My Top Ten Books of 2022!
Hello readers! Happy end of the year! How are you doing? How has your holiday season been?
The time has come once again to talk about my best reads of 2022. I went through my Goodreads and put together my ten favorites. The ten-part wasn't intentional it just kind of happened. So, without further ado let's get into my favorite and most recommended books I read this year...(not in a specific order)...
Seven Days In June - Tia Williams
I actually managed to read this in June, which I find extremely appropriate and shocking of myself. Anyways, this story follows Eva Mercy, a single Mom and erotica author, and Shane Hall a reclusive, enigmatic, award-winning literary author. Eva and Shane are ex-lovers from high school who aren't exactly over each other. And they run into each other!
I went into this story expecting a romance...and I got that with so much more. This handled grief, depression, discrimination, and addiction, amongst other things. Tia Williams's writing is just absolutely beautiful, as is her ability to develop characters and plot lines. I couldn't help but fall in love with Eva and Shane individually and together. I sobbed, smiled, laughed, gasped, and gave this masterpiece a 5-star rating when I finished.
The Cruel Prince - Holly Black (The whole trilogy)
Sometimes, when I think of this book, I just want to scream because of how much I love it. Is that too much?
This trilogy follows Jude Duarte, a mortal in a realm of Fae who is trying to win a place in their court.
Something you should know about me is I have trouble finishing series. No one, including myself, knows why, and that's okay. But, I finished this trilogy in two months! In fact, it was one of the two series I finished this year. (That's a little embarrassing but moving on..) Holly Black's world and characters just hooked me. And the political intrigue???? I was shook, and still am if I'm being completely honest.
The Love Hypothesis - Ali Hazelwood
So, this follows Olive, a Ph.D. student who ends up in a fake dating situation with the broody grumpy professor to prove to her friend she's exciting and can be in relationships.
All I have to say is that this bewitched me, mind, body, and soul. This had me giggling and twirling my hair at 9 pm on a Friday night in my pajama pants. I don't know what Ali Hazelwood put into this, but I am eternally grateful. Olive and Adam are such loveable characters and I am still obsessed with them 8 months after reading this. Worth the hype for sure.
Where The Crawdads Sing - Delia Owens
This story revolves around rumors of the “Marsh Girl” that haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet fishing village. It follows Kya Clark who is barefoot and wild; unfit for polite society. So in late 1969, when the popular Chase Andrews is found dead, locals immediately suspect her.
I never planned on reading this book, it just didn't seem like it would be for me. Then, one random night, in one random Kroger, something just urged me to buy this book. So I did! I then picked up the audiobook and listened to it, which I think was one of my best decisions yet. This story is just so beautiful, and you can't help but adore Kiya, and absolutely root for her in everything she endures. More than that though, the overall vibes of this book were simply immaculate! Delia Owens can perfectly create a world that you can just dive into and explore. And oh my goodness that plot twist?? Never could've seen it coming but I wouldn't have it any other way.
The Deal by Elle Kennedy
The Deal by Elle Kennedy was a book I picked up on a whim, but I ended up really enjoying it. This follows Hannah (who is a college student) and she ends up tutoring the hot shot hockey player to impress and get closer to her actual crush, one of his friends.
This honestly shocked me and I did not expect it to be on this list. However, this book continues to live rent-free in my mind, the dialogue, the events, the characters, everything! The writing was light-hearted and fluffy, but still handled very serious topics so well, and carefully. Loved it.
Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
I was in good ol' Half-Price Books when I stumbled upon this gem. I read the back and I was immediately sold because I am a sucker for any YA fantasy. Basically, about to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered an extraordinary reprieve. She'll eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace—and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia. A poison taster.
You all do not understand when I say this was such a fun book. It had the most gripping storyline and a new, lush, complex world that was all stunningly (is that a word?) written by Maria V. Snyder. There was also a cute and nice little romance subplot that was truly a subplot. It was there, and it gave what needed to be given, without overtaking the main plot. Absolutely planning on finishing this series in 2023!!
A Good Girls Guide To Murder by Holly Jackson
Booktok eats, sleeps, and loves this book. The hype is never-ending. So this year I decided to take a read.
5 years ago, Andie Bell was murdered by her boyfriend, Sal Singh. Everyone knows he did it, but Pip feels like there's something off with the whole case. She decides to investigate and record her progress & findings for her senior project, enlisting the help of Sal's younger brother, Ravi.
This book honestly rekindled my love for murder mysteries and reminded me how much I adore true crime. Pip is just a fantastic main character, and I loved reading her story. The interwoven twists and turns were around every corner, it had me guessing, and it had me trusting no one, I loved it. I also actually finished this trilogy (yay!) and the books just get better!!
The Winners Curse - Marie Rutokoski
Again, found this gem in Half-Price Books (I love you HPB) and had to grab it.
This follows Kestrel, a general's daughter who buys a slave whom she finds a kindred spirit but it's that same kindred spirit who entangles her in a web of lies, trickery, and betrayal. How exciting!
The writing is so absolutely scrumptious. Masterfully detailed, good dialogue. And the worldbuilding??? I was shocked. The world that Rutkoski creates is just stunning. The political intrigue was amazing, and I found myself so invested in everyone's lives. I also loved how Kestrel was flawed and somewhat of an unreliable character. I can't wait to pick up the next two books!
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
I mean this in the kindest, most loving way possible, but I don't want to talk about it. It was beautiful, it broke me, and my friends on Goodreads can put it into words way better than I can. Thank you for listening to my TED talk.
Love & Other Words by Christina Lauren
Last, but most certainly not least. This is my #1 favorite out of the whole year, and honestly, my life. All you really need to know is this is a childhood friend to lovers between an introverted reader girl and an introverted reader boy that turns into second-chance love. Honestly, this book wrecked me. I was sobbing. But I was also laughing, smiling, gasping, and screaming. All the emotions. I honestly related to so many of the characters and their overall experiences and thoughts. And, of course, the writing was simply stunning. I am in love with this story, and I will not be getting over it any time soon. I am also making it my life's mission to read every single Christina Lauren book because they are both such talented authors!