Reading books have recently become a trend on social media again, so it would only be fitting to recommend some popular and unpopular books to read this winter. Although I may not be your average bookworm who can read hundreds of books per year, I am slowly changing my reading habits to be able to complete my challenge of reading a minimum of 15 books in 2022. So, whatever your book challenge may be for this year, I hope you will be able to also achieve your goal! Below are four books I highly recommend picking up to jumpstart your reading journey.
- Me Before You by JoJo Moyes
A page-turning fiction novel that follows the characters Louisa Clark and Will Traynor on a journey of self-discovery and coming to terms with chronic quadriplegia. Louisa Clark is an adult who is desperately in need of money to cover her family’s bills and expenses, so she takes on the job of becoming the caretaker for Will — a moody, pessimistic individual. During her journey of caring for him, she discovers secrets and plans that Will’s family did not inform her of. In turn, she optimizes the sixth-month period with Will to show him the joys and beauty of life.
- The Beach Read by Emily Henry
This follows the story of January and Augustus, two published and acclaimed authors who are experiencing writer’s block and are on a tight deadline to release their latest novel for the public. Through their debilitating struggle to draft a new book, they make a bet with each other to write a book about the other person’s genre. To gain inspiration for the novel’s genre, they go on trips every weekend to do something within their field of writing —January takes him on rom-com activities, while Augustus takes her on interviews about families accidentally joining suicidal cults.
- Warcross by Marie Lu
The perfect novel for those who enjoy video games, or more specifically, being physically immersed in a virtual reality video game. A rebellious teen and bounty hunter, Emika Chen, manages to successfully hack into the game, Warcross, in order to gain some cash. Before she knows it, the game creator, Hideo Tanaka, gives her a call to offer her something phenomenal and life-changing. Soon, she becomes an internet sensation and is off to Tokyo, working alongside the billionaire and creator of her favorite video game. But what will it cost her to work with someone as powerful as Hideo? (There is a sequel so I recommend reading both!)
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
My all-time favorite historical fiction book that follows the character Liesel during 1939, when Nazi Germany had a tight grip on the country. Liesel finds a book beside her brother’s gravesite, left there by accident, and that becomes the start of her book thievery. She begins to collect and hoard any book she can find, even in the mayor’s library, meanwhile her foster parents hide a Jew in their basement. With a burning passion to understand the books, her foster father teaches her how to read, which soon leads to an unexpected turn in her life. This intense, heart-wrenching novel gives you a glimpse of the risks and danger that comes with the ability to read — something as ordinary as ivory paper bound into one and letters strung together to create meaning actually has the power to liberate us from any physical confinement.
These book recommendations are a range of different genres, so hopefully at least one will be to your liking. Happy reading in 2022!