Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag 2022
While the first half of 2022 has not been the best reading year, I still have read some great things. And more importantly, I have been discovering new genres that I have been loving. So while this list has plenty of repeats and rereads, there are some new titles that I have enjoyed and been surprised by. I am just finally starting to leave this reading slump, so hopefully, my end-of-year wrap-up will have more titles on it.
Best Book I’ve Read So Far in 2022
If I am being perfectly honest, my two favorite reads so far are The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones & The Six, both by Taylor Jenkins Reid. But I decided to only talk about new books I’ve read for the first time this year. I will be mentioning them later in this blog, so I figured that it would be repetitive to include these titles so early.
Jade City by Fonda Lee
This is an amazing beginning to a fantasy series. This book throws you right into the thick of the action, does not spend too long on worldbuilding, and does not overwhelm you by “info-dumping”. The characters are dynamic, confusing, and distinct. The setting is a beautiful blend of fantasy and real-life places. And since the author is a martial artist, the fight scenes feel so real- I feel like I am watching the scene rather than reading it. It is the only series I have really picked up this year, and I am hooked. I still haven’t read the last book, but that’s because I am not ready to leave the world written in this book quite yet.
Educated by Tara Westover
This book is critically acclaimed for a reason. The contents of this book are wild, the author creates a sort of calm quality that helps the reader grasp the insanity of the book. You start this book for the story, but you stay for the author. As the book progresses, you fall deeper and deeper into Westover’s past and you cannot do anything but continue reading. I had the same reaction to reading this book that I do when reading an intense thriller. I was gripped, I was shocked, and I was in disbelief. This is the mark of not only a good memoir, but also a great book.
Down the Rabbit Hole by Holly Madison
I listened to this on audio, and I think that is why I loved this book so much. Hearing Holly tell her own story is a magical experience. I have had a fascination with Playboy and Playboy culture for a very long time, and so this book was perfect for me. This memoir is not just about Holly’s story, it is also about all the lessons she learned and how she truly became herself even when the odds were stacked against her. I love Holly as a person, and her book made me love her even more.
Some Thoughts:
I am genuinely shocked that there are two memoirs on my favorites list. This year I have read many memoirs and autobiographies, and I plan to read a lot more. I’ve always liked memoirs, but only when someone I really admired had written it. Now, I love all types of memoirs and forms of personal narrative. This appreciation has led me to stories I never would have picked up before. So, expect more memoirs on my list. I think that is the beauty of being a reader and recording every book you read- your tastes are always changing and evolving which is incredibly cool to see happening in real-time.
Best Sequel I’ve Read So Far in 2022
Jade War by Fonda Lee
While there was no real contest in this category, I still really loved this sequel. I didn’t love this book as much as the first book (Jade City), I still really had a great time. The plot continues seamlessly, the characters change in ways that are realistic. I fall further into caring for these characters and story. At this point, I feel like I personally know the main family in this book.
New Releases I Have Not Yet Gotten To
I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston
I loved this author’s previous books, and I just know that I will love this book as well. Also, the woman on the cover kind of looks like me so that’s even more motivation to read this book.
Gallant by VE Schwab
VE Schwab is one of my favorite authors. I am honestly shocked that I have not read this book yet. I don’t know much about this book, but I do know that the chances of me loving this is incredibly high.
Most Anticipated Release of 2022
Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Taylor Jenkins Reid is one of my favorite authors, and two of my favorite books are Daisy Jones & The Six and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, so this book is my number one most anticipated book of the year. The subject of this novel sits close to home; just like Carrie Soto, my mom is a professional tennis player. I have grown up around tennis- I know its in and outs. I never would have originally asked for a book centered around Carrie Soto, but now that it is being offered I cannot wait to tackle this story.
Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn
The first book in this series was one of my favorites a few years ago, so I have been anxiously awaiting this sequel. I am so excited to see how this story progresses.
Biggest Disappointment of 2022
Sometimes I Trip on How Happy We Could Be by Nichole Perkins
I have always loved this cover, and every time I went into a bookstore I almost bought it. And once I finally did pick this book up, I was very excited to read these essays. But this did not live up to my self-made hype. I found myself slogging through each story. Even though the stories were quite short, I found myself dragging through. I even borrowed the audio version from my library so I could just get through this. I am really bummed I didn’t like this because a lot of the stories were really interesting. But I just think her writing style and most of her stories were just not for me.
Biggest Surprise of 2022
Down the Rabbit Hole by Holly Madison
I mentioned this book earlier, but I did not fully delve deep into why this book was a huge surprise for me. I first heard about Holly Madison from a podcast, but it was such a good episode that I knew I needed to know more about Holly’s story. I knew I was going to like this book, but the depth of my love for this book shocked me. I found a new person to look up to, and I got to unlock more secrets to a world I have spent so long trying to understand. Holly blends being vulnerable and being strong seamlessly. I am truly astounded by this book, Holly’s story, and how quickly I fell in love with her.
Favorite New Author of 2022
Fonda Lee
She is truly a talented writer. I truly admire her ability to infuse her martial arts knowledge into her stories. And she has a great Twitter account.
Books that Made Me Cry
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
I will go to my grave talking about this book. I reread this book twice this year (so far). This is my comfort book, yet it still makes me cry. I think I feel even more emotional towards this book now because I know it so well. I know every plot point, moment, and word in this book, so knowing what is about to happen in each chapter makes me cry even more than the first time I read this novel.
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
This book is so sad that I actually needed to whip out the tissues. I am not really a cryer, but this book had me near sobs. I mean, it is a story about cancer so I don’t really know what I was expecting. But this book truly made me feel all of the feelings.
Books that Made Me Happy
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
It should be no surprise that this book is on my list. I will spare no chance to talk about this book. I have also read this twice this year, and each time I cannot help but be happy. I also feel incredibly emotional (aka heartbroken) while reading this book, but it will always make me happy. This story, these characters, and the audiobook are what I turn to when I need comforting.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
There is no surprise to this. I love everything about this book. And the happy moment of this book makes me so happy. I feel like I have lived the good moments of this book, so it makes the novel even better.
The Most Beautiful Book I Bought this Year
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
I got this book for my birthday, and I am so glad I did. I have not yet read this book, but I have heard really amazing things about it. And I find everything about the look of this book so cute. It’s teeny and so sweet. When I look at this cover, I feel warm and fuzzy inside.
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
I know this is probably not everyone’s favorite cover, but I am OBSESSED with it. I have seen it on Instagram millions of times and each time I see it, I fall in love. I still don’t really know what this book is about, I am assuming that it is a coming-of-age novel, but I don’t even care. I love the contrast of the hot pink against the painted, sad woman. Truly one of my favorite covers to look at and I cannot wait until I finally get to see if the contents math the cover.
Books I Need to Read by the End of the Year
The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation by Anna Makaika Tubbs
I have had my eye on this book for a long time. And while I am on this kick of reading memoirs and nonfiction I want to make sure I get to this. I think hearing from the mothers of these three very influential men is so interesting. I feel like this insight will add depth to my own knowledge of history and of these men. I just cannot wait to crack open this book to learn more.
In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ashley Winstead
I need a good, school-based thriller in my life; I think it will make me very happy. And I got this for my birthday (shoutout @wowiread) so I feel like I should read this before my next birthday approaches. I don’t know much about this book, but I do know that it has great reviews. So, I am impatient to read this.
Favorite Book-to-Movie Adaptation
I have not watched a new book-to-movie adaption this year. So, these two picks are shows that I really want to watch. One of them is not even out yet, so you can tell how behind I am on all movies and TV.
Heartstopper
I loved this comic series, and I was super excited when the show was released. However, the show came out during finals season so I didn’t get a chance to immediately watch it. But now that I am on summer break I can watch this. It has amazing reviews, and so once I am in a cute, cuddly mood I am sure I will binge this show.
Where the Crawdads Sing
This was my favorite book of last year, so saying that I am “excited” for the movie is an understatement. I am OBSESSED with the casting, which has only heightened my excitement. Funny story, I misread the release date as June 10, not July 10 so I texted my best friend (who also loves this book) that we needed to get tickets. She then had to gently let my hopes down that the movie will not be out for another month.