Hi Bookworms! Time to let you know which were my favorites of the 219 that I read last year. It was a bit of a hodgepodge year, but most of my favorites were LGBTQ+ Reads, Retellings, and Audiobooks. This list will only include new reads, because counting my favorite rereads wouldn’t be as fun. These are in order of which they were read as much as possible. Let’s Get Started!

1. Words on the Bathroom Wall by Julia Walton

Honestly I watched the movie before reading the book, having only found out in my rewatch that it was a book. Both the book and movie have such an important impact. I can appreciate the differences and I feel both were right for each medium. One of the factors that gave this a 5 star rating was the author's note about them not having schizophrenia and the book was only displaying one type and one person's experience and by no mean speaking for every experience. Whenever an author writes a book about any disability, illness, disorder i feel this should be disclosed as people can assume if not educated.

The second part that made this a 5 star read was the fact it was the first book in a long while to make me laugh out loud. Adam’s voice was helping me survive. It is definitely a book I’ll recommend.

2. Dust by Kara Swanson

If you know me you know that Peter Pan retellings I am absolute trash for! God I didn’t think my first five star read would come this early, but did I fall in love with these characters. Her retelling put a spin on these characters while still remaining true to their underlining selves. It’s been a while since I could see character’s so clearly in my head. I laughed with them and ached for them.

3. Alias Hook by Lisa Jensen

This one was another one of those books that I got upset with myself for not committing to it and reading this earlier. So discloser if you are going into this for YA purposes, it is not YA. The more adult scenes were handled tastefully, and I love the parts of what normally were to be considered minor character’s in Barrie’s original world, were now integral to this story. It was hard to see Peter as a villain, but it as you go along, you truly understand he is a needed character just as the rest. I will definitely be rereading this as it made me have a soft spot for my favorite world again.

4.The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec

This was my first review of the year. It was beyond gorgeous and knowing how this story came alive for Gornichec, makes me hold it a special place in my heart and inspire me. Hopefully it will lead me to writing my own fanfiction turn more. I am definitely rereading this asap.

5. The Midnight Library by Matt Hague

My first magical realism dream of the year (pun intended)!! It was the magical realism and reality I needed. The way I felt understood from this book to know I’m not the only one at this age feeling so lost. I feel like these books are finding me when I didn’t know I needed them. The way it deals with love, loss, depression, appreciate, adequacy. I wish I could personally thank Matt Haig for writing this book. It will definitely be a reread when I am feeling lost.

6. Botanical Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland by Lisa Schneidau

I will always be a fairy girl so to have myths and lores to pull me and educate me again of those myths that I used to devour younger. I also feel this is an amazing book who hasn’t read lore before and wants to dip their toe in.

7. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

Magical realism amazement and mythological dreams. I would spend a whole year rereading this and never get tired of it. The prose and Addie’s rep for me was a bi girl’s dreams. God just talking about it makes me want to stop my current read and reread it again!

8. Cool for the Summer by Dahlia Adler

If you didn’t read my review for this let me tell you this was one of the hottest books of my year. Honestly not only is Dahlia one of the sweetest authors and people I’ve ever met even if we only sat together for 15 minutes max at the RT festival, she knows how to write chemistry. For me this is very important as a reader and watcher. I am one that needs chemistry in a kiss not too much cheese. She is the queen of this and the friendships in this book were beyond goals. Not enough authors focus on friendships that support these characters or people in real life. Having examples of ride or dies are something we all need so hopefully we can find our own.

9. Sword in the Stars by A.R. Capetta and Cori McCarthy

This book is another example of retellings I am week for. Arthurian Retellings. Plus a female Arthur and reincarnations? Did these 2 authors write this series just for me? Also this book is just goals by knowing it was written by a married couple. Excuse me, while I swoon! While this one I gave a 4.75 stars because I saw one of the plot twists coming. It was still an amazing book and definitely one where the sequel was my favorite over the first. I did love most though and the queer and POC rep was the best. The retelling reference at the end was the best. The kisses were intense and I think this series is definitely one I’d read again. King Arthur retellings need to be done more, and a happy endings are definitely preferred.

10. One Last Stop By Casey McQuiston

Speaking of chemistry THIS book! God I can’t even! If you love Magical realism this book is especially for you. If you adore strong friendships, pursuing the need to start over, your school path not linear, bi-girl that doesn’t feel bi enough? All of these things will make you feel so at home in this book!

11. What I Carry by Jennifer Longo

I’ll be honest it was a blind pick for the cover. Can you blame me? Honestly I knew I was going to get attached to the main character as soon as I started this last night. What I didn’t know is how attached I was going to get attached to all Muir’s circle and their stories. It had me near sobbing as I was reading it today. This book definitely left it’s mark and I am so glad that this is a story being written about, but also that Longo put an importance on having a circle. I feel that not enough YA does this lately that the stories are just about the end goal of the story or the love interest. This book like so many others are the breath of fresh air and hope I think all readers need especially in these times of isolation.

12. Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

I am not a big sci-fi person, but there are a few exceptions to the rule and this is one of them. If you love the movie Bicentennial Man with Robin Williams, I’m 98% sure you will love this. This is one of those books I could see as a movie in my head. This is definitely one where a blind pick didn’t steer me wrong. I was so lost in this books many scenes and the setting. Even though it was sci-fi it had the perfect amount of magical realism I almost hope it does get turned into a movie.

13. Teen Titans: Beast Boy Loves Raven by Kami Garcia, Illustrated by Gabriel Picolo

I am so upset Goodreads doesn’t have a picture of my B&N Exclusive Edition. It is literally the cutest thing ever. Seeing these two fall in love in this series is everything. This whole book was amazing and perfect! It was cute and funny. I love BB and Raven but I also adore this author and artist working together. It is mean for them to make me wait till ’23 for the next, but I will be rereading this in the mean time. The action definitely kept me on edge and the banter was to die for. Although now Goodreads has it listed as this year and hoping that it is right!

14. Flora’s Travelling Christmas Shop by Rebecca Raisin

Honestly if you are into tiny house living or dream about it, this series by Rebecca Raisin is for you. These can be read as stand alones if you don’t mind spoiling who the main character in the previous book ends up with. The first one is called Rosie’s Travelling Tea Shop.

aHonestly, this is my favorite out of the 3. It feels like this book was made for me. Someone who finds comfort in Christmas as I do, finding comfort in Flora. The romance was cheese, but not as much as the others and I adored the way she got Connor to see Christmas through her eyes and the end was beyond perfect. Also tiny house living was perfect in this and the friendships Flora built. It will definitely be a book I will be rereading often Christmas or not.

Well that’s all for last year, 14 books does feel like a lot, but it makes me feel less alone. The end and beginning of last year were very hard for me. The moment I stop reading is the moment you should be worried for me. While, I didn’t read much in print because of strain of it between things. Audiobooks saved my life especially when I could pick the pace. Wishing us all peace and safety for 2022. What were your favorites for last year? Have you read any of these? Please let me know in the comments below! Happy Reading and Stay Safe!