2021 In Review: My Favorite Fiction

Now that I’ve posted my favorite nonfiction of 2021 it’s time to announce this year’s favorite fiction. Since I didn’t read a lot of fiction this year my list will be kinda short.

1. The Last Watchman of Old Cairo by Michael David Lukas
2. There There by Tommy Orange
3. Not All Bastards Are from Vienna by Andrea Molesini
4. Empire of Lies by Raymond Khoury
5. Prague Spring by Simon Mawer
6. The Invisible Guardian by Dolores Redondo

As short as the list is, I’d also like to add a pair of honorable mentions. Once again, Peiter Aspe did not disappoint me. Earlier this year I also read my first James Patterson novel and much to my surprise I was pleasantly entertained. To consider his 2012 thriller/mystery Guilty Wives unworthy of honorable mention doesn’t seem right.

1. From Bruges with Love by Pieter Aspe
2. Guilty Wives by James Patterson and Davis Ellis

As for this year’s winner in fiction, for the first time ever it’s a tie. There There and Not All Bastards Are from Vienna will share the honor. Both are outstanding.

Typical of my reading tastes, seven of these eight novels are set outside the USA, with three translated from other languages. Also typical of my tastes four are historical fiction. An equal number are thriller/mysteries.