And we’re back!
With the beginning part of my 2021 round-up. This has been such an amazing reading year with over 90 books read! From January 1st, I’ve been keeping track of my reading just so I could really round-off this year with a 2021 reading series.
We’re starting with my Top 10 Characters of 2021.
Unfortunately, I do not have pictures of the book covers but I’ll try to provide a quote where I can.
1.Nadia, The Mothers – Brit Bennett
The weight of what has been lost is always heavier than what remains.
I haven’t stopped thinking about Nadia. What she’s doing? Who she ends up with? It’s that very last image that Brit Bennett provides us with that will leave such a profound impact on you. Find my review of the book – HERE
2. Opal, The Final Revival of Opal and Nev – Dawnie Walton
“An illusion that I was unstoppable, that I was supreme, that I could play as white and as male, as any of them who wanted a thing and set out to have it.”
Dawnie Walton wrote such a phenomenal book that I truly believed that Opal was real. I wanted her to be real. She is the definition of a Black woman making their mark in a world that wants to bring them down. Wow, did I adore her. I still can’t believe that she was purely fiction. A figment of Dawnie’s imagination. Read my review – HERE
3. Shane Hall, Seven Days in June – Tia Williams
“It never ends, does it? Loving you never ends.”
Hi? Hello? Shane Hall is the definition of a book boyfriend. I’ll happily be his. Happily. No complaints. Eva doesn’t know how lucky she is. Read my review – HERE
4. Olivia, Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry – Joya Goffney
“There’s something about having Black friends that make you feel…whole…”
Olivia is the friend everyone wants. She’s supportive, forgiving, kind…It’s clear she’ll walk through fire for her friends, if it means they’ll be better. My favourite character from this phenomenal book! Read my review – HERE
5. Nico, The Sweetest Oblivion – Danielle Lori
“I said I’ll never hurt you Elena, but if I find out you’ve touched another man, there is nothing in this world that could save him…”
This year I was introduced to Mafia romances and Nico Russo blew me away. What’s feminism when Nico exists? Nothing. I would have happily done anything this man said.
6. Leon, The Flat Share – Beth O’Leary
“Remind myself that there is no saving of people —people can only save themselves. The best you can do is help when they’re ready.”
I just wanted to give Leon a huge hug when I was reading this book. An adorable man with a heart of gold. His nervousness stole my heart. Read my review – HERE
7. Xiala, Black Sun – Rebecca Roanhorse
“Tell me your stories so that I might know who you are and what you value…”
I loved Xiala and I can’t wait to find out more about her in the upcoming books. Her magic and powers seem so interesting and I’m sure Roanhorse will go into more detail about her past soon. Read my review – HERE
8. Sugar, Sugar – Bernice McFadden
“Sugar ain’t spoiled, she just a little bruised, is all. Bruises can heal and fade away to nothing.”
I wasn’t expecting to fall in love with Sugar but I did. Most of all, I wanted to wrap her in my arms and just hug all the pain and heartache away. I love the fact that Sugar is getting a sequel because there’s so much to her story that I can’t wait to read about.
9. Cara, The Space Between Worlds – Micaiah Johnson
“Because all of us who were told we were nothing, will never stop trying to be everything.”
Cara was such an easy protagonist to root for. She stands for a lot of things in the book as a young Black girl. However, her determination was truly inspiring. Read my review – HERE
10. Quan, The Heart Principle – Helen Hoang
“Is anyone really living their life or are we all reading lines from a giant script written by other people?”
Last but not least, Quan was my favourite character from The Kiss Quotient Series. From the very first book, I loved his kind-hearted nature. Although, I would have preferred to see more of him and his story in The Heart Principle. It didn’t take away the fact that I still really liked him. Read my review of the series – HERE
And that concludes our Top 10 Characters of 2021. That being said, there were so many other characters that deserved a shoutout too.
Ana from Dominicana by Angie Cruz
Ira from Witches Steeped in Gold by Ciannon Smart
Maggie from The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr.
Maverick from Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas
Juliette Cai from These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
Zaf from Take A Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
Tran Dieu Lan from The Mountains Sing by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai
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