📚 2022 year in books

All my favorite books from this year.

Literary fiction

Normal People by Sally Rooney: A raw, unflinching look at two young people and their mutual fascination. This is the quintessential sad millennial book for a reason!

The Comeback by Ella Berman: After a year of silence, a movie star plots her return to the spotlight and seeks revenge on the man who both made and ruined her career.

Room by Emma Donaghue: If you love true crime like me, I can’t recommend this book enough. The story follows a young woman who was kidnapped as a college student from the perspective of her five-year-old son.

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson: I’m certainly not the only person raving about this book. Black Cake is a breathtaking novel that transcends time to tell the story of a young woman, her children, and the life that she made across cultures.

Romance

Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan: A divorced screenwriter turns the story of her marriage into a script, then falls in love with the actor portraying her ex-husband. I love the simplicity and tenderness of this novel! It’s also damn funny.

Scandalized by Ivy Owens: A sweet and heartwrenching romance about two childhood neighbors reunited. The banter! The steam! I loved every minute.

The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun: The Bachelor, but make it gay. The writing is so charming and funny in this one!

Nonfiction

84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff: The compiled letters of a New York writer and a London bookseller who, despite being good friends, never actually meet. If you believe in the power of books to connect people, you will adore this poignant and powerful little story.

Educated by Tara Westover: Raised in a fundamental Christian household of Idaho survivalists, Westover was seventeen before she ever stepped foot in a classroom. She describes and analyzes her uncommon (and sometimes traumatizing) upbringing with candor and brilliance.

Broken Horses by Brandi Carlile: Famous singer Brandi Carlile pens her life story to this point, filled with integrity and tenderness. I loved listening to the audiobook because Carlile sings some of her songs at the end of each chapter.

Vanderbilt by Anderson Cooper and Katherine Howe: Beloved Anderson Cooper (who is a Vanderbilt himself) recounts the story of his family, including their meteoric rise and eventual fall. I loved this book, partially because my family and I love visiting the Vanderbilt mansion in Asheville!

Cultish by Amanda Montell: Montell examines the language of cults, including how they get us to sign up and what they do to keep us in their grasp. I recommend this book if you love learning more about language.

Young adult fiction

The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw: 200 years ago, the town of Sparrow accused three sisters of witchcraft, then drowned them in the sea. Now, the spirits of the sisters take their revenge by luring boys out to sea. The writing was incredible in this book; it also has a twist that I didn’t see coming!

The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani: If you too were raised on boarding school books, you’ll love this YA story about a school that trains the heroes and villains that make up our favorite stories.

Autoboyography by Christina Lauren: Two closeted boys explore the possibility of a relationship while surrounded by conservative Mormon culture. This book truly made me believe that, when you’re meant for someone, you will find your way to each other.

Heartstopper by Alice Oseman: A charming graphic novel about Charlie and Nick, who tenderly explore their mutual attraction and friendship. This is a great place to start if you want to read more graphic novels!

We Are Okay by Nina LaCour: If you’re looking for a book that reads like a gentle, heartfelt whisper, you have to pick up We Are Okay. This is a beautiful story about loss, grief, and friendship.