Books Read in 2022
While 2022 was a roller coaster of a year for me in some aspects, it was generally a great year for reading.
I started out the year pretty strong (at least for me) with five books in January so I set my year goal at 52 books. One book a week, no problem, right?
Wrong.
My pace slowed significantly in February, down to two books for the month, and the rest of the year was a slow and steady average of three books per month. At one point, I was 14 books behind schedule. Every time I looked at how far behind I was, a little delusional voice inside my head was convinced I could still do it if I just kept pushing. Part of me was up for the challenge but another part of me was tired of the unnecessary stress I was putting myself under.
Once I realized my enjoyment of reading was more important than reaching some arbitrary goal, I lowered the number and took my time with my books for the rest of the year. My goal went from 52 to 40 and I ended up reading 39 and re-reading two books by the end of the year.
Without further ado, here’s that full list:
(If you want the abridged version here’s check out my Goodreads)
(If you want to purchase any books on this list, here is my Bookshop page. I may receive a small commission from any purchases made through my Bookshop link)
Star (⭐️) ratings are out of five and have no strict criteria. I’m a big mood reader so while a book might not have the strongest writing/plot/etc, I might still give it a strong rating because I had fun reading it. Here is the general way I decide on a rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Absolutely loved. Vibes were immaculate. Would definitely read again.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Thoroughly enjoyed. Vibes were still amazing. Might read again.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Good but not necessarily my cup of tea.
⭐️⭐️ - Left a lot to be desired.
⭐️ - Given out very, very rarely. Typically reserved for books with offensive content.
January (the only month with a designated post)
Kore by Ambrosia R. Harris (⭐️⭐️⭐️)
A Hades & Persephone retelling following Persephone’s journey to the Underworld as she becomes her own person. I’m looking forward to reading the second in the series from Hades perspective.
The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
A love letter to the Horror genre with references to many classic horror movies. I thoroughly enjoyed this one with it’s twists & turns.
The Taking of Jake Livingston by Ryan Douglass (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
CW: suicide, school shootings, homophobia, racism. Douglass does a wonderful job addressing some tough subjects in a unique way in this queer, coming-of-age ghost story.
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
A fun and wild read full of feminine rage. Described as “Pacific Rim meets The Handmaid’s Tale” it does not disappoint.
Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
John Tucker Must Die meets The Tri-Wizard Tournament. The first in the Witches of Thistle Grove series is a must-read for fans of Harry Potter who want a more diverse and inclusive magical world.
February
Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
One of my favorite reads of the year. Blackwood masterly takes the Jane Eyre story and makes it her own.
We Were Never Here by Andrea Bartz (⭐️⭐️)
Very predictable, not a lot of depth to the characters. The story had potential but didn’t quite make it.
March
Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Excellent Gothic/Victorian vibes. I’m looking forward to the sequel.
Under the Whispering Door by TJ Kline (⭐️⭐️⭐️)
An interesting take on death and the grieving process despite the writing being somewhat surface-level.
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Witches, vampires, and a mysterious manuscript. Didn’t blow me out of the water but didn’t disappoint me either.
April
Witch Please by Ann Aguirre (⭐️⭐️)
I’m all for a witchy romcom but something about a virgin being under a sexual curse (without their knowledge) that can only be broken by their soulmate doesn’t sit right with me.
These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
A unique take on Romeo & Juliet set in a supernatural world. A refreshing read. I’m looking forward to the sequel.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (⭐️⭐️⭐️)
An interesting exploration of the question “what if?” Will probably read again.
May
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Fun and predicitable Enemies to Lovers romcom. Great, easy read.
People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Not my favorite Emily Henry novel but still a delight to read.
The Last Thing He Told Me Laura Dave (⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Honestly, can’t remember anything more than the basic plot.
June
Stardust by Neil Gaiman (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Out of all the adaptations of Gaiman’s works, Stardust is one of my favorite movies. While there are differences between the two (like all page-to-screen adaptations) the two feel like their own entities and both are fantastic on their own.
Howl’s Moving Castle by Dianna Wynne Jones - (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
As one of my favorite Studio Ghibli movies I couldn’t wait to read this when I found out it was a book. An absolute delight to read.
Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
A compelling exploration of what it takes to embrace different aspects of your identity.
A Court of Throne and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
A fun, fantastical twist on the Beauty & the Beast tale. The first in Maas’s ACOTAR series was slow to pull me in but once I was halfway through I couldn’t put it down.
July
Book Lovers by Emily Henry (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
My favorite of Henry’s works. A love letter to all Book Lovers.
Her Villains by Jade Presley (⭐️⭐️)
A reverse harem adult romance with characters based on Marvel’s Avengers.
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Second book of the ACOTAR series. I enjoyed this one more than the first.
August
Apparently I didn’t read a single book in August? Honestly I can’t remember.
September
A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Third book of the ACOTAR series and most emotionally devastating so far.
A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
A short novella in the ACOTAR series that can be equated to a Christmas special. Most lighthearted book in the series.
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
A devastating celebrity memoir that exposes how traumatic Hollywood can be for child stars. Be sure to look up full content warnings before reading.
October
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
The most recent book in the ACOTAR series. Takes a departure from the MCs of the previous four.
Primal by Y.C. Perez (⭐️⭐️)
After basically binge reading an entire fantasy series I needed something mindless and this was just that. An adult mafia romance that is exactly what you would expect from the genre.
Painted Scars by Neva Altaj (⭐️⭐️)
Another adult mafia romance that is also just what you’d expect from the genre.
Broken Whipsers by Neva Altaj (⭐️⭐️)
See above.
November
Hidden Truths by Neva Altaj (⭐️⭐️)
You guessed it, another adult mafia romance.
Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
I went into this book knowing very little about the plot save for the fact it deals with cannibalism. I could write an entire thesis about this book and its exploration on what it means to be human and the lies we tell ourselves about the atrocities we commit to stay alive.
The Name-Bearer by Natalia Hernandez (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
I was hooked on this book before it had even been released. Hernandez masterfully builds her magical, colorful world and does so in a way that you feel like you’re there with the characters, rooting for them to succeed. I’ll be impatiently waiting for the second book to come out.
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishigiro (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
The second book by Ishigiro I’ve read that has left a lasting impression on me and another that I could write a thesis about. Complex emotional layers make for an enticing read I couldn’t put down.
The Grownup by Gillian Flynn (⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Not my favorite Flynn work. Maybe would have been better as a full-length novel to flesh out the story so it didn’t feel so forced.
December
House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
The first book in the Crescent City series. Incredible world-building. Even better than ACOTAR. The last quarter of the book or so is absolutely emotionally devastating. First book in a while that had me crying so much I had to put it down.
House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Not as strong as the first in the series but still excellent. The ending has me begging Maas for her next book.
The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen (⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Obviously a classic. Read this as research for a potential writing project.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (⭐️⭐️⭐️)
I listened to this audiobook and as enticing as Jeremy Irons’ voice is, I had trouble engaging with the story. I plan on giving it another try but reading the physical book.
A Court of Throne and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
This series took over my tiktok For You Page and I just had to start reading it again.
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)**
After a second read this is possibly my favorite book of the series.
Much appreciation to anyone who read through that entire list!
It was a lot all at once but it was mostly catching up. This year with my goal set at 50 books, I’m planning on staying more on top of reviews and hopefully posting at least once a month. (If you read either post for 2022 or 2023 goals, you know I struggle with that 😅)
Anyway! Thanks again for reading! I’ll leave you with this question:
What was your favorite read of 2022 and what are you most looking forward to reading in 2023?
