with two fists but the constant dust storms and life threatening conditions force Elsa to make a choice between the home she loves and the health and wellbeing of her family. Like so many of her time, Elsa must choose between their livelihood in Texas or venturing west to California to seek their fortune. The sacrifice and hardships so many made for the “American Dream” are the central theme in Kristin Hannah’s “The Four Winds”. I have yet to come across a Hannah book I didn’t fall in love with and this is no exception. Elsa is a powerhouse and you can’t put this book down until you know how things unfold for her.