I don’t know about you, but assigned reading in high school burnt me out. I grew up loving to read, and then it because a task I had to do instead of something I wanted to do. However, in the last couple of years I have rediscovered my passion for reading and I have read so much more than I ever did, even before high school. This being said, I want to share my top favorite books from 2022. I cannot promise that they are all from a different genre (sorry!), but I can promise you that they are all worth checking out. If you want more book recommendations, I have an account on the StoryGraph app under the username “librally”.
Romance
The Happy Ever After Playlist – Abby Jimenez
I originally came across this book because I follow the author on tiktok for her cute dogs. When I saw this book at my local library, I decided to give it a read. I was not disappointed. I was constantly rooting for the characters to get together, and there were so many happy moments. I also really loved that each chapter had a song that went along with it. If you are looking for a fun, emotional, slightly steamy romance, check this out!
Memoir
I’m Glad My Mom Died – Jennette McCurdy.
This book is popping up everywhere, and for good reason. Whether or not you were an iCarly/ Sam and Cat fan growing up, this book was a really insightful read. I will give a content warning here: there are heavy themes of assault, eating disorders, and substance abuse among a variety of others. If you are comfortable with those topics, taking a look into the behind the scenes of someone I knew and grew up loving was incredibly interesting.
Historical Fiction
My Policeman – Bethan Roberts
I won’t pretend that I didn’t pick up this book because of Harry Styles. When I found out he was going to star in the movie adaptation (which you should watch if you haven’t), I wanted to read it to see what his character would be like. I ended up being so immersed in the plot that I forgot he was even involved. Sometimes we all need a good cry, and My Policeman will be the thing to trigger that.
Literary Fiction
One’s Company – Ashley Hutson
This book is weird. I will just preface that straight out the gate. The main character wins the lottery and spends the money on something so bizarre it can be hard to understand at first. I think I first heard about this book on Instagram, but I have never seen or heard anyone mention it since then. I can’t say that I was rooting for the main character in any way, but it was so strange I couldn’t put it down.
Memoir
Know My Name – Chanel Miller
I was very late to the game with this book. It was the first memoir I had ever read, and I really wish I would have read it sooner. Similar to the other memoir I mentioned, this book deals with a lot of heavy themes that should be approached with caution. Chanel is a wonderful storyteller, and one of the strongest people I have ever heard about. This is a must read for everyone.