The 11 best books we’ve read in 2021 – Greenville Journal

Whether it was fiction or nonfiction, old or new, these are the books the Greenville Journal staff loved reading (or rereading) this year.

Behind every person is a story. In this book, Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey reflects on his life and tells the stories of the greenlights that helped shape his life. Peppered throughout the book are bumper stickers that inspired him and bits of wisdom written as notes to himself. This autobiography offers a unique insight and understanding of the man behind characters such as Wooderson in Dazed and Confused, Jake Brigance in A Time to Kill, Steve Edison from The Wedding Planner and Ron Woodroof in Dallas Buyers Club.

Jeannie Putnam, editorial assistant

My book club (possibly the best one ever assembled) read The Overstory, and at first I was intimidated by its hefty size and its Pulitzer Prize. But this novel, full of interlocking stories about trees, turned out to be everything I want in a book: a gripping story, beautiful writing, thought-provoking research and a powerful, but not preachy, message. Its soon to be a Netflix series from the creators of Game of Thrones, but read the book first for all of its insights, twists and connections. I havent looked at a tree the same way since.

Leigh Savage, Community Journals managing editor

Four friends who have fallen a bit out of touch with one another reunite for a hiking trip through the Swedish mountains. But after one of them becomes injured, they opt to take what they believe will be a shorter route through dense woods (clearly these men have never watched a single scary movie). As soon as they enter the woods, things start to shift. The layout makes no sense and despite following their compass, they never seem to make any real progress. The four friends become lost, and to their horror, hunted. Are the horrors of this forest human or beast? Real or myth? I picked up this book after watching the movie adaptation on Netflix and, as is often the case, the book was much better and much creepier. The story gives off Blair Witch vibes, but with a little more structure. If you like creepy horror novels, this is a pretty good read.

Laura Allshouse, creative director

My favorite death positive YouTuber Caitlin Doughty has charmed and informed again, this time with a book full of childrens sometimes morbid questions about the Great Beyond. Its a read that would fascinate both adults and older kids, and you get a frank depiction of how bodies decompose and what a corpse can expect once it gets to the mortuary. Questions range from Will my cat eat my eyeballs? to Why cant I give Grandma a Viking funeral? and What would happen if you swallowed a bag of popcorn before being cremated? Its everything you wanted to know about death but are afraid to ask.

Mike McMillan, staff writer

A quick summary of this book might leave you scratching your head, but stick with me. Nothing To See Here tells the story of Lilian, a woman in her late 20s who takes on the job of nanny for her old boarding school roommate who lives with her senator husband and two stepchildren in a posh estate. But this is no ordinary nanny job, because theres a catch: The kids have a condition that causes them to spontaneously combust whenever they get upset. The kids themselves are unharmed when they burst into flames, but the damage they cause to their surroundings is all too real. Both hilarious and surprisingly moving, this book is one of the most unique stories Ive read in years.

Evan Smith, staff writer

Like most of Sparks novels, The Wish is set in North Carolina and is a heartwarming and touching read. The story follows Maggie Dawes who is sent at age 16 to live with her aunt on Ocracoke Island on the Outer Banks. Its here that she discovers a love for photography while coping with some major life decisions. Her new friend, Bryce Trickett, helps hone her new passion and talent while forging a lasting relationship. The story then follows Dawes later in life, as she reflects on her successful career, recounting her time on the island and how it changed her path in life.

Sherry Jackson, Community Journals vice president, content and digital

Its been 10 years since this second book in a planned trilogy came out, and Ive fallen into a ritual of rereading it annually in anticipation of the release of the final book. Apparently, Im not alone in this endeavor as Rothfuss fans agonize over the wait. This series elevates fantasy into literature as it follows the adventures of Kvothe the Arcane in a world richly detailed and peopled with compelling characters. I would put it on a par with Tolkien for its narrative power, whether on first reading or the 10th.

Jay King, staff writer

You dont simply read Henns work, you experience it. The poems in Guilty Prayer allow for quite the delve into both the painful and playful side of this extraordinary human being. Youre gonna laugh, youre gonna cry, and youre most likely gonna take a deeper look inside yourself after cracking this one open. It bleeds with genuine transparency and humbling artistry. Whether you are into poetry or not, Im convinced this book will capture you.

Sheldon Hubbard, client services manager

This book is a great reminder that, while the hope of the Christian faith is rooted entirely in the character and nature of God, those who claim that faith can and should intellectually and spiritually pursue the God who first pursued them.

Rick Spruill, Greenville Journal and Upstate Business Journal managing editor

As a rare reader of nonfiction, this book really surprised me. Told with compassion and clarity, Hidden Valley Road is a fascinating (though often disturbing) look into a midcentury family with 12 children, six of whom are diagnosed with schizophrenia. Kolker deftly chronicles the Galvin familys desperate search for help while weaving in the history of diagnosing and treating this terrifying disease. This is narrative journalism at its finest.

Anna Lee, contributor

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The 11 best books we've read in 2021 - Greenville Journal

Reviewed and Recommended by Erik Baquero