My Top 4 Favourite Books of 2021

It’s already that time of the year: The time where I reflect on the books I read and choose my favourite books.

My goal was to read 25 books this year but that didn’t work out…Instead, I read 16 books. I’m fine with this because it was a busy year! I did full-time school and part-time work, and I also had a really difficult year mentally. So, 16 books it is!

While I didn’t read a lot, what I did read was really good. For me, it was the year of thrillers as I discovered my love for them, so prepare yourself for many of those to make my list. Like I said, I didn’t read a lot, but I thoroughly enjoyed every single book I read.

That’s a successful reading year to me!

So, let’s dive into my top 4 favourite books of 2021.


1. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder : Jackson, Holly: Amazon.ca: Books

This book took me one day to read, and it’s hard nowadays for me to read that quickly.

I bought it on my Kindle after hearing a BookTuber rave about it, and just absolutely devoured it. It was sooo good!

This is a thriller book following a teenage girl who is obsessed with true crime and solving a murder that happened a few years ago in her hometown. It’s technically solved but Pip is determined the alleged murderer is not the real murderer, and she has taken it upon herself to discover the true killer.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is a fast-paced and addicting read that you will NOT be able to put down. If you are into true crime, you will love this book!

5/5 stars

2. Chain of Iron by Cassandra Clare

Chain of Iron (The Last Hours, #2) by Cassandra Clare

Who is surprised to see Chain of Iron on this list? Not me, that’s for sure.

I knew I would love this book, and I did. Even though like Clare’s last few books, it took a bit to get the plot moving, I enjoyed every second in this world surrounded by the characters.

That’s what really makes this series: The fantastic cast of characters that I just adore.

I cannot wait for the next book, and I am already itching to do a re-read of this book!

5/5 stars

3. Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson

Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson

Most thrillers don’t have a sequel because how many true crime-related events can happen to one person? Well, Holly Jackson can make a lot of bad things happen to Pip and have it be believable.

I was a little skeptical about this sequel, but it did not disappoint. The storyline in Good Girl, Bad Blood builds off of the first book and is so interesting. It had been on the edge of my seat and I had no idea who the culprit was or honestly, anything that was going to happen.

It felt like with every flip of the page I was being surprised.

If you read A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder and not the sequel, get on it now!

4.5/ stars

4. Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid: 9781524798659 |  PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

I am a HUGE Taylor Jenkins Reid fan, so I had high expectations for this book. While it wasn’t my favourite of Reid’s books, I did really enjoy it. (Duh, it made it on my favourites list.)

Like many of her other books, I flew through this story. It gripped me from beginning to end, however, the end definitely wasn’t as strong as the first half of the book, which is why this book only gets a 4/5 from me. I noticed a lot of other readers mention this too. It just felt like Reid wanted to wrap up the story quickly, but other than that, I highly recommend this book.

4/5 stars


Those are my top 4 favourite books of 2021. I’m really happy with this list and cannot wait to get back into reading more this new year!

What books did you read this year, and which were your favourites? Let me know in the comments below!

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8 Awesome Books on Kindle Unlimited You Need to Binge Read Today

Happy Monday!

I love reading on my Kindle, not only because of its convenience but it’s a more sustainable way to do what I love. Another reason I love Kindle is because it has Kindle Unlimited! Kindle Unlimited has so many amazing books, but it can sometimes be hard to sift through them all and find the ones perfect for you.

That’s why I wanted to put together this list of 8 Kindle Unlimited books that you should read today! These books will be a mixture of young adult books and new adult books, so hopefully, there is something on this list for everyone. Let’s dive right in, shall we?

Here are 8 Awesome Kindle Unlimited Books You Should Binge Read Today.

1. The Marionettes by Katie Wismer

The Marionettes by [Katie Wismer]

The Marionettes is my current read, written by indie author Katie Wismer, and is a paranormal fantasy romance filled with vampires and witches. It’s been a while since I’ve read a good paranormal romance that isn’t the classic Vampire Academy, but I am really enjoying my time with The Marionettes!

And since it’s on this list, that means it’s on Kindle Unlimited! If you love paranormal romance, I guarantee you’ll enjoy this book. I am over halfway through and I just fly through the chapters. Also, the sequel is coming out THIS week, so what better of a time to pick up the first book?

Here’s the full synopsis:

Valerie Darkmore’s entire life has been building up to this moment—her initiation into the Marionettes, the prestigious league of witches sworn to serve the vampires. As one of the last remaining blood witches, her spot is almost guaranteed. At least, so she’d thought.

The academy is full of sabotage and secrets as the tasks begin, and Valerie quickly realizes she has more than her spot on the line. Her survival seems just as uncertain.

The closer she gets to the final trial, the more she learns everything—and everyone—around her isn’t quite what it seems.

Buy it here!

2. Wicked Souls by Katie Wismer

This is the sequel to the book above, and since it’s releasing this week (tomorrow!), I thought what better time to add it to this list. I have high hopes for this book, as it will be the second book in a series of a few more, if not several more books. I only have a little more left of the first book and like I mentioned, it is so addicting! Fingers crossed this book is the same.

Here’s what the sequel is all about:

She may have made it through her initiation into the Marionettes, but she’s quickly learning that was only the beginning. Everything she used to know has changed, including maybe herself.

Adjusting to her new reality proves to be the least of her worries when bodies appear all over the city, and the death toll continues to rise. She can’t count on her partnership with a dangerous vampire prince to be enough to save her. Because while they’re investigating the attacks, the killer might just be looking for her too.

Pre-order it here!

3. Punk 57 by Penelope Douglas

Punk 57 by [Penelope Douglas]

While this isn’t one I have read yet, it’s on my list because EVERYONE has recommended it. I have no doubt I’ll like it though because it’s a college romance, and as a college student, this highly appeals to me. Especially since it’s on Kindle Unlimited, so even if I don’t like it, no harm, no foul!

Here’s the synopsis/snippet from the book:

We were perfect together. Until we met.”

Misha

I can’t help but smile at the words in her letter. She misses me.

In fifth grade, my teacher set us up with pen pals from a different school. Thinking I was a girl, with a name like Misha, the other teacher paired me up with her student, Ryen. My teacher, believing Ryen was a boy like me, agreed.

It didn’t take long for us to figure out the mistake. And in no time at all, we were arguing about everything. The best take-out pizza. Android vs. iPhone. Whether or not Eminem is the greatest rapper ever…

And that was the start. For the next seven years, it was us.

Her letters are always on black paper with silver writing. Sometimes there’s one a week or three in a day, but I need them. She’s the only one who keeps me on track, talks me down, and accepts everything I am.

We only had three rules. No social media, no phone numbers, no pictures. We had a good thing going. Why ruin it?

Until I run across a photo of a girl online. Name’s Ryen, loves Gallo’s pizza, and worships her iPhone. What are the chances?

F*ck it. I need to meet her.

I just don’t expect to hate what I find.

Ryen

He hasn’t written in three months. Something’s wrong. Did he die? Get arrested? Knowing Misha, neither would be a stretch.

Without him around, I’m going crazy. I need to know someone is listening. It’s my own fault. I should’ve gotten his number or picture or something.

He could be gone forever.

Or right under my nose, and I wouldn’t even know it.

Buy it here!

4. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by JK Rowling

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by [J.K. Rowling]

If you do an annual re-read of Harry Potter during the holiday season, you’re in luck because the entire season is on Kindle Unlimited! I don’t usually do a re-read, but I do re-watch the movies because they always put me in a cozy and festive spirit.

I’m sure most of you know the synopsis of this series, but just in case, I’ll add it below!

Harry Potter has never even heard of Hogwarts when the letters start dropping on the doormat at number four, Privet Drive. Addressed in green ink on yellowish parchment with a purple seal, they are swiftly confiscated by his grisly aunt and uncle. Then, on Harry’s eleventh birthday, a great beetle-eyed giant of a man called Rubeus Hagrid bursts in with some astonishing news: Harry Potter is a wizard, and he has a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. An incredible adventure is about to begin!

Buy it here!

5. The After Party by A.C. Arthur

The After Party by [A.C. Arthur]

This new release is all about sisterhood and female empowerment with a murderous twist. I am also in the middle of reading this one and have to shout it out on this Kindle Unlimited list because 1) It’s such a captivating read, and 2) I create content for this author! Well, for her pen name, Lacey Baker, who also has a book on KU: The Sweetest Valentine. If you enjoy clean romance, check that one out. However, if you like more sexy and steamy romances, you will love The After Party.

Here’s what it’s all about:

Venus McGee, Draya Carter, and Jackie Benson are coworkers with a lot in common. They’re smart, independent, driven, and deserving of recognition—certainly more than they’ve been handed by a demoralizing boss. He’s the topic of conversation at their impromptu get-together after the company holiday party, where the threesome fantasizes about a life without him. There has to be an alternative to taking a deep breath and sucking it up. There is. It’s just not the one they expected.

When morning comes, Venus, Draya, and Jackie are blindsided by murder—a twist of fate that brings a startling new challenge to the table and forces them to navigate a hair-raising detour they never saw coming. For better and (unless they can help it) for worse, it’s going to turn their world upside down. What starts as a necessary bond of mutual trust soon morphs into an empowering and galvanizing friendship that Venus, Draya, and Jackie need now more than ever.

Buy it here!

6. Scythe by Neal Shusterman

Scythe is an excellent YA dystopian novel about a society where humans have conquered everything, even death. To keep the population in check, there are scythes that select a certain amount of people to die every year.

I love this book and have for many years, which is why I was so excited to see it on Kindle Unlimited! If you haven’t had the chance to pick up Scythe yet, I highly recommend it. It’s one of my favourite books ever, and everyone I have recommended it to has also enjoyed it. I will warn you, the trilogy goes downhill after the second book, but it is still worth a read.

Here’s a bit more detail about Scythe:

A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery: humanity has conquered all those things, and has even conquered death. Now Scythes are the only ones who can end life—and they are commanded to do so, in order to keep the size of the population under control.

Citra and Rowan are chosen to apprentice to a scythe—a role that neither wants. These teens must master the “art” of taking life, knowing that the consequence of failure could mean losing their own.

Buy it here!

7. Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Lightning Thief, The (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1) by [Rick Riordan]

Do you feel like you’re reading one of my blog posts from 2016? Well, surprise! It’s 5 years later and I’m still raving about Percy Jackson. I was so excited to see that this book was on Kindle Unlimited because it means more people can read it. For me, it was such an influential book in my childhood about 8 or 9 years ago, and I still love talking about it today.

If you have no idea what Percy Jackson is, it’s a middle-grade urban fantasy inspired by Greek mythology, and it is epic!

Here’s what it’s about:

Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can’t seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse-Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him.

Buy it here!

8. The Selection by Kiera Cass

The Selection by [Kiera Cass]

Once again, you probably think you’re reading a blog post from 2016, but no, I am still discussing The Selection in 2021. The Selection is honestly still one of my go-to books when I want to just unwind and read a mind-numbing book. And I mean that in the best way. I love this novel. It’s nowhere near a masterpiece, but if you want a fun, fast-paced novel, this is should be next on your TBR.

It’s always described as The Bachelor meets The Hunger Games, and I totally stand by that description.

Here’s what it’s about:

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape a rigid caste system, live in a palace, and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon. But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her, and competing for a crown she doesn’t want.

Then America meets Prince Maxon—and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Buy it here!


Those are the 8 awesome books on Kindle Unlimited that I recommend you read today! Let me know what your favourite books are on Kindle Unlimited because I would love to add more books to my TBR 🙂

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