my favorite audiobooks of 2021

My favorite audiobooks are the ones I can’t stop listening to. Once I start and get hooked, I can’t stop thinking about it and devour it as quickly as possible … and then I’m sad it’s over and am on the hunt for another one to download.

Let me be clear: Not all great books make great audiobooks. Audiobooks, at least to me, are a separate category altogether. There were several audiobooks I started this year but for one reason or another didn’t finish. These are the nine I stuck with til the end!

I highly recommend getting a library card and using the Libby app. You can listen to audiobooks for free! Even though they are audiobooks, there are a limited number of copies available, so I would recommend holding several different books and taking whatever is available first. It took me about six weeks to get my first book, but you can also look through the titles that are available immediately. I typically get the books sooner than the estimated wait time, which is nice, because some have an estimated wait time of six months.

P.S. The only physical book I read this year was “Beach Read” by Emily Henry.

What should I add to my reading list for next year?

“One Life” by Megan RapinoeOne of my favorite soccer players on and off the pitch. I am constantly impressed with her. So we’ll-spoken and intelligent. Stories of growing up in a conservative small town, her brother’s drug addiction, her big family, coming out in college, politics, consequences of her kneeling during the national anthem, starting her relationship with Sue Bird. — **“One Life” by Megan Rapinoe**
Megan Rapinoe is one of my favorite soccer players on and off the pitch. I am constantly impressed with her. She’s so well-spoken and intelligent. Her memoir tells stories of growing up in a conservative small town, her brother’s drug addiction, coming out in college, politics, kneeling during the national anthem, and starting her relationship with Sue Bird.

Simone’s book came out in 2018 and tells the story of her upbringing, time in foster care before being adopted by her grandparents, not making the US junior gymnastics team, her ADHD diagnosis, almost quitting gymnastics before high school, race in gymnastics, switching gyms, the difficult decision between a normal high school experience and gymnastics, a normal college experience between going pro, her faith, becoming recognizablewould be better if read by Simone — **“Courage to Soar” by Simone Biles**
Simone’s book came out in 2018 and tells the story of her upbringing, time in foster care before being adopted by her grandparents, not making the U.S. junior gymnastics team at first, her ADHD diagnosis, almost quitting gymnastics before high school, race in gymnastics, switching gyms, making the difficult decision between normal school experiences and elite gymnastics, her faith, and becoming recognizable. It would only be better if it was read by Simone.

The author reads a little fastI didn’t realize this was YA before I started — **“You Have a Match” by Emma Lord**
I didn’t realize this was a young adult novel before I started, but I enjoyed it. Another light read. The narrator reads a little fast, but I was able to keep up.

“The Only Plane in the Sky” by Garrett M. GraffA 45-person cast tells the story of 9/11. Sad. Absolutely heartbreaking. Heavy. Fascinating. The seemingly small “random” things that saved — or took — people’s lives that day. One woman who worked in the Trade Centers was laid off the day before. One man was up earlier than usual that day to vote and decided to pop into his eye doctor. It is hard to listen to the audio from those who died that day and those who did horrible acts. It makes you appreciate a simple morning at home with those you love, knowing you never know the last time you might see them. — **“The Only Plane in the Sky” by Garrett M. Graff**
A 45-person cast tells the story of 9/11. It’s absolutely heartbreaking, heavy and fascinating. It caught me off-guard the seemingly small “random” things that saved — or took — people’s lives that day. One woman who worked in the Trade Centers was laid off the day before. One man was up earlier than usual that day to vote and decided to pop into his eye doctor, keeping him from the office. It is hard to listen to the audio from those who died that day and those who did horrible acts. It makes you appreciate a simple morning at home with those you love, because you never know if it will be the last time you see them.

“You Think It, I’ll Say It” by Curtis SittenfeldThe title doesn’t tell you anything about the book, but it’s a collection of 10 short stories. Although they are fictional, they are easy to follow and absorb. Very fun, light “read.” — **“You Think It, I’ll Say It” by Curtis Sittenfeld**
The title doesn’t tell you anything about the book, but it’s a collection of 10 short stories. This type of fiction is very easy to follow and absorb. A fun, light “read.”

I found the main character very interesting — **“The Cactus” by Sarah Haywood**
I found the main character in this book very peculiar. Susan Green finds out her mother has died shortly after finding out she herself is pregnant. This was in Reese’s Book Club, so you can’t go wrong!

“A Coat of Yellow Paint” by Naomi DavisNaomi’s blog has been one of my favorites for years, and her book is full of new stories she’s never shared publicly. Naomi is a graduate of Juilliard, has five children, body image, positivity, infertility, miscarriage, motherhood, meeting her husband, life with kids in New York City, her Mormon faith — **“A Coat of Yellow Paint” by Naomi Davis**
Naomi’s blog, Love Taza, has been one of my favorites for years, and her book is full of stories she’s never shared publicly before. Naomi is a graduate of Juilliard, has five children and lived in New York City for many years before relocating recently to Arizona. This is a book about positivity, body image, infertility, miscarriage, motherhood, marriage and her Mormon faith.

“Fast. Feast. Repeat.” by Gin StephensI’ve been intermittent fasting (IF) for three years. This book explains the science behind it. Warning: The beginning of the book is very science-y. There are so many benefits of IF! I don’t ever see myself going back to three meals a day! I also own a physical copy of this book. — **“Fast. Feast. Repeat.” by Gin Stephens**
I’ve been intermittent fasting (IF) for three years now. This book explains all the science behind it. Warning: The beginning of the book is very science-y. I also own a physical copy of this book, which made it easier to follow along. There are so many benefits of IF! I don’t ever see myself going back to three meals a day.

**“The Last Thing He Told Me” by Laura Dave**
Another one from Reese’s Book Club. This is a mystery novel that I immediately got hooked into. Part of the book takes place in Austin, which was fun since I have been there several times and was able to visualize exactly where they were.

lifestylekelsey williamsDecember 6, 2021Comment