Favorite Books of 2021

By Lekshmy Sankar | 19-Jan-2022

Last year (2020), I read less than three books (possibly the lowest amount I've ever read!). I didn't have the time to read for fun with school, work, life, etc. However, if you want to know great journal articles, I'm your girl. So this year, I was so excited to have more time to catch up on books. The genre that jived with me was Chinese wuxia novels, so let me know if you want additional suggestions on those.

Political: The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones. The book opens a kaleidoscopic historical vista that leaves us with a riveting conversation. In 1619, a ship arrived in Virginia with 20-30 slaves, which led us to the unprecedented system of slavery that lasted over 250 years. It is part of our American history, but it's more than that. How does the inheritance of 1619 reach contemporary American society - music, food, traffic, and democracy itself?

Biography: Will by Will Smith. I love Will Smith. The memoir is brave and heartwarming, and the book takes you through a journey of self-knowledge and reckoning. Sure - the journey is about his experience, but it also helps you, a "normal" person, relate to his story. Will shows us how to channel ambition to avoid pain, fear, and vulnerability, which we all can learn.

Mystery: The Judge's List by John Grisham. A word of warning, it is nonstop suspense. It follows the investigator Lacy Stoltz as she follows the trail of a serial killer and gets to experience the corruption of elected officials on the bench. It's an exciting concept because it's plausible - imagine a judge who is not only taking bribes but lives.

Science Fiction: The midnight library by Matt Haig. This was a fascinating book because it mixes self-help with science fiction, which I have never seen. You have the main character, Nora, traveling through the 'midnight library' (which lets you pick a book that contains an alternative life) to decide what truly fulfills her (e.g., switching to a different career, undoing breakups, etc.) We learn that no life is perfect; every journey consists of heartbreak, regret, and pain, but we do the best we can.

Romance: The promotion record of a crown princess by Xian Chen. If you want to laugh nonstop, this is the book for you. It's a story of a guy in contemporary times, transforming and waking up into a queen's body in the Joseon dynasty married to an inconsequential king. Her life becomes very complicated as she tries to navigate language, culture, food, and, of course, love. It's quite a ride - if you don't want to read the book, there is also a wonderful K-drama loosely based on the book called Mr. Queen staring the amazingly talented Shin Hye-sun.

Self-Help: The little book of big lies by Tina Lifford. So many people recommended this book to me, and I finally got around to reading it. It walks you through navigating the essential things in life - hurt, drama and fear. She teaches you how to change your self-perception, see yourself in the best possible light, and love and honor through personal anecdotes.

Technology: The NFT handbook by Matt Fortnow & QuHarrison Terry. I will admit I'm biased to this book. The author is a good friend, and I am proud of him for publishing this gem. If NFT is new to you, you need this book. It explains what NFTs is, how it evolved, and why they have value - then goes deeper into how you can create your NFT, mint, and sell it. The best part of this book? The storytelling.

Business: The long game by Dorie Clark. Without noticing it, I will often find myself rushed, overwhelmed, and just behind on everything. The next thing I know, I'm anxious, and I'm even more behind. It's a neverending cycle. The book walks you through reorienting yourself to see the big picture and make small changes.

Strong Female: Flying Angels by Danielle Steel. The book is about women who enlist in the Army and embark on an adventure as flight nurses. My favorite character, Emma, is full of confidence and grit that pushes her to put everything on the line (helping the nation and her patients). What's interesting is - even though these ladies in this book know that others won't recognize them (e.g., achieve any rank, pay increase, etc.) - they still give it all to fight for freedom.

Short Stories: The strange story of the world by Chigozie Obioma. Nigerian author who has been called the next Chinua Achebe. His stories are beautiful. The short story distills a Nigerian melodrama of family history with themes reminiscent of a soap opera. The story reviews a son's look at a father who lost his job, savings, and status. The ending is not for everyone, but the story is very engaging.

Journal article: Paradoxical leadership to enable strategic agility by Marianne W. Lewis, Constantine Andriopoulous, and Wendy K. Smith. Have you heard of the term paradoxical leadership? I have not till this year. It's an engaging leadership style and needed in the current pandemic time - a leader who is a creative, fast-paced, and adaptable decision-maker. This article talks about this type of leadership and describes the paradoxical nature of strategic agility.

International: You are my Glory by Gu Man. Yang Yang is probably one of my favorite Chinese film/drama actors - possibly even in my top 5 favorite actors regardless of the language. I think anyone who has seen Love O2O probably feels the same. I will admit the C-drama "you are my glory" was a disappointment for me, but the television adaptation was good enough for me to read the novel by Gu Man. It's a mixture of gaming (similar to King's Avatar) and love. You fall in love with the characters and wish the fake game was real because it is certainly something I would play.

International - Wuxia: Faraway Wanderers by Priest. I binged 20 episodes of word of honor and remember texting one of my good friends and telling her to drop what she is doing and watch it immediately. I'm a huge fan of Priest's novels except Legend of Fei (I'm still confused about that one), so I have high expectations for every new book she writes. This one did not disappoint. It's beautifully written where you see the leader of the assassin organization, Zhou Zishu choosing a new path using drastic measures. The story dives into the entanglement between him and the other male lead, Wen Kexing, which is instrumental in finding each other's redemption.

There you have it, the books that stole my heart this year. If you are interested in reading about my previous year's favorites (2019) - please click here.

What about you? What is your favorite book of the year? Any recommendations for me to check out?

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