[This blogpost contains affiliate links!]
Hey people! The year is slowly coming to an end and 2021, I have been reading more than ever. Partly because of the pandemic and a lack of concerts and action activities, but partly also of course because there are simply so many great books out there and because I rediscovered reading to be so so relaxing for me.
In this blogpost, you’ll find all details and how I liked those books.
But first, let’s quickly talk about book stores!
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Awesome Book Stores
Three of my fave book stores this year where I have been shopping books were the following ones (unsolicited advertisement:)
- She said books in Berlin
- Shakespeare and Company books in Paris
- De Slegte book store in Gent
She said is an awesome book store for female and queer authors in Berlin with a really great selection of diverse and also English books. The other two shops I visited during travels this summer. If you happen to be in one of those cities, make sure to drop by!
What are your favorite book stores? I’d love to hear about them so that I can save their location for travels.
And speaking about books and book stores: When you buy books, it’s best to buy them locally at an owner-operated bookstore. This way, you support small businesses and help maintain local diversity. :)
Only if you plan to order via amazon either way, then I’m happy if you use my affiliate links for that. For you it makes no difference in price and I get a small commission for my recommendation. But: Offline and owner-operated in the first place! :) Thanks!
So below, here are my favorite books for you.
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Book List 2021: My Favorite Reads
Throughout the year, I have been reading a lot in bed at home, in the park in summer and also during vacation. From all of the books I devoured, those ones above are my favorites.
Below, you will find some thoughts about them and also how I rated them on an overall awesomeness scale from one to ten. Of course this is completely subjective and refers to my level of entertainment while reading, to if I learned something, felt inspired, wanted to keep on reading, and so on.
If you have also read any of those books, I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Adam J. K. – You are here for now
Adam J. K. – You are here for now (affiliate link)
10/10 on an overall 1 to 10 awesomeness scale
This feel-good book came at the right time when I needed it. It gives what it tells: a guide for finding your way, including a lot of sarcastic, funny and healing thoughts.
Adam J. K. – Things Are What You Make Of Them
Adam J. K. – Things Are What You Make Of Them (affiliate link)
10/10 on an overall 1 to 10 awesomeness scale
Similar to Adam’s other book that I read, this one left me in a great mood and well inspired.
A.M. Holmes – Dieses Buch wird Ihr Leben retten
A.M. Holmes – Dieses Buch wird Ihr Leben retten (affiliate link)
10/10 on an overall 1 to 10 awesomeness scale
Not having any expectations when reading this book that I got for my birthday from a dear friend, I devoured it in a bunch of days and loved it. It’s about a grumpy guy in a crisis, rediscovering his happiness in the little things, making new friendships and starting to live his life again. Made me smile a lot.
Dave Eggers – The Circle
Dave Eggers – The Circle (affiliate link)
9/10 on an overall 1 to 10 awesomeness scale
This book perfectly shows where digitalization can lead us – in a negative way. Couldn’t stop reading and was terrified.
Lauren Oyler – Fake Accounts
Lauren Oyler – Fake Accounts (affiliate link)
9/10 on an overall 1 to 10 awesomeness scale
It’s a book about conspiracy theorists, love, relationships and redefining one’s own life after a breakup. Part of the story was absolutely unexpected and I loved that.
Bernadine Evaristo – Lara
Bernadine Evaristo – Lara (affiliate link)
9/10 on an overall 1 to 10 awesomeness scale
An important and amazing semi-autobiographical novel, written in verse. You’ll probably have to get used to this while reading, but it is absolutely worth it. It’s about the story and history of a family and an inter-racial marriage and about the struggles of living in London in the 60s and 70s as a person of color. It’s also about traveling through seven generations of predecessors during over 150 years of family history in England, Nigeria, Ireland, Germany and Brazil. An important read about racism and post-colonialism.
Francoise Sagan – Bonjour Tristesse & A Certain Smile
Francoise Sagan – Bonjour Tristesse & A Certain Smile (affiliate link)
9/10 on an overall 1 to 10 awesomeness scale
Two French classics I bought in Paris this summer and directly afterwards read through my summer holidays in the Austrian mountains. Partly in our apartment, partly at the swimming pool. Summer memories and dreaming of France while reading stories of adolescence and tragedy from two books which were a scandal at their time of publication, being permissive and written by a very young female author.
Lisa Congdon – Art Inc
Lisa Congdon – Art Inc. (affiliate link)
10/10 on an overall 1 to 10 awesomeness scale
Inspiring and motivating with lots of food for thought concerning creative work and indie businesses.
Torrey Peters – Detransition, Baby
Torrey Peters – Detransition, Baby (affiliate link)
10/10 on an overall 1 to 10 awesomeness scale
This book got me hooked right away and was one of my top books this year. It’s about a love triangle between two trans women – including one of them who has detransitioned – and a divorced cisgender woman in New York, all of them redefining relationship and family models for themselves.
Lisa Congdon – You Will Leave A Trail of Stars
Lisa Congdon – You Will Leave A Trail of Stars (affiliate link)
10/10 on an overall 1 to 10 awesomeness scale
Short, inspiring, motivating, with awesome illustrations. A feel-good book.
Austin Kleon – Show Your Work
Austin Kleon – Show Your Work (affiliate link)
10/10 on an overall 1 to 10 awesomeness scale
Funny and inspiring book about how to be better seen with your creative work.
Lisa Congdon – Find Your Artistic Voice
Lisa Congdon – Find Your Artistic Voice (affiliate link)
10/10 on an overall 1 to 10 awesomeness scale
This book has also been one of my faves this year. I learned A LOT about defining and describing my creative style and about consciously finding my creative voice.
Nigel Cumberland – 100 Things Successful Leaders Do
Nigel Cumberland – 100 Things Successful Leaders Do (affiliate link)
9/10 on an overall 1 to 10 awesomeness scale
Some things were new to me, some things were not. Overall, I felt inspired afterwards and immediately put some of the ideas from the book. I would especially recommend it to managers new to a leadership role.
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls (affiliate link)
10/10 on an overall 1 to 10 awesomeness scale
A great read not only for little girls, but great for everyone. Short texts about inspiring women, accompanied by colorful illustrations by great artists.
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So have you read any of those? What else did you enjoy reading this year? I’d love to hear your recommendations! :)
And when clicking through the links to save the books, you can directly go to my Influencer Storefront (affiliate links inside) and see them at once.
My new travel goal is to check out awesome independent book stores in all of the cities I visit. There I each buy a book that spontaneously catches my attention. Then I directly have a new holiday read or a great travel souvenir for coming back home. :)
Thank you for reading and happy holiday season!
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