Books I read in 2022!
As we head into February 2023, we tidy away all traces of Christmas (except the chocolate), wrap up our Spotify playlists and look back at the literary year behind us- well I do anyway!
Here are the books I read in 2022 and my review. I've added a '*' by my faves!
Everything is beautiful by Eleanor Ray ⭐️
After 11 years of collecting items from happier times, Amy’s house is overflowing with objects she’s grown attached to. But when a family moves in next door a chance discovery unearths a mystery and she’s forced to carefully unravel the life she’s worked so hard to curate.
I highly rate this one for the story, the main character Amy and the respectful way in which the author talks about Amy’s hoarding issue. Only once using the word hoarder. There was a lot more to the story than Amy's collecting habit and once you're given little hints as to what the mystery is, you're hooked and fully invested in finding out what happens. Which, by the way, wasn't a disappointment. A truly satisfying read!
I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish and it was a great start to my year of reading. There's so much I had to say about this book which you can read in a blog post *here* from the time.
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The Handover by David M. Barnett
A story of two people who cross paths for a maximum of 5 minutes per day. Daisy works security for the museum at night, and Nate is the security guard during the day. Nate is a friendly and happy chap, and Daisy takes her job seriously. She'd prefer to work nights to limit social interaction whereas Nate is happiest when he's chatting- much to Daisy's disapproval. They seemingly have nothing in common until mysterious happenings start to occur at the museum and they work together to uncover the truth. Could they be more than colleagues?
I got into the story after not initially enjoying it. Admittedly it's not one I would re-visit but it's a nice story to get into. The unique selling point of the book is that It's not traditional young love where two people without baggage meet and fall in love. Both characters have more than their share of baggage and a history that has led them to live how they do- which we gradually find out throughout the book. I liked the idea that anyone can find love regardless of the parts of themselves they deem unworthy or too much.
Not your typical light-hearted love story, there's grit to it.
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Eight perfect hours by Lia Louis
Noelle and Sam's lives collide one snowy evening when they're stuck in traffic for eight perfect hours. They depart knowing they'll never see one another again, however, their lives become entangled in ways they never expected.
As with many books I read, I got to the end and felt like it was worth reading because of how well everything tied up. It was a good book- not one I'll be rushing back to anytime soon but still lovely and worth reading. Definitely, a goodun if you're after that lovely feel. The entanglement and ways in which they kept coming back together were very well written.
The biggest thing I took from the story was admiration for how Noelle managed to hold herself up after a difficult time at school. I admired how she managed to let go of the past that she was hanging onto for so long.
Worth a read if you're into light-hearted lovely stories.
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Walking on sunshine by Giovanna Fletcher
After losing Pia, his partner of seventeen years, their best friends Vicky and Zaza try to help pick up the pieces. But though Pia's gone, she left a plan. A list of loving instructions to help Mike and her friends come to terms with their loss. And they're going to need it. All with individual difficulties in their lives, the list sends them trekking to Peru, where high mountains and sweltering rainforests push them to the brink, all they have to guide them is their faith in Pia, and in themselves.
So heartfelt and full of hope and new beginnings. This book had true meaning and love behind it which I know from Giovanna's treks with the CoppaFeel charity. There was so much to this book that I had difficulty fitting it into a genre; Real-life, friendship, love, loss, adventure. I feel that this book could really inspire people who are at a similar point in their lives as the characters. For example, they've all just lost someone very dear to them and Mike, in particular, is struggling to feel the colour in his life, Zaza is newly engaged and fearing committing any further, and Vicky is a young mum that's lost sight of herself. They're each at a point in their lives where they feel stuck which everyone can relate to in one way or another. I was inspired to read about the journey that they took to change that. I've added trekking to my bucket list because of how incredible this adventure sounds- a bit like a refresh.
Such an incredible story that's well worth the read!
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Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
August 1983. It's the day of Nina Riva's legendary end-of-summer party. Everyone wants to be around the Rivas: surfer and supermodel Nina, brothers Jay and Hud, and their baby sister Kit. Together, the siblings are a source of fascination in Malibu and the world over, especially as the children of the legendary singer Mick Riva. By midnight, the party will be completely out of control. By morning, the Riva mansion will have gone up in flames. but before that, the alcohol will flow, the music will play, and secrets will come bubbling to the surface.
A well-written story with a strong plot and characters, but not for me. I chose this book as my holiday read and it wasn't quite the light-hearted read I was hoping for as there were themes of alcoholism, adultery, and abandonment. Saying that I was determined to find out what happened.
Throughout this book, I had Elvis in mind for Mick's character. The whole vibe is very much this generation's drama and the after-effects. (FYI the chapters jump back and forth from various decades, I'm aware Elvis's generation is not the 80's. My Elvis-loving dad would not approve of that statement otherwise!).
The ending, I'm very satisfied with. It's difficult delving into it without giving spoilers but yes, I agree.
You can read a more in-depth review from the time *here*.
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Depop (Best Price!) / Amazon / Bookshop.org
3 women, 3 dates, and 1 missing man.
My favourite book of 2022, this was such a brilliant read full of feels, twists and the unexpected. The plot is very cleverly written. Beth, you've outdone yourself!
It's so difficult to write about a book I love without giving away spoilers but I will say that It's perfect for readers that love being a detective. You have three women with different lives and it's as if you're given three different stories. It made me change my guesses multiple times and I still didn't predict the ending! A truly fantastic read!
I've written a much more in-depth review of the book *here*. Plus a related post from when I met Beth O'Leary at the signing! *here*.
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The accidental time traveller by Sharon Griffiths
Rosie Harford is having a very odd day. After a blazing row with her boyfriend Will, she sets off for her latest reporting gig- an interview at a local housing estate and the location for a new reality show. But stepping through the front door, Rosie finds herself transported back in time. As the days go by, the penny drops and Rosie realises that she's not in a reality show like she once thought. She's in fact stuck in the 1950s along with her boyfriend Will. Although here Will is a devoted family man called Billy and has no recollection of her at all.
When I tell you that this book has been on my TBR pile for ages, I'm not exaggerating. I've had this since the early 2010s and I kept it when I saw that it featured a time traveller called Rosie and young me was like yes let's manifest this!
Initially, I was biased to the fact that it was written in 2008 and the cover had Hallmark movie vibes so It felt a little outdated. But once I got into the main story, I quite enjoyed it. I liked the different mini-stories features as Rosie worked at the newspaper. This made the book a lot more interesting. I too couldn't work out why/how Rosie had gotten to the 1950s until just before it was revealed.
I enjoyed how the ending played out. Without giving away spoilers, it felt like it definitely wasn't a waste of time reading as so often books can feel like when you reach the end.
Very interesting. Recommended to readers that enjoy time travel and the 1950s vibe.
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With this kiss by Carrie Hope Fletcher
Each time Lorelei kisses someone, she sees how they're going to die. That's enough to put you off kissing for life, so she swears it off completely. Until she meets Grayson. A lovely and funny man who takes an interest in Lorelai, forcing her to face this power and truly get to grips with what's happening. Is this something she's inflicting? Does her kiss seal fate? She's about to go on a journey that will change how she lives forever. All in the name of a kiss.
The last book I read in 2022 ended the literary year nicely. The plot had me from the word go and having read Carrie's books previously I was looking forward to how the magic-realism aspect of her writing would play out. Admittedly, the common feeling I had whilst reading was a sense of dread. It felt quite real at times and I remember thinking how horrible that would be to deal with seeing death this much. Despite that, it's a very good book and well worth reading!
I like how the subject of death is explored and the questions that I had as the reader were explored too. It's such an interesting plot that your mind is buzzing with questions. So feeling that as the reader you naturally sympathise with Lorelei and like her from the beginning.
Such an enthralling read. Prepare to get fully invested!
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Big love,
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