The 28 Best Books I Read in 2021

A stack of books on a  table outside on a sunny day

This year was a phenomenal reading year (one positive outcome of being stuck at home because of COVID). I managed to read a lot of books on a variety of subjects. Not all of them were winners but most were. As we wrap up the year (and start buying books for the holidays), I want to share some of this year’s favorites.

These books transported me to places when borders were shut, taught me history, myself, and made me rethink how I view the world.

And, with winter approaching, nothing beats snuggling inside with a warm cup of tea and a good book!

So, without further ado, here are the best books I read in 2021 (in no particular order):
 

1. Take More Vacations, by Scott Keyes

Take More Vacations book coverIn this book, travel expert Scott Keyes, the founder of the cheap flight website Scott’s Cheap Flights explains how to score bargain airfare and improve your trips. Scott knows everything there is to know about booking flights. This book is half practical tips and half travel philosophy. Keyes demystifies the entire process of how airfare pricing works, and his strategies for getting cheap flights will apply to you regardless of where you live. If you want to save money on your next flight, this book is a must-read.

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2. Circe, by Madeline Miller

Circe book coverThis novel follows the fictionalized life of the Greek goddess Circe, the goddess of sorcery. It is a well-written page-turner that spans Greek history, humanizing Circe in a way that makes her an interesting and three-dimensional character (as opposed to the rather flat villain we get in The Odyssey). The author really brings Circe to life and creates a complex tale of becoming who you were always meant to be. I highly, highly recommend it! I couldn’t put it down once I picked it up.

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3. The Expanse, by James S. A. Corey

The Expanse book coverThis hit Amazon TV show is actually based on a an awesome book series. This nine part series follow humans (fractured in people living on Earth, Mars, and “The Belt”) in the near future after discovering an alien portal to systems around the universe. If you love sci-fi and are looking for a fun, fast-paced series to pick up, pick this series up. Each book is fantastic, featuring epic world building and excellent writing. The ninth and final book came out last month so you can read it all in one go without having to wait too!

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4. Land of Love and Drowning, by Tiphanie Yanique

Land of Love and Drowning book coverSet in the US Virgin Islands and taking place over the course of the 20th century, this book uses the author’s own family history as well as island history to tell a story that features a lot of magical realism. It took me a few pages to get into it (it’s not a genre I read often), but it really picks up after the first 20-30 pages (so make sure you give it time to unfold). It’s a vibrant, layered read, and I can see why the author won so many awards for it and why it won such critical acclaim.

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5. Breath, by James Nestor

Breath book coverBreath is about how we breathe. I know that sounds boring, but it was actually quite fascinating. The book argues that proper breathing can literally solve pretty much all of our health problems. While I think that’s a bit of an exaggeration, there’s still a lot of interesting and detailed information in here on how improving your breathing can reduce allergies (something I have struggled with for years), increase energy, and reduce sleep apnea and snoring. If you have sleep or breathing issues, give this a read.

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6. Less, by Andrew Sean Greer

Less book coverThis Pulitzer Prize–winning book follows writer Arthur Less on the eve of his fiftieth birthday. After finding out his lover is getting married, he says yes to number of business trips and workshops that sends him around the world. (So I guess it’s kind of a travel book in that way.) The more I read this book, the more I fell in love with it. It’s a fun love story that offers a satirical look at the American abroad that’s both poignant and subtle. And the twist at the end? Wow! You never see it coming!

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7. What Doesn’t Kill You: A Life with Chronic Illness, by Tessa Miller

What Doesn't Kill You book coverThis book — part personal story, part resource for others with chronic illness — chronicles the author’s battle with IBD and Crohn’s (a disease which affects the bowels). It’s smartly written, informative, and an eye-opening (and frustrating) look at the gaping holes and systemic failures of the for-profit US medical system. Three in five Americans have some kind of chronic illness and this book goes a long way in helping to understand their struggles on both a personal and systemic level.

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8. Deep Work, by Cal Newport

Deep Work book coverThis book is about how to avoid distractions and produce deeper work. While repetitive in parts, the book does have a lot of great tips on how to do “deep work” and live a less distracted life — while also highlighting why this kind of work is actually vital for us. Whether you’re looking to improve your workflow, make more time for friends and family, deepen your hobbies, or nip your procrastination in the bud, this book has lots of tips and insights. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in productivity/time management.

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9. How I Built This, by Guy Raz

How I Built This book coverGuy Raz is famous for his podcast How I Built This where he interviews entrepreneurs about how they built their companies. In this book, Raz compiles all the lessons he’s learned from his podcast into a single resource. It book follows the “hero’s journey” arc about stating and succeeding at starting a business. It’s full of tips and insights, both practical and philosophical. While I normally hate business books but found this really enjoyable and full of excellent advice.

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10. Born a Crime, by Trevor Noah

Born a Crime book coverWhen Austin’s Snowpocalypse cut the power, I picked up this book by Trevor Noah (host of The Daily Show) about his life in South Africa and ended up reading the entire thing in one day. I found it eye-opening and educational to read about growing up as apartheid South Africa right as apartheid was ending. His reflections are funny and hard-hitting. The book provided ample perspective what it was like growing up in South Africa and a deeper appreciation for Trevor Noah himself.

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11. The White Tiger, by Aravind Adiga

The White Tiger book coverAt first, I couldn’t get into this book. I didn’t like the format or how he wrote it and I was thinking of putting it down. Then, suddenly, a day had passed and I was almost done with it. So the book grew on me! The main character, Balram, is an antihero who revels in his self-serving ways as he works to get out of his village in India to become a powerful man. It was a NYT bestseller and won the Man Booker Prize in 2008, so even if the book doesn’t hook you right away stick with it!

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12. Scotland Beyond the Bagpipes, by Helen Ochyra

Scotland Beyond the Bagpipes book coverOchyra is a UK travel writer who realized that, despite many visits to Scotland for work, she had never really seen the country. So, spurred by the loss of her mother, she hops in a car and heads off to explore Scotland in depth to get a better sense of the country. This book is funny, easy to read, and full of insights into Scotland (a place I love immensely). If you’ve been to Scotland, you’ll appreciate her stories and insights. And if you haven’t, this book will spur you to book a trip!

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13. The Signature of All Things, by Elizabeth Gilbert

The Signature of All Things book coverWritten by Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of Eat, Pray, Love, this book is the epic tale of Alma, a fictional female botanist living in the 1800s. It was so captivating that I couldn’t put it down (which shouldn’t be surprising; it was a NYT bestseller and won the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction). It follows her life from birth to old age, featuring an abundance of complex characters. At its heart, it’s story of finding one’s place in the world. It also has a few plot twists and is super well written.

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14. The Queen’s Gambit, by Walter Tevis

The Queen's Gambit book coverAfter falling in love with the Netflix miniseries (I watched it twice), I decided to pick up the book. It’s a quick, easy read, and fun read. Even if you don’t play chess, you’ll still enjoy the book as it is more about people than it is about the game. The show followed the book pretty closely, so if you watched the show, you know what happens. There’s not a lot of differences. But, again, if you liked it on the small screen, you’re also going to love the book.

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15. The Yellow House, by Sarah Broom

The Yellow House book coverThis memoir traces Broom’s family history in New Orleans, far from the tourists partying on Bourbon Street, diving into life in the city’s poor areas and what it was like growing up Black in a city defined by race. Broom delves into her upbringing, and how 2005’s Hurricane Katrina changed not only NOLA but her and her family. It gave me a lot of insights into life on the Crescent City that you don’t pick up as a visitor. If you’ve ever been to New Orleans, this book is must-read.

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16. L’Appart, by David Lebovitz

L'Appart book coverLebovitz is a well-known travel writer who writes prolifically about Paris (I actually had the pleasure of meeting him while I lived there). In this humorously written, insightful book, he uses his apartment renovation to examine at various aspects of French life. He’s like a Parisian Bill Bryson and is able to really peel back the layers of life in Paris to show what it is actually like living in the City of Light (spoiler alert: it’s not as whimsical as other books and films make it seem!).

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17. Americanah, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Americanah book coverThis is the story of Ifemelu, who moves back to Nigeria after studying abroad in the United States. It follows her and her college boyfriend’s stories, shifting perspectives between them and between life in the US and in Nigeria. It’s a massive book — it’s over 600 pages — but it’s brimming with incredible prose and storytelling that highlights the challenges of moving to a new country, returning home, and trying to fit back into your old life. It’s incredible and worth taking the time to savor.

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18. In Every Mirror She’s Black, by Lola Akinmade Åkerström

In Every Mirror She's Black book coverTravel writer, photographer, and best-selling author Lola Akinmade Åkerström’s debut fiction novel, In Every Mirror She’s Black is an arresting read for anyone looking for insight into what it means to be a Black woman in today’s world. Lola is an amazing travel writer and that talent is apparent in her novel from page one. Told through the perspectives of three detailed and complex characters as they navigate live in a new country (Sweden), In Every Mirror is fast-paced, richly nuanced, and accessible.

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19. The Premonition: A Pandemic Story, by Michael Lewis

The Premonition book coverThis book by Michael Lewis is about the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s not an indictment of Trump, but rather it’s a book about the failures of the CDC, planning, and the inertia of bureaucracy. I learned a lot about our country’s past pandemic planning and why the CDC was so slow to take COVID seriously (when you learn why, you’re going to be very depressed — especially considering how many millions of people have died and how many of those deaths could have been prevented).

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20. Beyond Guilt Trips, by Dr. Anu Taranath

Beyond Guilt Trips book coverAs every traveler knows, traveling abroad can provide new perspective — but it can also be unsettling and confusing. It can be challenging or awkward to speak about racial and cultural differences, even though these differences might have fueled the desire to travel in the first place. In this impactful and practical book, Dr. Anu Taranath helps us unpack our baggage about who we are to help us become better travelers so we can have deeper, more authentic experiences.

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21. How to Avoid Climate Disaster, by Bill Gates

How to Avoid Climate Disaster book coverThis book is about the complexity of moving to a carbon-neutral world. His solution isn’t groundbreaking (“we need the political will!”) but what I enjoyed was his detailed breakdown of just how interwoven carbon is into every industry. We focus a lot on air travel and cars but they actually aren’t the biggest challenges we face. The whole book was super fascinating and shed a lot of light on just how complex (but possible) change is — if we have the political backing of course!

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22. American War, by Omar El Akkad

How to Avoid Climate Disaster book coverSet at the end of the 21st century, American War imagines a bleak (but sadly realistic) future where the United States, overwhelmed by the ongoing climate crisis, faces a second civil war as the South secedes again. It was a wonderful, captivating read that follows the protagonist through childhood into adulthood as they struggle against life in a country at war. It’s a gripping, prescient, and grim tale that’s really about how hate and revenge damage not only us but those around us too.

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23. Between Two Kingdoms, by Suleika Jaouad

Between Two Kingdoms book coverSuleika Jaouad was your typical college graduate living in Paris (something I’m jealous of!) when her health started to decline. Heading home to the United States, she learns she has a deadly bone marrow cancer which throws her life into turmoil. This memoir recounts her diagnosis, treatment, and eventual recovery and re-entry into “normal life” (whatever that means). A NYT bestseller, it is a moving book that dissects pain, loss, anger, and acceptance. It was one of the most powerful books I read all year.

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24. Think Again, by Adam Grant

Think Again book coverThis new book by Adam Grant is about how to re-evaluate your beliefs — and also how to talk to people who disagree with you. I felt it was very pertinent given where society is today (especially here in the USA). In an age where people battle it out on social media and argue at the dinner table at Thanksgiving, this book really made me think about how I form opinions, change my mind, and interact with people who disagree with me. It’s impactful, practical, and eye-opening.

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25. The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, and the Real Count of Monte Cristo, by Tom Reiss

The Black Count book coverThis book tells the tale of Alex Dumas, the father of famed writer Alexandre Dumas. Alex Dumas was the son of a French aristocrat and slave on what is now Haiti. When he was a teen, his father took him to France to live the life of a nobleman. When the Revolution came, he quickly gained fame due to his constant military successes. It was really interesting to learn about the forward-thinking racial equality that happened in revolutionary France and how Napoleon undid that when he came to power.

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26. Ghana Must Go, by Taiye Selasi

How to Travel the World on $50 book coverI bought this book up thinking it was a travel book about Ghana but it was actually a fiction book about a Ghanese family living in the US coming to terms with the death of a father who abandoned them. This beautifully written tale looks at issues of family, abandonment, and forgiveness. While the book wasn’t what I expected, the vibrant prose pulled me in from the first line. It is an absolute marvel of a book. Taiye Selasi is an incredible writer and I was constantly amazed by their talent.

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27. Over the Edge of the World: Magellan’s Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe, by Laurence Bergreen

Over the Edge of the World book coverThis detailed book highlights the groundbreaking and fascinating history of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan’s 16th-century round-the-world trip. The book explores the true risk and daring of the adventure but also illuminates at the world as it was in 1519. There’s a lot of information here about sailing, social hierarchy, colonialism, and politics, as well information on how these voyages changed the world. If you’re a history nerd, you’re going to love this book.

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28. Black Privilege: Opportunity Comes to Those Who Create It, by Charlamagne Tha God

How to Travel the World on $50 book coverCharlemagne tha God is a radio DJ / TV host I’ve heard about in passing over the years. This is his memoir about his upbringing in rural South Carolina and what he’s learned from going from being a jailed drug dealer as a kid to becoming a wealthy celebrity as an adult. While there are lots of eye-opening stories in the book, it’s also full of insight and wisdom too. I especially love his idea that there are no failures, only lessons, and his emphasis on putting in the work if you want to succeed.

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29. BONUS: Ten Years a Nomad, by me

Ten Years a Nomad book coverOf course, I’m gonna add my book to this list! Ten Years a Nomad is my memoir about my ten years backpacking the world as well as a treatise on my philosophy on travel. It follows the emotional journey of a trip around the world – from planning to being out there for the first time, to making friends to the emotions of coming home and everything in between. I talk about the reality of long term travel and the lessons that come from that lifestyle. It’s my opus on budget travel and backpacking!

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31. BONUS #2: How to Travel the World on $50 A Day, by me

How to Travel the World on $50 book coverThis book features all my best tips in one easy to follow format that you can take with you when you travel. It will help you become a master traveler and navigate the world. It’s like this blog but WAY more detailed, covering everything you need to know to travel the world with confidence. Whether you’re heading out on the road for a few weeks, a few months, or a few years, this book can show you the ropes so you safe money, stay safe, and have fun!

Buy on Amazon Buy on Bookshop

***

Reading has been especially important this past year as many borders remained closed and the pandemic continued to ravage much of the world. During this challenging time, books helped me escape, stay calm and relaxed in a world going crazy, grow my business, and grow as a person too.

While the year definitely had its ups and downs, it was an excellent year for reading. That’s a fine silver lining if you ask me. Pick up one of these books and let them move you as much as they moved me.

P.S. – If you’re looking for more suggestions, be sure to check out all my favorites on Bookshop. It’s not as cheap as Amazon but the money helps small, independent bookstores rather than Amazon. (If you only use Kindle, here’s the Amazon link.)

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

Want to Travel for Free?
Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need a Rental Car?
Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip!

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip?
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Ready to Book Your Trip?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.