The best books of 2021 so far.

by Keryn Donnelly June 13, 2021

2021 has been a bloody great year for books.

I can't count the number of times I've picked up a book and emerged hours later, completely in awe of the writing, the characters, the story I've just read.

So far 2021 has blessed us with unputdownable thrillers, heartfelt family dramas and non-fiction narratives that spoke to the parts of ourselves we usually keep hidden.

And we're only halfway through the year.

Here are the best books of 2021 so far (in no particular order):

The Guest Listby Lucy Foley

A Reese's Book Club pick, Lucy Foley'sThe Guest Listis the kind of book you'll inhale in one day.

It's set on a remote island off the windswept Irish coast, where guests have gathered for the wedding of TV celebrity Will Slater and women's website mogul Jules Keegan.

By the end of the night, someone will be dead, and every single guest will be a suspect.

The Guest Listis a thrilling page-turner and who-dunnit that's perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Ruth Ware and Paula Hawkins.

Ana is in her 40s and married with three kids. Then, she falls in love with someone else. Claire is in her 30s and married to Maggie. Then, one day, she finds something on Maggie's phone. Patrick is in his 20s and engaged. Then his entire world blows up.

Based on three true stories, told by people in the throes of heartbreak, Jessie Stephens' debut book is a compelling account of the many lows and the occasional surprising highs of heartbreak.

Bruising, beautiful and ultimately healing,Heartsickis the perfect read for fans of Lisa Taddeo'sThree Womenand Elizabeth Gilbert'sEat, Pray, Love, and anyone who has ever had their heart broken.

As Beautiful As Any Otherby Kaya Wilson

When Kaya Wilson came out to his parents as transgender, a year after a near-death surfing accident and just weeks before his father's death, he was met with a startling family history of concealed queerness and shame.

As Beautiful As Any Otherweaves this legacy together with intimate examinations of the forces that have shaped Wilson's life, and his body: vulnerability and power, grief and trauma, science and narrative.

It's a trailblazing debut and a beautiful study of the human condition.

The Other Black Girlby Zakiya Dalila Harris

The Other Black Girlhas been described asThe Devil Wears PradameetsGet Out.

The debut novel from Zakiya Dalila Harris follows the story of 26-year-old editorial assistant Nella Rogers, who is tired of being the only Black employee at Wagner Books.

When Hazel starts working in the cubicle next to her, Nella thinks she'll finally have someone who'll understand the microaggressions and isolation she experiences every single day.

Then a note appears on her desk: LEAVE. WAGNER. NOW.

The Other Black Girlis full of twists that will keep you guessing right up until the final page.

Let Me Tell You What I Meanby Joan Didion

Made up of 12 pieces of Joan Didion's work from the earlier part of her five-decade career, this collection is a must-read for writers or anyone interested in the process of brilliant writers.

The essay topics are pretty wide ranging. She writes about everything from the time she dropped into a meeting of recovering gambling addicts to being rejected by her dream college, her years atVogueand her thoughts on media, Hemingway and even Martha Stewart.

It's the kind of book you'll pick up and read, time and time again.

The Last Thing He Told Meby Laura Dave

The Last Thing He Told Meis another Reese's Book Club pick and it will soon be adapted into a TV series starring Julia Roberts.

So, yep, there's going to be a lot of hype around this book. But here's what happens in the story:

Before Owen Michaels disappears, he manages to smuggle a note to his new wife, Hannah. The note simply says: PROTECT HER.

As Hannah's increasingly desperate calls to Owen go unanswered, his boss is arrested for fraud. Then Hannah realises Owen's 16-year-old daughter Bailey may hold the key to his true identity and the reason for his sudden disappearance.

Fans of Liane Moriarty and Celeste Ng will love this unputdownable thriller.

Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhurayby Anita Heiss

Anita Heiss's latest novelBilaYarrudhanggalangdhuray(River of Dreams) begins on a winter night in 1852, when the river breaks its banks and churns through the NSW town of Gundagai.

Clinging to the roof of one of the town’s only stone houses, Wagadhaany – a Wiradyuri teenager – wills her father to find her.

Set on timeless Wiradyuri country, where the life-giving waters of the rivers can make or break dreams, and based on devastating true events,BilaYarrudhanggalangdhurayis an epic story of love, loss and belonging.

Carelessby Kirsty Capes

You know a book is good when the film rights are sold before it even hits bookshelves. And this is exactly what happened with Kirsty Capes' debut novelCarelessin May of this year.

At 3:04pm on a hot, sticky day in June, Bess finds out she's pregnant. She doesn't want to tell her social worker or her foster mum, and she definitely doesn't want to tell Boy.

Carelessis a coming of age story that definitely isn't a love story. It's the perfect read for fans ofEleanor Oliphant is Completely FineandNormal People.

Malibu Risingby Taylor Jenkins Reid

Taylor Jenkins Reid's new novelMalibu Risingis the very definition of a page turner.

Set in Malibu in the summer of 1983, it follows the story of the famous Rivas family and all the drama that goes down at their annual end-of-summer party.

It's beautifully written (seriously, you'll want to get the highlighter out) and you'll be so invested in the characters by the end of the novel, they'll feel like family.

Oh, and the film rights have already been sold so you need to read the book before the movie comes out!

Stillby Matt Nable

Matt Nable has been a fixture on Australian screens for decades now, starring in TV series likeEast West 101andBike Wars: Brothers in Arms.

Set in Darwin in the Summer of 1963, Still follows the story of Senior Constable Ned Potter who is investigating the murder of a woman whose body was found in the shallow marshland.

Fans ofThe DryandScrublandswill find the next great read inStill.

Love Objectsby Emily Maguire

Love Objectsby Emily Maguire follows three characters: Nic, who lives with hoarding disorder, Will, who has been released from prison following a drug charge, and Lena, whose life was going well until a man filmed her having sex without her consent.

It’s a book about family and class, and peers into the worlds of ordinary Australians who lead fascinating lives.

BeforeYou Knew My Nameby Jacqueline Bublitz

InBefore You Knew My Name, debut author Jacqueline Bublitz takes the dead girl narrative and flips it on its head.

The book follows the story of Alice Lee, who arrives in New York City with $600 to her name and the desire to start over. A month later, she's dead.

Ruby Jones has also moved to the city hoping to start over. Then she finds Alice's body in the Hudson River.

Told from Alice and Ruby's perspectives,Before You Knew My Namedoesn't ask whodunnit. Instead, it asks: Who was she? And what did she leave behind?

One Hundred Daysby Alice Pung

From one of Australia's most celebrated writers comes a story about the relationship between a mother and a daughter, and the fault lines between love and control.

When 16-year-old Karuna falls accidentally-on-purpose pregnant, her mother confines her to their fourteenth story housing commission flat.

As the due date draws closer, the question of who will raise the baby and who it will call Mum, festers between them.

Keryn Donnelly is Mamamia's Pop Culture Editor. For more of her TV, film and book recommendations and to see photos of her dog, follow her on Instagram .