The best books I read in 2021
Plus some other favourites. See you next year!
BOOK PERSON
trusty recommendations from well-read humans.
Dormant Last read · last published · next check
Read 15 hours ago and current, but nothing has been published for 5 years.
Latest episodes
BOOK PERSON | Vol. 33
Writer Sara Harowitz recommends Kiese Laymon, Carmen Maria Machado, and Raven Leilani.
BOOK PERSON | Vol. 32
Carly Drake's soft spot for Canadian fiction, from Robertson Davies to Elizabeth Hay.
BOOK PERSON | Vol. 31 Spooktacular!
Whether you're in the mood for gore or psychological horror, I have a scary book for you.
BOOK PERSON | Vol. 30
Cinephile Sarah Bakke loves Rilke, abolitionist theory, and "Circe" by Madeline Miller.
BOOK PERSON | Vol. 29
Kait McNabb has 14 books next to her bed right now and they all sound fantastic— essays, pop culture criticism, memoirs, micro-fiction and so! much! more!
BOOK PERSON | Vol. 28
Kevin Read is very into Deborah Levy— also Rachel Cusk, George Saunders, Patrick deWitt, and a gripping western thriller.
BOOK PERSON | Vol. 27
Climate reporter Michelle Gamage endorses John Steinbeck, the uncanny valley of near-reality fiction, and having a giant stack of books beside your bed.
BOOK PERSON | Intermezzo
Six distinctive recommendations + the Goodreads alternative you've been waiting for.
BOOK PERSON | Vol. 26
So many fantasy and sci-fi recommendations from Stu Popp, who is always down for the three-page feast description in Game of Thrones.
BOOK PERSON | Vol. 25
Megan Jenkins on her first self-help book, changing her mind on Rachel Cusk, and why she hates a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel.
BOOK PERSON | Vol. 24
Alyssa Arbuckle reads broadly but appreciates the classics. Also, do us both a favour and read Leslie Jamison's The Recovering.
BOOK PERSON | Vol. 23
Darren Barefoot endorses giving up on books you don't enjoy and would probably give you a copy of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
BOOK PERSON | Summer Hours
And some recent favourites.
BOOK PERSON | Vol. 22
Kids' books for all ages (even adults) with Sally White, who thinks we should retire "The Giving Tree."
BOOK PERSON | Vol. 21
The funny, experimental and insightful favourites of Rachel Burns. Also, Julia Roberts pizza.
BOOK PERSON | Vol. 20
Ferrante troll and author Dina Del Bucchia appreciates raunchy medieval lit and poetry in abundance: "I am always there for poetry and it's always there for me."
BOOK PERSON | Vol. 19
Kids' books with Anita Cheung: "I always feel seen with any brainy female lead."
BOOK PERSON | Vol. 18
Metafiction and philosophy with poet Meredith Quartermain.
BOOK PERSON | Spring Break
A miniature edition, just for fun.