MY FAVORITE BOOKS OF 2022

(I’m now realizing I think I skipped last year! Whoops!)

I read a lot of great books last year and, while I do monthly recaps, it’s fun to look back at the year as a whole. I thought I’d share a few of my reading “wins” too, before diving into my favorite books. The biggest one was buying a Kindle. I was so on the fence as I love holding a physical book. But honestly? Now that I have one, I can say with certainty that I read a lot more and it’s actually a very nice experience, too. Here’s my full review of the Kindle if it’s something you’ve been debating.

The other big win, for me at least, is that I’m proud of myself for still prioritizing reading even since becoming a mom. 2022 was a full year of parenting (versus 2021 where I was pregnant and/or had a newborn through most of it). Toddlerhood is no joke, and I swear sometimes I crawl into bed just wanting to close my eyes or (more likely) mindlessly scroll through TikTok. But instead, I scroll for a few minutes (😉 keeping it real) and then reach for my Kindle. I read for at least 30 minutes, but often am so into the book I read for a little bit longer anyway!

Okay, okay… now why you’re here:

BEST BOOKS of 2022

BEST OVERALL

MEAN BABY by Selma Blair

I loved Selma Blair’s memoir and the reason I’m putting it as “best overall” is because it’s hands down the book I’ve recommended the most to people. Even if you don’t even particularly like to read, I think you’ll enjoy her memoir. I’m often ambivalent about “celebrity memoirs,” because they usually feel like they were ghostwritten with a very particular agenda. Not Mean Baby. It feels heartfelt and charming with an acute sense of self-awareness that is hard to come by. Back when I wrote my original review this summer, I actually called it the book of the year and, yep, it’s my book of the year!

BEST FICTION

NORA GOES OFF SCRIPT by Annabel Monaghan

I have been finding myself struggling to connect to novels, instead reaching for a lot of non-fiction and memoirs. I can’t really explain it, but sometimes fiction just…. doesn’t do it for me. Nora Goes Off Script 100% did “it” for me. I loved the plot. I loved the characters. I loved the setting. I often find romance novels unbearable (don’t hate me), but this was utterly charming and, dare I say it, a perfect read. I’ve recommended this to so many people too!! A great choice if you’re looking for something light without being cheesy.

BEST MEMOIR

BOMB SHELTER by Mary Laura Philpott

I read so many memoirs this year, but none spoke to me personally like Bomb Shelter did. I connected so deeply to this, especially as mom of a boy, I don’t know how to describe it but I guess it was like seeing my own fears and thoughts reflected back to me in someone else’s story.

BEST NON-FICTION

FOUR THOUSAND WEEKS by Oliver Burkeman

I read this at the beginning of 2022 and may just make it a habit of reading every year. It’s genius and changed my entire outlook on life. (Sounds dramatic, but I mean it.) . The premise is that if we live an average length life, we will get to live four thousand weeks. Knowing we have limited time, we tend to try to get as much done as possible by lifehacking our way to better productivity. But why do we never feel satisfied or accomplished?! Four Thousand Weeks tackles this by dismantling our need to “get everything done.”

MORE 5-STAR READS:

EMPIRE OF PAIN by Patrick Radden Keefe

BLACK CAKE by Charmaine Wilkerson

FACING THE MOUNTAIN by Daniel James Brown

LEFT ON TENTH by Delia Ephron

THE HOTEL NANTUCKET by Elin Hilderbrand

ACCEPTANCE by Emi Nietfeld

I’M GLAD MY MOM DIED by Jennette McCurdy

YOLK by Mary H.K. Choi

PS I also loved Cloud Cuckoo Land and Project Hail Mary… I didn’t give them five stars, but looking back I can’t leave them off this list! Both outside my usual genre, but really enjoyed!

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