Warning – possible spoilers! (Tiny ones, though, and I’ll try to avoid even those; I swear I’ll give my best not to ruin it for you… :-))
Looking back at all the books I’ve read in 2022… Well, I’m just going to be honest and say it – I’m not all that happy. I remember too many frustrating, average and unsatisfying reads. Or good reads that just weren’t for me.
For me, 2022 was a weird reading year.
But my 2022 reads weren’t all that bad either and I did at least get a few books I can consider my new favorites. There aren’t as many of them as I’d like them to be. But the ones I got to this past year – I loved them so much! They made me laugh and cry and appreciate life as a wonderful, glorious mess that it is.
Without further ado, here are the books that took my heart in the year of 2022:
My 5 Favorite Books I Read In 2022
1. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
This book has been on my bookshelf for so long, I didn’t think I was going to like it so I’ve been skipping it for years. Last summer I finally decided to at least give it a chance, and wow – I did not expect that! If I had to pick only one book as my 2022 favorite, it would probably be this one.
I won’t even try to tell you what this book was about, as that would be pretty much impossible and everyone seems to draw their own conclusions anyway. But if you like whimsical, magical stories that make you wait for the punch but then definitely deliver, do check out this one.
My full review: The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
2. Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz
Imperfectly perfect book. One of those that make me completely understand all the bad reviews, as technically there were several things that could have been done better. Realistically – I don’t care, because I enjoyed it so much more than most technically better written books I’ve read this year.
Anatomy: A Love Story is set in early 19th century Edenborough, where we follow a young lady who’d do anything to become a surgeon. She makes a deal with one of the professors that, if she manages to pass the medical examination on her own, the university will allow her to enroll. But to even hope to succeed, she’ll need fresh corpses to study on. Luckily, she’s just met a young resurrection man who can help her with that.
My full review: Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz
3. Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg
When I think of snuggling under a fuzzy blanket with a cup of hot tea and with a warm, cozy, endlessly charming book to help me escape freezing, rainy weather outside, this is exactly the kind of book I am thinking about. I can’t remember reading anything more comforting in a really long time.
Whimbrel House is a magical house that refuses to let her new owner leave. Hulda Larkin is trained to deal with just such magical estates. But a dark force from the past is threatening to ruin the fragile stability she managed to accomplish.
My full review: Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg
4. The Key to My Heart by Lia Louis
The third book I’ve read by Lia Louis, and so far my definite favorite. Perfect for when you want a wholesome, emotional story about overcoming grief, finding a new path forward and falling in love after you’ve given up on everything romance.
Natalie is a young widow trying and mostly failing to navigate the new reality that left her without one of the most important people in her life. One day, someone starts to anonymously leave her music sheets at the public piano she likes to play at. And Natalie is sure her late husband has something to do with it.
My full review: The Key to My Heart by Lia Louis
5. My Mechanical Romance by Alexene Farol Follmuth
One of the best written YA romances I’ve ever read, with and interesting plot, characters I loved and lots of funny, clever banter. It even made me wanna build a battle-robot myself, something that never even crossed my mind before. So you can imagine how easy it was to completely sink into the story.
We follow Bel and Mateo, two polar opposites trying to navigate high school and figure out what they want to do with their lives. Their story was sweet, fun, entertaining, nerdy and contagiously enthusiastic. It reminded me of all the things I loved about high school.
My full review: My Mechanical Romance by Alexene Farol Follmuth
