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the best books i read in 2021 (i still can't pick favorites)
cari can read
Overview
This video summarizes the best books read by the creator in 2021, emphasizing that picking favorites is difficult and subjective. The creator shares a curated list of novels across various genres, including contemporary fiction, fantasy, and romance, highlighting personal connections, unique storytelling, and emotional impact. The summary aims to provide viewers with recommendations and insights into why these specific books resonated with the creator, encouraging a deeper appreciation for literature and diverse reading experiences.
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Chapters
- The creator finds ranking books stressful and acknowledges that opinions are subjective and time-bound.
- This year's reading focused on finishing series rather than discovering entirely new ones, leading to a different kind of excitement.
- The creator is sharing recommendations without a script, in a relaxed and unscripted manner.
Understanding the creator's personal approach to book recommendations helps set expectations for the viewer and contextualizes the subjective nature of the list.
The creator mentions their opinions are valid for 'December 17th 12:50pm Korean standard time' and might change.
- This novel offers an unflinching look at the 'underbelly' of contemporary Korean society, focusing on nightlife, room salons, and the entertainment industry.
- It follows the interconnected lives of five women, providing an unnervingly accurate portrayal of a specific age group and societal stratum.
- The book reveals aspects of Korean culture rarely shown in mainstream media or dramas, offering a unique perspective for those interested in the country.
- The writing is described as engaging, making the reader feel like a 'fly on the wall' rather than reading a work of fiction.
This book provides a nuanced and realistic portrayal of a specific cultural context that is often overlooked or romanticized in popular media.
The author mentions that the book names places in her own neighborhood in Seoul, making the experience of reading it particularly vivid.
- The book begins with an old-timey feel, introducing a protagonist recovering from an unexplained illness and his family's secretive behavior.
- A central theme is the societal prohibition against books, creating a mysterious and atmospheric first half.
- The narrative takes a dramatic turn, transforming into a completely different, fast-paced, and emotionally resonant story.
- The creator highly recommends reading this book with minimal prior knowledge to fully experience its impact.
This novel demonstrates how a story can masterfully shift genres and pacing, delivering a powerful emotional experience that relies on reader discovery.
The protagonist is sent to be a bookbinder's apprentice despite his family's warnings against books, setting up the central conflict.
- This young adult fantasy series is set in a late 1800s Paris-inspired world with a unique magic system called 'forging,' derived from the Tower of Babel myth.
- The story centers around a heist and a found family, with a protagonist seeking to reclaim his House's legacy.
- Unlike similar heist stories, the characters in The Gilded Wolves share deeper personal connections and knowledge of each other's lives.
- The series progresses through different locations, including Siberia and Venice, and features complex characters with interwoven strengths and weaknesses.
This series offers a compelling blend of heist, fantasy, and found family tropes, with a focus on character relationships that are deeper and more developed than in comparable works.
The magic system, 'forging,' is explained as either mental (creating illusions) or material (working with plants), with characters specializing in different forms.
- This YA fantasy reimagines the Knights of the Round Table within a contemporary setting at a university in the Carolinas.
- The protagonist, a young Black woman, navigates grief, racism, and the historical context of the Southern United States.
- She discovers a hidden world of demon hunters connected to King Arthur, triggered by visions following her mother's death.
- The book is praised for its realistic portrayal of complex themes and the inclusion of specific, relatable details about the protagonist's life, such as natural hair care.
Legendborn uniquely blends classic mythology with contemporary social issues and the lived experiences of a Black protagonist, offering a fresh and relevant take on fantasy.
The protagonist's internal monologue about how to manage her natural hair before showering highlights a specific, often-unseen aspect of Black women's daily lives.
- The Love Hypothesis is a charming and funny rom-com about a fake dating scenario between a PhD candidate and a professor, reminiscent of classic 90s rom-coms.
- Red, White & Royal Blue features a fake friendship between the First Son of the US and the Prince of England, blending romance with political and social commentary, akin to 2000s rom-coms.
- Both books are praised for their witty banter, emotional resonance, and ability to provide a feel-good reading experience.
- The creator enjoyed these books immensely, finding them to be 'cozy' and 'happy' reads, despite initial hesitation about their popularity.
These books offer delightful and engaging romantic narratives that provide emotional comfort and entertainment, showcasing the appeal of well-executed rom-com tropes.
The Love Hypothesis begins with a fake dating premise where the protagonist, Olive, needs to convince her ex-boyfriend she's moved on by dating a seemingly unapproachable professor, Adam.
- This duology follows Fable, a young woman abandoned on an island, as she seeks to understand why and return to the mainland.
- The series offers a compelling ocean adventure with a touch of magic, evoking a 'Pirates of the Caribbean' feel without actual pirates.
- Namesake is considered even stronger than Fable, building on the established characters and delivering a more action-packed narrative.
- The romance within the series is a secondary element, with the story primarily focusing on Fable's strength, independence, and 'badass' journey.
This duology provides a captivating adventure story with a strong female protagonist whose agency and personal growth are central, rather than being overshadowed by romance.
Fable's primary motivation is to earn enough money to buy passage off the island and confront the person who abandoned her.
- This YA fantasy trilogy features a protagonist with blue hair and tattoos who lives a seemingly normal life in Prague while serving a demon father figure.
- Her 'normal' activities involve inter-realm travel to collect bones for her guardian, hinting at a larger supernatural conflict.
- The story escalates when the doors between realms are locked, revealing a conflict between angels and demons.
- The series is characterized by heavy fantasy elements, magic, and supernatural beings, appealing to fans of the genre.
This series delivers a rich, high-fantasy experience with a unique premise involving demons, angels, and inter-dimensional travel, appealing to readers who enjoy intricate world-building and supernatural themes.
The protagonist's guardian, Brimstone, is a demon creature who sends her on missions between realms.
- The creator briefly mentions other enjoyable books like 'The Shadows Between Us,' 'These Hollow Vows,' 'Chain of Iron,' 'Kitchen,' and 'The Vanishing Half' as 'guilty pleasures' or beautiful reads.
- The video aims to provide recommendations for viewers looking for new books to read.
- The creator expresses gratitude for the community and the milestone of reaching 100k subscribers.
- The video concludes with holiday wishes and a promise to return in the new year.
This section acknowledges other impactful reads and reinforces the creator's appreciation for their audience, providing a warm and personal closing to the video.
The creator calls 'The Shadows Between Us' and 'These Hollow Vows' 'guilty pleasure' books that genuinely brought them joy.
Key takeaways
- The subjective nature of book recommendations means personal connection and timing significantly influence enjoyment.
- Contemporary fiction can offer profound insights into specific cultures and societal issues often hidden from mainstream view.
- Fantasy novels can masterfully blend familiar tropes with unique world-building and magic systems to create captivating narratives.
- YA fantasy often excels at exploring complex themes like grief, identity, and social issues through relatable protagonists.
- Romance novels, particularly those in the rom-com genre, can provide highly entertaining and emotionally satisfying reading experiences.
- Strong female characters can lead compelling stories where their agency and personal growth are the primary focus.
- Reading experiences can be enhanced by approaching books with an open mind and minimal preconceived notions.
- The 'found family' trope, when well-executed, creates deep emotional bonds that resonate with readers.
Key terms
BooktubeContemporary FictionYA FantasyRom-comHeist NovelFound FamilyMagic SystemWorld-buildingFake DatingFake Friendship
Test your understanding
- How does the creator's approach to recommending books differ from a purely objective review?
- What makes 'If I Had Your Face' a unique portrayal of Korean society, according to the creator?
- Describe the narrative shift in 'The Binding' and why the creator emphasizes going into it with no prior knowledge.
- What are the core elements of the magic system in 'The Gilded Wolves' series, and how does it relate to its mythological inspiration?
- How does 'Legendborn' integrate classic mythology with contemporary social issues and the protagonist's personal experiences?
- What distinguishes 'The Love Hypothesis' and 'Red, White & Royal Blue' as rom-coms, and what kind of emotional experience do they offer?