2021 Books
A look back at some of the best books read in 2021 (most were published in other years). I use Goodreads to keep track of what I read and to see what friends read. If you are a reader, it is a good source for honest reviews, information about books and a place to document the books you read. Below are my top books with short comments for each.
The Humans
by Matt Haig
Think the genre here might be Science Fiction Self Development. A book that will make you think about what it means to be human in a good way. And a pretty interesting science fiction story. Better advise here than in most self-help books I have read and in a much more readable format. I will be recommending to many and probably buying some copies as gifts.
This Tender Land
by William Kent Krueger
There are many comparisons to Huckleberry Finn, but I think it is better. Captures the time of depression quite well, with very interesting characters both male and female. The 12-year-old protagonist works very well. Highly recommend.
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents
by Isabel Wilkerson
Comparing racism and discrimination to a caste system works well in this book. The comparison of Nazi Germany and the caste system in India is quite insightful. As horrible and unsettling as the stories are in this book, they are most likely understatements of what really occurred and continues. An important book that unfortunately will not be read or taken seriously by those who flaunt and relish their white privilege as a birthright.
The Accidental President: Harry S. Truman and the Four Months That Changed the World
By A.J. Baime
An amazing story of a very brief segment of time. You are drawn into the story as if you were there and not just hearing or reading about it. It is worth a read regardless of your view of Truman, WW2, or the dropping of the atomic bomb. I felt as if I knew Truman after reading his story of this time.
Walden
By Henry David Thoreau
Thoreau was a minimalist before being a minimalist was cool. His words and observations are just as relevant today as they were when he wrote them over 150 years ago. I would have enjoyed visiting him at his cabin just to talk and observe nature with him. This was my first reading of Walden but suspect I will be rereading it. Recommend to any who haven’t read.
Running with Sherman
By Christopher McDougall
A fun and uplifting story mostly about our bonds with the animal world. The main story is about a rescue donkey with many other interesting side stories. An enjoyable book for all but if you read Born to Run you will particularly enjoy it. You are taken first to the Amish community in Lancaster County and then to Leadville, CO; both are fascinating places.
