2022 was a year of two halves for me when it came to reading. I started off the year strongly, continuing on from my amazing year of reading in 2021. However, my reading started to wane over the summer, dropping off almost entirely in the run-up to my wedding as I had so little time to disappear into a book.
Once again, I set myself a goal of reading 100 books in 2022, but sadly I only managed to read 61 books this year. I know, I know, that's still a good amount, but I do wish I'd been able to meet my target again this year. Over the last few months, I've struggled to gain back my reading mojo and seem to have lost my way a little. I hope 2023 will bring a return to my old reading habits again!
However, out of the books I did manage to read this year, which ones stood out the most? Keep on reading to find out my favourite books of 2022!
Note: These are all books I read in 2022, not necessarily books that were published during the last year. My top five are also in no particular order.
A Poet for Every Day of the Year by Allie Esiri
This gorgeous poetry book is the perfect companion to your year. Allie Esiri has expertly compiled 365 poems into a beautiful volume that provides the perfect moment of reflection each day of the year. From classic favourites to modern masterpieces, there's a little something for everyone in this gem of a collection.
The Last Girl to Die by Helen Fields
Evocative and unsettling, The Last Girl to Die is an outstanding mystery thriller novel. It's atmospheric, unpredictable, and packed full of twists and turns. The stakes climb higher with each chapter, and it's utterly gripping. I loved it.
The Little Wartime Library by Kate Thompson
The Little Wartime Library is a brilliant read. Based on an incredible true story, the book focuses on the lives of those living in London's East End during WW2. It's remarkable, moving, and beautifully written - the horrors of war portrayed through a real human lens.
Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney
Daisy Darker is a tense, thrilling mystery novel. It's expertly written with gloriously vivid descriptions and a darker sense of unease permeating through the pages. This is a twisty read that hooks you right from the very start - a page-turner if ever I saw one!
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
How has it taken me so long to read Memoirs of a Geisha? Having finally read the book, it's now no surprise to me why this story has become a modern classic. The descriptions are gorgeous and the story is engaging throughout. If you also haven't given it a try, make sure to stick it on your to-read list for 2023.
Honourable Mentions
I enjoyed reading some truly wonderful books this year, and as always, there are a few stand-outs which just narrowly missed out on entering the top five. However, I still think they deserve some recognition, so in no particular order, here are my honourable mentions for 2022:
- By Any Other Name by Lauren Kate
- The INFJ Personality Guide by Bo Miller
- Hotel Magnifique by Emily J. Taylor
- The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
- The London Girls by Soraya M. Lane
Giveaway
Once again, I'm giving one lucky reader the chance to win their book of choice from my top five. Simply enter via the Rafflecopter widget below to get your name in the draw!
Terms and Conditions:
- This giveaway closes on 13th January 2023 at 11.59pm (GMT)
- The prize consists of a single copy of one of the books from my top five shortlist above, as chosen by the winner
- This giveaway is open to residents of the UK aged 18 and over
- The winner will be randomly generated once the giveaway has ended
- The winner will be informed by email once the giveaway has ended
- The winner will have 72 hours to claim their prize. If the winner has not responded by this time, they will forfeit their prize and a new winner will be announced
What were your top reads of 2022? Share your favourites in the comments below!
the last girl to die
ReplyDeleteI would like to win The Last Girl to Die by Helen Fields, it sounds like a fantastic read.
ReplyDeleteI read Daisy Darker a little while ago and can thoroughly recommend it - a real twister of a book
ReplyDeleteI will pick The Last Girl to Die by Helen Fields
ReplyDeleteThe last girl to die!
ReplyDeleteThe last girl to die - I have only read one Helen fields book but loved it
ReplyDeleteI would love The Last Girl to Die by Helen Fields, I love a gripping crime thriller
ReplyDeleteI would like Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney please.
ReplyDeleteThe Last Girl to Die by Helen Fields.
ReplyDeleteMemoirs of a Geisha is utterly fab, however. read it well over a decade ago
I'd love to win The Last Girl to Die by Helen Fields as I love a good thriller and this one sounds great.
ReplyDeleteMy chosen book would be The Last Girl To Die by Helen Fields - it sounds an interesting read. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThe Last Girl to Die by Helen Fields sounds like an excellent read
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win The Last Girl to Die x
ReplyDeleteThe Last Girl to Die - what an intriguing title
ReplyDeleteI'd like to win Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney
ReplyDeleteDaisy darker
ReplyDeleteMargaret Clarkson
ReplyDeleteThe Last Girl to Die by Helen Fields
I'd love to read The Last Girl to Die by Helen Fields :)
ReplyDeleteThe Last Girl to Die by Helen Fields
ReplyDeleteI love a good mystery/ thriller, sometimes I can guess what is going to happen. Usually not!!
i'd like to win The Last Girl to Die
ReplyDeleteI would like to win The Last Girl to Die by Helen Fields
ReplyDeleteMemoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
ReplyDeleteI would love to read The Little Wartime Library by Kate Thompson
ReplyDeleteGreat selection! I'd love to win 'The Little Wartime Library'.
ReplyDeleteI'd love Daisy Darker x
ReplyDeleteThe Last Girl to Die by Helen Fields
ReplyDeleteThe last girl to die looks interesting
ReplyDeleteThe Last Girl to Die by Helen Fields
ReplyDeleteI'd love to read The Little Wartime Library by Kate Thompson, looks right up my street! Happy new year and thanks for the chance to win :)
ReplyDeleteThe little wartime library by Kate Thompson
ReplyDeleteDaisy Darker by Alice Feeney
ReplyDeleteI would like to read Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney
ReplyDeleteSounds some great books
ReplyDeleteThey all sound like fantastic reads, I'd choose Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win Daisy Darker
ReplyDeleteI’d love to read The Little Wartime Library. My top read of 2022 was The Reading List
ReplyDeleteI would like to win Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney as I like a good mystery thriller.
ReplyDeleteI got the shivers when I read your review on Daisy Darker, so that would definitely be my choice.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway - I'd love The Last Girl to Die by Helen Fields!
ReplyDeleteMegan S.
I would like to win a poet for every day of the year
ReplyDeleteI loved Daisy Darker. If I won I'd love the poem for everyday of the year
ReplyDeleteThe Little Wartime Library Sounds Epic
ReplyDeleteA Poet for Every Day of the Year by Allie Esiri
ReplyDeleteDaisy Darker which is great so I hear
ReplyDeleteI would love too read Daisy Darker. Sounds like a fantastic read.
ReplyDeleteThe Last Girl to Die sounds great
ReplyDeleteThe Little Wartime Library
ReplyDeleteDaisy darker
ReplyDeleteI like the sound of The Little Wartime Library. x
ReplyDeleteDaisy Darker by Alice Feeney
ReplyDeleteI would love The Little Wartime Library, I am so interested in the situation in the UK at this time.
ReplyDeleteDaisy darker - Alice Feeney
ReplyDeleteI’d like to win A Poet for Every Day of the Year, I love the idea of being able to read a new verse each day
ReplyDeleteI find the lives of people who lived through WW2 really interesting, so it’d be The Little Wartime Library for me
ReplyDeleteThe Little Wartime Library
ReplyDeleteDaisy Darker by Alice Feeney has my interest & I'd love it to be my holiday read for the Maldives in February.
ReplyDeletethe last girl to die would be my choice. nothing beats having a real book in your hands to read
ReplyDeleteThe little wartime library sounds fascinating and moving
ReplyDeleteThe little wartime Library
ReplyDeleteI'd love to read Memoirs of a Geisha
ReplyDeleteI would love to read Memoirs of a Geisha
ReplyDeleteThe Last Girl To Die
ReplyDeleteThe last girl to die sounds interesting x
ReplyDeleteThe Last Girl To Die
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win The Little Wartime Library by Kate Thompson. Its set in an era I love to read about whether fiction or non-fiction, The fact that this is a combination of the two by being based on a true story makes it very appealing to me.
ReplyDeleteThe Little Wartime Library by Kate Thompson
ReplyDeleteThey all sound great but I will pick The Last Girl to Die
ReplyDeleteThe Little Wartime Library by Kate Thompson please
ReplyDeleteThe Little Wartime Library by Kate Thompson
ReplyDeleteI’m torn between Daisy Darker and The Last Girl To Die - they’re both my kind of book 😍
ReplyDeleteBecci Cleary
I would love to read The Little Wartime Library by Kate Thompson
ReplyDeleteI’d love to win The Little Wartime Library by Kate Thompson, sounds like a fantastic read!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to win Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney
ReplyDeleteMemoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden would be nice to own.
ReplyDeleteI'd love The Little Wartime Library please
ReplyDeleteI'd like to read The Last Girl to Die by Helen Fields
ReplyDeleteThe Last Girl to Die sounds like a page turner
ReplyDelete