My Top 10 Books of 2021

[@POlivares23]

I appreciate that you always promote books that I rarely see mentioned anywhere else on KZbin…Thanks for helping me find so many unique books!

[@InkandPaperBlog]

Oh thank you for that. I really try to talk about the books that move me and often they are not the one’s everyone else is talking about. I am so glad you like it.

[@aananasjuice]

russel i hope you know how precious you are for us book lovers. you help me discover so many new authors and quality books. thank you so much for this video, i literally noted down ALL the books you talked about

[@InkandPaperBlog]

Oh thank you so much for that. I am so glad you like what I am doing. This made me smile.

[@GettingHyggeWithIt]

I absolutely must read Beasts of a Little Land! It sounds incredible! Happy new year Russell. :)

[@InkandPaperBlog]

You must my friend. It is amazing. Happy New Year to you and the little one!

[@Bookinista08]

Hi! I don't think I've ever commented on your videos, but I always watch them with joy and interest, and this time I want to say thank you, because in 2022 I am ready for some AMAZING literary fiction, and this top you made is definitely my main source of inspiration! I always find hidden jewels on your channel, so I just wanted to say thank you for everything you do here. ^_^ Have a great reading year!

[@InkandPaperBlog]

Thank you so much for watching and for this comment. I am so glad I was part of your reading year. I could not do this if you did not watch - so I really appreciate it so very much.

[@PeacefulDumpling]

I am so so grateful to be on this list! (Powell's, if you're watching this please get moving on Russell's signed copy!!) I love that you mentioned the sense of satisfaction from the ending and seeing how all their lives come together-I definitely was driving toward that catharsis. And this list is giving me so much TBR inspiration. Hugs! Juhea

[@InkandPaperBlog]

My husband has confirmed it arrived today, I am out of town but it will be there when I get home! I am so excited. I am glad that what I said made sense lol, sometimes when I love a book so much I have a hard time talking about it! No pressure, but I am so excited for what’s next from you :-)

[@michaelhearn1676]

Hi, Russell, Am excited to read "Three O'Clock In The Morning, as I have had epilepsy my entire life. No episode since age 5. Must also read "The Arsonist's City" and "Hell Of A Book." Finally catching up with your recent videos. Thanks.

[@InkandPaperBlog]

I am so glad you are watching the old videos. I think Three O’Clock is amazing, and I think you will love the others as well.

[@rosew.4778]

Absolutely wonderful list--so many were 5 stars for me -- Zorrie, The Arsonists' City, The Promise, Brood -- and the rest were at least 4 stars!! I read all but Three O'Clock in the Morning. Thank you for pushing such wonderful reading!

[@InkandPaperBlog]

Oh thank you for checking in. I am so glad you liked so many of them!

[@bethmcnally2282]

Just finished Zorrie! Wonderful recommendation…. I cried like a baby. What a beautiful story. I loved it

[@jenawsomesbookshelf8900]

I just finished Zorrie(don’t have the words yet)and Hell of a Book(there are no words this was an experience) in January already. I read Brood on your recommendation earlier last year and loved it. Every single other book in this list is already on my TBR…so good job on that! I loved the three that I’ve already read and I think they are in the same order you put them in on your list as well. 😆

[@InkandPaperBlog]

Your January has started off with a bang! Fantastic books. I am so glad that I am able to help shape your TBR. Oh and Brood! So, good. I hope that the rest of the year is as amazing.

[@loriwald9532]

Well thank you very much! I had not heard of any of these books and am putting some of them at the top of my TBR list.

[@InkandPaperBlog]

Oh that makes me happy. That was a good reading year.

[@MarilynMayaMendoza]

Hello Russell, I like quiet books as well so Zorrie sounds like my jam. I'm reading Jane and Prudence by Barbara Pym and it's a quiet Book 2 full of humor. I wanted to thank you for what you said about debut novels being too cluttered. I am editing my memoir, my second, and having issues with putting too much in. When you're still alive it's hard to find a satisfying ending LOL. Happy New Year. Aloha

[@InkandPaperBlog]

I love Barbara Pym so much. I could read all her books all the time. I think you will like Zorrie if you like Pym. Good luck on your memoir!!!

[@enidlacob1157]

It is lovely to see new books not the usual roll out of usual touted authors. Yes The Promise was a highlight so proud of my fellow South African. Thanks for a year of wonderful comversation

[@InkandPaperBlog]

Oh thank you…that is me. I usually read a lot of books no one has heard of. LOL. The Promise - so good! Thank you so much for watching.

[@NancyChen53]

I liked "Heaven", but it was definitely a difficult read. And so many of the other books you mention here are already on my TBR list. So hard to keep up with all the great books that came out in 2021, and I'm already looking forward to the ones coming out in 2022.

[@InkandPaperBlog]

I 100% agree about Heaven. A book that rips your heart out for sure. I think we both should be able to read all the time, it only seems fair given how many amazing books are out.

[@fadista7063]

I love your channel and thoughtful reviews of high quality books. I esp love that you support authors and independent sellers! 💗

[@InkandPaperBlog]

Oh thank you so much. I am so glad you like what I do.

[@nancymihalik1497]

Based on your reviews, I bought and just finished Three O’clock in the Morning and Zorrie. Both were great. I have never heard about either and appreciated the newness! Thanks.

[@InkandPaperBlog]

Oh yes! I am so glad you loved them. I think about both of the book all the time. Thank you so much for letting me know.

[@eusaypdx]

Yay, so excited to see Brood on someone else's top 10 list!! I loved this book. Thank you for a great content as always

[@InkandPaperBlog]

Oh thank you… Brood is one of those books that has just sat in my head since I read it. I want more people to read it.

[@annafrench6269]

I am new to your channel, and I do plan on coming along with you on you 2022 journey. Thank you for a fantastic blog!

[@InkandPaperBlog]

Thank you so much for watching. I am glad you found me.

[@galilali4]

Going through chemo, i just discovered and suscribed to your chanel. As soon as i feel better, im ordering quite a few of your recommendations. Thank you so much for a great chanel. Best wishes from Merida, Mexico.

[@InkandPaperBlog]

Sending you best wishes on your recovery! Thank you for finding me. Hope a book or two helps :-)

[@dunkbiscuit]

I love following you and your passion for books. I've got some of these saved at the library 😊

[@InkandPaperBlog]

That is what I like to hear. Thank you so much for watching.

[@bookofdust]

Nice to see Zorrie top someone’s best of the year list, it is a lovely gem of a book. The passages in the dunes searching for the Great Lake and the longing to see the water still haunt me, I really need to go back and reread that part again. Did you read the Great Circle, although an epic story in contrast I really enjoyed how it too told a story of American life over the decades and firmly established place, time and mood for its characters to nestle in. The Promise was also in my top ten of the year. It was a very good year for reading.

[@InkandPaperBlog]

Yes, Zorrie is amazing. Goodness I may need to reread it, something I rarely do. I started The Great Circle twice and got about 100 pages in. I liked it, but did not love it and it is such a beast of a book to read - so I put it off again. I may need to just do the audio. I am so glad you liked The Promise, a book that sure has made me want to read all of Galgut’s work.

[@FiberFlossandFiction]

So delighted to have found your channel! So many great titles and so many more I just added to be TBR. Excited to see what you’ll be reading in 2022!

[@InkandPaperBlog]

I am so glad you found me too! I hope I help you find a wonderful book or two or three or …. I cannot wait for 2022 either.

[@highendmakeup]

I just love your channel so much! Thank you ❤️

[@InkandPaperBlog]

Oh you are just so nice. Thank you so much for watching.

[@michelejackson8966]

Love the name of your KZbin channel and I agree with someone else's comment regarding the books you recommend, read and review. They are very unique and rarely mentioned. Makes me excited for something different. I just love looking in your background at your beautiful book shelves that go on and on, to see if "I got that one" or for book ideas. Keep up the good work!!

[@InkandPaperBlog]

Oh thank you so much. I am so glad you like what you see. And thank you so much for watching.

[@mashba9383]

Just ran across your posts, really like what you are doing here, your perspective, and choice of many books I’m not as familiar with. Just ordered your Beasts recommendation. New Subscriber thx!

[@InkandPaperBlog]

Thank you so much. I am glad you found me. Beasts is so good! I hope you love it.

[@Ihearbooks]

Loved Intimacies. Did read Separation and would not have picked up Intimacies if I had known it was the same author. Great group of books and many I would love to read. thanks for a great end of the year video

[@InkandPaperBlog]

thank you so much for watching Intimacies is one of those books I cannot get out of my head. I am going to go back to Separation and give it another go.

[@CarinaZacharias]

Great Video, Great Books. Happy 2022 to you! 🎊🤗

[@MameysMedley]

I've only read The Love Songs of W.E.B DuBois and I too LOVED it. I have added ALL of the others to my tbr as I haven't heard of most of them which is why I love your channel so much! Thank you dear friend!! Happy New Year!

[@InkandPaperBlog]

Hello Mamey! I am so glad to see you. Love Songs was amazing. Hope you are doing well and keeping warm. Happy Reading my friend.

[@noelnovels6511]

Wow. So glad this popped up of my feed! I now have about 8 new books on my tbr!! So excited to subscribe to your channel!!

[@InkandPaperBlog]

8 is so good! I feel like I have done my job!

[@kathy2910]

Thank you for this. I want to read them all!

[@sandrahinton6220]

Really enjoyed your vlog of your favourite books I found it interesting which l love to read

[@InkandPaperBlog]

Oh thank you so much. Going back to an oldie but a goodie .

[@laertesdd]

I have started 2022 with 'My Dark Vanessa' by Kate Elizabeth Russel. Halfway through, I love it. Amazing novel.

[@InkandPaperBlog]

OMG - I thought My Dark Vanessa was amazing. A tough and challenging read. But really new and fresh as well. I am so glad you are liking it.

[@melissajordan4325]

You are the one and only book accounts (ok, maybe Book Riot) I follow that has mentioned The Arsonists’ City, I assumed it wasn’t the book for me even though I loooove Pachinko. But you kept talking about it, and talking about it… That I finally caved and requested it from my library. I am halfway through and it is sooooooo good! Thank you for the recommendation!

[@InkandPaperBlog]

yeah! I am so glad that you picked up The Arsonists’ City. I cannot rave about it enough and goodness. I guess I would say , trust me and book riot lol ;-)

[@pdxleo]

What a great list! I haven't read any of these so will definitely need to add more to my TBR :)

[@InkandPaperBlog]

That is what I like to hear Leo! I hope you like them.

[@francesboyajan3973]

Dear Russell, I love your passion for books!! Hell of a Book is my next read. Then Honor. Happy New Year !!!!

[@InkandPaperBlog]

Oh thank you so much. I am so excited for Honor getting picked for the Reece Witherspoon book club. More people will read it and it is amazing.

[@curioushmm9027]

thank-you russell for speaking with such love of the stories of the people in these books...happy new year.

[@InkandPaperBlog]

happy new year my friend. I hope your reading has been fantastic.

[@LouiseReader]

I haven't read any of these books! I do have Intimacies next to my bed and plan to read it next. I've heard you talk about Zorrie before and have looked for a copy but haven't found it here yet, I'll redouble my efforts now that it's your book of the year. I hadn't heard you talk about Hell of a Book before, but it sounds intriguing. It's on audible.

[@InkandPaperBlog]

Hi Louise! I feel like I have not said hi in a while! I can say that Zorrie and Hell of a Book are amazing audios if you want to go that way. I hope you find them both to be amazing. I cannot wait to hear what you think of Intimacies. You must tell me when you are done.

[@Mangoapple87]

I also read and loved Brood this year. I happened to have read it immediately after reading Ducks, Newburyport. Both where studies on motherhood with chickens are a plot point... it was a funny similarity to me.

[@InkandPaperBlog]

I have always wanted to read Ducks, but it is so long. But know that you say it has a connection to Brood I am even more intrigued.

[@Mangoapple87]

@@InkandPaperBlog I look forward to that review haha

[@swethak4687]

Super....i like it very much the way u explain about books....and s this is 1st video ....

[@InkandPaperBlog]

Thank you so much for stopping by!

[@jansmith9391]

I’m on the love it list for Zorrie. Just beautiful. Happy 2022!

[@InkandPaperBlog]

Thank you - Happy 2022. Zorrie all the way!

[@janethansen9612]

Intimacies and The Promise were in my top 10 as well. I'm yet to get my hands on Hell of a Book but it's likely to be in my next online order. 2021 was a great reading year, and my 2022 has already started off well so there are many more good books to enjoy again this year.

[@InkandPaperBlog]

Oh, I think you will really like Hell of a Book if you loved those two. It has the same sense of self as both of those novels. And it really runs right over one’s heart. Happy Reading.

[@sarahk1695]

I always looks forward to your favourites videos Russell! You find so many lesser-known gems. Happy new year to you 🎉

[@InkandPaperBlog]

Thank you so much Sarah. I hope that you find one you love. Happy New Year.

[@Georgesmomsu]

Such a great list! I cant believe I haven’t read any of them yet. Too many books!

[@InkandPaperBlog]

None of them! Su I have failed you! Not a single one! Oh my goodness.

[@sararichards518]

What a fabulous video full of new books for my TBR. I tend to read a lot of contemporary English writers but these sound like some good reads! I’m like you, I don’t need lots of plot or action, I am quite happy reading long slow novels. The Love Songs etc will be an early stop. Happy New Year Russel, and have a great reading year in 2022. Do you reread or read classics in between? Just wondered as I try and will try even harder to do so this year. Take care, be well.😊💐

[@InkandPaperBlog]

Hello! I do no read classics like I used to. I read so many in college and have never really gone back. I am looking at my reading year a little different this year though. Happy Reading and thank you so much for watching.

[@marinarees3828]

Such great recommendations! Thank you.

[@InkandPaperBlog]

Thank you much. I am glad you found my videos.

[@rhysholdaway]

Top 5 books of 2021: 1. Mister Miracle by Tom King 2. The Hearing Trumpet by Leonora Carrington 3. Perfume by Patrick Suskind 4. Chess Story by Stefan Zweig 5. Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny Have to give an honourable mention to The Stranger by Camus (as it seems odd to not put in my top 5). 🤔

[@InkandPaperBlog]

This never happens but I only know two of the authors that you mentioned. I have not read Zelazny since high school I think and Camus since college. Thank you for mentioning some new ones to me.

[@rhysholdaway]

@@InkandPaperBlog... Thank you for sharing your passion for literature with us.

[@P.EnglishLiterature]

Great to discover your channel through KZbin recommendation. I love your videos! New sub here!

[@InkandPaperBlog]

Thank you so much for joining me on my bookish journey! I hope to get you to pick up a book or two.

[@P.EnglishLiterature]

@@InkandPaperBlog It's a pleasure to be here!

[@miaarndt9501]

I haven’t read any of these (yet), but I’m definitely sold and just put some on hold at the library!

[@InkandPaperBlog]

That is what I like to hear. I hope that you love them as much as I do! Go libraries!

[@curriesis3]

Love your videos Russell

[@aleidadiaz2261]

The Shipping News by Proulx and A Thousand Acres by Smiley are both very good, quiet books. You’ve probably read them, but I thought I’d send those gems your way in case you haven’t. It’s been a while since they were released, but I think you’ll love them. Also Prodigal Summer by Kingsolver is another book with this feel.

[@InkandPaperBlog]

Oh, I have read both of those books but it has been years! Loved the Shipping News. And A Thousand Aces is one of those books that I read and thought I did not like, but the more I thought and talked about it I realized it was brilliant. I need to read some Kingsolver. Thank you for your recommendations.

[@juliagarzarella2113]

You look so cute in the puffer vest heheheh xxx

[@InkandPaperBlog]

Awe well thank you.

[@lauracorsi3309]

This is a great list! My 2021 reading year was very mixed--may be I should just take your advice on all the things I should read and my 2022 will be better? j/k Happy New Year!!

[@InkandPaperBlog]

Hey , I have had mixed years of reading for sure. The key for me is, if I am not feeling a book I just put it down. There are too many books and I have too little time to get through anything that I am not enjoying.

[@lauracorsi3309]

@@InkandPaperBlog Thanks! I just feel so guilty sometimes not finishing something. Especially if someone I admire has recommended it!

[@wavaleebranch]

Fantastic reviews!

[@Yukimiko0001]

I started this year with the Rosie Project and just finished the Homesick Restaurant. So now I look for a new one, but very different.

[@InkandPaperBlog]

I remember really liking The Rosie Project. I am glad you had a good start of the year!

[@patbowman9959]

Angst moves the wordsmith.

[@InkandPaperBlog]

how poetic

[@jaimebarajas-hernandez6045]

Can you make an honorable mentions?

[@InkandPaperBlog]

I am thinking about it. Trying to decide what books I would add into it. Such a hard choice.

[@sihamwh]

You should really consider a career selling ice to eskimos cause you always sell me on books you mention.

[@InkandPaperBlog]

How much does it pay? ;-)

[@mariiiehihihi]

Salut berenice je sais que tu vas voir ce commentaire

[@wavaleebranch]

Fantastic reviews!