Thread by @rebecca_fachner

Rebecca’s best books of 2021, a thread.
In 2021 I read 242 books or 84,706 pages. Roughly a book every 36 hours. These are my favorite 20 books, not all published in 2021 and the list is not in any order. #BestOf2021

The Border by Erika Fatland. A social and cultural travelogue about all the countries that border Russia. Man oh man do I wish she could write as fast as I can read. Riveting.

No Common Ground by my Queen @DrKarenLCox This was important to me for work related reasons, but it was so thoughtful and well written.

The Three Mothers by Anna Malaika Tubbs, about the mothers of MLK, Malcolm X, James Baldwin and how their stories helped shape their sons’ activism. I love women’s history and this book tells a necessary story about the forgotten part of civil rights history.

Robert E Lee and Me by @Ty_Seidule This book changed the way I do my job, and how I talk about the Civil War on tour. Cannot overstate how thought provoking this book was for me.

When Women Ruled the World by @KaraCooney Queenship and power and discussions about the glass cliff in ancient Egypt, yes please. Ancient Egypt as the setting was new but the views of leadership were not. Fascinating.

How the Word is Passed by @ClintSmithIII Justifiably on all the best books list this year. Searing and difficult and enlightening.

The Second by @ProfCAnderson There is nothing she could write that I wouldn’t read. A discussion about the origins and application of the second amendment is bold and eye opening.

Cuba by @Adita_Ferrer The complicated relationship between the US and Cuba is on vivid and complex display. Anyone who seeks to understand either place should read this.

Anne of Manhattan by @BrinaStarler I grew up with the Anne of Green Gables series and seeing a modern retelling of this story was just a delight from start to finish. Such a well imagined and funny addition.

Corruptible by @brianklaas I have been a devoted fan of his pod Power Corrupts since literally the debut episode. The book was similarly excellent and beyond fascinating

Hero of Two Worlds by @mikeduncan I knew Lafayette was an extremely interesting guy but even I was floored by just how bonkers a life he led. Well written, I couldn’t put this down.

To Calais in Ordinary Time by James Meek. Historical fiction at its gut wrenching best. 3 different stories of medieval England on the edge of the plague. In 3 different voices w/different language. Simply magical.

Three Cornered War by @megankatenelson The Civil War I thought I knew but turns out I did NOT. Such a great history of the West, inclusive, thoughtful and engrossing.

To Love and To Loathe by Martha Waters. I’m a sucker for a good Regency romance and this is such a great example of why. Witty, feminist, with lots of sass and heart.

The Lodger by Charles Nicholl. Anyone who knows me knows I’m a sucker for all things Shakespeare. A history of his life in London through documentary evidence of his lodging records, this reads like a detective story.

The Husbands by Chandler Baker. Literally biting satire and the shade is real. Sort of like an updated Stepford Wives. Spot on social commentary.

The Impeachers by Brenda Wineapple. How do we all not know more about Andrew Johnson and how terrible he was. Required reading.

To Make Men Free by @HC_Richardson I cannot say anything about this extraordinary book that hasn’t already been said by folks far smarter than me. Do yourself a favor and read it.

West End Earl by Bethany Bennett. Laugh if you want to, but romance novels are ascendant and rightly so. Feminist, fun and lgbtq friendly, these aren’t your mamma’s bodice rippers.

Honorable Mention: 111 Places in Women’s History in Washington That You Must Not Miss by my dear friends @beccagrawl and @atourofherown Women’s history, DC history, public history, tourism. This checks all my boxes.