The Books I Read in 2022 & Recommend You Read Too
As a writer and future author (manifesting this) one of the most important things I can do, is read. You want to be a better creator? Be a better consumer. You want to be a better writer? Be a better reader.
I knew I read a decent amount this year, but it wasn’t until I counted it out just now that I realized I read 27 books in 2022. I’ll tell ya, that’s a lot compared to my old stats. I’ve divvied them up and written a super mini review on each one (note: some books are placed in multiple categories.)
This year I read some absolute bangers and some absolute flops. If you’re looking to pick up a new book, let me make it a little easier on you.
Romance
I’m a sucker for a good romance novel. Colleen Hoover had a good amount of us in a chokehold in 2022, myself included.
Verity
Colleen Hoover
- STRAIGHT UP CRAZY. But sexy. And you won’t know who you’re rooting for.
Ugly Love
Colleen Hoover
- Sexy, a little bit scandalous, and sexy again. Kind of makes you want to shake a few of the characters but I was happy with how it all tied up.
The Wife Upstairs
Rachel Hawkins
- This one has got romance, money, catty women, mystery, and a hint of suspense. It raised my heart rate a time or two.
It Starts With Us
colleen hoover
- The sequel to “It Ends With Us.” I wanted to love it but it’s not my fav of her works. However, it’s the happy ending people were looking for.
Bared To You
Sylvia Day
- Oof. Getting pretty close to “50 Shades of Grey” here. This relationship is frustrating and toxic. However, intriguing.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Taylor Jenkins Reid
- Super solid. Can’t explain too much but it really made me think about Hollywood and celebrities and their lack of privacy.
The Wish
Nicholas sparks
- Sweet book, tear-jerker, lovely.
The People We Keep
Allison Larkin
- I wouldn’t consider this a romance book so much as a book which includes an element of romance. Lots of heartbreak.
On The Edge Of My Seat
Watch Me Disappear
Janelle Brown
- Lots of clues to put together. Definitely recommend for the mystery lovers.
Verity
Colleen Hoover
- I read this in 24 hours.
The Wife Upstairs
Rachel Hawkins
- This one was next-level batshit crazy. Read it because it’s not what you think.
The Paris Apartment
Lucy Foley
- This is good for someone who likes a mystery, plot twists, and piecing clues together. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, you don’t.
Self-Improvement
The Gifts Of Imperfection
Brené Brown
- Love me some Brené Brown. I’m a perfectionist trying to retrain the part of my brain that says “you must be perfect in every way.” and “perfection = lovable.” If this is you, pick up this book.
You Are A Badass
Jen Sincero
- A re-read for me. Always a good kick in the nuts when I’m doubting myself and my bad-assness
The Art Of Showing Up
Rachel Wilkerson Miller
- I wish everyone would read this book. I think a lot of relationships would be a LOT healthier if everyone had this in their hands at one point. It not only teaches you about showing up for other people but how to show up for yourself. Miller also provides examples of how you can be there for people when they’re going through specific things (super helpful!) I just– I wish everyone would read it.
Autobiographies
What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding
Kristin Newman
- A collection of reflections on romances and stories from a woman who traveled while those around her were settling down and starting families. I relate.
Mans Search For Meaning
Viktor Frankl
- Brutal, heartbreaking, and perspective-shifting. Viktor Frankl shares the harsh realities of Nazi concentration camps and the aftermath. A necessary read.
Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice On Love And Life From Dear Sugar
Cheryl Strayed
- A collection of different pieces of advice. I think I liked it but tbh don’t remember much. I read this right after I got surgery.
The Beauty In Breaking
Michele Harper
- Beautiful. Heartbreaking. A story of stark resilience.
Educated
Tara Westover
- It’s so interesting how drastically differently people are raised and what different families believe. I was absolutely shocked at some of the things that happened in Tara’s childhood. A good read.
Everything I Know About Love
Dolly Alderton
- People were hyping this book up and it was decent, but not my fav.
I Am Malala
Malala Yousafazai
- Wow. Such an amazing person and an inspiring female icon. I felt it was really important for me to gain that perspective on Taliban acts in Pakistan. It made me realize what a privilege it was for me to have gotten an education without having to fight for it and hide it. It made me a lot more aware of the importance of advocating for girls’ education worldwide.
Educational
Blue Mind
Wallace J. Nichols
- Really, really good book about the psychological benefits of being near water. Finally! someone who understands when I say living by the ocean is not a want but a need.
The Psychology Of Money
Morgan Housel
- I’m currently in my finance/building my empire era and this was a good one to kick it off.
Rich Dad, Poor Dad
Robert T. Kiyosaki
- A classic finance book that has been recommended to me time and time again. It formed the base for a lot of my decisions about money and rocketed me into my finance era.
How To Travel The World On $10 A Day
Will Hatton
- I read it in a night. It’s just full of good tips for saving money while traveling and doing things in a less expensive way.
We Should All Be Feminists
Chimanda Ngozi Adichie
- The transcript of a Ted talk. It’s for everyone. We should all be feminists. It’s not limited to women and it’s not limited to men. Please everyone read and/or watch this. The book is only ~40 pages, you’ve got the time.
Books I shed a tear over
The Wish
Nicholas Sparks
- And I’m not the only one who cried. Bring your tissues.
The Beauty In Breaking
Michele Harper
- She gets REAL.
The People We Keep
Allison Larkin
- Heartbreaking & inspiring. You’ll want to scoop April up and give her a hug.
Just everything
The People We Keep
Allison Larkin
Little Fires Everywhere
Celeste Ng
My FAVORITE book of 2022:
The People We Keep
Allison Larkin
This one just makes me well up with a little tear in my eye and I don’t even know if it’s happiness or sadness. Is it possible to feel proud of a book character? Because April, I am so damn proud of you. This book resonated with me and I still think about it 6 months later.
I’m excited to see what books we get lost in in 2023. My DMs are always open to book recs!
