In Episode 99, Susie Boutry (@NovelVisits) and I share our favorite books from 2021, overall and by genre, along with a ton of bookish superlatives. We also talk about whether our reading has recovered from COVID and I reflect on the past year of the podcast. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). I also included Bookshop.org affiliate links. Announcements Upcoming “Ask Me Anything” podcast, airing December 8, to celebrate the 100th episode of Sarah’s Bookshelves Live! Sarah’s 2021 Holiday Gift Guide 2022 Rock Your Reading Tracker is coming soon! You’ll be able to purchase it for $14.99 on my website OR Superstars Patrons will get it for FREE! Highlights My 2021 Podcast Overview — including top episodes based on download stats and polled favorites.  Overview of our reading this year including key stats (including the ongoing impact of COVID-19). Our favorite books of 2021: overall and by genre. 2021 Bookish Superlative Awards. Our Favorite Books of 2021 (Overall and by Genre) [17:09] Susie Landslide by Susan Conley | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [17:33] Voices from the Pandemic by Eli Saslow | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [19:27] Animal by Lisa Taddeo | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [22:01] The Love Songs of W. E. B. Du Bois by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [23:37] The Nine Lives of Rose Napolitano by Donna Freitas | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [25:32] Olympus, Texas by Stacey Swann | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [28:00] What Comes After by Joanne Tompkins | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [29:19] Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [30:55] Voices from the Pandemic by Eli Saslow | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [33:43] Nowhere Girl by Cheryl Diamond | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [35:12] Femlandia by Christina Dalcher | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [38:02] Sarah When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [18:52] What Happened to You? by Oprah Winfrey & Bruce D. Perry | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [20:14] Make it Nice by Dorinda Medley | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [22:55] The Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [24:53] Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [26:27] Seven Days in June by Tia Williams | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [28:49] The Damage by Caitlin Wahrer | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [30:01] The Unwilling by John Hart | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [32:02] Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [34:00] Dear William by David Magee | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [35:51] Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [37:02] 2021 Bookish Superlative Awards [38:55] Susie We Are Not Like Them by Christine Pride & Jo Piazza | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [39:15] Falling by T. J. Newman | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [40:16] Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [42:50] The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [45:25] Friends Like These by Kimberly McCreight | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [46:48] Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [49:33] The People We Keep by Allison Larkin | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [52:55] Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [54:51] Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [56:38] The First Day of Spring by Nancy Tucker | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Bookshop.org [59:47] These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham G