My Favorites of 2021

December 24, 2021 J.T. Ellison

My goodness, it has been a year for entertainment. Authors—both debut and established—came up with new worlds, new visions for their storytelling. Television shows and movies were spellbinding. Podcasts were illuminating. Every year, I am astounded by the sheer amount of talent and ingenuity we are gifted with. This year was no different, but in many ways, the depth and breadth of the stories I enjoyed changed me as a writer and as a person. I continue to be humbled by the genius I see, and move into 2022 inspired. I’ve read almost 90 books so far this year, and watched an awful lot of TV. Picking the best of was incredibly hard. But here are my favorites!

My Favorite Books

SCORPICA by G.R. Macallister

Sophisticated, complicated, elevated epic fantasy. Brutal magic, warrior queens, political drama, a matriarchal society suffering from the "Drought of Girls"... this story stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the major titles in the genre and as a "feminist Game of Thrones." Still, it succeeds in not being interpretive or derivative, a true triumph. The world-building is top-notch, the characters are fierce, vicious, and compelling, and the build to the explosive ending is incredibly satisfying. It’s going to be a fantastic TV show. It’s going to win all the awards. A total win from start to finish. I can’t wait to experience the next book in the series.

LAST GIRL GHOSTED by Lisa Unger

Staggering. Unsettling. Vivid and intense. Lisa Unger is our most inventive suspense author, and she's created another fascinating, timely, and searingly good story with LAST GIRL GHOSTED. Wren Greenwood is one of Unger's most nuanced characters, and her story, her life, her secrets, explode off the page. Clear your calendar and lock the doors. You will not be able to stop reading. Insanely good.

HIDDEN VALLEY ROAD by Robert Kolker

This was a tough but fascinating read about the Galvin family. Of their 12 children, six were diagnosed with schizophrenia. Kolker’s compassionate storytelling and scientific accuracy make this a must read, and the studies about Choline during pregnancy being a possible barrier to subsequent schizophrenia diagnoses is one I’m watching closely. It’s a twenty-year plus study, and the doctors who posited the theory will be gone before they can prove their hypothesis completely—but the initial data looks incredibly promising. Very cool stuff.

THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE by V.E. Schwab

This book. This glorious, amazing book. A young girl makes a deal with the devil and ends up cursed to be forever forgotten by the ones she loves. I read the first chapter, set the book gentle in my lap, and tried to wrap my head around the perfection of it. Then I texted a friend who was also reading it and said I might as well quit writing. It's one of THOSE... Many congratulations to my friend V.E. Schwab on the triumph that is Addie LaRue. Brava, lady.

THE PUSH by Ashley Audrain

An absolute stunner—I went into this story somewhat blind, and it took me a moment to get my bearings, but once I did, I couldn't stop reading. Blythe's journey to motherhood, the sense of dread that permeates the pages, the exquisite storytelling and descriptive prose, kept me hooked. Second person narratives rarely work for me, but THE PUSH was perfect. I went into a reading slump for weeks after this one — that’s seriously high praise.

THE OTHER BLACK GIRL by Zakiya Delila Harris

I talked to Zakiya for A Word on Words and it was one of the most incredible interviews I’ve done. This book is a sly, smart, satire with an important message. It’s a fun, albeit sobering, look inside the publishing industry as well. I had to read the end a few times to believe what I was seeing, and couldn’t WAIT to talk to friends about the story, as well as Zakiya herself. Well worth your time.

ONCE UPON A WARDROBE by Patti Callahan

Oh, this beautiful little book. I guarantee you will get choked up, and if you don't, you are doing something wrong. This is a glorious story—magnificent, quiet and lovely, full of fascinating research about C.S. Lewis and his epic tale The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, and a wonderful, hopeful story, all imagined by one of the dearest people in the world, Patti Callahan Henry. It could not be a better companion as these days grow shorter, and will make the ultimate holiday or hostess gift...⠀⠀⠀

BEYOND THE POINT by Claire Gibson

I've held onto this amazing book by Nashville treasure Claire Gibson for so long, waiting for the right moment to read it. As it happens, I started it just as we began the draw down out of Afghanistan. Talk about a full-circle tale. I can't recommend this enough: a beautifully written story of the family we choose, the power of female friendships, and the unassailable courage of our West Point cadets and all our troops. Just spectacular.

WHEN THE STARS GO DARK by Paula McLain

When one of your favorite authors ventures into the literary thriller world, you give her your utmost attention. This book is astoundingly good. Perfectly plotted, atmospheric, tense, a stunning page turner. What more can I say? Only this. If you’re interested in a masterclass of storytelling, this one’s for you. The juxtapositin of Anna Hart’s detective skills set against the Northern California forests and the Polly Klaas murder subplot struck a wonderful balance. Perfect literary crime fiction.

BRING YOUR BAGGAGE (AND DON’T PACK LIGHT) by Helen Ellis

What a wonderful, heartfelt, bittersweet, uproariously funny book! I laughed until I cried, and then I cried until I laughed. Helen Ellis is one of the most charming, innovative writers I know, and I am so excited to share her new book with you. Helen is a witty, tender, and sharp observer of life and friendships, and she is at her best here.

THE ORPHAN WITCH by Paige Crutcher

Mystical, magical, and wildly original, THE ORPHAN WITCH is a great story from an exciting new voice in fantasy. Persephone May is a witch for the ages, a tough, uncompromising, powerful time walker with a wicked gaze and a heart of gold. Her journey to find her family and herself and the lost witches of Wile Ilse is both rollicking adventure and intimate exploration. If Alice Hoffman and Sara Addison Allen had a witchy love child, she would be Paige Crutcher. Do not miss this beautifully realized debut!

THE PRACTICE OF GROUNDEDNESS by Brad Stulberg

Brad’s book changed the course of my year, so I must include it, if only because it might give you some power, too. I enjoyed listening to his conversation with Cal Newport and grabbed the book on release day. Sure enough, within the first twenty pages, I was sketching out ways to change my habits and work toward a more social media-free life. Feeding my soul, indeed.

PEOPLE WE MEET ON VACATION by Emily Henry

After Henry’s spectacular BEACH READ, I couldn’t get this book open quickly enough. I was surprised to find myself resisting its charms, and thought of doing a DNF after the first couple of chapters. But I persevered and the story blossomed into such a lovely, funny tale I couldn’t believe I had doubts at the beginning. Alex and Poppy and their annual vacation trials and triumphs ended up being a blast.

THE MATZAH BALL by Jean Meltzer

One of my last reads of 2021, and I am utterly charmed by the story of Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt, a single thirty-year-old daughter of a rabbi with a shameful secret—she loves Christmas. When Jacob, her camp archenemies, reappears on the scene, there’s no question this is going to be an enemies-to-lovers tale, one of my favorite tropes. Add in Rachel is a widely successful author of Christmas romances under a pseudonym, and I’ve been hooked from page one. Superb. And I am dying to make some rugelach!

RED, WHITE, AND ROYAL BLUE by Casey McQuiston

Talk about an enemies-to-lovers tale! How can you beat this tagline: “What happens when America's First Son falls in love with the Prince of Wales?” Alex Clairemont-Diaz is the First Son of the first female President, a brilliant, funny charmer who truly believes he can change the world. When he falls for Henry, Prince of Wales, all bets are off Their romance is truly touching, and the politcal backdrop, the DC and London setting, and the fabulous cast of characters elevate this adorable, complicated romance.

BEFORE SHE DISAPPEARED by Lisa Gardner

There’s very little Lisa can’t write that I don’t absolutely devoir, and this book is no different. But for Lisa, it is—a standalone novel that is going to be the start of a new series. Gritty and fascinating, Frankie Elkin is a special sort of investigator—she searches for the people that no one is looking for anymore. This is a great premise and creates a dynamic, intriguing backdrop to the classic PI novel.

TELL NO LIES by Allison Brennan

Allison Brennan has been a go-to for me since the beginning of my career. She’s also been a friend for nearly all that time, too. I am always thrilled when her books release, and this one was no different—a compelling, well-plotted tale of murder and intrigue set against the Arizona desert. And a quick head-up, her next book, THE SORORITY MURDER, will be out next week!

NANNY NEEDED by Georgina Cross

Y’all, this book was quite the mind-bender. I loved every moment, and had the great joy of meeting Georgina at Killer Nashville this year, only to find she is not a devious and twisted as her story, but a lovely, charming woman who has become a friend. You will love this creepy tale!

My Favorite Audiobooks

GREENLIGHTS by Matthew McConnaughey

Mr. E and I listened to this gem on a roadtrip this fall, and I was…okay, not entranced, at first. But once we got through the Australia story, the whole thing became a fun deep dive intp the mind of a serious creative entity. McConnaughey is his own cat—something I greatly respect in this world. It’s rare to find people of any stripe willing to be true to themselves, and his tales of self-discovery, stepping back from fame and fortune when it became too much, when he felt like he wasn’t being his true self, genuinely resonated. Plus, he’s funny. Win win.

LOVE LIFE and STORIES I ONLY TELL MY FRIENDS by Rob Lowe

I listened to these two autobiographies from one of my favorite actors, and let me tell you, this man drops wisdom as often as he does (hysterical) impressions. There is a lot of gentle observation about striving for success in the arts, which was very meaningful for me, and loving the life you have. Lowe is also a recovering alcoholic who is searingly honest about his experiences. Plus, the inside stories about his career trajectory were fascinating. Funny, loving, impactful works.

DIGITAL MINIMALISM by Cal Newport

Cal Newport is always on my best of list when he has a book out, mostly because I admire how he stares into the digital abyss and finds a path for us mere mortals to navigate. I appreciate the thought behind this book—how can we find ways to make the internet work for us, instead of sapping our energy and creating issues? A wonderful quick read and a solid life plan for those of us who struggle with digital addictions.