Okay, here it is, my list of favorite reads of 2021, in alphabetical order by title:

East of Eden by John Steinbeck—I’d always wanted to read this and finally got around to it. Gorgeous descriptions of the Salinas Valley, strong, memorable characters (including a positive depiction of a Chinese man), and a compelling plot make this a major accomplishment in storytelling.

The Five Wounds by Kirstin Valdez Quade—I liked the New Mexico setting and the depiction of a Latino family, dysfunctional yet supportive of one another during tough times.

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes—I enjoyed the intriguing plot, the focus on women’s rights, and, of course, that it’s about librarians and library services.

The Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson—Yes, another novel about librarians and libraries, and why not? it’s a subject close to my heart. Even though it’s set in a library in an English village, I related to so much of the story pertaining to budget cutbacks, patrons, literary references, and even politics.

Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld—I found the book fascinating and engrossing as it explored what Hillary Clinton’s life would have been like had she not married Bill.