Going into 2022, I had read less than five books cover-to-cover in my whole life. I got through high school reading online summaries of books and sweating during my pop quizzes. Until one day over winter break, I picked up a book I had seen on TikTok, and I fell in love with reading. I have decided that the best way to summarize my 2022 reading experience is to highlight my favorite books from each month.
January
This was the month I picked up my first book ‘for fun.’ After every other video on my FYP was of Colleen Hoover, I decided to pick up her famous novel: It Ends With Us. This book kick-started my love for reading and it is for that reason that It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover was my favorite book I read in January 2022.
February
My favorite book I read in February was Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren. If you are looking for a lighthearted and heartwarming rom-com between two childhood best friends…look no further.
March
The Alienist by Caleb Carr is now considered a modern classic and is definitely worth the read. This novel is a captivating crime fiction story set in 1896 New York City. Do not let this classic novel scare you away, there is a reason it is loved by so many!
April
This was my favorite reading month of the year. Once again succumbing to BookTok’s influence, I cracked open my first novel written by Sarah J. Maas. The world of fantasy novels seems intimidating to start, however, I can guarantee that it is worth it! In April 2022, I read the full A Court of Thorns and Roses series and loved every second of it.
May
Nine Perfect Strangers (recently adapted into a Hulu series), follows a group of nine complete strangers during their stay at a wellness retreat. This novel is very suspenseful and definitely had me on the edge of my seat. If you like creepy, psychological thrillers, this might be the perfect book for you!
June
I picked up the Inheritance Games series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, which is a series about a teenage girl who randomly inherited the fortune of one of the wealthiest men in the world. Filled with riddles, puzzles, and mystery, this novel will leave you guessing until the last page. If you like movies such as Knives Out or The Maze Runner, this series is the one for you!
July
The Beach Trap by Ali Brady. The Beach Trap is a heartwarming story about two half-sisters who find themselves reunited after their father left them a dilapidated beach house. HGTV lovers, this book is for you!
August
In August, I read one of my favorite books of the whole year: The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager. This book is a mind-twisting psychological thriller that will leave you dumbfounded. The plot twists in this book are insane, and unlike any other thriller I have ever read.
September
In September, I read I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jeanette McCurdy. This is an autobiography written by the famous child actress, Jeanette McCurdy, most commonly known for her Nickelodeon shows: iCarly and Sam and Cat. McCurdy gives the reader a glimpse into her life during the time we all watched and loved her on TV. During this time, she was struggling more than we could ever imagine. If you are interested in reading this book, please search for trigger warnings prior to reading.
October
Spooky season! So, obviously, I only read thrillers to really set the mood. I loved Rock, Paper, Scissors, by Alice Feeney. This book is a thriller following a couple during a weekend getaway in a remote area of Scotland. Every last page of a chapter leaves on a ‘cliffhanger,’ making it impossible to put the book down! To this day, whenever anyone ever asks me for a book recommendation, this is the one I recommend.
November
I read the infamous novel, The Silent Patient, by Alex Michaelides. Another suspenseful book for all the thriller fans out there!
December
In December, I read Beautiful World, Where Are You? by Sally Rooney. Sally Rooney has become one of the most popular authors this past year, and rightfully so. Her writing is absolutely captivating, and her talent for writing literary fiction is unmatched.
No matter if you read five books or 250 books this past year, you should be proud of yourself for taking the time to pursue a hobby you enjoy. Happy reading!
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