2022: A Year In Books

2022 has officially reached its end, and 2023 is dawning. It has been a tumultuous year, but amidst the challenges, uncertainties and unpredictabilities, books have yet again provided solace and comfort like nothing else.

My love of books has not dampened after another year. I read a total of 55 books this year, which is five less than my goal, however I am absolutely thrilled with my reading achievements regardless, considering 2022 was the year I both completed my degree at UCL and started my first full time job!

In recent years, one of my most favourite things to do before the new year dawns is reflect on my reading journey and offer the crown to my top three reads in the fiction and non-fiction category, whilst also giving the spotlight to several 'honourable mentions' that did not make the esteemed top three in their category but really deserve a mention here. The only exemptions from this are the books I have read before (NW, one of my top three fiction books from 2021, and Wuthering Heights both fit this category so cannot appear on this list, but I do want to mention them here as they are both remarkable).

The Best of the Best

Top 3 Fiction

Great Circle, Maggie Shipstead

Trigger warnings: domestic abuse, rape, alcoholism, abortion.

Shipstead's Women's Prize shortlisted novel was not only in my top three fiction of the year, but it earned its place as my favourite book of the year. It is a boundless, sweeping, complex and heartening novel brimming with life and energy. It drifts through time, countries, generations and relationships, anchored by the dominant narratives of Marian and, many years later, Hadley.

I love Shipstead's characters: Marian's fiery determination, Caleb's loyalty, Jamie's modest charm, and Hadley's slightly chaotic energy. I adored the main storylines on Marian and Hadley, but also the secondary plot lines, such as the chapters surrounding Jamie's romance, and those in the opening detailing Marian and Jamie's father. I wholeheartedly agree with this reader review I came across: ‘Words cannot really do justice to the scope and ambition of this epic read, which held me in its thrall completely and utterly from start to finish.’ It is an astonishing, staggering, unbelievably awe-inspiring novel; I loved it.

Read my full review here.

Where The Crawdad's Sing, Delia Owens

Another firm favourite of this year was Owens' masterpiece, also encompassing two independent narratives - one of isolated, intelligent Kya as she forges a childhood of her own after her family leave her in the Marshes, and one many years later, when Kya is accused of the murder of Chase Andrews.

The world building is incredible in this novel, as is the tense, unputdownable thriller at its heart - is Kya guilty? Owens crafts a beautiful protagonist who we fall in love with and have a deep urge to defend; testament to the way her inquisitiveness about her home in the marshland, her resolve and ability to survive in painful isolation, and strength of character leaps off the page and warms our hearts. From Tate to Jumpin, Owens' characters are carefully brought to life with their own unique identities, whilst the romance weaved through the novel is touching and unforgettable. This is a really special novel, which brilliantly blurs an absorbing thriller with an intriguing character study.

Read my full review here.

Go Tell It On The Mountain, James Baldwin

Trigger warnings: racism, violence, murder, suicide, sexual assault.

The final novel on my top three list was one from January, and one that has stayed with me as a true standout ever since. We meet the Grimes family in 1930s Harlem in this quiet yet emboldening novel, and see the struggles and trials they face as a Black family at a time of tragic discrimination in twentieth-century America.

I adored the narrative style of this novel, especially the seamless way Baldwin can drift between different time. The mark of an amazing novel is one where the story stays with you, and each individual plot line - John, Elizabeth, Florence, Gabriel - is unforgettably conveyed. It is a really, really sad novel in many places, and readers should embark on this journey with caution of the trigger warnings

Read my full review here.

Top 3 Non-Fiction

I'm Glad My Mum Died, Jeanette McCurdy

Trigger warnings: eating disorders, alcoholism, abuse.

This was one of my absolute favourite reads of 2022. Though not a huge fan of iCarly (the show which shot McCurdy to fame), I was instantly drawn to McCurdy's memoir as I anticipated it dealing with some really important themes, not least McCurdy's struggle with an eating disorder and her experience of being a child actress.

It has become one of the best memoirs I have ever read. It is brutally honest and searingly moving. I listened to McCurdy read it, and I think that made the experience all the more impactful and memorable.

Read my full review here.

Driving Forwards, Sophie L. Morgan

I came across Morgan's book at Fern Cotton's Happy Place Festival in September. And I am so glad I did, because it is absolutely fantastic.

Learning about Morgan's life, how she has overcome the emotional and physical challenges following her car accident at age eighteen, how she has overcome her own and other's perceptions of disability, and how she is using her platform to uplift and empower others, was really moving and powerful. Morgan is a wonderful and inspiring woman, and her energy and vibrancy comes through in every page.

Read my full review here.

Quite, Claudia Winkleman

A complete hoot of a book, Quite takes us through an eclectic range of topics as Winkleman shares her opinions on each of them. It is laugh-out-loud hilarious, expertly delivered (I also listened to this one as an audiobook, and having Winkleman read her book was such a treat), and holds just the right balance of wit and poignancy. A strong recommend.

Read my full review here.

The Best of the Rest

I read so many more remarkable books this year, and so this list highlights the ones that I truly loved but that did not make the top three lists:

• The Buddha of Suburbia, Hanif Kureshi

• Native Son, Richard Wright

• Brick Lane, Monica Ali

• Queenie, Candice Carty-Williams

• Before The Coffee Gets Cold, Toshikazu Kawaguchi

• We Need To Talk About Kevin, Lionel Shriver

• The Appeal, Janice Hallett

• Feminism, Interruppted: Disrupting Power, Lola Olufemi

• The Song Of Achilles, Madeline Miller

• How To Kill Your Family, Bella Mackie

• The Penelopiad, Margaret Atwood

• The Bullet That Missed, Richard Osman

What's next in the world of books? I can't wait to find out as we enter a new year!