I’ll admit it first, the title is a little misleading. I’m not reviewing ALL of the books I’ve read so far this year. Honestly, I’m too far into that list to try to do full reviews without losing my mind (I’m 183 books deep, it’s been a year). BUT I have a number of books that I’m supposed to review, so I’m going to share (some of) those 2022 book reviews. However, if that isn’t enough, I’m doing star ratings for all of those books over on instagram (look at my highlights!). I’m going to share a few more 2022 book reviews before the year ends though, so keep watching out for them!
2022 Book Reviews (So Far!)
Normally when I share book reviews, it’s of books what I’ve enjoyed, but this time I decided to mix it up and share a few books I’ve loved and some meh ones as well.
Nine Liars by Maureen Johnson (Truly Devious #5)
When I originally read the series, Truly Devious, I absolutely devoured it. I was happy to get three books and so excited when the fourth came out. But the fourth had wrapped up so well, I figured that was the end of the serious. So you can imagine my excitement when I realized there was a fifth book coming out. Johnson has begun to turn the series into one mystery per book and I’m into it. The fifth book takes Stevie and her friends over to London, where Stevie’s then asked to solved a 1995 double murder between a group of friends. Nine Liars did an excellent job of evolving the lives of the main characters, while mixing in a great mystery.
Release Date: December 27, 2022 (Definitely worth a pre-order if you love this series)
Better than Fiction by Alexa Martin
Alexa Martin is hands down one of my favorite authors. I count down the days when I hear she has a new novel coming out. Better than Fiction is Martin’s newest novel that takes on one of my favorite genres and tropes: romance about bookish people. The twist? The main character Drew is a bookstore owner that has no interest in reading. Drew’s grandmother’s bookstore was left to Drew in the will and now Drew is doing whatever she can to keep it up and running. Better than Fiction was not only a enjoyable read, but it did one of the things that Martin does best: creates a store that I actually want to visit. The more I read, the more I wanted to visit the magical bookstore Martin has created. This was also my biggest disappointment from the book: I couldn’t visit the store in real life. But since this was my only complaint, I think it’s pretty safe to say that I loved it.
Mastering the Art of French Murder by Colleen Cambridge
I’m going to state this upfront: I only agreed to read and review this book because it was Julia Childs historical fiction. I had low expectations for it. But I ended up devouring the novel and wanting more (thank god Cambridge is making this a series). Mastering the Art of French Murder actually focuses on Childs’s (fictional) close friend and neighbor, Tabitha. After a late night party at Childs’s house, Tabitha finds herself embroiled in the murder of another party guest. In order to clear her name, she starts investigating on her own and stumbles into a mystery that gets more and more confusing. This is a great mystery for all cozy mystery lovers and Childs fans.
Release Date April 25, 2023 (I know, it’ll be a while, but add it to your TBR!)
She’s Unlikeable by Aparna Shewakramani
I’m going to say it: Aparna Shewakramani was the hero of the first season of Indian Matchmaking (I haven’t watched season 2 yet). While the producers tried to make her the villain, she truly was the opposite. And the more I learned about her, the more I realized that she’s actually someone to admire. Her novel “She’s Unlikeable” focuses on her time on Indian Matchmaking and the immediate after math. You get to truly meet her and learn about how the camera twisted everything (like every reality show). I highly suggest that anyone who has watched the show to read this book and learn who the real Aparna is.
How to Be Eaten by Maria Adelmann
Before diving into this book, you need to know that this book is definitely not for everyone. I picked it up because I love any plays or twists on fairy tales, which it completely was. But this book was also classified as horror, which isn’t typically a genre I would go for. However, this book utterly captivated it. It turned fairy tales into modern stories that we could all recognize. For instance, Little Red Riding Hood was abducted as a child and now, as a full grown adult, she’s suffering from the repercussions of her fame and the fallout; Cinderella learns that there’s a darker side to winning the Prince (and The Bachelor); and Gretel has learned what happens when the media claims she was lying about her abduction. It’s not a book for someone expecting a happy ending fairy tale, but it was a fascinating read.
Last Call at the Nightingale by Katharine Schellman
Whenever I do book reviews for books I’ve read a bit ago, I judge how I felt about the book based on how well I remember the plot. Unfortunately, for the life of me, I can’t remember the plot of this book. Or any of the characters. I looked it up and I vaguely remember it, but not enough to give a great review. That’s all to say, I would give this one a skip for not being memorable.
Booked on a Feeling by Jayci Lee
Just like I said earlier, it’s the year for people who love books about book lovers. While this is the third book in the “A Sweet Mess” series, it’s a standout. I loved meeting Lizzy and Jack, the main characters, and watching their friendship develop into something more (not a spoiler, you know it’s a romance). Also, who wouldn’t love the background of a bookstore that’ needs in desperate need of help. If you love books about books, don’t skip this one!
Well Traveled by Jen DeLuca
If there’s one thing I can guarantee, it’s that you’ll never regret reading a book from Jen DeLuca’s “Well Met” series. in “Well Traveled”, we’re introduced to Louisa “Lulu” Malone, cousin to the popular Mitch Malone. Lulu is an overworked, underslept lawyer who finds a new escape in the world of Renaissance Faires. I loved getting to meet a new cast of characters in Well Traveled, and revisiting some of my favorites. The ONLY complaint I would have about this book is that it didn’t spend enough time at our favorite Maryland Faire. That being said, I was completely delighted with the rest of this book and would highly recommend it.
Release Date: December 6, 2022
Belittled Women by Amanda Sellet
I loved Little Women and Little Women adaptations so much, so I really wanted to love this book. Unfortunately this book just didn’t do it for me. It just felt so negative and while I get that that was the point (and needed for the resolution), that’s not what I personally want out of a Little Women adaptation. However, I can still see some people enjoying the modern take and the Little Women obsession.
Release date: November 29, 2022
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Lessons in Chemistry has been one of the most divisive books I’ve seen among readers this year. However, I firmly fell on the side of loving it. Garmus did an excellent job of creating well-developed characters, who even when they felt unlikable, were still people I wanted to root for. I also loved how it pulled together so many different topics (chemistry, women’s rights, cooking, parenting) into one cohesive story that I couldn’t put down.
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