My 39 Five Star Favorite Reads of 2021

Out of the (nearly) 200 books I read in 2021, these are the ones that were my favorites. I really don’t give out five star ratings frivolously, so these are books that I truly loved (but for all different reasons). Some changed my mind, some changed my heart, some made me swoon and squeal, some hit me in the feels, some have stuck with me or taught me something important, some were incredibly written, some were fresh and new and blew me away, but all were truly amazing reads for me.

If you’re looking for books I recommend reading, look no further!

Here are all the books I gave 5-star ratings to this year:

What was a favorite read for you this year?

more reading recs:
fall: a reading guide
fall: a reading guide

in this guide, you’ll find 72 total recommendations, with 12 each in the following categories:

🍂cozy/comforting

🧙🏼‍♀️witches/hexes

🔥sweet/spicy

🩸murder/mystery

🧑🏻‍🏫academic settings

🧌creature features

the 5 best bookstores in richmond, va
the 5 best bookstores in richmond, va

looking for your next read in the river city? look no further — here are 5 of my most favorite and most frequented bookstores in the richmond, va area!

A RAD Summer Reading Guide for 2024
A RAD Summer Reading Guide for 2024

i am so excited about this year’s guide — it’s a really fun blend of book recs for all kinds of readers, and i implemented so many of your suggestions which makes it even better! plus, these recs aren’t just from me…

the 14 books i read in april (with ratings and reviews)
the 14 books i read in april (with ratings and reviews)

april was the month i read the steamiest book of my life (still not over it, i loved it) and returned to enneagram books and read 4 five star reads… a solid month, overall!

the 14 books i read in march (with ratings and reviews)
the 14 books i read in march (with ratings and reviews)

ahhh, the sweet, sweet feeling of coming out of a reading slump! I AM BACK IN ACTION and crushing 15 books (with SIX of them racking up five stars) felt SO GOOD. march was great! yay books!

the 11 books i read in february (with ratings and reviews)
the 11 books i read in february (with ratings and reviews)

february felt like a reading SLUMP even though, sure, i read 11 books (6 of them were novellas!). i didn’t have FUN reading this month…

12 Lent Devotionals, Books, and Guides
12 Lent Devotionals, Books, and Guides

may these resources be helpful guides along this lenten season as we remove a distraction to better create space for Christ in our lives and in our hearts.

18 Sweet (and Spicy!) Romances to Read This Valentine's Day
18 Sweet (and Spicy!) Romances to Read This Valentine's Day

i don’t know about you, but even as a very single and very-anti-valentine’s day person, there’s something about all the love, hearts, and commercially-crafted romance in the air this time of year that makes me want to read something with a happily ever after.

the 12 books i read in january (with ratings and reviews)
the 12 books i read in january (with ratings and reviews)

by popular demand, i’m back to rounding up all of the reviews of what i read each month here on my blog, and i hope it’s a helpful resource for you!

39 Books to Read by Latinx Authors
39 Books to Read by Latinx Authors

whether you are joining in on a rad reading challenge for 2024, or you are just looking to diversify your reading, or you want to amplify and support Latinx authors for another reason, i hope this list of books (both that i’ve read and that are on my tbr list!) is a helpful guide!

A RAD Reading Challenge for 2024
A RAD Reading Challenge for 2024

This is one of my favorite things to create year after year — A RAD Reading Challenge is back for 2024!

The focus this year is to intentionally read DIVERSELY. (it matters!!! so much!!!)

6 of My Favorite Holiday Novels + Novellas
6 of My Favorite Holiday Novels + Novellas

tis the season for twinkly lights and cozy blankets, cheesy movies and mistletoe (but only in the movies? i’ve seriously never seen the stuff in real life…), and, OF COURSE, holiday reads!

All the RAD ReadsRachel Dawsonfive star reads, book recommendations, best booksComment