One of my favorite things to do every year is set a reading goal on Goodreads (basically the most incredible website ever created). This reading challenge has become one of my favorite avenues of growth each year. (Also, shout out to my favorite Goodreads friends who encourage me to keep reading.)

Check out all my books from 2021.

Check out how I organized some of my 2021 thoughts.

Here are my favorite books from this year:

Frankenstein

by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

This book is remarkably written. The vernacular itself makes the book worth reading, but the story keeps you engaged. I admit I was apprehensive about reading it, but now I cannot stop recommending it. Legit, go read it.

Democracy: Stories from the Long Road to Freedom

by Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice is a beast, so a great reason to read this book. As Americans, it is almost incomprehensible to understand the complexities that prevent democracy from flourishing. Condoleezza does such an excellent job at spelling out why so many countries in the world do not see successful democracies established.

Incidents in the Life of a Slave GirL

by Harriet Ann Jacobs

Harriet Jacobs writes a remarkable account of her life as a slave, her escape from slavery, and the horrors and complexities she faced. It is a story of unthinkable sorrow, yet Harriet possesses extreme forgiveness and grace through it all. Truthfully, it is not an easy read, but it a necessary one. Humanity includes such beauty and such horror—Harriet paints the picture of both in her story.

3 books that made me grateful to live in the modern age:

The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore

The Radium Girls by Kate More

The Butchering Art by Lindsey Fitzharris

Seriously, these books blew my mind. Things that were commonplace 200 and even 100 years ago are now entirely incomprehensible. These books are page-turners that you won’t want to put down.