Let’s talk about one of my favorite things: books!
This is one of my favorite posts to publish every year because it gives me a good excuse to go back and remember all of my favorite reads from the year.
I read 55 books in 2022. I hit my goal (35) and managed to read just over “one book per week of the year,” which is kinda fun!
Reading gave me a lot this year. It quieted my brain when it needed to calm down, it brought me to different cities and countries filled with characters from different backgrounds, and it helped me facilitate some of my favorite moments of the past year –– aka me sitting on the couch with a book and my cat (Maya!) curled up beside me.
The list you see below are the best of the best (in my opinion) from the gaggle of books I finished this year!
Like the past two years, if you’re interested in checking any of the books I mention (or for a loved one! books make the best gifts), I have a few links for you below:
- The first one, the link to buy a physical copy, is for Bookshop.org, a website that allows you to support independent bookstores with your purchase.
- The second, the ebook version, is an Amazon link.
- The third is a link to add the book on Goodreads.
None are affiliate links; I just wanted to give you as many places as possible to look for these fantastic books!
I also highly encourage you to check out your local library –– most of the books I mention here I got from my library. I download my ebooks through the Libby app by adding my library card. It’s free and super convenient!
And new this year: I’m breaking down some of my reading stats! These are all taken from StoryGraph. I exported my Goodreads data and imported it into StoryGraph! Kinda cool reviewing the reading year through stats like this! Click here if you want to jump straight to that section.
Otherwise, let’s get into the reads!
The Best Books I Read in 2022
Lessons in Chemistry
Oh gosh, did I love this book. I actually read it for book club, and to be completely honest, I’m not sure I would have ever picked it up if it weren’t for that group!
It’s the story about a female scientist named Elizabeth Zott in the 1960s. Being a female during that time in a male-dominated field leads to many interesting, heart-breaking, and hilarious situations, and this book explores it all.
While it’s a touching, moving story, it’s also a hilarious, laugh-out-loud chronicle of a truly fascinating and inspiring character. Really excited to read more from this debut author!
The Roughest Draft
Buy a physical copy →
Buy the ebook →
Add it on Goodreads →
I talked about this read in my mid-year book post, and I still love it! I actually got a physical copy for Christmas because I’m excited to re-read it sometime in the not-so-distant future.
It’s one of those reads that I probably read at just the right time and one that had two characters with whom I could just really relate. Three cheers for this one!
Funny You Should Ask
Not gonna lie, I was inspired to read this one because of the fun cover. But I’m glad I picked it up, and I actually read an advanced copy through NetGalley before it was released!
It reminded me a lot of one of my other favorite books, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, as it gives the reader glimpses of both sides of Hollywood –– the polished, public-facing view as well as the messiness that happens behind closed doors.
“Funny You Should Ask” is about Chani Horowitz, a “puff piece” writer, and her chance to interview her Hollywood crush, Gabe Parker. The story spans ten years, as we follow Chani and Gabe’s first meeting and blossoming romance to them living separate lives and reuniting ten years later to face their history and missed opportunities.
Really well done, and I’m excited for Sussman’s new release early next year!
Just Last Night
This book surprised me in the best way.
I’ve read a few of Mhairi McFarlane’s novels, and I’ve liked them. But none have stuck with me quite like this one!
Yes, this one has romance, but it also deals with tragedy, friendship, and grief in a really beautiful way.
I stayed up way too late reading this one. It’s the only book I gave 4 (not 5) stars to on this list, but I still really loved it.
The No-Show
I talked about this one in my mid-year book post as well, but I’m just going to say this again:
Trust me and pick up this book without reading anything about it.
Romance novels typically follow a relatively similar “formula,” which makes them fun to read (IMO!); I really enjoy how authors can put their own spins on that formula with their own characters and stories.
That said, this novel, while it is a romance, surprised me over and over and over again. I haven’t enjoyed the twists and turns in a book like I did with this one in a long time!
Daisy Jones and The Six
One of my few re-reads this year! I haven’t re-read a ton of books, but I really loved doing it this year, so I see myself doing more of it in the future.
I wanted to re-read this one because:
- It has been a few years since I read it for the first time.
- The Amazon Prime show is coming out early next year.
- I really enjoyed the unique way this one was written.
- TJR is one of my favorite authors!
Not only did it live up to my memories of loving this book, it exceeded them. I think it was even better this time around! I’m really excited to re-immerse myself in this world when the show comes out in March!
2022 Reading Stats
This is a hilarious graph, but it’s representative of nearly all of my reading! I’m just not a nonfiction person. There are a few nonfiction books I’ve loved (I had two on my “favorites” list in 2020!), but if I’m going to read, I’m going to pick up a fiction book nearly 99% of the time.
This was interesting for me to see because I read most of my books as an ebook, so I’m not constantly reminded of how long or short a book is. I had some 4-star reads in the 500+ page category, and the <300 category was made up of mostly 2-3 star reads. 300-499 pages is my sweet spot!
Not super surprising to me to see romance at the top of my genres list. I love thriller/mystery/science fiction reads, but I have to be in the right mood to read them. I can pick up a romance book at nearly any time and dive right in.
If you’re familiar with Goodreads, you’ll know you can only give books “whole number” star-ratings, 1-5 stars. And I never give a book a 1-star rating; in my experience, if a book is a 1-star, I’m just not finishing it. Lol. I’m also very stingy with my 5 stars; I only gave five this year –– and you just read what I thought about them!
Yay reading! I love talking about books, so I hope you enjoyed this little detour from the vegan eats you typically find here. :) If you’re interested in learning about some of the other books I read this year (or if you’d like to check out what I read next year), feel free to follow me on Goodreads.
And, as always, leave your recommendations below! What were some of your favorite reads from this year?
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