2022 was a great year for reading. From the most talked about novel of the summer to our favorite newsletters, here are 20 things our team read and loved in 2022!
The Push by Ashley Audrain: It’s rare that a book stays with me long after I’ve finished the last page, but The Push will linger for a while. It’s a story about relationships, with a focus on three generations of mothers, that’s both tragic and unnervingly raw. It’s beautifully written and I found myself highlighting different passages along the way (“We could have counted our problems on the petals of the daisy in my bouquet, but it wouldn’t be long before we were lost in a field of them.”) –Emily
Ulysses by James Joyce: When some friends decided they wanted to try and read Ulysses this year, I thought it would probably be the only time I’d be willing to commit to tackling this massive piece of literature. While the general overview is pretty straightforward, a day in the life of Leopold Bloom as he goes about his day in Dublin, the layers of literary styling, internal monologues between characters, symbolism stacked atop symbolism, is enough to make people (and myself) stop after the first few chapters. But, I did complete the work, understood about 40% and felt a huge sense of accomplishment.–Geoffrey
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel: I read Station Eleven right before the pandemic–and absolutely loved it–but Sea of Tranquility is even better. This was my favorite book I read this year, and it kept me hooked from start to finish. It’s a very short science fiction novel with incredible character development I would recommend to both seasoned sci-fi lovers and anyone wanting to give this genre a shot! –Kelly
My Body by Emily Ratajkowski: I decided to read My Body based on a recommendation from a few friends, and I was immediately hooked. I opted to get the audiobook version (narrated by Emily Ratajkowski herself), which made her collection of essays feel even more personal. My Body touches on feminism, toxic men, and society’s views on women and beauty. This book was both well written and thought provoking.–Steph
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert: I truly enjoyed reading this self improvement book by Elizabeth Gilbert, the author famous for Eat, Pray, Love. It is a great guide for creatives, and really anyone looking for inspiration in their daily lives. While I originally bought this book in hopes it would help me harness my creativity, I found it also helped me get through daily life and work challenges with a new perspective. Every time I reach for this book, I walk away having learned something new about myself.–Katie
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin: If it seemed like everyone you knew read this book at some point in the last year, that’s because they probably did. At first glance, it wouldn’t seem like something normally up my alley–an unlikely friendship spanning several decades with two people who share a deep love of video games. But it’s such an accurate portrayal of the ways in which we grow together and apart from those we love most and deserves all the praise it received. –Emily
This was the book of the summer, or quite possibly the entire year. If you haven’t read it yet, I’m here to echo that it’s worth picking up, even if it wasn’t a 10/10 for me. I love a story where the characters feel real and the plot moves along at a pace that makes me want to cancel other plans to keep reading, and this book was that. –Kelly
Tell Me Lies by Carola Lovering: ‘Tell Me Lies’ on Hulu was one of my favorite shows this year. I heard that the book was even better, so I decided to give it a shot—plus the season left off on a huge cliff hanger, and I had to know what happened. It turns out the plot of the the book is pretty different from the show, but still great nonetheless. I loved that the book alternated between Lucy and Stephen’s perspectives which captured how wildly different their experiences and interpretations of events were. –Steph
Verity by Colleen Hoover: This book started off with a bang! This book is full of twists and turns and keeps you wanting more. I stayed up late at night to finish this book. I don’t love every book she writes, but this one is hands down one of my favorites. –Alyssa
“Dreamers in Broad Daylight: Ten Conversations” by Leslie Jamison: This was the best essay that I read in 2022. It’s an absolutely stunning deep-dive into daydreaming and what different people daydream about, fused with a personal essay about the author’s daydreams while she was going through divorce. An absolute must-read for any dreamer types out there, just make sure you give yourself ample time with no distractions to really soak it in. –Kelly
The Island by Adrian McKinty: I’d taken a short breather from thriller books and was pleasantly surprised by how quickly things escalated shortly after beginning The Island, which came highly recommended from one of my most trustworthy friends. I’m only about a third of the way through, but after a vacation goes wrong and leaves a family running for their lives, I think you’ll also find yourself staying up entirely too late trying to find out what happens. –Emily
Girls’ Night In Newsletter: My favorite newsletter is an oldie but a goodie, Girls’ Night In. Filled with self-care and relaxation tips, this weekly newsletter is a nice reminder to slow down. It usually arrives at the end of week, which is just what I need to help me transition from the work week to the weekend. –Katie
You Are Fantastic by Sabrina Moyle: My daughter, Kit, is absolutely obsessed with this book. Her face lights up with a huge grin when she sees the bright colors and whimsical artwork. I find it to be the perfect book before bedtime when she is extra tired and we need something fun, colorful, and quick! At her age she loves being able to feel the pages and turn them herself, and this book comes as a board book so it is great for an interactive little reader.–Jayme
Blackbird Spyplane Newsletter: I don’t subscribe to many newsletters, but a friend recommended this clothing/lifestyle Substack a year ago and it’s proven to be well worth the investment. The tone and voice are a stylistic departure from traditional blogs and magazines, but the team behind the newsletter source the coolest, under-the-radar/up-and-coming brands, while also providing some fun interviews from an eclectic mix of celebrities and style icons. I’ve sourced so many purchases from their “Classified Jawn Index” and my closet has never looked better. –Geoffrey
“The Mystery Behind The Crime Wave at 312 Riverside Drive” by Michael Wilson (NY Times): This was an absolutely fascinating story about mental illness that I wasn’t expecting, but I was riveted. Thousands of 911 calls have been made from the same address in New York City, reporting fights, murders, bombs, and hostage situations, but no arrests have ever been made, and no victims have ever been found. But here’s the catch: There is no 312 Riverside Drive. –Kelly
A few other fun/easy beach reads I enjoyed last year: One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle, Book Lovers by Emily Henry, and The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen (which was thriller adjacent, but equally as quick to plow through). –Emily
Don’t Be a Tourist in Paris: The Messy Nessy Chic Guide by Vanessa Grall: This not-so-obvious Parisian travel guide by Messy Nessy Chic is a must if you are looking to travel to Paris or if you want an incredibly chic coffee table book. It features a variety of sites and attractions from unique dining spots, to leisurely guided walks, to architecture sightings and more. I can’t wait to put these suggestions to use, and in the meantime I know I will be in good hands as this book is sought after by tourists and locals alike. –Katie
A Game of Thrones (ASOIAF #1) by George R.R. Martin: I’ve held out on picking this up because I’ve been in recovery from Season 8 of Game of Thrones for so long, but this year I was finally ready. The first novel in the still-unfinished series is excellent, and honestly better than I was expecting. Even though I’ve seen the TV show, I was still obsessed with the book. A perfect choice to pick up in the winter when you’re stuck inside. –Kelly
Dangerous Prayers by Craig Groeschel: I actually started this series with a seven day Devo that I loved so much I ended up getting the book to go more in depth. I am a huge fan of Craig Groeschel and his many videos, podcasts, and books. If you didn’t know, he is actually the person who pioneered the YouVersion Bible app. Dangerous Prayers is no exception to his thought provoking content; I highly recommend it if you have been wanting to get out of your comfort zone in your prayers. He also has a great leadership series on YouTube. –Jayme
