22 of my Favorite Books of 2022
Here are the 22 best (in my opinion) books I read in 2022.
This favorites list is coming at the lost possible minute because I read books right up until the end of 2022. But, I love hearing about the books people loved of the year, and I am excited to share mine.
Some disclaimers: The first ten books are in order, but books eleven to twenty-two are in no particular order. Also, each image is linked to GoodReads, so click if you want to learn more!
Let me know if any of these books are on your favorites list. And, let me know some of your favorite books you read this year!
Babel by R.F. Kuang
This book was absolutely stunning. It is a very popular book right now, and I understand why. The way that Kuang weaves history into fantasy is like no other. I was so emotionally invested in this book from the first page. If you like history and you like anything magical, you will love this book.
Bunny by Mona Awad
I am still trying to figure out what went on in this book. But I am confused in the best way possible. If you are into weird books about angry women, then you will like this book. I feel like if I reread this book, it would leave me more confused than before. And that is something I love in a reading experience.
Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder
Female rage is a theme I have always loved, but this year I really got into it. This book follows a woman struggling with her new status as a stay-at-home mother. Oh, and the fact that she may be transforming into a werewolf is another thing she is dealing with. Everything about this story is gripping, and the conversation on motherhood and female rage is done really well. This is a novel I just cannot stop recommending and talking about.
Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn
This sequel does not fall into the second-book slump. Bri’s character is expertly expanded upon, and the way the story progresses is everything I could have hoped for. I actually got the opportunity to see Tracy Deonn talk about this book, and you can really see all of the love, effort, and skill that want into this book. This has to be my favorite series that I am following.
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
This book has everyone on the internet talking, and I am so happy for that. This book truly deserves all of the hype it is getting. McCurdy is a fantastic writer and when reading her story you can just tell that this was what she was always meant to be doing. Her story is honest and heartbreaking, but also somehow hopeful. I know that McCurdy is working on more books, and I cannot wait to pick those up. Hell, I would read her grocery list if she released it.
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
When this book was released, it got tons of love. I didn’t pick it up because, at the time, I was not really into memoirs. And I am so glad that I waited to read this until I was ready to fully appreciate this novel because this is a truly stunning story. Zauner has the ability to describe grief in a way that is not technically forgiving toward the person she misses. Her brand of honesty and heartbreak is individual to her, but she is able to make the story accessible. This made me cry so much that while listening to it in the car, I had to pull over and cry. I loved this book and I will continue to rave about it.
Jade City by Fonda Lee
This is one of the best openings to a fantasy series. Besides the plot and the characters being unique and gripping, the writing makes this book- and this series in general- so special. Lee has a talent for writing fight scenes. She is a martial artist, and that skill comes out in her writing. Besides just the fight scenes, every moment, line of dialogue, and description feels purposeful. The way she weaves seemingly small details into the greater story is masterful. I recommend this series to people who are not even into fantasy because it is that good. This was the first book I read in 2022, and it was the best way to spark the reading year.
Someone Who Will Love You In All Your Damaged Glory by Raphael Bob-Waksberg
Bojack Horseman is one of my favorite shows, so when I found out its creator wrote a book, I bought and read it immediately. And for me, this book did not disappoint. Each short story is weird, yet has a beautiful message. And they all carry the same humor and melancholy that Bojack Horseman has.
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
I never thought a romance would make it into my top ten, yet here we are. I think this book was meant for me if that makes sense. Nora and I are so similar, and I loved reading from her perspective because it felt so similar to my own. And, she has my dream job, which is everything and more. The love interest, while mildly boring at times, is a genuine perfect match for me. This book focused on more than just romance, it also focused on family and small-town politics, which are dynamics I love to read from. I will say, the beginning was a little cheesy for me, but I don’t even care because of the way this book ultimately made me feel.
Down the Rabbit Hole by Holly Madison
Playboy culture has always been fascinating to me. And reading Madison’s honest and beautiful account was amazing. This may not be the “best” book or memoir, but it introduced me to a woman I really love following, and it helped contribute to my Playboy fascination. Madison is able to tell her story without the reader feeling the need to pity her. She is raw, honest, and even funny at times. If you don’t know about Holly Madison, I highly recommend checking her out
The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman
There are not enough words to describe the beauty and importance of this book. Belongs among books like Night, in my opinion.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
This is a masterpiece. There is really nothing more to say about this book other than it is legendary.
Educated by Tara Westover
This book is popular for a reason. Westover has had such a fascinating life and tells her story in a great way. And her subtle advocacy for education access is perfection.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
I originally gave this book four stars, but I really cannot get this book out of my mind. I think objectively this book is four stars, but for me, it’s five stars; a truly unforgettable book.
Little Eyes by Samanta Schweblin
This book read like an episode of Black Mirror, and I love that kind of book. I was hooked on this book from the first line.
Milk Fed by Melissa Broder
This is another book I originally gave four stars, but upon reflection, it deserves more. It is a beautiful sapphic story. And the Jewish representation was something I related to a lot. This book is just so prettily written.
My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones
I am a major slasher movie fan, and this book really stoked that love. This definitely isn’t a book for everyone, but it is surely a book for me.
Sex Cult Nun by Faith Jones
This book really got me into nonfiction and memoirs this year. The writing style might not be for everyone, but the motivational, journalistic style worked for me.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
This was a last-minute read and a last-minute favorite. This book really surprised me. I was hooked almost immediately. If you are looking to read something heartbreaking and motivational with a feminist twist, I recommend it. Garmus’s ability to weave every thread by the end, while convenient, I thought it was great.
The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson
Tiffany D. Jackson does it again. This is a Carrie retelling involving history and race, which is stunning. This is a horror novel I could not put down. Even though it’s YA (a genre I am slowly falling out of love with) it felt mature and heavy.
Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
While I don’t think this book is for everyone, it was for me. If you aren’t a tennis fan, I don’t think you will get much out of this book. However, I grew up in tennis, so this book really did a lot for me. It helped me fall back into the sport, which I never thought possible.
Liberation Day by George Saunders
These stories are all so unique, yet they somehow all fit together. The short stories are unforgettable and masterfully crafted.
This was a wonderful reading year, and I hope it was for you as well. I cannot wait to see how 2023 goes. Wishing you all a year of health, love, and happiness. Oh, and good reads, of course.