Best Books of 2022

My goal this year was to read 35 books and I did it! This is the highest number of books I've read since 2016. In 2016, I read 45 books. Between 2017 and 2021, I read an average of 24ish books a year. 

I know reading isn't a competition and I know that I feel happier and more like myself when I'm reading. The pandemic nearly crushed my joy of reading. I had mountains of time and felt so uninspired and stressed. This is the first year that I find myself settling in to read and enjoying it. 

This year feels especially victorious. My mental health has been frayed for most of the year. Part of my healing has been aided by reading at least 30 minutes a day. I for sure missed days and sometimes weeks at a time. Having that 30 minute goal meant that as soon as I was feeling a bit better I picked up reading again. 

Let's jump into brief reviews of my favorite reads:

The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden (2019) - This is the final book in the Winternight trilogy by Katherine Arden. I loved this series so much. I read it in winter and we even had one brief day of snow that made for perfect reading weather. Arden explored Russian folklore in her tale of Vasya; a young woman who is able to see and communicate with spirits. She is accused of witchcraft by the church and must bring together friends and enemies to save her world. This is a marvelous snowy tale for lovers of folklore. 

Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May (2020) - Katherine May's gorgeous collection of essays extolls the restorative power of honoring our wintering. Wintering aligns with the winter season; a time of rest, reflection, and being gentle with one's self. One may also need to "winter" in times of illness, stress, anxiety, and a general feeling of overwhelm. In our contemporary world, we've become out of whack with our external seasons and our internal seasons. I read this book when I was beginning a mental health decline at the start of 2022. It took having a breakdown in March to apply what I read in May's book. I burrowed into my cozy home, said no to loads of things that were unnecessary, asked for help, and embraced the small joys of tea, forest rambles, and reflection. 

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher (2022) - T. Kingfisher's mushroom laden retelling of "The Fall of the House of Usher" was my most anticipated release of the year. It did not disappoint. I sat on my couch one day this summer and devoured the book in one sitting. It is a short book and I don't want to betray too much plot in this review. If you loved Mexican Gothic, then this is a book for you. 

When We Lost Our Heads by Heather O'Neill (2022) - I randomly picked up this book on our public library's new book display and read the first page. I was hooked. The story begins with two girls pacing away from another to have a duel with pistols. A maid sees them and runs to intervene and the consequences are disastrous. What follows is a tale that explores class, labor, bodily autonomy, and is a page turner to boot! Sarah Water's fans should definitely checkout this book. 

Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder (2021) - I read this magical realism tale when I was emerging from a mental health crisis and oh boy was it a perfect read. An artist and former gallery director becomes a stay-at-home mom is isolated and restless. Slowly, she begins to change into the Nightbitch. After linking up with a suspicious MLM things get even crazier. This book is a riot and a must read for struggling moms with a penchant for dark humor and empowered motherhood. 

Waking the Witch: Reflections on Women, Magic, and Power by Pam Grossman (2019): The Witch Wave is my favorite witchy podcast. Pam Grossman is smart, funny, and compassionate. This book combines memoir and discussions on witchcraft in a historical context. The end result is an inspiring book on women stepping into their power. This book isn't just for witches. I read this book after Roe was overturned and it was an empowering experience; the history and persecution of witches are so closely linked to bodily autonomy. 

No Gods, No Monsters by Cadwell Turnbull (2021): I was glued to this book from start to finish. I read part of it on my porch and finished it on my couch. Forget making meals or emerging to do any other necessary task. This book follows several storylines that converge in a unique way. The story begins with Laina learning that her brother has died at the hands of police violence. What soon unravels is a tale of monsters and myths in a labyrinthine world that melds reality with fantasy and horror. This is a book best read with minimal knowledge of the plot. Trust me, you don't want to miss this one. 

The Hurting Kind by Ada Limón (2022): This collection of poetry is stunning. It is an exploration of loss, grief, connection, and understanding these concepts through the lens of nature. I recommend reading these poems aloud, slowly, at dawn or at dusk. The combination of beauty, grief, and warm-hearted hopefulness makes this collection my favorite poetry collection of the year. 

The Gifts that Bind Us by Caroline O'Donoghue (2022): This book is the sequel to All Our Hidden Gifts. In this book the reader follows Maeve, Roe, Lily, and Fiona as they explore their magical gifts, deepen their practice, and seek to battle a religious cult steeped in purity culture and homophobia. One of my favorite aspects of this book is the non-binary representation, which is often sorely lacking in books. 

Heartstopper (v.4) by Alice Oseman (2022): My son is reading this series and I'm reading it along with him. I loved every volume of this sweet series about Charlie and Nick. This series addresses difficult topics such as coming out, self-harm, eating disorders, conflict with family, bi-erasure, academic stress, etc.... However, these topics are approached with empathy and with a high school audience in mind. Oseman achieves a balance between the challenges queer youth face and solidarity, friendship, delight, and love. I cannot recommend this series enough! 

It was a great year for reading and I'm looking forward to all the awesome books I'll read in 2023.