The Best Books of 2021 (BurntToast Edition)

It’s no secret to anyone that knows me that I am a huge book nerd. Like, colossal. One of my earliest book memories is sitting on a pool lounger at summer Bible camp reading Roots. As a camper. A 9-year-old camper.

Now, let’s not dive too deeply into the obvious questions and concerns here. Like, did I actually understand what I was reading at such a tender young age? (probably not). Why wasn’t I playing in the pool and/or concerned that I probably looked a bit like a weirdo in the moment? And, also, didn’t this tip the counselors at said Bible Camp off that I was maybe not their target clientele? (we’ll never know) But, alas, I’m sure it raised quite a few eyebrows.

This, however, has been a consistent pattern throughout my entire life. Books shape me and my worldview. Books open my heart and help me understand that we are all so much more alike than we are different. They soothe me, distract me, absorb me, and entertain me. And they are my true love language.

In fact, the other day Jeff and I were talking about funerals (I have no idea why) and I said, “I don’t want to be buried, I want to be cremated and have my ashes spread at my happy place. The library.” He laughed because he thought I was joking.

I was not.

Anyway, books are my love language and I truly believe a lot of our world’s problems could be solved by more people reading books that are way outside of their comfort zone and their echo chamber. Or, you know, just books in general.

So that’s why I created this list. So many people DM me when I share what I’m reading and ask for recommendations or tell me how they don’t really read but want to start, they just don’t know where. So this is my gift to those people, and to you, dear BurntToast fam. Whether you are a reader, know a reader, or want to be a reader, this list has something for everyone. I tried to split it evenly between fiction and non-fiction and included only books that I have read this year. Most of them are new releases, though I have to say that some are not, they were just new to me in 2021.

Most of these I recommend getting from the library or using your Kindle or Audible to read them–whichever works best for you. The exception to this is the Outfit Formula book because I think this is one you need to own and use as a reference book. But other than that, please use your libraries so they don’t disappear and try your best to upcycle and recycle these reads whenever you can because sharing is caring.

So without further adieu, here are my selections for The Best Books of 2021 (BurntToast Edition).

1. The Ultimate Book of Outfit Formulas by Alison Lumbatis: I know I probably sound like a broken record with this one, but I honestly don’t care. This book changed my mindset so much about so many things, I don’t know where to begin and don’t have enough time in a round-up post to go there (Check out THIS post to get the full deets). But, in the interest of keeping things short and sweet, I’ll just say that my story of falling into a state of disrepair mirrors the one Alison tells in Outfit Formulas almost to a T so it hit home in a very deep way. But more than that, this book also gives women at every age and every stage permission to feel pretty and to dress accordingly, with formulas and outfits pairings for every season and reason. Since I read this book, I’ve dressed every day except the weekends, which are our family lazy days, and I’ve been more productive and felt better about myself every single day. Coincidence? I think not. Ladies, please do yourself a favor and get this book. And if you’re really feeling ambitious, join one of Alison’s seasonal capsules with me. Two months of outfit combos from just a few items, many of which you can shop from your closet, it’s a Win-Win! DM me if you want info on that but in the meantime drop this book on your Christmas list or gift it to yourself.  You will be so glad you did. I promise.

2. The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin: Oh boy. Do not read this without an entire box of tissues at the ready at all times, especially the end. Y’all…this book gutted me, ripped me in two, and then put me back together again. A tale about an unlikely friendship between two patients in a British hospital, it is funny and sweet and heartbreaking all at the same time. Filled with beautiful verbiage and quotes that will shatter you–I started crying just reading through them on GoodReads–it’s an easy-flowing read that doesn’t require much of you other than your heart. Not overly complicated, the plot and writing are good even for people who do not love to read, with the only possible downside being the trigger warning for those grieving or experiencing loss right now, it might be too much for them. Easily in my top 3 for 2021, I highly recommend this one.

3. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid: Daisy Jones and The Six is one of my favorite books of all time so it’s surprising that I hadn’t read this one, also by Taylor Jenkins Reid, until a few months ago. Especially considering this one was written first. Anyway, just like with Daisy Jones, this book is told in alternating narratives, switching back and forth between Hugo’s life story, and the story of the young writer commissioned to share it. I won’t go into too much detail, so as not to give the #plottwist away, but it definitely takes a left turn in a direction I wasn’t expecting, which might be a turn-off for some of our more conservative readers. However, this particular topic is handled with such grace and written so beautifully, I feel like even if you are morally opposed, you can see the humanity of the story and understand a bit more about a lifestyle to which you do not ascribe. Either way, as with all of Reid’s work, the character development is superb and inviting, and her writing flows very well. A great beach read or one to enjoy over a long break (I’m looking at you Christmas), this is an easy read filled with depth and heart.

4. Nomadland by Jessica Bruder: So maybe you’ve seen the movie that got all of the Oscar buzz back in the winter, but even if you have, this book is a worthwhile read. Thought-provoking and insightful, Nomadland dives deep into a culture I couldn’t even fathom–nomadic van life. With social commentary on why most people wind up in the van-life circle (and no, it is not to be “influencers” despite the recent buzz around this topic related to Gabby Petito), Nomadland shines a light on the working class and those who make enough to make ends meet, until they don’t because of medical bills, retirement, or other economic factors. What do they do then? Where do they turn? With compassion and a tender heart, you see the humanity in this group of “outsiders” and even feel the tiniest bit of envy for the untethered nature of their life. A bit economic critique, a bit social commentary, this is a good read for those wishing to learn more about a way of life they can’t possibly relate to at the moment or for those who wish to understand more about the economy from another side of the coin.

5. Daily Rituals by Mason Curry: Probably the most niche-specific book on this list, I highly recommend this for anyone who lives a creative life or anyone who wants to live a creative life. Daily Rituals chronicles the creative processes of 161 famous (and sometimes infamous) creators from the past and present. Everyone from Charles Dickens to Andy Warhol from Benjamin Franklin to Anne Rice is profiled using notes from the creators themselves and firsthand accounts from those who knew them. It’s fascinating to dive into the creative process of so many talented writers, composers, dancers, painters, and musicians and the most fascinating part about it is that there is no one way to be creative. Do some of the artists sleep all day and work all night in alcohol or drug-induced frenzy? Yes. But do some other creators instead work at it as if it is a 9-5 job with a strict schedule and nearly puritan-like habits? Also Yes. This is a great gift for the aspiring writers or musicians or painters in your life and a great nighttime read with short chapters easy to digest right before falling asleep. There are plenty of takeaways from this one, but the most poignant for me is that there in order to be creative you just need to BE CREATIVE in your own way. Will it always work? Nope. But if you keep working at it, in whatever way is most natural to you, something will come of it. A wonderful gift option, I was left inspired and filled with appreciation for the greats after this one. Definitely a good creative read.

6. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab: Ok, friends, set aside some time for Addie LaRue because it is a big one, but it is worth every second. A sweeping epic which follows the life of Addie, a young girl from the 1700s who makes a deal with the devil so as to live forever (or until she is done), only to be also, as a part of this dastardly bargain, forgotten by everyone she meets as soon as they turn away from her. A fascinating concept, this book explores what it means to truly be invisible and forgettable and how that impacts our connections and existence in this world. Addie is a sympathetic character, though thoroughly flawed, and to me, mildly implausible because I’m not certain a young girl from the 1700s would have been able to conceptualize a life beyond her duty to marry whomever her parents deemed suitable. However, she’s written in such rich detail over centuries, that implausibility disappears and you come to know her in a truly human way, both good and bad. There is a huge twist in this one which I won’t give away, but it’s a love story wrapped up in a deeper exploration of the deals we all make with the devil (metaphorically, of course). I am certain this will be optioned for a movie, so please make sure to read it before they ruin it on screen. A great gift for your avid readers, or for yourself as you settle in for a winter break read.

Of course, if you follow me on socials, you know this is just a tiny fraction of the books I have read this year. If you want a full list or to join me in a 2022 reading challenge, give me a follow on GoodReads (MeaghanLDawson). I share my full reading lists and if I’m really feeling a book, or hating it, I’ll also review it right on the spot. I’d love to have you along for the ride. There are a few more all-time favorites in this post, so if you are still looking for great over-the-break reads, hop on over there to find more.

Peace, love, and good books,
Meg

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