Even though we’re only halfway through 2021, there have been some fantastic contributions to the world of literature. As such, it only seems right to put together a list of some of the best books that you should read this year.
Detransition, Baby
This novel written by the fantastic Torrey Peters has one of the most unique plots ever seen. Given it’s told in Peter’s well-written and distinctive voice, it comes together to form an exciting novel that goes through gender, humanity, and family. This debut follows a recently detransitioned man who managed to impregnate his cis female boss. Afterward, he asks his ex-girlfriend, who is a trans woman that wants to be a mother, to help her raise the baby. It truly is a must-read.
Bringing Down the House
This novel by Ben Mezrich tells the story of some M.I.T. Students who decided to devise a card-counting strategy that allowed them to take the casino house for millions. This encapsulating story reads as stranger than fiction as the author sticks to the authenticity of the tale without blurring the line between fact and fiction too much.
This is a perfect read if you are interested in gambling, although counting cards is certainly not an advisable strategy if you wish to improve your gambling game. For this, you should read the likes of The Biggest Bluff by Maria Konnikova and Fortune’s Formula by William Poundstone. You should also consider visiting sites such as Royal Vegas Casino, which is a much more popular method of gambling that doesn’t come with the stress of an actual casino.
Let Me Tell You What I Mean
It seems that Joan Didion can’t put a foot wrong as even this short collection of nonfiction (predominantly essays) reads absolutely perfectly. It sees her assessments of many different issues as she tackles them using rhythmic prose and ruthlessness.
Milk Fed
Following the success of her debut 2018 novel, The Pisces, Melissa Broder comes back better than ever with an addictive story that surrounds love, lust, and longing. Here, a young assistant in Los Angeles battles an obsession with weight loss as she also suppresses her attraction with an Orthodox Jewish woman who works at a local fro-yo shop.
But You’re Still So Young: How Thirtysomethings Are Redefining Adulthood
There is a new attitude to getting older, specifically turning 30. In the 1971 novel Rabbit Redux by John Updike, he wrote, “what you haven’t done by 30 you’re not likely to do.” Now, due to a changing economy and more people being swallowed up by student debt, taking hold of adulthood is a lot more difficult than it used to be. Kayleen Schaefer dives into this in more detail in her brilliant new book.
Final words
Through lockdown, reading was one of the most picked up hobbies of people all over the country. Given the quality of books that have been released recently, there is no reason to think why this shouldn’t continue. The above outlines some of the best books that you can read this year.
Featured Image by memyselfaneye from Pixabay
