Friends!!!!
Today’s the day!
It’s my 2022 BOOKS IN REVIEW post!
I know I say this every single year, but friends, THIS IS WITHOUT A DOUBT my favorite post of the entire year!
After 12 months of reading books with you, this is the one HUGE post where I share my highs, my lows and my thoughts on everything I’ve read PLUS name MY TOP THREE BOOKS OF THE YEAR!
In 2022, including the two books that I read in December (their reviews to follow), I read 60 books.
Sixty.
I’ve been reviewing books here in blog world now for eight years…that’s 475 books read and reviewed…but this year here takes first prize for the highest highs and the lowest lows.
I read books by some of my favorite famous people that I didn’t love (I’m talking to you Kelly Ripa and The Office Ladies).
I read a book on language that completely changed the way I think about my girls’ and their speech/English language development.
I read the fourth book in a fabulous series that I loved even more than the first three.
I finally met my favorite author in person and had the most amazing dinner with her and friends…and loved her book.
I read a book set in my family’s very favorite hotel…and it really annoyed me when a ghost was the main character.
I fell in love with Stanley Tucci.
I officially fell out of love with Jennifer Weiner.
I got annoyed with Kelly Rimmer.
And wasn’t a fan of Chemistry.
Laurie Gelman hit another home run.
I was disturbed you wrote a book about being glad your mom died.
And I tried focusing on a simply luxurious life.
It was a crazy year in books.
Just to recap, here is what I read…
2022 Reads…
(Just click on the month to read my review.)
JANUARY
Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan
Pack Up the Moon by Kristan Higgins
City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
The Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson
Practicing Parisienne by Marissa Cox
Good Company by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney
FEBRUARY
Paris is Always a Good Idea by Jenn McKinlay
Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover
The Dream Daughter by Diane Chamberlain
The Rural Diaries by Hilarie Burton Morgan
MARCH
One Night on the Island by Josie Silver
The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult
Running Wild by K.A. Tucker
The Maid by Nita Prose
Thirty Million Words by Dana Suskind, M.D.
APRIL
The Best of Friends by Lucinda Berry
A Minute to Think by Juliet Funt
The Restaurant by Pamela Kelley
The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth
MAY
Taste by Stanley Tucci
The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel
The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell
The Wedding Veil by Kristy Woodson Harvey
Choosing the Simply Luxurious Life by Shannon Ables
The Homewreckers by Mary Kay Andrews
Summer Love by Nancy Thayer
The Summer Place by Jennifer Weiner
JUNE
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Meant to Be by Emily Giffin
Living the Simply Luxurious Life by Shannon Ables
Out of the Clear Blue Sky by Kristan Higgins
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand
JULY
An Island Summer by Jenny Hale
Something Wilder by Christina Lauren
The German Wife by Kelly Rimmer
The No-Show by Beth O’Leary
Nora Goes Off Script by Anabel Monaghan
The Bungalow by Sarah Jio
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
AUGUST
The Royals Next Door by Karina Halle
Smells Like Tween Spirit by Laurie Gelman
The Office BFFs by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey
This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub
SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER
All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris
Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
Live Wire by Kelly Ripa
Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez
Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
Lease on Love by Falon Ballard
NOVEMBER
Meet Me Under the Mistletoe by Jenny Bayliss
Christmas in Vermont by Anita Hughes
My Knight Before Christmas by Amanda P. Jones
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
DECEMBER
The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki
Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon
Before I get to the books I read in December, let me share a few honorable mentions for the year.
These are all books I loved and would highly suggest you read in 2023…
City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
I almost quit this book three times, but because you all told me it was fabulous, I kept picking it back up and diving back in…AND I’M SO HAPPY I DID! Please make sure you read my full review HERE. This book is gritty, but wow! It’s one you’ll think about and recommend over and over again.
One Night on the Island by Josie Silver
Looking for an adorable chick lit to kick off 2023? Here you go. Catch my full review HERE…you’ll love this one!
Speaking of which…
One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
Read it. Read it now! This one is a must! See my full review HERE.
The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel
I am actually quite shocked this one didn’t end up in my TOP THREE. In my mind, it hovered there for many months. This book is phenomenal. I highly, highly recommend! My review is HERE.
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
Oh this book here might be the #1 book I recommended to friends and family this year. This was just everything I love in a fictional story. It’s fabulous! Make sure you read my full review!
If this was my #1 book recommendation for the year, this one here was a very close second…
Nora Goes Off Script by Anabel Monaghan
I absolutely LOVED this one!!! It’s charming, funny, light, happy and oh so cute! You must pick this one up today!! Catch my review HERE!
Every year, I name my TOP THREE books, and as silly as it sounds, I think about that every single time I pick up a book. I’m always wondering if it’s “the one”, and I get so excited when the bar raises and a new book comes up into my TOP THREE.
Below is a list of all of my TOP THREE books from years past.
I still stand by each and every one of these, and whichever ones you haven’t already read, please do so in 2023. These are all AMAZING books…
Here is a list of all of my other FAVORITE BOOKS of the year:
2014
#1: What Remains by Carol Radziwill
2015
#1: Bread & Wine by Shauna Niequist
#2: The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan
2016
#1: Cancel the Wedding by Carolyn Dingman
#2: It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
#3: A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams
2017
#1: One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid
#2: Unstuffed by Ruth Soukup
#3: The Secret Life of Violet Grant by Beatriz Williams
2018
#1: My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan
#2: Castle of Water by Dane Huckelbridge
#3: The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
2019
#1: The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer
#2: The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
#3: Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
2020
#1: American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
#2: Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano
#3: In Five Years by Rebecca Searle
2021
#1: Our Woman in Moscow by Beatriz Williams
#2: The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller
#3: Musical Chairs by Amy Poeppel
That is an incredible batch of books, friends! (And very diverse too!) You could simply spend all year reading through this list right here.
So…big moment now, what are my TOP THREE BOOKS FOR 2022?!
Well, this year was crazy from beginning to end (literally!), so I have my TOP THREE plus I’m going to share #4 and #5 as well because they were both too amazing not to get the recognition they deserve. Four out of these five books bookended 2022 for me. HOW CRAZY IS THAT?!
Here we go…
The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki
This was the second to last book I read in 2022, and I LOVED IT! I read this one in December, so I haven’t even had a chance to review it for you. Here you go…
This amazing book is about the life of Marjorie Post. It starts from her birth and goes all the way to her death. The Post cereal heiress had one INCREDIBLE life, and I could not get enough of it. It’s a biography with more twists, turns and resurrections than you could imagine. As I read it, I kept telling Andrew “and then you won’t believe what happened” and then the next night “and guess what, Andrew, you’ll never believe this!”. I just could not get over this woman’s life, her career, her marriages, her philanthropy (especially during WWII), her relationships…it’s so complex.
It’s riveting.
Why should you care about the daughter of the man who invented breakfast cereal? Because it’s freaking fascinating. This story is better than any fictitious book you’ve picked up this year. I’m telling you, Marjorie Post had a magnificent life and you should read about it. Two HUGE thumbs up for this one!
My other honorable mention for the year…
Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan
This was the VERY FIRST BOOK I READ IN 2022! I remember reading it and thinking “holy cow, how will this book be topped?!”. You can read my full review of the book HERE, but in it, I say I can’t imagine this not being my favorite book of 2022…and honestly, for about six months, it was. It took three heavy hitters to knock it out of my Top Three, but when I think back to this year, I will always think of this book. Based on the life of CS Lewis, this book shares details on his relationship with Joy Davidman, his longtime friend and then wife.
What in the world?
Who am I and why do I love books based on historical figures this year? THIS IS SO NOT ME!
I could not put this book down. I know that the author took liberties in writing this story, but it was so compelling, so consuming and one I simply could not set down. I absolutely loved every page. Almost one full year later, I can still say that this book deserves a spot on your Kindle. It’s fabulous!
But then what did make my TOP THREE BOOKS OF 2022?
Let’s find out!
They are…
Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon
We just went from the very first book I read in 2022 to the very last.
I absolutely loved Code Name Helene.
Since this was yet another December read, I haven’t reviewed it for you yet, so let’s get to that! This is yet ANOTHER book about a real life historical figure.
IT’S LIKE I DONT’ EVEN KNOW WHO I AM ANYMORE?!
Meet me in person and ask me what kinds of books I love, and I’ll tell you nothing set in the past or based on historical fiction, except apparently, that’s a lie. This is about a woman, who during WWII in Europe, risked her life too many times to count to fight Nazi Germany. This is a story of heroism, selflessness, integrity, strength, honor and, excuse my language here, but one bad ass woman who helped stop the Nazis. Once again let me say, you couldn’t write fiction as captivating as this story here. I was up at 4:00 AM reading. I was up at 11:30 PM reading. I was reading every chance I could get. I was holding my breath, nervous, scared, sad and I literally cheered out loud. I loved this one and did not want it to end. Every year a book about WWII and/or surrounding time period seems to wind up in my TOP THREE (hello, Our Woman in Moscow, The Tattooist of Auschwitz and The Things We Cannot Say!), and this one here, based on a real woman, is just as phenomenal. READ IT! I really could have made this my favorite book of the year. It’s THAT incredible.
And now…
Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Oh Taylor Jenkins Reid, you are no stranger to my TOP THREE.
In 2019, I named her novel Daisy Jones & The Six my third favorite book of the year, but in 2017, I named One True Loves my FAVORITE BOOK OF THE YEAR.
I love me some TJR.
Her newest novel, Carrie Soto is Back is one of the most original books I’ve ever read. This fictitious story is about a former tennis champion who decides to make a run at it again…ten years later. I don’t even like tennis, and I loved this book. The way the author plays out the matches is incredible. I felt like I was there on the court with every swing of her racket. You can read my full review HERE, the bottom line is I LOVED THIS ONE. It was unique, it had the perfect blend of tension and relief. It has love. It has drama. It has some laughs. It’s just so original. Bravo, Taylor Jenkins Reid! This one is fantastic!
So that is my second favorite book of 2022.
Nothing shocked me more though than what I am naming #1.
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
What in the world?
I loved the book about the octopus.
I don’t believe it either.
I read this book third to last this year (so I started the year with Becoming Mrs. Lewis and then finished with Remarkably Bright Creatures, The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post and Code Name Helene)…and I was so hesitant to read it because it sounds silly. It’s a novel about some people who work in an aquarium and one of the main characters is an octopus. Um, no thanks. Big pass. Buuuut thanks to so many of YOU, I read it. You can read my full review HERE. Friends, it is an incredible book. Want to read something uplifting and feel good? Pick up this one. Want a book to make you think about forgiveness and change? Here you go. Want a book on friendship? This is it. What about a book on new beginnings? Yup. Or love? Yes, that too. It just has everything. It’s optimistic and hopeful…it’s charming. It’s a wonderful book, and I knew the minute I read the final page that it’s my #1 for 2022.
WHEW!
I’m exhausted now. Ha!
Here’s what I want to know now…WHAT IS THE BEST BOOK YOU READ IN 2022?
Please comment and share!!!!!
Thank you for reading with me this year! Thank you for always making these posts so much fun!! Thank you, thank you, thank you for everything! I love this community that reads together SO DANG MUCH! I am so thankful for you all!!!
Happy Book Day from me to YOU!!!! I hope you enjoy some of these books in 2023!!
I’ll see you tomorrow! xx
To see the complete list of books I read in 2016 (all 62 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2017 (all 62 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2018 (all 61 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2019 (all 54 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of the books I read in 2020 (all 54 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2021 (all 59 of them), click here.
Susan Jeffries says
I loved so many of the books you suggested!! I enjoyed reading this year more than I ever have in the past. We stopped watching tv in the evenings and now we read. So much better!!! We also started a local book club and we meet once a month – super fun! We are starting 2023 with The Circus Train. Here’s to 2023 filled with fabulous reads!
Elspeth says
I love your book review! It’s always one of my favorite posts!!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Melissa Terry says
This is always one of my favorite posts (second only to your adoption posts) and I look forward to it every year! Bright Creatures was already on my 2023 list and I’m adding Code Name Helene right now! I’d already read many of your favorites and totally agree with you on so many. WWII memoirs/biographies/historical fiction novels just hit differently…what courage and bravery. Thank you for sharing!
Jennibell says
Start your year with “In the Wild Light”. You might even then want to pass it on to your older kids. Great book. Unlike you, The German Wife probably would make my top 3 or 5, as would Lessons in Chemistry (but I listened to it instead of reading it and wonder if that made a difference?)….and then Tyler Merritt’s “I Take My Coffee Black”. I liked that one so much that after I read it I bought it on audible so I could hear HIM tell his story.
I know you had a rough year with books (me too….I currently have three started, none of which I race to get back to) but those were three of my FAVORITES. The MP one is another that I have picked up and put down multiple times….maybe I will give it one more try 🙂
Here’s to a 2023 full of new stories to learn from, grow in, and be entertained by!!
Christina Spinella says
I second In the Wild Light. That will be one of my top books of the year – it’s fantastic!!
Meg says
I have to second, “In the Wild Light”! So, so beautiful! Found myself snapping pictures with my phone of some of the text because it was just that beautiful!
Sheaffer says
This is the post every year where I question our friendship.
Mix and Match Mama says
I literally just lol
Monica says
My favorite post of the year too! I love how a historical fiction WWII novel always ends up on your top. I read Our Women in Moscow in one sitting on a flight back from Switzerland last Christmas! Can’t wait to read these!
Merry Christmas, Shay!
Jaime says
Hi! Do you have a recipe for cut out ginger bread cookies?
Mix and Match Mama says
No, I make these drop ones: https://mixandmatchmama.com/2018/11/gingerbread-cookies/
Bridget says
Always get so many good recommendations from these posts! My favorite book of the year was The Rose Code (another WWII book, so you might love it) 🙂 Definitely adding Remarkably Bright Creatures to the list for 2023.
Dani M. says
My favorite book of the year was The Rose Code as well! I’m reading it again!
Mary Anne Duke says
Yes, The Rose Code was so, so good. Read it for book club and we all agreed!
Tasha says
Hi Shay! Sometimes when I need book inspiration I go back to your old posts from over the years and I recently read your review of Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren from a couple years ago. I’m shocked that you loved Every Summer After when you previously didn’t love Love and Other Words because in my opinion they are the EXACT. SAME. BOOK. I read them within a month of each other and I couldn’t get over how they were exactly the same story line, even the “twist” at the end were similar. I know you read them a couple years apart but did Every Summer After feel similar to you when reading it?
Mix and Match Mama says
Really??? I need to go refresh my brain about why I didn’t love the Christina Lauren one…in my memory (which could be incorrect as it’s been a bit), it wasn’t very deep/thought provoking/rich in content.
Alyssa says
YES, Tasha!! They are the exact same!! Except somehow I still love them both so much. And the author of Every Summer After also lists Love and Other Words as one of her favorite books in the author’s note. So even she’s aware hahah
Kim says
SAME!!!!!! But absolutely loved both! Especially -Every Summer After! My favorite book ever! I just kept ‘hugging’ it at the beach. 😂😂😂😂 I can’t wait for her new one. I think it comes out in May!
Kelli says
Yay!!! This was such a great and fun review! After your up and down reviews this year, I was so anxious to see what you would land on! I just added #3 and #5 to my cart and I picked up RBC from the library yesterday! It’s gonna be a good Christmas break of reading it sounds like ❤️
My current #1 of the year is Carrie Soto is Back. I identified so much with her character and loved every minute of it!
Kristine G. says
Favorite post of the year! I’ve read many of these, but not your #1. Adding it to my list now! Hard to pick a favorite but I highly recommend Becoming Duchess Goldblatt!
Adri says
Added lots of these to my reading list! One kind of weird, but quick question — If I am someone who does not really like the zoo or aquarium (it makes me sad for the animals), do you think I would like Remarkably Bright Creatures? I’m afraid to read it and be depressed the whole time if we’re knowing the thoughts of a creature in captivity and he or she is depressed or struggling with being locked up.
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes and yes! I think you will love it! The creature is blessing others and fulfilling its purpose.
Carole says
I love your book review posts!! I am also cracking up at how much you’ve shocked yourself. Adding several of these to my to-read list for 2023, and planning to go back and catch some of your top books that I haven’t read. I also loooooved Remarkably Bright Creatures!!! It made me want to watch My Octopus Teacher on Netflix, which was also so good. If you haven’t seen it, it’s a must!! Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas!!
Laura Holmes says
Remarkably Bright Creatures is in my Amazon cart now! I absolutely loved Becoming Mrs Lewis also. Great list!
Cynthia Thurlow says
This is always one of my fav blog posts of yours each year….I’m a voracious reader, but have leaned heavily into NF bc of two podcasts I host, but I have loved some of your historical fiction suggestions and added a few more to my Audible wish list
Merry Christmas!
MelanieL says
Yay, also one of my favorite posts of the year! I’d say Daisy Jones and the Six was my favorite this year, I’ve read nearly all your top 3 now! I just bought Paris Is Always A Good Idea for a gift for my sister, I can’t wait to borrow it, LOL! I’m finishing up Winter Street right now and looking forward to reading Remarkably Bright Creatures in 2023. 🙂
Amy M says
You would love My Octopus Teacher on Netflix! Amazingly heartwarming and beautiful documentary.
Ginger says
So far I’ve read 189 books in 2022 – I love to read. Marjorie Post was definitely in my top 3. In the Wild Light might be No. 1. Grisham’s The Boys From Biloxi was very good.
Mix and Match Mama says
BRAVO!!!!! That is fabulous, Ginger!!!
Cris says
Non fiction lover here…”That Sounds Fun” by Annie F. Downs was my favorite of the year. She has a way of getting a lot of “juice” out of topics that don’t sound particularly deep!
Erin Gobin says
Accept it Shay. You LOVE historical fiction! Carrie Soto is historical fiction too! That was probably my favorite book this year but remarkably bright creatures is next on my list. However im towards the end if Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow and wow… Its excellent. I was listening to it while rocking baby at 530am today with tears just streaming down my cheeks. Im not finished yet, but i think you should consider this one for January!
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh Erin, gosh! You’re right?! Why am I in denial?! Hahahaha!
Nicole Wilder says
Agh! I loved Remarkably Bright Creatures SO much! I just finished it and I couldn’t put it down and I’ve been telling everyone about it! My goal is 50 books this year and I’m on number 47 now. I can do it! I look forward to your monthly book reviews and get most of what I read from your recommendations. Thank you and Merry Christmas! Looking forward to seeing your book reviews for 2023!
Sharon says
What do you do with all the books you buy? Do you keep any to reread?
Mix and Match Mama says
I read them all on my Kindle. Back when I used to read physical books, I would just share them with friends and family.
Kay says
Awww, I love your favorite books post! Thank you for sharing with us. I’ve gotten so many good recommendations from you and from your comments section!
First, I have read your blog for YEARS and years, and have only ever disagreed on a total of TWO books. LOL! ONLY! TWO! They were ‘Swear on this Life’ and…’Becoming Mrs. Lewis!’ LOL! Too funny right?
That being said, we agree on basically everything else, and I have shelved so many from your list above.
Before Christmas this year, I highly highly highly recommend a little book I got from your readers! ‘A Cross-Country Christmas’/Walsh was THE BEST HOLIDAY BOOK I HAVE EVER read. I mean, it trumped the Winter Street series for me, and even ‘One Day in December!’ It is like the best Hallmark movie ever. And it’s also kind of like ‘Book Lovers’ and ‘Nora Goes Off Script!” It’s sweet, it’s good-sad, its holiday descriptions are MAGICAL and I cried at the end (bc it was SO SWEET). Read it read it read it!
My top three of the year are:
#3 The Last House on the Street (also got from comments section!)
#2 The Paper Palace
#1 The Husbands! I was surprised by how much I loved this! It’s kind of like Sally Hepworth-ish? Mystery? Twisty? Mom life TRUTH.
Thanks as always for sharing your list (except for those two books-bwahha hahaha) and inspiring so many of us to read more.
Happy Holidays!
Ginger says
I thought Cross-Country Christmas was excellent as well. The Noel Letters was also very, very good. I think I got it from comments too.
Jennifer says
I love a Cross Country Christmas too! It’s such a good book!
Becky says
Remarkably Bright Creatures was also my favorite of the year! I just finished The Circus Train, and it was probably my second favorite.
Jennifer Maynard says
Since you loved Becoming Mrs Lewis, you need to read the next one which is Once Upon a Wardrobe. Such a good book about CS Lewis’s early life!
Arika says
Thanks for all the reviews! Thanks to you my favorite read this year was City of Girls. I thought it was amazing. Thanks to one your reader comments I plan to start 2023 off with Tyler Merritt’s I Take My Coffee Black. I heard him on a podcast and thought he was wonderful. His books looks great! Happy 2023 reading!
Kayla Bruce says
This is so fun! Def. my favorite post of the year, too. You should read Julie Whalen’s new book– only her second after My Oxford Year! It’s called Thank You for Listening, and it’s really good!
Ashley says
Excited to see that I own all 5 of your top books you recommended. I have read The Magnificent Life of Marjorie Post but the rest are in my TBR pile. Can’t wait to get started on them! Thanks!
Debbie K. says
I’ll be reading some of your favorites in the coming year, and look forward to them. I love WWII fiction, not my usual pick though. That being said, I would name Flying Angels as my #1 book of 2022. I still think about the characters and storyline from January. My other favorites would be Raeanne Thayne’s “All Things Bright. As a special ed teacher and a sibling to a sister who had major disabilities, I enjoyed the disability story line where the main character designs homes to be a better space for those who have difficulties. My 3rd choice would be “Home Sweet Home” by Susan Mallery. She’s a favorite author of chick lit with some substance. This book is part of a series about a fictional town called Wishing Tree. It’s just a happy book for Christmas.
Frances Ryals says
I love your book reviews and look forward to them each month. I absolutely loved “Remarkably Bright Creatures.” I am excited to read the 2 books for December. They both sound great!
Kristen C. says
The Nightengale might have been my favorite book of 2022!
Kim Kiser says
The Book of Lost Names, Wish You Were Here and Remarkably Bright Creatures are my top 3
Sarah says
Hello< Would you say the octopus and the post books are books you could read with your 11 and 13 year old daughters?
Thanks for doing these. I love your reviews.
Sarah
Mix and Match Mama says
I would absolutely let Kensington (14) read it…I’m not sure about Ashby though.
Robin Lewis says
LOVE your book reviews, especially the end of year one!! In the process of reading your #1 pick! Told my (adult) daughter I was reading a book which is, at times, from the perspective of an octopus and she was like “What?!??!”
Lol
Mix and Match Mama says
It sounds so odd but it’s so fabulous!!
Debbie says
My #1 book of 2022 is The Second Life of Mirielle West, about a 1920’s socialite sent to a leper colony. Captivating and amazing and I couldn’t put it down.
#2 is The Girl in His Shadow, about a young female protege of a surgeon in 1800’s England, when women were not allowed to practice medicine.
Both should definitely be added to your 2023 list.
Rob D. says
I enjoy reading. I love espionage and action, suspense, detective stories, war, fantasy. Some of my favorite authors are (were): Robert Ludlum, Vince Flynn, CJ Box, Clive Cussler, Tom Clancy, plus many many more.
I’m always looking for new authors and fresh ideas. Once I came here I quickly realized this was strictly for women, and that I’d not heard of any of these authors. Oh well.
Joanne says
I’m always impressed that you can narrow your favorites down so much.. I really struggled to come up with my favorite books this year and ended up with a good 18 or 19 on my list! LOL. Though I did read over 100 of them so I have a slightly larger list to pull and I am still narrowing them down before I hit publish and am hoping it to narrow it down to 10 or 12. I haven’t read any of your top picks so I’ll have to add them to my January reading list.
Brooke Richardson says
Well you know I am not much of a reader but I just ordered Remarkably Bright Creatures. I remember you and Shanna talking about it in Disney.
Toni :0) says
You’ve inspired me to read even more now than ever. I’ve read about 40 books this year which is a ton for me as I’ve put my phone down and focused more on reading. These posts are my favorite and I really enjoy adding books to my read list. I’m old school as I get actual books from the library since it’s part of my taxes and I want to get off electronics. It’s been such a blessing for me. My library card is my favorite card in my wallet!
Lisa D says
I totally agree, I love our local library! My favorite book of the year was RBC. I have gifted it as well. I’ve read over 100 books this year and now we rarely watch TV. There are so many great book recommendations to add to my library holds for the new year!
Mal says
Such a great review of 2022 books! My top 3 this year were:
Wish You Were Here
Pack Up the Moon
Local Woman Missing
Books really are so magical!
Gracie says
Hi Shay! I’m so glad this is your favorite post because it’s my favorite post of yours too!! I’ve always loved to read but had gotten out of it. However, thanks to you, I got back into it a few years ago. I almost always check your recommendations or your reviews before picking up a book 😊 And look forward to your book posts every month!! A book suggestion for next year, The Riviera House by Natasha Lester!
Polly says
Thank You For Listening, Julia Whalen’s2nd novel was so good. I love her writing so much and I love her as a narrator even more.
Katie Smith says
I came here to say the same thing! It was in my top 3 of the year.
AK says
I absolutely LOVED The Book of Lost Names!! I’m so glad you read it and loved it!!
Breana Lozier says
The Mark of the Lion Series by Francine Rivers. So so good! I love these reviews. Thank you for taking the time to do them. Merry Christmas!
Tera Knepp says
I don’t know how you can narrow down your faves every year! So many of the books I read this year were because you ranked them so highly- My Oxford Year, The things we cannot say, Musical Chairs, One Italian Summer, In Five Years, A Hundred Summers, It Ends with Us & It Starts with Us, The Royal We, The Simple Wild series…. I loved them all! I only read 29 books this year but you can see where I get my recommendations. ☺️ I might have missed them, but here’s 3 I don’t remember seeing on your lists that I loved this year- The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah (Give me all the KH books!), Three Sisters by the same author as Tattooist of Auschwitz, Firefly Summer by Maeve Binchy. It was a perfect read as we were traveling through Ireland this summer!
Caroline Dunn says
One Night on the Island might be one of my favorite books ever! Thank you so much for your book reviews every month, Shay! I have begun reading much more since discovering some of the books you have recommended. Keep up the good work! Also, can’t wait to read more about your Nantucket place!!
Lori Barnes says
I love love your book reviews and send everyone to your blog for suggestions so thank you for putting this together.
I usually am a fan of everything you recommend but I have to say I did NOT love “becoming Mrs. lewis” I kept saying to myself stick with it because you loved it so much but I honestly just couldn’t wait for it to be done!
Obviously just my opinion but excited to hit all the other books in your top 2022 list!!
Merry Christmas !!
Mix and Match Mama says
Listen, I don’t hold it against you ONE BIT!!! Thank you for stopping by here, Lori! Merry Christmas!! xx
Laura Bridges says
Thank you for leading us all to great books! Does Kensington have suggestions for her favorite books? I’m trying to buy a book for a niece about her age and don’t know what to buy! Thank you.
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes!!!! She has turned into such a reader! I plan of sharing more of her picks in 2023! Right now, she’s reading anything and everything by Jenny Han!
Sheila DeSpirito says
I loved Remarkably Bright Creatures as my favorite book of the year. It was an awesome book! I think I fell in love with Marcellus!
On a side note I found out recently that the Dear Edward book will be a made into a series starting February 3rd on Apple TV
I can hardly wait to watch it, I loved the book Dear Edward. I hope you get to watch it too, and give us your opinion.
I’ve had on my book list to read Becoming Mrs Lewis for a long time, I’m going to put it on my top reading list for January. Happy reading in 2023
Keisha Dawson says
Such a great list! I cosign every single one of the books you suggested people read in 2023. The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post is at the top of my list for 2022, but I read so many great ones. That book was so fascinating to me!
Dani says
This it the first year I have gotten back into reading fiction in years. And have been so loving it. I loved The Last Thing He Told Me and I read through all the Harry Potter books this year (I had never read them or seen any of the movies) it was so much fun reading through them. I just finished last week and am already missing Hogwarts! 😉
Sara says
Thank you for all the recommendations! Is the Marjorie Post book a novel? It looks like it from the cover, but I haven’t read it yet! I just reread the whole Winter Street series, and Remarkably Bright Creatures is next on my list!
Kathleen Lares says
I just finished Remarkably Bright Creatures this morning and absolutely adored it! Thank you so much for your recommendation.
Terri says
Always love seeing your book selections and also those your followers suggest. Our book club top four books for 2022 were The Rose Code, The Henna Artist, The Measure & The Girl With the Louding Voice. So many great books this year! Thanks for sharing, everyone!
Emily says
How do you decide which book is your favorite? Best storyline, the one you think about the most?? What’s your secret to narrowing them down 🫣😂
Mix and Match Mama says
A great question…I don’t think I use one formula. It’s a combination of storyline, originality, whether it’s inspiring or thought provoking, if I can’t stop thinking about it and recommending it…if I think it’s a book “everyone” will love and most definitely, if it’s a book I can’t put down.
Najla Alghaziani says
Thank you! Thank you and thank you! All of your book posts are my favorite! Merry Christmas!
Mix and Match Mama says
Merry Christmas!!!
Sara Robinson says
Yes to Taylor Jenkins Reid! I had the privilege of going to a meet and greet luncheon in September with her for the release of Carrie Soto is back. It was wonderful – she is amazing. Her thought process and how she writes is fascinating! We went to the same college in Boston – Emerson College – so we had a nice chat about that too – she’s so sweet. Can’t wait for more from her!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Wow! That’s amazing!
Jenny Wirl says
I told so many people about Remarkably Bright Creatures after I read it, so glad you enjoyed it & that it was your favorite this year!
Hayley says
I’m SO glad you read Remarkably Bright Creatures! The whole reason I even read it was because of all the reader comments on your blog that kept appearing on your book review posts. It was so refreshing and lovely and hey, who knew the heart could be warmed by an octopus? Lol. Merry Christmas to you!
Mix and Match Mama says
Merry Christmas!
Lisa says
I have to say, because of your book reviews, I find that most books I read are four and five star reviews! My “to be read”pile continues to grow every month! I have never read so many good books! favorite books, where do I start! I finally read The Nightingale and it was fabulous, what took me so long! The Stilt House, Book Lovers, Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Verity. I also am loving the World War II books though they are heartbreaking. I can’t pick a favorite few because there are so many good ones!
Looking forward to what 2023 brings in books, thank you again❤️🎄
Lindsay Gannon says
I look forward to this post every year! Just added the Marjorie Post book to my list. My kids and I toured her estate over the summer and were absolutely fascinated. She was definitely a woman who paved the way for the rest of us! Hope you and your family have a happy holiday!
Kelli says
My very favorite post of the year! Love to get a cup of coffee, sit by the lights of our tree and fill up my library app with holds on fantastic books!! Thank you for your hard work putting these posts together!!
My faves so far this year were Nora Goes Off Script and Every Summer After BUT I haven’t read your top 5 yet! I’m so excited!! Thank you, thank you for sharing!!
Merry Christmas to you and your family! ❤️
sandi says
Early this year I picked up One Italian Summer from the library solely based on the cover art. As I was reading I kept thinking Shay would like this book and that same month you reviewed it. Like many of your readers it seems we all had a lot of misses this year so I am looking forward to reading your top three in the new year. Some of my best reads have come from the comment section and it’s fun to see the passion behind why people like the books they like.
Years ago I only read Christian fiction because my mother-in-law shared her love of those types of books. While I still read a few CF authors, (Dee Henderson’s The O’Malley Series – along with a prequel Danger in the Shadows – will forever be my favorite series of books) I have loved being challenged by Jodi Picoult, wowed by most of Beatriz Williams books and I think I need to visit Nantucket based on Nancy Thayer, Hildebrand and Mary Kay Andrews. Never did I think I would read historical fiction but I don’t think I have picked up a WW2 era book that I have not liked. Keep the book reviews coming!
Green, Robin says
My top five are:
1. Remarkably Bright Creatures
2. Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post
3. One Italian Summer
4. The Bodyguard
5. East of Eden
Temi says
I love your reviews! I’ve read many of your suggestions over the years and have loved them all….except “Becoming Mrs. Lewis.” I didn’t even finish the book. Haha! I felt like she neglected those children and I didn’t really like her at all. Made me feel yucky. BUT we can all enjoy different things 🙃
I love following along. You are such an inspiration to me. I’ve always admired how you create the life and family-time you want by pushing up your sleeves and putting in the work to make it happen. Through organization, routine and planning, one can change the quality of their life one step at a time. I just enjoy this inspiring space. Merry Christmas to your family!
Jennifer says
Love these book posts! My top 3 of the year were.
3. Nora Goes Off Script
2. The Christie Affair
1. The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
HF says
My two favorite books this year was True Biz and The Island of Missing Trees!
KELLY DAVIS says
I love these posts, and the comments! I keep putting books on hold at the library as I scroll here:-)
I am so thankful you introduced Beatriz Williams to me, she was a favorite of mine this past year, and I just reserved another. I don’t know if you have ever read the Mitford series, but it has been such a sweet thing for me this winter to go back and read this series. I love that it is so well written, and that the characters are so endearing and real. And the scriptures throughout have me pausing and praying as I read- so it just feels good, if that makes sense? So much out there is just really heavy and dark, and these books tackle real life, but with hope. Sweet and uplifting! Merry Christmas!
Mandy says
I just finished A Quiet Life by Ethan Joella and just had to recommend it to you. It is such a beautifully written story about grief, moving forward, and finding friendships in the most unexpected places. I bet you would love it!