2022 Books

Talking As Fast As I Can – Lauren Graham

I wanted to start the year off with a book I knew would be an easy read and I could finish quickly. Well, I finished it in a day. Lol. This was so fun to read and I could hear Lauren Graham’s voice as I read.

Inferno – Dan Brown

I read Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons a couple of years ago so I knew I liked Dan Brown stories. This was a great, entertaining read! I enjoy the fast-paced nature of his writing.

Origin – Dan Brown

Another great Dan Brown winner. This was a really unique story line but was very entertaining. I like the real-life elements that are often incorporated into these stories.

Not Like the Movies – Kerry Winfrey

This was a sequel to the Winfrey book I read last year and honestly, I almost never say this, but I liked this one better! The main character (a supporting character from the first book) was really likable and I really wanted to see things shake out well for her. Fun rom-com read!

In Conclustion, Don’t Worry About It – Lauren Graham

Another Lauren Graham! This was originally a commencement speach that she gave but she expanded it and turned it into a short book. Super fast read, but also, really funny!

Keep Moving – Dick Van Dyke

Ahhh, Dick Van Dyke. I read and loved his first autobiography years ago so I knew I’d love this one as well. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by him, and it was so entertaining to hear him tell his stories. Really great life lessons in this one!

The Last Thing He Told Me – Laura Dave

I LOVED this book. It was an edge-of-my-seat kind of mystery. I loved the way it unfolded and ended up finishing this one in a couple of days. So excited to see this one on the small screen!

I Must Say – Martin Short

Okay, so I have thing about listening to autobiographies narrated by the actual authors. This was hands-down, one of my favorites. I loved hearing Martin Short sing the songs and do the impressions throughout the book. He’s one of the best entertainers and his book was so delightful.

You Can’t Be Serious – Kal Pen

Another audiobook, but listen – Kal Penn is a FANTASTIC story teller. He’s entertaining and compelling, and I was both shocked and saddened by his stories about the racism he’s encountered in his career. I think it’s important for us to hear these inside stories first-hand!!

The Martian – Andy Weir

I Loved Andy Weir’s books last year so I knew I needed to read this one, even though I’ve seen the movie. I’m not sure I’ve ever read a book that more closely resembled the movie in my life. Impressive! This is a fantastic story.

Sharp Objects – Gillian Flynn

Whoa. This book is dark and painful to read. It’s a good story and I definitely wanted to know how it ended, but wow. W-O-W.

The Lincoln Highway – Amor Towles

Okay, this book was a beautiful story, but it was a little looooong. I really can’t say that it left much of an impression on me.

Death on the Nile – Agathie Christie

Classic. I grabbed this one from a used book store because the movie was coming out. I read it before watching the movie and obviously, the book was better. I enjoyed this classic murder mystery!

Lincoln in the Bardo – George Saunders

I’ll be honest with you – I don’t get this book. I was intrigued by the premise and the cast of readers. I even bought this using an audible credit because it was so highly recommended. Boy that was a mistake. It was very confusing to follow. Maybe it would be better to read this one? IDK, y’all.

Blowing the Bloody Doors Off – Michael Caine

Charming. That’s the only word to describe Michael Caine. Absolutely charming. If you like him, you’ll love listening to him narrate this autobiography. He has an incredible life story and an acute awareness of his privilege. Loved this one.

Yonder – Jaban Asim

Wow. This book was heartbreaking and an absolute page turner. I think I read it in two days. It tells the story of enslaved people living on a farm. It gives such a unique perspective to something I could never experience. This is a must-read.

Upgrade – Blake Crouch

I grabbed this book from the library the week it came out because Andy Weir recommended it. Sold. It was amazing. A fast read, very science-y, but very understandable. Loved this one!

The Office BFFs – Jenna Fischer/Angela Kinsey

This was another audiobook for me and I’m so glad. It was so pleasant to listen to Jenna and Angela tell the stories of The Office. If you’re a fan of The Office, you’d love this.

Commonwealth – Ann Patchett

Ann Patchett is such an incredible writer. She’s lyrical and can tell an ordinary story in an extraordinary way. I’m still thinking about this book weeks after fininshing it. (Remember The Guest House from last year? So so good.)

Dark Matter – Black Crouch

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing – Hank Green

Okay, this was a heady book. Some complicated science-y type things that I didn’t understand in the slightest, but still such a great story.

A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor – Hank Green

Obviously, I had to read the sequel. A great second act to the story, and again, super science-y, but such a good story about not losing our humanity in our search for meaning.

The Winners – Fredrik Backman

This book was the third installment of the Bear Town series and it was so so so great. Fredrik Backman might be my favorite author? Certainly in the top three. This was a beautiful way to close out this story.

The Last House Guest – Megan Miranda

I’ll admit, the writing in this book was a little complicated and the timeline jumped back and forth, but it was a really interesting story and was set on the coast of Maine, which might be the best setting for a book.

Verity – Colleen Hoover

This was my first CH book and it will certainly be my last. I read this one in just a few hours and I was hooked until the very end. And then I was LET DOWN. And looking back, it was just lazy. This was the last book I read in 2022 and it was definitely a disappointment.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – J.K. Rowling

I didn’t grow up reading Harry Potter or watching the movies, but from what I’ve gathered, I knew the stories would be interesting for Ezra, so we started reading this series as a family. We were able to get through the first one and we enjoyed it!