This year’s best books
Literary editor Sarra Manning picks her 10 favourite reads of 2021
The Idea Of You by Robinne Lee
(Penguin, £7.99) The sultry story of a sophisticated older woman and the lead singer of her teen daughter’s favourite band. The writing is sharp and believable and the sex scenes so hot that you, too, will stan Harry Styles. #ifyouknowyouknow
Conversations On Love by Natasha Lunn
(Viking, £14.99) My non-fic pick, by Red features director Natasha Lunn, is a warm, wise and open-hearted look at all the different kinds of love we often neglect, such as platonic, past and self-love.
Sorrow And Bliss by Meg Mason
Martha is difficult, damaged and pushes away everyone she loves. The excoriating effects of mental illness are articulated so beautifully.
Luster by Raven Leilani
(Picador, £14.99)
This big, bold novel is a visceral and unsettling account of a young black woman desperate to find herself but looking in all the wrong places. Fans of Queenie will love it.
Reputation by Lex Croucher
(Zaffre, £8.99) Georgiana Ellers is about to perish from boredom when she meets wicked Frances Campbell. Soon Georgiana is behaving in a way that would have Jane Austen turning in her grave. If Bridgerton and Fleabag gave birth to a book, it would be this one.
Before My Actual Heart Breaks by Tish Delaney
(Hutchinson, £8.99) An exquisite slow burn of a love story. Mary Rattigan is at the mercy of her tyrannical mother until she gets pregnant at 16 and married off to the enigmatic John Johns from the farm down the road.
Early Morning Riser by Katherine Heiny
(4th Estate, £14.99)
Jane falls for the charming and feckless Duncan but a tragic accident means she has to rethink everything she knows about love, happiness and families. Katherine Heiny’s wise, witty and waspish take on life shines through the pages.
The Office Of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans
(Picador, £14.99)
The best short story collection I’ve read in ages. Danielle Evans explores what it means to be Black in a white world. The standout is Boys Go To Jupiter, about a girl who goes viral for wearing a Confederate flag bikini.
No One Is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood
(Bloomsbury, £14.99)
How To Kill Your Family by Bella Mackie
(The Borough Press, £14.99) A deliciously dark debut novel starring Grace, a stone-cold sociopath exacting revenge on her estranged millionaire father’s family by bumping them off. It’s just as well Grace is clever enough to get away with murder – or is she?