I read almost everyday and finished my reading goal for 2022 in 6 months. 6 months early !?!? As a kid, I was a reading fiend. Whether it was one of the Nancy Drew tales or Goosebumps lore, the Hunger Games trilogy or the latest Sarah Dessen, I always had a book in hand. Somewhere between Grade 12 and Grade 14, I forgot how much I loved to escape into the pages of a book. Now, in Grade 20, I have rediscovered my love for reading.
At the beginning of the year, I thought 22 books in 2022 was going to be a struggle. It turns out that the more you read the better you get at selecting books you love. Today, I’m walking through every book I’ve read during the first half of the year. Let’s get into it!
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What I’ve Read So Far in 2022
My biggest tip for really getting into reading is to figure out what genres really get the juices flowing. And don’t be self conscious about it. I love romance novels! It’s a fact and I’m not ashamed. I will proudly read them on the subway, in the park, and on my lunch break. Mystery thrillers and movies that are going to be adapted to the screen also hold a special place in my heart. I rarely will pick up a nonfiction or a memoir but maybe that’ll be your speed. I’ve split my 2022 reads into a few broad categories for easy perusal. Enjoy!
Mystery & Thriller
The Maidens x Alex Michaelides
The Maidens is the first book on this list but also the first book I read this year. It was a middle of the road book for me. I’m really tough when it comes to reviews. I really enjoy Michaelides’ reading style and was excited to read another one of his books after enjoying The Silent Patient. I didn’t enjoy this one as much, but it was an entertaining read and had a pretty twisted ending. Would recommend. ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
The Guest List x Lucy Foley
The Guest List was one of the first thrillers I picked up when I was really trying to rediscover this genre. Foley writes in a multi-perspective style which I actually really enjoy. Her books are extremely creepy and a lot of this comes from her description of locations. The ending of this book was a twist, in my opinion. Would recommend. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
The Last Thing He Told Me x Laura Dave
The Last Thing He Told Me left me wanting more if we’re being really honest. This one is set in Austin, TX and is a thriller mixed with a little bit of crime drama and romance. I enjoyed Dave’s writing and would read something else by her. Overall would recommend. ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Verity x Colleen Hoover
My goodreads review of Verity was:
dude wtf.
Would definitely recommend. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
The Last Mrs. Parrish x Liv Constantine
I typically don’t leave actual reviews on goodreads unless I am really moved, concerned or conflicted about a book. And, in case The Last Mrs. Parrish left me with many of these feelings, Here’s what I said:
“I’m conflicted about this book …. the twist was spicy but it was hard to read at parts (tw: disordered eating, verbal/physical abuse) . I actually don’t consider this a thriller because there wasn’t really suspense?? Or maybe the stakes weren’t established early enough? I don’t know, I read it at a normal pace so it wasn’t bad just was expecting more!”
That said, I would recommend. ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Series: Fantasy
A Court of Thorns and Roses x Sarah J Maas
In retrospect, I cannot believe that I gave this book 5 stars. LOL. I think maybe it was because I hadn’t read a fantasy book in years. Anyway, I do enjoy Maas’ world building and writing style. The books are thick, you’ve been warned. I would recommend. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
A Court of Mist and Fury x Sarah J Maas
THICKKK. I read all 600 pages of this book with a fury. Pun intended. It is way better than the first book of this series in my opinion. I wish I could read this one for the first time again. Fans of spicy books will enjoy this one! I would definitely recommend. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
A Court of Wings and Ruin x Sarah J Maas
I gave this book 4 stars and I think when I read it I was just tired of this series. I’m actually really excited to get to the third book. I feel like middle books in series are tough. Again, I read this book quickly because it’s pretty well paced and the plot is interesting. I’d say break up this series and use other books as palate cleansers because they are massive and a lot to digest. I would recommend. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Book to Screen Adaptations
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo x Taylor Jenkins Reid
If I wouldn’t have been reading this book on the bus, I definitely would have cried. Evelyn Hugo is dynamic as a protagonist. Picked it up for the Hollywood glitz and glamour, but it was SO much more than that. Hustle, heartbreak, authenticity. So good. This book is stunning and exceeded all expectations. 100% would recommend.
I would recommend. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
The Duke and I x Julia Quinn
I would just like to say that none of the Bridgerton books by Quinn are objectively good. None of them. And yet, would kind of recommend? ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
The Viscount Who Loved Me x Julia Quinn
I read the book after watching the new season of Bridgerton on Netflix and was still thoroughly entertained and thankful for more kanthony content. this book is definitely better than book no. 1 too
Kanthony forever. I would recommend. ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
An Offer From A Gentleman x Julia Quinn
I though Benedict’s story was very cute. There are few moments that are ruined by Quinn’s questionable plot devices, but I would overall recommend especially if you are a fan of the Netflix series. ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Romancing Mister Bridgerton x Julia Quinn
Okay, okay. I know what I said like 20 lines ago. But, I really enjoyed Colin and Penelope’s book. Let me still say that Quinn’s writing does not age well. Some of the inner monologue is just *yikes*. I think I look at this book more favorably because I am more excited to see how the Shondaland team fixes it up for TV. I would recommend. ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
Daisy Jones & The Six x Taylor Jenkins Reid
THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS SERIES ADAPTATION IS ASTRONOMICAL. I am genuinely so in awe after finishing TJR books because I can’t really explain what about her books is so addicting. But they are and that’s maybe the important thing. I loved the style of this book! Multi-perspective/interview style detailing the drama and story of a rock band in the 1970s. I would definitely recommend. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
THE SPANISH LOVE DECEPTION X ELENA ARMAS
I hated this book. Genuinely, hated it. It’s going to be an excellent film. The premise is delectable. I love enemies to lovers; I really do. The movie will [hopefully] eliminate the part of this book that I hated: the inner monologue of the main character. It’s excessive and the author should have deleted 75% of it. Just thinking about it is making me upset. Wouldn’t recommend the book, but I will see the movie ⭐️⭐️/5.
Black Authors
All About Love x Bell Hooks
I was really excited to finally read Bell Hooks as she is a highly celebrated Black author. I wanted to like this book more, but I’m just not a big fan of nonfiction. After I finished this book, I was left with a high affinity for quotes from the first half of the book. While this is a popular book of Hooks’, I don’t think this is one of her best works. I’m hoping to pick up some more of her work later in the year. I would recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.
Act Your Age, Eve Brown x Talia Hibbert
Talia Hibbert knows how to write an entertaining romance. I love all the Brown sisters’ stories! This was nothing groundbreaking by any means. But, if you’re into the romance genre, you’ll enjoy it! I would recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.
The Proposal x Jasmine Guillory
I really enjoyed The Wedding Date by Guillory and was excited to pick up the sequel (of sorts), The Proposal. You are absolutely not reading this book for the plot and my anxious brain is okay with that. It’s a good palate cleanser in my opinion in between some more plot heavy reads. I am a sucker for this genre of novel which is technically Women’s Fiction/Chick Lit/Romance. This book was hard for me to put down and I finished it so quickly. I would recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.
Seven Days in June x Tia Williams
Seven Days in June felt fresh. This book was heartbreaking and beautiful. I want everyone to read it so we can discuss. It’s going to be one of my favorite books this year for sure. Would definitely recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.
Non-Fiction
Talking to Strangers x Malcolm Gladwell
I enjoyed this book by Malcolm Gladwell and would read another one of his books in a heart beat. It wasn’t what I was expecting. I think I like knowledge and facts and this was one big research paper on his part. It was well written and he makes some interesting arguments. It was a nice change of pace between some of the other books I was reading around the same time. I would recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.
The Defining Decade x Meg Jay
This book was good until it started stressing me out and not even in the way that I though it would. The last section really is something else; you’ll just have to read it for yourself to see what I mean. If Jay wanted to write a straight-talking but hopeful book, she failed LOL. In general, I would recommend this book to other people in their early to mid 20s ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.
Romance
The Unhoneymooners x Christina Lauren
I just finished this book a couple days ago and I really enjoyed it. Lauren’s use of the enemies to lover trope wasn’t as strong as it could have been and the plot was really enjoyable until the very end. Look, I understand that romance novels need some type of falling action, but the conflict in this book was odd. It seemed like an afterthought. All that being said, I would still recommend to my romance lovers ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.
In Five Years x Rebecca Serle
I really enjoyed In Five Years. I am a sucker for any book set in NYC. The premise of this book was also incredibly interesting. This book was nothing like what I was expecting but in the best way. If you’re looking for a non-formulaic romance read, In Five Years is for you. Would recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.
Overall, I am on my reading game and I’m feeling really great about it. I am unofficially increasing my goal to 50 which would be about 1-2 books faster than my reading rate from the first half of the year. Will update in December.
Thanks for reading! What has been your favorite book in 2022. Drop it in the comments below. Always love new book recommendations!
