The 21 Best Books of 2021 (Fiction & Nonfiction)

Want a quick overview of the best books of 2021? You’ve come to the right place! Welcome to Four Minute Books. In today’s list, we’ll show you 2021’s very best titles in various genres, both fiction and nonfiction, backed by data and thoughtful analysis.

2021 was one hell of a year, in many cases literally. Covid-19 claiming 5 million lives, a mob in the US Capitol, inflation, the Taliban ruling Afghanistan, a crypto and NFT mania, and a global supply chain crisis mark just some of the dramatic events that year. But we also had a bunch of good things to show for. The quickest-ever developed vaccines, a helicopter on Mars, the Tokyo Olympics, and the rise of Wordle, a free, simple word-game bringing joy to millions, for example.

Words are also how some of our greatest minds — good writers — tried to capture our individual situations, collective feelings, and timeless human challenges — in 2021 as in every year. At Four Minute Books, we’ve summarized over 1,000 books, including some of 2021’s top bestsellers. To help you find the right one for you, we used several data points (and our good old brains) to pick the #1 book of the year in the most common genres.

For each one, we’ve included our favorite quote, a one-sentence-summary, why you might want to read it, and the top 3 lessons. There are also some buttons you can use to instantly dive deeper into any book that fascinates you, be it by listening on Audible, buying a copy on Amazon (affiliate links), or reading our free summaries where available. Simply use the clickable table of contents below to jump to any book or category, and start discovering 2021’s best books!

Whether you’re looking to escape the madness of everyday life, accomplish a certain goal, remind yourself of the relentless human spirit, or simply find your next great read, here are the best books of 2021!

Best Books 2021 (Fiction)

1. Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro (Overall)

Favorite Quote

“‘Hope,’ he said. ‘Damn thing never leaves you alone.’” — Kazuo Ishiguro

The Book in One Sentence

Klara and the Sun follows the story of an android companion to a genetically engineered human, first from the window of her store, then from a front-row seat to humanity’s struggles, exploring fundamentally human questions through non-human eyes, such as what drives us, how we find purpose, and what it means to love.

Why should you read it?

Written by a Nobel Prize winner, this book might be the most empathetic, human title of the year, despite its protagonist not being human at all. The book explores themes like social integration and connection, enhancing humans with technology and genetic modifications, and the tradeoffs both of these things come with. If you enjoy dystopian sci-fi classics like 1984 or Brave New World, you’ll love this book — and if not, perhaps this might be the best, modern title to get into the genre.

Key Takeaways

1. Many of our desires have social roots — without other people’s influence, we might want a lot less.
2. Everything in life, including technological advancement, comes with a price.
3. Sometimes, you’re not ready to say goodbye, but it’s still the right time to do so.

If this book sounds interesting, you can listen to the audiobook or get a copy for yourself.

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2. Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney (Most Anticipated)

Favorite Quote

“We hate people for making mistakes so much more than we love them for doing good that the easiest way to live is to do nothing, say nothing, and love no one.” — Sally Rooney

The Book in One Sentence

Beautiful World, Where Are You covers best friends Alice and Eileen’s struggles with romance, meaning, and making a living, about all of which they have deep conversations via email and with their friends-turned-lovers Felix and Simon, hoping to find love, significance, and the beauty of life in an uncertain world.

Why should you read it?

Are you a Millennial with a full-fledged existential crisis? Struggling with making enough money or finding a meaningful career, perhaps? Maybe you think dating in today’s interpersonal chaos is an nightmare, or that navigating politics without ruining conversations is impossible. In any of these cases, you’ll feel understood when reading this book. From awkward sexuality to real love, scraping by to struggling with significance, and impossible politics to hypocritical religion, Rooney covers it all, giving voice to more than just one generation. If you enjoyed her 2018 book Normal People, you’ll likely also devour this 2021 winner of the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Fiction.

Key Takeaways

1. Making too little money is a constant bother, but fame and riches also aren’t all they are cooked up to be.
2. There’s nothing harder than going from friendship to romance or vice versa, but it’s never too late to say how you feel.
3. Beauty and meaning aren’t a big picture we can constantly see; they hide in the little moments and details of everyday life.

If this book sounds interesting, you can listen to the audiobook or get a copy for yourself.

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3. People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry (Romance)

Favorite Quote

“I still have a lot to figure out, but the one thing I know is, wherever you are, that’s where I belong. I’ll never belong anywhere like I belong with you.” — Emily Henry

The Book in One Sentence

People We Meet on Vacation is a love story 12 years in the making, with best friends Alex and Poppy, who couldn’t be more different from one another, taking one last shot at saving their annual, platonic trip into the sun after getting too close for comfort the last time around.

Why should you read it?

Whether you’re simply a sucker for a good love story or a fan of quirky romance with a few good laughs, this one’s for you. But the novel asks deeper questions, too. Can you fix a broken friendship? Is it possible to undo romantic feelings? Why are we afraid to go for what makes us happy, or to let ourselves enjoy it once we have it? Flipping gender stereotypes somewhat on their head, this winner of 2021’s Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance offers both the usual comfort you’re used to from the genre as well as some new perspectives.

Key Takeaways

1. When it comes to feelings, it’s better to speak up sooner rather than later.
2. You may not be able to save a friendship that has shown its cracks, but it sure is worth a try.
3. The only person who ever gets in the way of our dreams is ourself.

If this book sounds interesting, you can listen to the audiobook or get a copy for yourself.

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4. The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams (Friendship)

Favorite Quote

“Please try to remember that books aren’t always an escape; sometimes books teach us things. They show us the world; they don’t hide it.” — Sara Nisha Adams

The Book in One Sentence

The Reading List tracks an unlikely friendship across generations, with old widower Mukesh and almost-in-college librarian Aleisha connecting over a mysterious list of eight books, which they discover to be much more than trivial pastimes, learning to process their emotional challenges together, including their biggest one yet.

Why should you read it?

This is a book lover’s book. Libraries, old reading lists, ah, I can smell the pages now! More than just nostalgia, however, this book will give you a tour of the power of stories to change our lives. So even if you’re a reluctant reader, like the two protagonists, you’ll likely get a lot out of it. There’s little more transformative than reading the right book at the right time, and this one will show you why. Other strong themes include the value of intergenerational friendships and how we can process grief without letting it swallow us. If you enjoy books like The Midnight Library, you’ll also love this one.

Key Takeaways

1. When you feel like you’re in the wrong place, perhaps that place is just waiting for you to be ready to learn its lesson.
2. Every happy family must find happiness in their own way, and sometimes, that way needs to change direction.
3. We often most need our friends when we least feel like talking to them. Don’t be afraid to reach out.

If this book sounds interesting, you can listen to the audiobook or get a copy for yourself.

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5. The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave (Crime/Thriller)

Favorite Quote

“This is the terrible thing about a tragedy. It isn’t with you every minute. You forget it, and then you remember it again.” — Laura Dave

The Book in One Sentence

The Last Thing He Told Me is a crime thriller on the heels of Hannah Hill and her stepdaughter as they try to untangle the sudden disappearance of Owen, Hannah’s husband, and the ever-thickening conspiracy he seems to have been involved in, risking their lives and, without realizing it, their identities, all to uncover the truth.

Why should you read it?

If you enjoy Dan Brown’s books or movies like the Bourne series, Black Widow, or Salt, chances are, you’ll dig this book. Granted, Hannah Hill does not knock out bad guys by the dozen or jump out of a helicopter, but when it comes to finding out who her husband really was, she is as relentless as it gets. If you like deciphering clues and fast-paced action, you’ll devour this one. The book also received the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Mystery & Thriller (2021).

Key Takeaways

1. Always reflect on people’s incentives, especially when they seem a little too keen to help you.
2. Your everyday life might not be a conspiracy, but often, things still aren’t as simple as they seem at first glance.
3. Sometimes, you’ll have to choose between happiness and the truth, and the truth might not always win.

If this book sounds interesting, you can listen to the audiobook or get a copy for yourself.

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6. Later by Stephen King (Horror/Mystery)

Favorite Quote

“You get used to marvelous things. You take them for granted. You can try not to, but you do. There’s too much wonder, that’s all. It’s everywhere.” — Stephen King

The Book in One Sentence

Later is Jamie Conklin’s story, a supernatural child who keeps getting recruited for his ability to talk to the dead by his elders, and not always for the purest of motives, until one day, the dead are no longer content with talking, and suddenly, much more than Jamie’s integrity is at stake.

Why should you read it?

The best way I can describe this book is The Sixth Sense meets End of Watch (the police movie, not the Stephen King novel). You get the suspense of a corrupt-cop thriller along with the eerie mystery and dread of a kids-and-ghosts horror show like Stranger Things. Obviously, if you’re already a Stephen King fan, you won’t want to skip this one. If you’re not or find his usual works too gory, this one might provide some relief, as it’s a bit dialed down in terms of craziness and violence. All in all, this New York Times Bestseller makes for a riveting few hours.

Key Takeaways

1. When kids tell us something they think is important, we should first listen and reflect before dismissing it.
2. Don’t let people take advantage of your good nature, especially if they’re relying on your skills for the wrong ends.
3. With every curse also comes a blessing, and we must forever be on the lookout for both.

If this book sounds interesting, you can listen to the audiobook or get a copy for yourself.

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7. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (Science Fiction)

Favorite Quote

“Human beings have a remarkable ability to accept the abnormal and make it normal.” — Andy Weir

The Book in One Sentence

Project Hail Mary pits a lone and amnesiac high school teacher against the cruel void of space, a dying sun, and even extraterrestrial life, but not the kind you’d expect, making for a life-threatening solo trip to the stars, not just of epic proportions but with civilizational stakes.

Why should you read it?

Key Takeaways

1. You can overcome even the most hopeless situations, but not until you calm down, collect yourself, and make a plan.
2. Sometimes, you must risk being called crazy in order to be right.
3. As long as you can draw on your memories of friends, family, and supporters, you’re never truly alone.

If this book sounds interesting, you can listen to the audiobook or get a copy for yourself.

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8. A ​Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas (Fantasy)

Favorite Quote

“I cannot survive without reading.” — Sarah J. Maas

The Book in One Sentence

A ​Court of Silver Flames illuminates young warrior Nesta’s struggles to find her place among the royal court after a life-changing transformation, including regaining her powers, navigating a complex romance, and learning to accept herself as she is.

Why should you read it?

Technically the fifth book in Maas’ A Court of Thorns and Roses series, this one is more of a standalone story, suited for fans and newbies alike. It’s a coming-of-age story set in a world of fairies and magic, full of sword fights, mysterious rites, and ominous creatures. It is also, however, a tale about female empowerment. Nesta must not just learn to make adult choices and deal with the fallout of events that aren’t always her fault. She also needs to master her own emotions, develop patience, and understand what it takes to connect with people instead of pushing them away. There’s a lot to learn from this controversial, sometimes-banned winner of Goodreads’ Best Fantasy Award for 2021 – and not just about myths and magic.

Key Takeaways

1. Interventions aren’t a way of judging people but of getting them to stop blaming themselves for everything.
2. The best way out of a rough patch can be a period of isolation, focus, hard work, and reflection.
3. Even the greatest adventures only have meaning once you can share them with friends and family.

If this book sounds interesting, you can listen to the audiobook or get a copy for yourself.

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9. Matrix by Lauren Groff (Historical Fiction)

Favorite Quote

“For it is a deep and human truth that most souls upon the earth are not at ease unless they find themselves safe in the hands of a force far greater than themselves.” — Lauren Groff

The Book in One Sentence

Matrix is a fictionalized account of 12th-century noblewoman and poet Marie de France’s life, detailing her fall from the grace of the royal court into leading a rundown abbey in remote England, where she must learn to fit in and play by the rules but also to use her creativity to not just empower herself but the women around her, a role she grows to enjoy more than she suspected.

Why should you read it?

It’s interesting to take a real person of historic significance and ask: What if their life had taken a different turn here? That’s what Lauren Groff does in this book. How would a poet of noble descent handle the rough and hard life of the convent? What about her creativity, vibrancy, and desires? Despite the 1,000-years-ago setting, some of Marie’s challenges ring surprisingly true even today, especially for women. The choices she makes can inspire men and women alike to rise to the occasion, no matter how difficult. If you’re into historical fiction, give this one a try!

Key Takeaways

1. The roles that are given to us are not always the ones we are best suited for.
2. Some rules are worth following, others exist only to be broken — and it is up to us to decide which are which.
3. Whether your legacy will be cherished or forgotten isn’t up to you, but if you never risk upsetting anyone, you’ll never make meaningful change.

If this book sounds interesting, you can listen to the audiobook or get a copy for yourself.

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10. Call Us What We Carry by Amanda Gorman (Poetry)

Favorite Quote

“Since the world is round, there is no way to walk away from each other, for even then, we are coming back together.” — Amanda Gorman

The Book in One Sentence

Call Us What We Carry is a collection of poems by Amanda Gorman, the youngest US presidential inaugural poet in history, centered around different metaphors, such as ships, trees, and memories, to inspire, heal, and enlighten us when it comes to themes like identity, persistence, anger, grief, and our collective future.

Why should you read it?

This collection of 70 poems by one of the world’s finest young poets is perfect for short, everyday reading. Some of Gorman’s lyrics will inspire you, others will make you think. Some will shake you awake, others will help you sleep better. A powerful combination of words, visuals, and lyrical flow, this book really holds something for everyone. It also won the Best Poetry Award (Goodreads) for both 2021 (her original inaugural poem, The Hill We Climb) and 2022.

Key Takeaways

1. The word “ship” has a story much deeper than just the one of the nautical vessel.
2. There are many parallels between trees and humans in terms of how we navigate life.
3. Hope exists as long as we choose to spread it.

If this book sounds interesting, you can listen to the audiobook or get a copy for yourself.

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Honorable Mentions (Fiction)

As with every “Best of” list, there are far more good books from 2021 that we could ever include. Here are 5 more that also hit hearts and bestseller lists. Though they didn’t make it into the top 10, they’re still worth checking out:

• The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood is a “be my fake boyfriend” love story among scientists.
• Billy Summers by Stephen King is a crime hit trailing an elite assassin’s vain attempts at leaving the game behind.
• The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Henrix by shows what happens when horror scenario–survivor women get together: someone shows up and tries to finish the job. Winner for Best Horror of 2021 on Goodreads.
• No One Is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood explores the dangers of getting lost in our online world, and how even a family tragedy that brings us back to reality might be a blessing in disguise.
• The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller details one woman’s 24-hour struggle to decide between her seemingly perfect life and family and an old, long-lost romance that just asked her once more: “What if?”

Best Books 2021 (Nonfiction)

11. Think Again by Adam Grant (Psychology/Self-Help)

Favorite Quote

“If knowledge is power, knowing what we don’t know is wisdom.” — Adam Grant

The Book in One Sentence

Think Again teaches us the power of being humble about what we don’t know, how to recognize blind spots in our thinking, and how to more effectively enlist people for our cause, thus bolstering our intelligence, persuasiveness, and self-awareness.

Why should you read it?

There are a lot of good books about thinking smarter, faster, and better. This one will also help you with all of those things, but, better yet, it will also make you comfortable with changing your mind. In today’s fast-paced world, where the latest news are outdated within hours, we don’t just have to think well — we must constantly update our beliefs and convictions. That’s where Grant’s humorous and empathetic style shines, convincing us softly to reconsider what we think is true, how much we know, and how we can best get others to see the world from our angle. If you only read one non-fiction book from 2021, make it this one.

Key Takeaways

1. You can never know what you don’t know, so stay humble.
2. With the right tools and experiences, even the most ignorant people can change their minds.
3. Ask people questions to convince them of your point of view.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary, watch our animated video summary, listen to the audiobook, or get a copy for yourself.

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12. Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman (Productivity)

Favorite Quote

“What you pay attention to will define, for you, what reality is.” — Oliver Burkeman

The Book in One Sentence

Four Thousand Weeks explores time management from a different point of view, tapping into ancient knowledge from famous philosophers, researchers, and spiritual figures to help us let go of our modern ideals of constant self-optimization and high-level performance in favor of a more sustainable understanding of time.

Why should you read it?

If you long for a more feasible, less hectic way to manage your time and not burn out at work, this book is for you. It questions our to-do list driven approach of doing as much as we can as fast as we can, and instead offers a more wholistic, philosophical approach. Whether you’re a busy manager, burdened academic, stay-at-home dad, or struggling creative, this book will validate your worries and liberate you from some of them at the same time.

Key Takeaways

1. As humans started to analyze and understand time, it became more valuable to them.
2. Boost productivity by leaving room for procrastination and prioritizing your tasks.
3. Spare time should be used for family activities and hobbies.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary, listen to the audiobook, or get a copy for yourself.

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13. What Happened to You? by Oprah Winfrey & Bruce D. Perry (Mental Health)

Favorite Quote

“We elicit from the world what we project into the world; but what you project is based upon what happened to you as a child.” — Oprah Winfrey & Bruce D. Perry

The Book in One Sentence

What Happened to You? is an analysis of how traumatic experiences affect our brains throughout our lives, showing how they change our coping mechanisms, and why we must consider both the individual and collective side of mental health if we are to resolve our emotional challenges not just for ourselves but for society at large.

Why should you read it?

While I believe that even the most sheltered of us, like myself, have experienced some sort of childhood trauma, this book is especially helpful for people with early-life family issues. Whether you’ve experienced physical abuse like Oprah or more emotional torment, be it from your peers or close ones, this book will help you understand, process, and live both with and past injury and suffering. Commendably, Oprah always combines the scientific with the emotional, making her books both vulnerable and well-researched. A good read for anyone trying to face their demons or help their loved ones overcome theirs.

Key Takeaways

1. What we experience during childhood has a profound effect on our brain as an adult. 
2. We can learn positive regulation strategies later in life to help us deal with trauma. 
3. It is possible to overcome trauma with the right support.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary, listen to the audiobook, or get a copy for yourself.

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14. Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner (Memoir)

Favorite Quote

“It felt like the world had divided into two different types of people, those who had felt pain and those who had yet to.” — Michelle Zauner

The Book in One Sentence

Crying in H Mart is a beautiful memoir shedding light on the complex landscape of feelings that comes not just with growing up Asian-American but also with losing your stern but loving mother to cancer at a young age, following the before and after of indie rock singer Michelle Zauner’s life around her mother’s passing.

Why should you read it?

The beauty of this memoir lies in the universality of Zauner’s challenges that hides beneath her very specific experience of the Korean-American culture clash. Yes, if you’re of mixed Asian descent or a frequent traverser between the Western and Eastern world, you’ll get particularly much out of this book. But even if not, we can all lose loved ones too early. We all know what it’s like to grow estranged from someone we used to love. And we all know how hard it can be to keep yourself together when the world seems to be falling apart around you. What an amazing book and deserved winner of Goodreads’ Best Memoir & Autobiography Award for 2021.

Key Takeaways

1. You’ll never regret dropping everything and rushing to your loved ones’ side in an emergency.
2. The less time we have, the more attentive we become, and even stressful periods can become wonderful memories.
3. Even when special people are no longer around, we can still nurture our connection with them.

If you want to learn more, you can listen to the audiobook or get a copy for yourself.

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15. The Code Breaker by Walter Isaacson (Biography)

Favorite Quote

“Never do something that a thousand other people are doing.” — Walter Isaacson

The Book in One Sentence

The Code Breaker details the life of Nobel Prize winner Jennifer Doudna, who embarked on — and successfully completed — a journey to invent a tool that allows us to edit the human genetic code and thus will change our lives, health, and future generations forever.

Why should you read it?

Next to the fact that all Walter Isaacson biographies are awesome, this is his first one of a woman, a woman who was told she didn’t belong in science and decided to pursue her dream anyway — and eventually received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for it. Whether you’re a passionate scientist, intrigued (or scared) by the gene-altering CRISPR technology, or simply interested in an inspiring story of human ingenuity, this book is for you.

Key Takeaways

1. Doudna and Charpentier discovered a potential cure for cancer.
2. CRISPR technology can help us cure diseases, but it comes with an ethical cost.
3. This emerging technology could lead to biohacking and have some pretty serious implications.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary, listen to the audiobook, or get a copy for yourself.

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16. The Dawn of Everything by David Graeber & David Wengrow (History)

Favorite Quote

“What if we treat people, from the beginning, as imaginative, intelligent, playful creatures who deserve to be understood as such?” — David Graeber & David Wengrow

The Book in One Sentence

The Dawn of Everything tells the story of how we went from hunter-gatherers to city-builders, from the Stone Age to today’s modern world, all by exploring a series of new discoveries made by scientists who are challenging some long-held beliefs about our history.

Why should you read it?

This book uses archaeological evidence to put history on its head. It argues against much of what is taught in classrooms across the globe. Wengrow and the late Graeber suggest history did not follow the quasi-linear path from hunter-gatherers to farmers to the industrial revolution we so commonly assume. Instead, they claim modern civilization emerged from a vast, complex network of decentralized communities. The hypothesis is fascinating and incredibly well-argued. If you want a great, comprehensive read about history, make this your next pick.

Key Takeaways

1. There is no single original form of human society; many different versions have developed independently over millennia.
2. There are three ways to dominate in human societies: sovereignty, bureaucracy, and politics.
3. Instead of complaining about inequality, we should ask ourselves how we lost the flexibility and political creativity we once used to have.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary, listen to the audiobook, or get a copy for yourself.

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17. All In by Billie Jean King (Sports)

Favorite Quote

“If you can see it, you can be it.” — Billie Jean King

The Book in One Sentence

All In is the autobiography of Billie Jean King, the first professional female athlete to come out as homosexual as well as an astonishing player who won countless matches and tournaments, all while fighting for gender equality in sports up to the point of changing US legislation and significantly reducing discrimination against female athletes all over the globe.

Why should you read it?

Whether you love tennis, strong women, or a good comeback story, this book will show you that almost nothing is impossible. Beyond putting a minority on the map, King secured equal pay for female tennis players at a time when wage gaps were much more commonplace and pervasive than they are now (though we still have a ways to go on that front). She also showed incredible vulnerability by confessing to her homosexuality, challenged men to matches no one believed she could win, and inspired young girls to do what they believe in and stand up for themselves. A story that will inspire you — man or woman — from many angles.

Key Takeaways

1. A combination of talent and hard work turned Billie Jean into a champion.
2. A good role model can inspire determination and motivate us to push forward.
3. Billie Jean had a tough romantic life and other significant challenges to face, none of which kept her from achieving her objective.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary, listen to the audiobook, or get a copy for yourself.

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18. Taste by Stanley Tucci (Food)

Favorite Quote

“When my parents are no longer alive, I will always be able to put their teachings and all the love they gave me into a bowl and present it to someone who sadly will never have had the good fortune of knowing them. But by eating that food, they will come to know them, if even just a little.” — Stanley Tucci

The Book in One Sentence

Taste takes us on a culinary tour through famous actor Stanley Tucci’s life, from his early childhood and first abroad experiences all the way to making it in Hollywood, losing his first wife to cancer, and battling for his own sense of taste, revealing not just the power of home-cooked meals but also the timeless connections between, food, love, and family.

Why should you read it?

If you’re an aspiring actor or artist of any kind, you’ll have a hard time reading enough biographies of those who’ve made it. The road to fame and fortune is long and arduous, and no one reaches its end without many detours, sometimes even an outright fall off a cliff. But even if you’re just looking for some dinner inspiration, Tucci won’t disappoint. The book includes many recipes, some quite personal, like Tucci’s wedding menu or instructions for a perfect negroni. Finally, Tucci oozes passion for food and a zest for life that is contagious, even if you seek neither recipes nor a template for success. What a charming book!

Key Takeaways

1. In order to recognize our privilege, we first must experience lesser fortunes firsthand.
2. No restaurant nor recipe lasts forever, so let’s cherish the foods and cooks we love while we can.
3. Sometimes, what you used to think was normal tastes a lot sweeter after losing it for a while.

If you want to learn more, you can listen to the audiobook or get a copy for yourself.

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19. This Is Your Mind on Plants by Michael Pollan (Health)

Favorite Quote

“Sometimes the best way to show your respect for something is to just leave it alone.” — Michael Pollan

The Book in One Sentence

This Is Your Mind on Plants is an analysis of three conscious-altering substances — opium, caffeine and mescaline — which humans have been using for thousands of years, as well as how their effects have shaped our bodies, culture, and history, showing that, beyond arguing about their legalities, we must understand their potential to help us connect with both nature and ourselves.

Why should you read it?

Chances are, of the three substances Pollan analyzes, most readers will only strongly relate to one: caffeine. If you’re used to chugging 2-3 cups of joe a day, the book is worth reading for this section alone. Pollan illuminates why, despite its addictive properties, the tradeoff around coffee might be worth the gain in focus most of us register. In How to Change Your Mind, Pollan tried to start a conversation around the safe and productive use of psychedelics. In this book, he continues that conversation around opium and mescaline. Whether you’re interested in using psycho-effective plants or just wondering why they’re considered taboo, this book, like all Pollan books, will enlighten you.

Key Takeaways

1. Coffee is a powerful substance that has the potential to be both good and bad for you.
2. You can brew your own opium tea in your house, but it’s not as strong, nor advisable to do so.
3. Mescaline can seriously impact the way you view life and your surroundings.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary, listen to the audiobook, or get a copy for yourself.

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20. How to Avoid a Climate Disaster by Bill Gates (Environment)

Favorite Quote

“To sum up: We need to accomplish something gigantic we have never done before, much faster than we have ever done anything similar.” — Bill Gates

The Book in One Sentence

How to Avoid a Climate Disaster is a plea to people, governments, and business leaders to reduce greenhouse emissions by changing the way we make things, grow food, use electricity, transport people and goods, and keep warm and cool, offering specific suggestions in each category to both individuals and powerful organizations.

Why should you read it?

Climate change is real, but even though the planet is warming, it takes a cool, level-headed approach to deal with our environmental challenges. Bill Gates brings that approach to everything he does, including this book. If you’re interested in the hard facts of climate change and the science behind them, read this one. Gates groups our challenges in ways we can all understand and offers practical solutions we can start working on today. If you want to replace planless panicking and slacktivism with real climate action, this book is for you.

Key Takeaways

1. We’re going to have to get pretty creative if we want to get our electrical requirements to zero emissions. 
2. Improving the way we do transportation is worth the high price tag.
3. We can do things right now to help the climate situation by changing the way we heat and cool things.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary, listen to the audiobook, or get a copy for yourself.

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21. The 4 Minute Millionaire by Niklas Göke (Finance)

Favorite Quote

“At the end of the day, all change is in your hands. Whether you want to be rich, get fit, or find love, no one can do the work but you. What you can and should do to succeed, however, is take all the help you can get.” — Niklas Göke

The Book in One Sentence

The 4 Minute Millionaire is a collection of 44 short lessons sourced from the best finance books, each paired with an action item to help you get closer to financial freedom in just 4 minutes a day.

Why should you read it?

Technically, this one is more of a bonus since I am — disclaimer — touting my own book here, but I also truly believe it deserves the spot. Having carefully filtered, selected, polished, and expanded the very best lessons from the top finance books of the last 50 years, this book can help you if you feel overwhelmed with managing your money or simply too busy to do it. Better yet, it’ll do so in just 4 minutes a day. Complete with daily action items, this book is designed to make sure you implement what you learn. If you’re a more advanced learner, you’ll still benefit from some of the later chapters. All in all, a well-rounded finance read, if I dare say.

Key Takeaways

1. Take pride in starting, even if you can only start small.
2. Instead of avoiding risk and thus also avoiding wealth, you should manage it.
3. There are 7 new asset classes that make it easy to get excited about investing.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary, listen to the audiobook, or get a copy for yourself.

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Honorable Mentions (Nonfiction)

As for the fiction category, here are 5 more interesting nonfiction books that didn’t make the cut but are still worth looking into:

• The Comfort Book by Matt Haig is a beautiful mental health treasure chest, full of love, care, and attention for days when you’re down. Read our summary here.
• Chatter by Ethan Kross provides an antidote to overthinking, showing you how to befriend the sometimes incessant voice in your head. Read our summary here.
• Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe sheds a light on the Sackler dynasty, a family hidden in the shadows who made a generational fortune on OxyContin, a painkiller and drug that kicked off the opioid crisis in the United States.
• The Bomber Mafia by Malcolm Gladwell outlines what happened behind the scenes of the countless precision bombings via airplane in World War II, including the events that led up to the most devastating bomb-drop in history: the atomic bombs of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
• How the Word Is Passed by Clint Smith traces the history of slavery in the United states back to its roots via a tour of monuments and landmarks across the country. Read our summary here.

Methodology

No book list is perfect, and wherever you pick a “best of,” there’s going to be some bias. That said, next to our extensive experience from summarizing over 1,000 books, we tried to use meaningful data in making our picks. To arrive at our list, we considered the following factors:

• Number of ratings and reviews on Goodreads
• Average score on Goodreads
• Number of ratings and reviews on Amazon
• Average score on Amazon
• Monthly Google search volume for the title of the book
• Which awards did the book win?
• Which and how many media outlets included the book on their “best of 2021” list?

Depending on what data was available, we weighed some of these factors against one another. The Love Hypothesis, for example, has more monthly search demand than Klara and the Sun, but that’s mainly driven by the book’s fame among young people and on TikTok. Meanwhile, Klara and the Sun was written by a Nobel Prize winner and ended up on almost every “best of” list of the year. That weighs more than 10,000 extra searches each month. And so on.

Finally, here’s a selection of some of the “best of 2021” lists we used in our research for this project:

• The Guardian
• Time
• The New York Times
• Esquire
• Vulture
• The New Yorker
• Financial Times
• BuzzFeed News
• Penguin Random House
• Booklist Queen
• Goodreads Choice Awards

Conclusion

Aaaaand that’s a wrap! That concludes our list of the best books of 2021. The year took a bow a while ago, but I always find past gems and bestsellers worth revisiting. It’s also fun to look at a year from a lens of what books were published, then contrast them with what went on in the real world.

What do you think? Did we miss any seminal books from 2021? Would they have made for good lockdown reads? If you have feedback, please share it with us on Twitter/X. Now let’s peek around the corner and see what 2022 has brought us… Until that list is out, enjoy 2021’s best books, and see you soon! Happy reading!

Other Book Lists by Topic

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Last Updated on October 10, 2023