Ten Recommended Reads for 2022

Mid-April brought the completion of my tenth book this year. I’ve been intentional about reading different authors and different genres so I could make some recommendations for you! As always, my blogs and weekly updates go to the Brave Notes Club first. I’d love to have you join us! For now, take a look through the list, and, please, share your thoughts.

10. Anatomy by Dana Schwartz 

This was the Winter Young Adult book club pick from Reese’s Book Club. It’s a period piece with a love story at the center. I’m ranking this book as number ten because it took 160 pages for the love interests to meet each other. I enjoyed the main character, but not much else. 

9. The Sentence by Louise Erdrich

Set in Minneapolis, this story comes from a local author! I had so much fun reading about the local places mentioned in the story and the main characters reckoning with the pandemic and protests. At times I did find it difficult to follow the writing style of this book. 

8. The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley This book offered multiple perspectives through which to explore the story. It was hard to like any of the characters in this story, but it held my interest until the end! Before I even started the book, I read an article that the movie rights had already been purchased. I recommend reading before seeing the movie! 

7. The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin

A true classic. A masterclass in writing. A must-read for any person trying to understand what’s happening in America today. 

6. The Magnolia Palace – Fiona Davis 

I’m not usually one for a story set in the 1920s, but I loved the way this narration bounced between 1920 and the present day. A combination of a mystery and relationships with an art gallery as the setting, I loved the adventure in these pages. 

5. The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman

The sequel to The Thursday Murder Club, this book brought back the beloved characters and witty writing I fell in love with. I was not disappointed. With more than one murder involved in this story, you’ll be guessing until the end! 

4. The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling 

If you’re a fan of Practical Magic or Gilmore Girls, you’ll love this book! A cute romance novel with feminist witches as the main characters, I practically devoured this story. The story does take place in a small town at Halloween, so I recommend saving this one until October. 

3. The Golden Couple 

Their life seems perfect, but is it? Her therapeutic approach seems wildly unconventional, so will it work? These pages were filled with suspicious and interesting characters. Each chapter hooked you into the next. I genuinely became frustrated that I couldn’t read fast enough. 

2. Like A Sister by Kellye Garrett

This is the first novel I’ve read in a while that I could not predict. With the central themes of family and loyalty, you’ll never be too sure if a crime was even committed. I also loved that this book comes from an author of color. Don’t be fooled by the cover art with this novel; there’s a reason why it’s my number two!

1. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

So far, this is my favorite book of 2022. I could so easily reveal too much by talking about this story, so I’ll keep this short. The characters are complex and the story spans decades. Filled with old Hollywood glamour, Evelyn explores herself and her world as she goes through seven marriages. The big question, though, is,  who is the love of her life? 

Have you read any of these? What did you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts!