In 2022, I read 30 books, all of which I've reviewed on my Goodreads account, however here I will be discussing my favourite books of 2022 and my reasoning. During 2022, I read a huge range of genres, from classics to children's books to self-helps to thrillers; although I surpassed my target of reading 26 books, it wasn't my favourite year of reading, however these are the ones that really stuck out to me. I have included both my 4-star and 5-star ratings as I only rate books so highly if they really stick with me or change my perception in some way.
A Little Life - Hanya Yanagihara
I'd heard about 'A Little Life' years ago but had written it off after seeing a review that this book was heartbreaking and added tragedy upon tragedy just for the sake of it, without adding value to the story. However, when a close mate of mine proclaimed this her favourite book, I knew I had to read it.
This 720-page book follows the lives of four college friends, focussing mainly on Jude but also encompassing all of their friends and families. This is without a doubt one of the most harrowing books that I have ver read and it seemed to get progressively worse; it features self harm, suicide, domestic violence, sexual abuse, death, and physical abuse; at various points I physically recoiled whilst reading this. That said, it was a gripping read and the author manages to convey a variety of personalities and inner voices extraordinarily well. You are transported into the different characters’ mindsets and can feel anger towards a character whilst simultaneously understanding their perspective and sympathising with them.
The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter—And How to Make the Most of Them Now - Meg Jay
I mentioned this book in my 'Top Books of 2021' post and my opinion on it hasn't changed at all. I plan to read it at least another couple of times in my twenties!
I really enjoyed this book, despite it making me feel like I have to do a billion things as soon as possible. A lot of this book was just stating facts that many twenty somethings vaguely think about but rarely take action on, and there were some very interesting facts, including that cohabitation before marriage can be detrimental, waiting until your 40s to have kids can make it impossible (and very expensive), and that many things we consider to be carefree and fun are actually making your goals for your 30s and 40s unattainable. As a productive and motivated person, I often think about how little time we have and have saved towards a mortgage and pension since uni, however I also have the mindset of 'making the most of your twenties' and having fun (mainly by putting off proper commitment including wanting to take a gap year and not wanting a 'proper' job straight out of uni). This book clarified many things I was unsure about and although I still think it's very important to have fun and make memories in your twenties, it made me feel more confident in thinking ahead in terms of a mortgage, my career path, and setting goals. It was both reassuring and motivating, and I feel like it's a good book to read over when you're feeling unsure about your life in your twenties.
Red Notice: A True Story of High Finance, Murder, and One Man's Fight for Justice - Bill Browder
I read this on the recommendation of a friend and couldn’t put it down. It is based on the author's experience of exposing the corruption of Russian oligarchs and Putin's subsequent expulsion of him from Russia. It was simultaneously gripping and heartbreaking and raised awareness of the shocking atrocities that are ongoing in Russia (even before the current war). It was also of specific interest to me in my current job as a forensic consultant (investigating financial crime) so this was very relevant.
The Book Thief - Markus Zusak
This is a renowned book and was on my to-read list for a while but I knew I had to be in the right mind-set to read it as it would be a heavy one. Nonetheless, I was captivated and I really enjoyed having death as a narrator. The characters felt very real, the pace was perfect and the tale was heart-rending. Usually I prefer to read a book before watching the film but I feel like having seen the film didn't affect my perception of this book at all.
I’m Glad My Mom Died - Jennette McCurdy
Although I only rated this four stars, it shocked me deeply and my heart broke for the author. This book has been trending all over social media and although I've been disappointed by other popular books that I've read, this one had a great premise and its shocking title pulled me in. I enjoyed the read, especially the first half; it explored her mum carrying out breast and genital exams and showering her until the age of 17, encouraging disordered eating, and forcing her young children to dwell on the time in which she had cancer. It is equally as horrifying as it is captivating and is worth a peruse.
The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well - Meik Wiking
I spent a weekend in Copenhagen during the summer of 2022 and saw this book on a shelf in the airport so decided to give it a go. I really enjoyed the concept and it was written in a digestible but unique style which was nice. Despite my boyfriend being Danish, I learnt a lot of new things about the Danes and their culture and I feel that some of the practices would be great to incorporate into my own life.
Febre - Nick Louth, Helena Serrano (translator)
One of my New Year’s resolutions was to read a book in Portuguese in order to improve my reading speed so my cousin recommended this thriller. Although it took a lot longer to get through than it would have in English, it was very enjoyable and the plot was very good, with all of the characters coming together at the end in various plot twists. This book is titled 'Bite' in English and centres around scientists and pharma which I enjoyed having studied neuroscience at uni.
Oh the Places You’ll Go! - Dr. Seuss
This is a very unusual and unexpected favourite, however I read it whilst struggling personally for a period this year and found it to be exactly what I needed and very comforting. I feel like this book is great for anyone feeling slightly lost at any age.
Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find—and Keep—Love - Amir Levine, Rachel S.F. Heller
Whilst reading this book, I hadn't anticipated for it to be a favourite and only rated it four stars, however this book inspired hours of conversation with various friends and completely changed my perception of people's mentalities regarding dating and relationships, so it is worthy of a spot on this list. It explores attachment styles and breaks people into one of four main categories: anxious, avoidant, secure, and anxious-avoidant. Although there were parts I disagreed with and thought were overgeneralised, I did find this very insightful and do agree with certain aspects of this book.
Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar - Cheryl Strayed
In all honesty, I didn't think I'd like this book, especially when I realised that it was essentially a list of compiled advice columns. Nonetheless, the reviews were good and I had brought it along with me on a holiday to Southeast Asia so I gave it a go. It took a bit to get into but I enjoyed it more than expected, especially the author’s own anecdotes. It provided a new perspective on various issues and a couple of the questions were extremely relevant to me at this point in my life so it stuck with me more than anticipated.
A Man Called Ove - Fredrik Backman
Last but certainly not least is 'A Man Called Ove'. I read this book whilst skiing in Canada over Christmas and it was the perfect book for the holidays - simple, yet heartwarming. It follows the life of a widower who is set in his ways and the recurring postponement of his suicide as life gets in the way. This tale demonstrates what is important in life and how quickly life can change, for better or for worse.
Although 2022 wasn't my favourite year of reading, I still found some gems which I'd definitely recommend reading.
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