Hey there, fellow reader! Long time no see. Happy New Year!
I’m am pleased to report that I wrapped up 2022 at 122 books read (10 over my GoodReads goal!)
When I share the amount of books I read, most people wonder how I manage to do so. 🧐
How to Read More Books
First and foremost, I don’t have kids, or much of a social life, haha. Facts.
Also, I don’t watch much, if any TV any more. I gave it up in June 2020… around the time I last updated this blog, LOL. I used to binge Netflix on the daily. Cutting the TV out has freed up time for reading, which in my mind serves as a nicer escape, filling my writing brain with words and inspiration.
Since I joined GoodReads in December 2013, the platform has inspired me to set yearly reading goals, while the public setting and my overachieving personality has kept me accountable to them.
The first year I set my GoodReads reading challenge for 52 or a book per week. I soon found that the site makes it easy to find new books to read, see what my friends are reading, and organize my ever-growing TBR list.
I hit my first 52 reading challenge goal in 2014 and every year since. I’ve added to the number each year, pushing a little further to where I’ve now doubled that one book per week goal!
Filtering Out the Good Ones
There are not many people in my immediate physical vicinity that read as much as I do, but there are still those that read at least a little bit. I often get asked what I’m reading and what I liked best, serving as a book filter of sorts.
I suppose the same is true for me as my virtual reading friend list on GoodReads has grown and opened my eyes to the fact that people around the world do read as much as me and many read much more!
As an avid reader, I love connecting with others who love books as much as me, so if that’s you… yay! The avid readers in my virtual network and their reviews of the books they read help me to pick and filter out what to read too.
And as a member of the Book of the Month Club, a good chunk of the books I read in 2022 were influenced by their picks. They did help me find some new favorites!
Stand Out Reads for 2022
Without further ado, out of the 122 of ’22, allow me to serve as your book filter and share some of my favorite, stand out books reads for the year.
I’ve categorized them under binge reads, thought provoking / weird and my favorite / well written ones.
To note: I am an affiliate of Amazon, so buying off my links below supports my reading habit and helps show your support for my blog. Thank you!
Binge Reads
A History of Wild Places
A History of Wild Places was my Book of the Month pick for December 2021, but I didn’t read it until January 2022. In fact, it was my first book read of the year.
And what a way to start the year! I binge read this intriguing page turner in a day and devoured it to the end. It had been awhile since a book captured my attention like that.
At first I thought it was going to be another missing person typical trope, but color me surprised and entertained.
Part of what I liked about the book was the relevance to what happens in the woods and the world today. Symbolism, eh? What are you really afraid of?
Upgrade
Upgrade was my Book of the Month pick for July 2022. I was quick to pick this one since Blake Crouch is one of my go-to authors. (Dark Matter is one of my favorite reads!)
Crouch did not disappoint with Upgrade. It is a fast paced read that was hard to put down.
It is also relevant in today’s environment, given the genetic experimentation happening all around us. Not gonna lie, kinda terrifying, since it’s not that far fetched.
Thought provoking / weird
The Last House on Needless Street
I took me a couple of times to get through The Last House on Needless Street. The first time I picked it up it was not the right time. It definitely has a weird, kinda gross start, and I guess I had to be in the right state of mind! Haha.
I picked it up again in March 2022 and stuck with it. It got better once I made it to the mid-point when I thought I knew what was happening… ?
If I’m honest, I questioned the truth all the way to the afterword. Certainly one to be re-read with a revised perspective.
We Spread
Iain Reid writes “philosophical suspense”. We Spread pulled me right in with an intriguing, curious, unreliable narrator.
But… umm… what? Haha. I wasn’t exactly satisfied at the end. Questions abound.
This one makes you think.
Well Written / Favorites Books of 2022
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow was my second Book of the Month pick for July 2022.
I loved this book so hard! It tickled me in all the right places with 80’s / 90’s nostalgia, video games, designing / writing and the creative process; How it’s great to escape to create new worlds when you struggle to exist in the “real” outside one.
The book is heavily character driven and I loved all of them because they stirred stuff up in my heart.
I related to both Sam and Sadie and their brilliant connection from dealing with chronic pain and the mask one has to wear… to dealing with a career in coding / IT as a female… to loss and disconnection.
I loved the friendship between Sam and Sadie. (And since my hubby / best friend is a big time, life long gamer, from those eras, I could totally connect to the references, haha)
This was the best book I’ve read in a long time. It’s surely left a mark in my heart I won’t forget.
Sea of Tranquility
Sea of Tranquility is a unique read that pieces together different timelines / time travel.
I’m still thinking about this one!
It was definitely a stand out read for 2022.
The Light Pirate
The Light Pirate was my Book of the Month pick for December 2022.
Brooks-Dalton is an amazing writer. Intense and gripping from the start, this is a story of survival.
Loved it through and through.
What were your top reads of 2022?
Now it’s your turn! I’d love to know what your top books of 2022 were. Please share in the comments below.
I love connecting with fellow readers and am always looking for new recommendations. Feel free to friend me on GoodReads!
And here’s to the new year full of great new reads. Who knows? Perhaps this will inspire you to read more. A little bit a day adds up.
Much Love,
