Happy New Year Booklovers,
2022 was an epic reading year for me and as I often get asked for recommendations, I thought I would put together a list of my favourites from last year.
If one of your new year's resolutions is to try to read more, here are 22 books that I am confident will help you to kick off your best reading year yet.
A Man Called Ove - Fredrick Backman
An easy read, filled to the brim with character. Ove is an old widower who is far from charming, a curmudgeon in the truest sense of the word. We meet Ove at a time when he has lost his sense of purpose and plans to end his life. Interrupted by ‘the annoying new neighbours’ Ove’s life is turned upside down in a big way. I got angry, I laughed, I cried and it hurt my heart reading this book. Backman will have you feeling all the feels with this one. Think of an Anti-Disney ‘UP’ meets Ricky Gervais's ‘After Life’ set in Sweden. It has also been made adapted into a new Tom Hanks movie titled 'A Man Called Otto.'
2. American Dirt - Jeanine Cummins
A captivating migrant story from a mother's perspective. American Dirt follows the long and arduous journey of a mother and her son to get out of Mexico, in order to escape certain death at the hands of the leader of an infamous drug cartel with a personal vendetta. The well-crafted characters and plot will grip you from the first page. A visceral and heart-wrenching must-read!
3. Anne of Green Gables - L.M. Montgomery
If you wish to read more classics this year, Anne of Green Gables would be a great place to start. The writing is beautifully descriptive but accessible. The rural setting, loveable characters and hopeful perspective will have you smiling from ear to ear. There is so much to enjoy in the adventures of this red-haired, strong-willed little girl. Her imagination, passion and individualism are truly unforgettable.
4. Crying in Hmart - Michelle Zauner
The foodie's choice! The immersive and detailed food descriptions were greatly appreciated in this deeply moving and heartfelt memoir. Crying in Hmart is a beautiful dedication to Zauner’s mother and Korean food is a connection to her identity and heritage, as well as an expression of her grief. A coming of age story, with a tumultuous mother-daughter relationship that will make you want to call your mum. This is a short read, but the heart within this tiny book is huge.
5. Flowers for Algernon - Daniel Keyes
A modern classic/science-fiction novel that speaks volumes. Charlie Gordon is a mentally disabled middle aged-man who undergoes a risky but life-changing brain surgery in an attempt to drastically increase his IQ. He will be the first human being to undergo this procedure. We follow Charlie through a string of progress reports that he is asked to write, giving us front-row seats to his journey. How he interprets himself and the world around him. A very cleverly executed, deeply moving and insightful read. I loved the psychological element to this story. The style of writing is unique and distinctive. Some of the terminologies are dated, but the themes are timeless. A firm favourite.
6. Home Fire - Kamilla Shamsie
'For as long as they can remember, siblings Isma, Aneeka and Parvais have had nothing but each other. But darker, stronger forces will divide Parvais from his sisters and drive him to the other side of the world, as he sets out to fulfil the dark legacy of the jihadist father he never knew.'
Home Fire is a story of unconditional love and loyalty, it is inspired by Sophocles’ Antigone but Shamsie’s spin is a contemporary and highly relevant socio-political commentary, with a human soul. It asks some very important questions about modern Britain and what it means to belong.
7. Klara and the Sun - Kazuo Ishiguro
For dystopian fiction fans. Set in a future where some children are genetically modified for academic excellence. Predominantly homeschooled, the children of wealthier families are able to own android friends. This story is told from the perspective of Klara, who becomes Josie’s AI companion. I fell in love with this book, Ishiguro masterfully examines what it means to be human in this piece of literary genius.
8. On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous - Ocean Vuong
Attention poetry lovers. This is not a collection of poems, it is a semi-autobiographical stream-of-consciousness novel; centred around Vuongs experiences as an immigrant, gay man in America. The style will not be for everyone but for those who appreciate poetic language at its best, this one will have you hooked. This beautifully written, raw, and utterly profound book of universal truths rocked my world. A must-read for any creative writer.
9. One Dark Window - Rachel Gillig
Fancy escaping with some Fantasy? I don't read a lot of fantasy novels and when you throw in the promise of romance, you may have lost me for good. However, this book had me gripped in its sharp claws. The combination of dark magic, historical curses, dangerous plot, rebellion against the king and a doomed love story had me completely hooked. I am now eagerly awaiting the sequel. Creepy, funny, exciting and easy to read.
10. One for Sorrow, Two for Joy - Marie Claire Amuah
An emotionally astute novel that pays homage to friendship, hope, courage and the resilience of the human spirit. One for Sorrow… is the story of Stella. A Ghanaian girl, born and raised in South London. It is an evocative contemporary fiction and coming-of-age story. Amuah uses Stella’s story to illuminate some important themes such as intergenerational trauma, mental health and the importance of friendship. A highly immersive and emotional read. You will root for Stella from the start.
11. Pachinko - Min Jin Lee
Historical fiction readers, take note. Pachinko is a hauntingly epic story with an important philosophy at its heart. Tracing the lives of a Korean family for four generations during the Japanese colonisation of Korea, we get a glimpse into a fascinating chapter of modern history. Lee’s artful depiction of these historic events and the effects they have on the unforgettable characters is masterfully executed. The story is so moving and understated, with a poignant and admirable stoicism throughout. This one will stay with you for a long time.
12. Shuggie Bain - Douglas Stuart
Stuart’s Booker prize-winning debut novel is an absolute masterpiece. It centres around Hugh ‘Shuggie’ Bain. The youngest of three children growing up in post-industrial, working-class Glasgow with an alcoholic mother, Agnes. Poverty, toxic masculinity and addiction run through the novel and it is bleak. But DO NOT let this deter you, the dialogue and unpretentious writing style brilliantly showcases an unforgettable cast of complex characters and their relationships. It is so beautifully crafted and in such a seemingly effortless way. Shuggie Bain is a testament to hope, fighting spirit and the unconditional love of a mother and son. Agnes is one of the best characers I've encountered in all my years of reading.
13. The Death of Vivek Oji - Akwaeke Emezi
I had no words when I finished this book and that NEVER happens. Treat yourself to Emezi’s elegant writing style, perfect pacing and well-drawn characters you can almost see and feel. The story starts with the death of Vivek and then uses a non-linear timeline of flashbacks to explore his life in Nigeria, where homosexuality is considered criminal. Vivek finds solace and a safe space within his friendships to embrace the person he is destined to become. A beautiful, engaging and heartbreaking read.
14. The Girl with the Louding Voice - Abi Dare
I raved about this book to anyone who would listen and it made its way onto many of my friend's favourites lists for a reason. Abi Dare uses the first person narrative to make this a deeply personal story seeking a wider social justice. Adunni is a 14-year-old rural Nigerian girl trying to find her ‘louding voice’ in a world set against women and girls at every turn, her story is one of resilience and personal triumph. This book is a spectacular piece of literature, a wake-up call to those who think the fight for women's rights is over and a reminder to keep fighting for your dreams no matter how hard life gets. Everyone should read this book.
15. The Island of the Missing Trees - Elif Shafak
Elif Shafak is one of the greatest storytellers of our time. The book is set between Cyprus and North London. 16-year-old Ada is the product of a forbidden love. A love formed in war-torn Cyprus of 1974, between a Greek boy and a Turkish girl. Ada is mourning the loss of her mother and seeking answers about her parent's past and the families that have forgotten them. In true Shafak style, your expectations will be turned on their head, with a fig tree as a narrator and the interweaving of the migration of butterflies as well as classical myths into the story. Magical realism and escapism with important ideology to impart.
16. The Light We Carry - Michelle Obama
Non-fiction readers... look out for this one.
I loved Becoming, so I was pretty sure I was going to enjoy her second instalment. I was not ready for the contemplative effect this boom would have on me. Michelle Obama shares her emotional and physical ‘toolbox’ with us. The tools she uses in times of struggle, and where she learned them. This gave the memoir a self-help element that I very much enjoyed. True to form, the writing was heartfelt, authentic and accessible, as she bestows gems of wisdom that you will not want to waste. Reading this book felt like an emotional reset and a check-in with myself, I would highly recommend it.
17. The Night Circus - Erin Morgenstern
This is no ordinary circus, it arrives without warming and disappears without a trace. It is powered by old magic and mystery. Within it, a game is afoot, a historic rivalry between two forms of magic and an impending duel to the death that will intrigue and delight. The opulence of the story is in the spellbinding attention to detail. If you’re a fan of nuance and magical mystery then this book is a must-read. It’s not perfect, the ending was a little anti-climactic and there are approximately 15 different POVs (I think). However, I was entirely enchanted by it and would love to see a movie adaptation.
18. My Other Husband - Dorothy Koomson
Thrill seekers…take note. My Other husband is about a series of terrifying murders, a set of complex lies and a woman with no way to clear her name. If you’ve not started reading Dorothy Koomson’s extensive back catalogue, I suggest you start with her latest release. A domestic/phycological thriller/whodunnit with a clever, suspenseful and highly engaging plot. You will be engrossed in the twists and turns of obsessive love and well-kept secrets. Koomson does it again with a great collection of lovable, flawed and insidious characters. Highly recommend to all.
19. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - Taylor Jenkins Reid
Do you enjoy a strong female main character? Prepare to be transported to the golden age of Hollywood with all the glamour and intrigue you would expect and more. The closest thing to an uncensored expose’ on Marilyn or Elizabeth Taylor, the good, the bad and the ugly. I saw the twist coming, but this did not affect my enjoyment of the book at all. A captivating story with a powerhouse of a protagonist caught up in a prepossessing plot. Evelyn Hugo will seduce and enchant you. This book will be a great way to begin reading more of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s work, she has a talent for writing those infamous female leads.
20. The Wolf Den - Elodie Harper
The first in a historical fiction trilogy. The Wolf Den is set in a brothel in ancient Pompei AD74 where a woman's value lies in how desirable she is, and an enslaved woman gets no reward for such value. The story follows Amara and her fellow ‘She-Wolves’ as they navigate their lives as slaves. There is a candid and brutal tone to the writing which gives it an edge and seems fitting for the hard hitting emotional content. We watch Amara, an educated daughter of a doctor, fight for her freedom with ruthless determination. While her fellow ‘she-wolves’ fight for their safety and sanity. This is a gripping story of courage, resilience and sisterhood. I am very much looking forward to the following books.
21. The Secret Lives of Church Ladies - Deesha Philyaw
If you struggle to find time to read, a short story collection may be the way to go. The Secret Lives of Church Ladies is a well-crafted collection about race, gender, parenting, religion and culture. There are a number of intimate and engaging vignettes which explore the internal and external narratives of their characters. Featuring a multi-generational cast of black women, navigating their beautiful and messy lives. Each one is as engaging as the next. These stories may be about black women in America but Philyaw's poignant writing cleverly illustrates the universal female experience in these tales of love, sex, death, family and faith. I devoured it all in one sitting, but it’s one you can pick up and put down easily when time and energy allows.
22. You Made a Fool of Death with your Beauty - Akwaeke Emezi
Food. Art. Sex. This book has it all! Meet Feyi, she is chaotic, flawed and deeply relatable. She is grieving the loss of her husband and trying to navigate life on her own terms. She is alive and working out what that means, through her art and her personal life. I’m not usually a fan of overtly sexual content, but this was an exception to the rule for me. Which is a testament to Emezi’s exposed, honest writing, full of humanity. I found this book unputdownable, due to a surprising turn of events that are both inappropriate and haphazard. An uncomfortable read at times, but a binge-worthy contemporary romance that will leave you wanting more.
I hope you are able to find something on this list that kick-starts an excellent reading year for you.
If you wish to receive more information about trigger warnings or anything in this article, feel free to contact me.
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