Note: This post contains affiliate links Best Book Recommendations 2021. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Something Good.
I originally posted this post, Best Book Recommendations 2021, back at the beginning of 2021, I thought it would be nice to update it with all of the fall books!
Is this post coming out halfway through Fall with Fall recommendations? Yes, yes it is. But you and I both know that release dates are hard to follow (unless you’ve already pre-ordered the book). So is there anything wrong with a reminder post about the books that have come out and a little peek at what’s to come? I don’t think so!
Take a look through this list and let me know which of the Best Book Recommendations 2021 you’re planning on reading, or have already read!
35 Best Book Recommendations 2021
I want to give a few notes about this list of Best Book Recommendations 2021. First, this post starts with the Fall releases and then goes to the January to August releases. Why? Well, I thought that it might be of more use to know what books have recently come out and what will be coming out next.
Also, my Best Book Recommendations 2021 has a mix of every genre, but I did include slightly more romance/love stories than any genre because that’s what I’ve been reading more of lately. I just want and need a happy ending right now, okay?
Finally, I’m not including a description for EVERY book, but if I’ve reviewed it already, I will definitely link to that review.
The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun
September 7, 2021
Is it weird how much I enjoy books that take place during a reality show? Maybe I really am watching too much Bravo. But this is a completely fictional book that explores what happens when a reality show contestant falls in love with his producer.
The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina’ by Zoraida Córdova
September 7, 2021
Nice Girls by Catherine Dang
September 7, 2021
I have not been in the mood for thrillers lately, but the plot of this book sounded so intriguing that I had to add it to the list!
Portrait of a Scotsman by Evie Dunmore
September 7, 2021
I have LOVED Evie Dunmore’s Extraordinary Women series, so I couldn’t resist picking up the 4th book in the series.
Now, I will say that this one seems to be moving a little slower than the previous novels. I actually had to put it down for a little while because I needed a page turner. But I’ll let you know my full thoughts once I pick it back up.
The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Inheritance Games #2)
September 7, 2021
The first book in this series reminded me of The Westing Game, which made me automatically love it. Now that the second book is out, I can’t wait to read it and find out how the story continues.
Mom Jeans and Other Mistakes by Alexa Martin
September 7, 2021
How could you say no to any book by Alexa Martin (author of The Playbook Series). Now, she’s said that this book is a little different than her past novels, but that doesn’t make me any less excited for it.
A Lot Like Adiós’ by Alexis Daria
September 14, 2021
White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson
September 14, 2021
Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead
September 14, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed The Underground Railroad, so I’m always interested in a new Colson Whitehead novel. Plus, I heard that this one involves a heist and I love a good heist novel.
Black Girls Must Die Exhausted by Jayne Allen
September 14, 2021
The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman (Thursday Murder Club #2)
September 14, 2021
I loved the first Thursday Murder Club Mystery, so I was pretty excited when I heard that a second book was coming out! I’m still on the waitlist for this book, but I can’t wait to read it.
You Got Anything Stronger? by Gabrielle Union
September 14, 2021
Gabrielle Union’s first book was so good and I’ve heard amazing things about this one. During her first memoir she did an amazing job of combing funny stories and serious moment. I heard this book is a little heavier, but it’s still on my to-read list.
Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune
September 21, 2021
The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki
September 21, 2021
On Location by Sarah Echavarre Smith
September 21, 2021
I didn’t realize how many Sarah Smith novels I had read (apparently all of them), until I saw the announcement for this one. Her romantic comedies are always good, so look out for this book if you need a new rom com.
Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr
September 28, 2021
The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer
September 28, 2021
A Jewish girl who writes Christmas romance novels? That’s all I needed to hear to know I was in.
Please Don’t Sit on My Bed in Your Outside Clothes by Phoebe Robinson
September 28, 2021
I’ll take anything that Pheobe Robinson writes. Now I just have to decide if I want this book on audio or a physical copy (probably audio).
The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling
September 28, 2021
I’m in the middle of this book right now and I love it! It’s more rom-com than it is spooky though, so if you want a good Halloween read, but you’re really more of a romance gal, this is your book.
A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow
October 5, 2021
A Holly Jolly Diwali by Sonya Lalli
October 5, 2021
The Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman
October 12, 2021
I just finished Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman and I absolutely loved it. This book takes place in present day, but it doesn’t make me any less excited to pick it up.
Well Matched by Jen DeLuca
October 19, 2021
I have completely enjoyed all Jen DeLuca’s “Well Met” series. The character that this book focuses on has been around for a long time, so I’m excited for him to finally get his own novel!
All the Feels by Olivia Dade
October 26, 2021
The Lady Gets Lucky by Joanna Shupe (The Fifth Avenue Rebels #2)
October 26, 2021
Saucy cover? Yes it is.
I started reading Joanna Shupe’s novels (Uptown Girls) earlier this summer by the suggestion of one of my romance book club’s organizers and I enjoyed it way more than I expected to. I haven’t started this series yet, but it’s on my list!
The Wicked Widow by Beatriz Williams
October 26, 2021
I always have mixed feelings about Beatriz Williams books (they’re either GREAT or blah), but I’ll give this one a chance and let you know what I think!
Miss Moriarty, I Presume? by Sherry Thomas (The Sherlock Ladies Series #6)
November 2, 2021
I can’t turn down any Sherlock adaptations. Sorry, not sorry.
Gilded by Marissa Meyer
November 2, 2021
I love every single thing that Marissa Meyer writes. She’s the queen of fairy tale adaptations and I can’t wait to read Gilded!
Five Tuesdays in Winter by Lily King
November 2, 2021
The London House by Katherine Reay
November 2, 2021
Black Ballerinas by Misty Copeland
November 2, 2021
The Wit and Wisdom of Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
November 9, 2021
Our Violent Ends by Chloe Gong (These Violent Delights #2)
November 16, 2021
I’m a little hesitant to read this one, but I know I’m going to. I really enjoyed the first book in the series, but when I picked it up, I didn’t realize it was going to be straight up horror. However, the plot was so good, I couldn’t stop reading. Since I need to know how the story continues (and maybe ends?), I know that I’m going to have to read this book.
The Nobleman’s Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks by Mackenzi Lee
November 16, 2021
The Singles Table by Sara Desai
November 16, 2021
I’ve loved Sara Desai’s first two romcoms and I can’t wait for this one!
Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon (Outlander #9)
November 23, 2021
Diana Gabaldon hasn’t put out a new Outlander book in a while, so this is kind of a big deal. I’m still four books behind this one, but I’ll get to it eventually!
You’ll Be the Death of Me by Karen M. McManus
November 30, 2021
McManus’s books are the perfect level of thriller for me. They keep you captivated the entire time, but they aren’t too scary that I’m going to freak myself out. It’s perfect.
Here’s to Us by Becky Albertalli
December 28, 2021
If there’s a book by Beck Albertalli, I’m going to read it. The end.
January to August 2021
Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour
I’m so intrigued by the description and I keep hearing so many good things about the book. Now I just need to get off of the library holds list!
Happily Ever Afters by Elise Bryant
They described this book as Jane the Virgin meets To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.
I’m in.
The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins
A modern day Jane Eyre that takes place in Alabama. I have a feeling this is going to be a good thriller
Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters
This looks like it’s going to be such an interesting novel about what happens when Amy decides to detransition and become Ames. Ames’s ex-Reese goes down a path of self desctruction and Ames doesn’t understand why he still isn’t happy either.
Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas
This is only Angie Thomas’s third novel, but I know that it’ll be amazing. It’s the prequel to The Hate U Give and it’s already been receiving praise. My copy just arrived, so I’ll be getting to it soon.
The Divines by Ellie Eaton
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, if it’s a novel about an all girls boarding school, it’s going to be a really twisted novel. From the description, it sounds like I am exactly right.
The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon
This book sounds like it will be perfect on audio!
We Could Be Heroes by Mike Chen
I’m super intrigued by the description of this scifi novel. I think it actually just arrived in my Book of the Month box, so I’ll get to read it so
Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano
Not only did Finlay Donovan kill it, but so did this book. Thank god they’ve already announced there will be a sequel. Here’s my review!
Make Up Break Up by Lily Menon
Lily Menon, the pen name for YA author Sandya Menon, dives into her first romance novel and it’s an amazing success. Check out my review.
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
Kristin Hannah’s latest novel has been getting SO MUCH buzz. Taking place during the Dust Bowl, I have a feeling we’re going to be hearing about this book for a while.
The Kindest Lie by Nancy Johnson
I’ve already been hearing excellent things about this amazing debut. It’s next up on my to read list!
A Lady’s Formula for Love (The Secret Scientists of London #1) by Elizabeth Everett
This romance novel is exactly what you think it’s about: one of England’s most brilliant scientists who falls in love. That’s what you were thinking, right?
A Pho Love Story by Loan Le
After reading the description for this adorable YA story, I knew I couldn’t stay away.
Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers
What happens when the high achieving new PhD graduate goes to Vegas and accidentally marries a woman she doesn’t know? She runs away from her family to New York with her new wife of course!
Good Girl, Bad Blood (A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder #2) by Holly Jackson
Okay, I can’t lie, I still need to read the first one, but hopefully I’ll want to read the sequel then too.
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
An 18th century secret underground apothecary shop for women who need poison? And a present day story as well? I love these types of historical fiction stories (the back and forth ones) so I’m excited to read this.
Act Your Age, Eve Brown (The Brown Sisters #3) by Talia Hibbert
We finally get the story for the third Brown sister! I loved the second book, so I’m excited for the third.
The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
A World War Two story of three friends who are torn apart by the war and then brought back together by the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Price Phillip.
The Dating Plan by Sara Desai
I’m 3/4 of the way through this book right now and I don’t want to put it down. It’s the sequel to The Marriage Game and I’m just baffled that Sara Desai hasn’t written more novels. I need more books from her now!
Wild Women and the Blues by Denny S. Bryce
Has the world realized that historical fiction is more fun when it goes between the past and present day? The past in this novel is the Jazz Age in 1925 Chicago.
The Intimacy Experiment (The Roommate #2) by Rosie Danan
First, if you haven’t read The Roommate, go take some time for yourself and do that. After you’ve taken your cold shower, preorder this book. I have a feeling it’ll be about the same.
Life’s Too Short (The Friend Zone #3) by Abby Jimenez
If you haven’t read the first two books in The Friend Zone series, you’ve only done yourself a disservice. It’s set a pretty high bar for this novel, but I think Life’s too Short will be fine.
To Love and to Loathe (The Regency Vows #2) by Martha Waters
I absolutely loved this book. You can read my full review here.
The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth
Hepworth’s first book, The Mother-In-Law was excellent, and I have high expectations for this one as well.
Kate in Waiting by Becky Albertalli
I’m pretty sure I’ve fallen in love with every book Becky Albertalli has ever written, so I think I already know what’s going to happen with this book.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
I’m always iffy about sci-fi, but I’ve loved Andy Weir’s two books. Also, as I was typing this, I got an email offering me an advanced copy of this book. So I guess a review will be coming soon!
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
If there’s one thing I learned from Emily Henry’s Beach Read, don’t expect a fluffy romance read. It’ll be good, but it’ll have some heft to it.
The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren
A single mother and DNA-based matchmaking company? I think Christina Lauren has a winner here.
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Taylor Jenkins Reid just keeps getting better and better. I need to write my review for this book, but I promise it’s coming soon.
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
Is there anything more New York City-themed than someone moving to NYC and meeting someone on a train? But there’s a fun twist: the person is literally displaced from the 1970s.
Isn’t It Bromantic? (Bromance Book Club 4) by Lyssa Kay Adams
I wrote about the Bromance Book Club recently and now I’m so excited for the fourth book. We’ll finally get to hear about Vlad, the Russian hockey player, and his mysterious wife.
While We Were Dating by Jasmine Guillory
Jasmine Guillory’s last book may have been my favorite, so I’m excited to see if this tops it. Also, this is the next book in her series, but I don’t see how it connects, so I’m excited to see the connection.
The Heart Principle (The Kiss Quotient #3) by Helen Hoang
I feel like I have been waiting YEARS for the next Helen Hoang book (really, it’s been maybe 2 years). So I’m excited for her next novel, to say the least. While she writes romance, she does an excellent job of also incorporating people with autism as her main characters. It’s one of the things I’ve loved about her novels.
So there are some of my best book recommendations of 2021. Have you already read some of them? Are some on your list? Let me know!
