Best Books To Read in 2021
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Wow! It seems like it’s been forever since I’ve written an article for Stratavize Consulting. This is such a shame because I have so many opinions on so many topics! hahaha…. However, in all seriousness, I love to write equally as much as I love to read. If you are looking for the best books to read, right now, in 2021, I’ve got you covered in this article.

On this grey windy rain-drenched day, the dogs and I bundled up on the couch to run through a list of the books I read during the 2020 pandemic. I went back through every book to pick out my favorites to share with you.

First, let me begin by saying there are very few things I love more than books. I got this love honestly. My mother reads more books in one year than anyone I know. I think she out reads Bill Gates! Matter of fact, her bucket list consisted of visiting her FAVORITE author, Stephen King’s, home in Maine. We checked that off her list last October.

Traveling and reading books during covid-19.
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My mother checking “Visit Stephen King’s House” off her bucket list.

My mother is a fiction reader and I’m a non-fiction reader. I usually get through 15-20 business or self-help books each year. However, last year I decided to expand my reading choices to include fiction, travel, and memoir.

Not only am I glad I chose to expand my book choices for 2020 but, I’m also thrilled I caved on audiobooks. YES! I finally broke down and purchased Audible. I loathe payments of any kind and refuse to have any monthly subscriptions. Buying Audible was like trading in my values for convenience but, the library app, Libby, just didn’t have the selection I needed.

To make skimming through the list of the books to find your genre of choice easier I’ve used categories. The categories include; Business, Travel, Memoir, and Fiction.

Best Books to Read Right Now In 2021

This is the list of best books to read in 2021 and it’s based on the books I read during the pandemic. However, some of these books were published more than 50 years ago and some were recently published. I hope you find a book to add to your list to read in the coming months.

Business

I usually have nothing but business books on my reading list but, you’ll be surprised to find I have very few recommendations in this category.

Content Chemistry: Content marketing continues to evolve and change. It’s important we keep up on these changes to ensure we are bringing the best marketing ideas possible to our client’s work. Andy Crestodina’s Content Chemistry is a fantastic how-guide.

Essentialism: If you are feeling overwhelmed by work or life, this is the book for you. I loved this book so much I gave it away last summer and wrote an article about essentialism. Greg McKeown’s “do less but, better” message really resonated with me. It reminded me of my old boss, Jennie, who was famous for saying “we can do 10 things crappy or 5 things GREAT! Ruthlessly prioritize.”

7 Habits of Highly Effective People: This one is an oldie but, a goodie. I remember this book being a fast follower of Essentialism and re-rooted me in my work. Last year was not fun for many reasons. I was feeling a little lost in my work and this book brought me back around.

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Photo Credit: Lauralee Hite, West Virginia 2020

Travel

It’s no secret that I live for travel. So, it’s probably no surprise in the year I couldn’t travel, travel-themed books would be on my list.

A Walk In The Woods: I have wanted to walk the Appalachian Trail for many years but, due to being a big chicken I have not. So, instead, I read about walking it, talk to people who were brave enough to do it, and stalk people in Appalachian Trail Facebook Groups. Bill Bryson shared hilarious stories through the eyes of a non-hiker turned hiker while pulling in relevant history of the trail. You’ll learn about the almost extinct American Chestnut, why friendships are good for us, and a whole lot more.

A Sunburned Country: Oh how I wished I read this book before traveling to Australia in 2019. Once again, Bryson spins a masterful story of experiences during his visit to the land down under while incorporating fun facts and interesting history.

The Socrates Express: I can spend hours thinking about how humans behave and why we do what we do. A lot of my job focuses on helping people come together to accomplish specific goals. Studying stoicism, philosophy, and sociology helps me look more objectively at individuals, our society, and other societies. Eric Weiner will take you around the world to learn from a variety of philosophers.

Geography of Genius: I enjoyed The Socrates Express so much that I picked up another book by Weiner. Once again, Weiner takes the reader from place to place sharing his personal experiences while also handing out history, facts, and research. I loved exploring pockets of the world that have bred genius from the Greeks to Silicon Valley, this book dissects how, where, and why we have concentrated genius.

Geography of Bliss: You guessed it, another book by Eric Weiner. Once you find a writer you connect with, you feel drawn to read all their books. I just love Weiner’s approach to travel writing, his Grumpy Dwarf persona, and the amount of research he provides. I’m hooked on Eric. This book focused on the happiest and unhappiest countries in the world. You’ll probably not be surprised to hear this but, we, the United States, didn’t rank very high.

Eric Weiner The Socrates Express
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Author Eric Weiner

Memoir

Greenlights: Skip reading and instead listen to this book. Matthew McConaughey takes you through his life lessons with his distinctive southern drawl. I cannot tell you how many times I had a deep belly laugh in this book. However, I do remember the story that had me in tears. So, if you decide to listen to this book – make sure you are not in the quiet cabin on the train when he shares his tale of being a foreign exchange student in Australia.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings: Written in 1969, Maya Angelou shares her story of living with her grandmother in the south as a young child. Angelou pulls you in with carnal writing, by providing something for all the reader’s senses. She often describes scenes through sight, smell, and touch. There were times I laughed and other times I cried. It’s no wonder this book continues to top the charts of memoir.

Fiction

The Rosie Project: A friend recommended this book and I loved it! Written by Graeme Simsion this was an unusual love story. The book centers on genetics professor Don Tillman, who wants a relationship with a woman but, can’t seem to find the right fit. Simision takes the reader through Don’s hilarious process of finding his future wife.

Summary of the Best Books To Read Right Now in 2021

There you go! My list of the best books to read, right now, in 2021! I hope you find at least one book that makes its way on your reading list this year.

What should I be reading? I love recommendations!

About the Author: Lauralee Hites

After nearly 20 years in corporate America, I decided to serve the world in a new way. Today, I operate a boutique consulting firm that specializes in Strategy and Management Consulting. Connect with me on LinkedIn.

Lauralee Hites
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Lauralee Hites

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