My Top 10 Reads for 2022
I spend a fair amount of my weekends and weekdays reading throughout the year. This year I set a goal to read 40 books and heftily surpassed that by reading 56 books. I definitely enjoyed most of these reads but to be fair, I do not continue to read books that I do not enjoy. DNF is certainly a part of my book vocabulary.
Okay, out of the 56 I have decided to share what I consider the top 10. Each of these are in the top 10 for different reasons. No genre is off limits for me. I tend to be a very varied reader since I am looking for something different depending on my mood or whats going on in my life. As such, this list is not in any particular ranked order. My Top 10 are as follows:
Top Read #1: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
This one gave me all the science fiction escapisim I needed. This is my new favorite book!! The Science!! The Humor!! The Friendship!! This book made me laugh, made me gasp, tugged at my heart strings and had me working through math equations in my head. The author has this uncanny way of making math and science funny and fun. This book had you thinking about what you would do in dire conditions unthinkable situations? Ryland Grace our main character is a likeable guy who we follow along with as he wakes up in space only to slowly recover his memory and recognize he is in SPACE on a hail mary mission to save the world. THE ABSOLUTE BEST!! Bonus - the Audio for this book is stellar.
Top Read #2: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
I found this book a delightful surprise tackling tough topics about gender bias in science careers and what it means to be a good mother while bombarding you with the quirkiest characters ever. The cover does not do this book justice.What a quirky but heartwarming and important story. This idea of a whole generation of women suppressed and depressed because they were not allowed to dream and be who they were destined to be- well not Elizabeth Zott! She shows us how you can be who you desire even if that means being cold annoying and spouting Lessons in Chemistry. This is part love story, part mystery and part inspirational fiction but wholly entertaining!
Top Read #3: The Comfort Book by Matt Haig
this is the same author of the wildly popular book “The Midnight Library” and I feel like he just has a mastery of the english language. He knows how to say what needs to be said in a way that is easily digestable. This book is like a good hug. Matt Haig has made no secret that his life has been one filled with tough and difficult moments. I am grateful he has taken the time to reflect on those moments and to share what has lifted him out of those moments. I am not a re-reader of books but I will re-read and share this wonderful book.
Top Read #4: Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
This historical fiction book about a nurse in post segregation Alabama blowing the whistle on the wrong being done to her patients is like a punch in the gut. Powerful reading when you want to feel something from a book. This book tugged at my heart so much. This heart wrenching story of two girls failed by the systemic biases of America and the nurse whose torn between doing her job, caring for her patients and doing what’s right. This story offers so many points of view and gives you a lot to think about. It’s a roller coaster ride of emotions but well worth it!
Top Read #5: You Made a Fool of Death and Her Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi
This is a fun read about a young lady seeking all the happiness after a grueling loss. What a good, not your normal love and romance story. I felt like I was getting the "tea"or an update from my wild friend who just had the most jaw dropping summer. The Main Character, Feyi, is trying to feel something anything after suffererin. She is trying to connect with someone and ends up making unexpected connections including connecting with her long lost self. Good enjoyable plot with some spice and a little language - just like I like a love story to be.
Top Read #6: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
What a fun quirky story about finding your place. We move through this book following three main characters - Tova, Cameron and Marcellus. Tova an elderly woman who after the loss of her husband and son has thrown herself into her work being a Janitor at the Aquarium. Marcellus the cleverest Octopus who lives at the Aquarium and is quite fond of Tova and finally Cameron, young, smart and lost finds himself working at the Aquarium to take Tova's place after her injury. This is a feel good story that deals with real world problems on moving through the stages in life. Its funny and heart warming all at the same time.
Top Read #7: Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
What a beautiful and thrilling tale of a woman coming of age. When we meet Xingyin the main character she is unaware of who she really is and how powerful she is. We will spend the rest of the pages of this book following her on a journey of self discovery, love, loss and magic. This book was beautifully written with twists and turns and beautiful imagery of a world unknown. Great read.
Top Read #8: Girly Drinks by Mallory Omeara
Fascinating Read! This book does an amazing job covering the globe from tequila to sake to champagne through the years highlighting how brewing and fermentation have rested with women. We need to hear and see more of these women’s stories!!!! Super informative with a dash of humor I raise a glass to the author for bringing this boozy reference to the forefront.
Top Read #9: Come Closer by Sara Gran
Coming in at only 168 pages this little book is a tale that will pull you in and stick to you making you wonder if you even knowwhat is going on around you? If you were being possessed by a demon would you recognize it?? Amanda is not quite herself and she is not sure why or what to do about it. This novella is a fun descent into the unraveling of a woman if you’re looking to add a little horror and creepiness to your TBR List.
Top Read #10: Wash Day Diaries by Jamila Rowser and Robyn Smith
I’ve recently been trying to add more graphic novels to my reperatoire and this one doesn’t disappoint. the writing and the graphics are stellar. It’s so nice to see such relatable life experiences retold. I am happy that books like this exist. I think every black woman knows someone who is a little bit Cookie, Kimana, Kameesha, and Davene. We certainly all know about the hair. In the book we follow these 4 young ladies around on life’s little adventures each with a differnt bit of flare and hair day experience.
So there you have it. My top 10 books of the year. Picking these was harder than I expected it to be. There were so many more good books on my list. Honorable mention goes to “ How High We Go In The Dark” by Sequoia Nagamatsu for being a most interested book about a pandemic to read during a pandemic and “Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century” by Kim Fu for being an absolutely page turning collection of short stories.
Here’s to hoping that 2023 will be just as fulfilling on the reading front if not more than 2022 has been. I am setting my reading goal for 50 books in 2023. Do follow along with me on Goodreads to see what I am currently reading or of course there will be another wrap up at the end of the year. In the meantime Happy reading!!
What are your reading goals for 2023??
