In 2022, I got back into reading after almost five years after uni took over my life. It wasn’t long before old habits took over and I always had a book in hand, whether I was lounging in a pool float or watching over a boiling stove. This year, I’ve read at least 25 books and enjoyed so many new genres and titles, including romance and non-fiction. But, only five books could make my 2022 shortlist, so read on to discover my top reads of 2022.

A Certain Hunger- Chelsea G. Summers

Though I saw this book on TikTok millions of times, the summary ‘food critic murderess eats her lovers’ hooked me instantly. I love a good crime novel, especially if it’s from the perspective of the killer. Since I read ‘Perfume: The Story of a Murderer’ by Patrick Suskind, this particular subgenre has had me in a chokehold.

Though I love that genre, I don’t admire murderers so I didn’t go into ‘A Certain Hunger’ expecting to like the protagonist, Dorothy Daniels. However, her killings were a satisfying reflection of her relationships and desire for revenge. In Dorothy, Summers created a killer to satisfy any true crime fan.

By using Dorothy’s perspective, Summers presents an often unheard voice. That of a calculated, cold and violent woman. Often, we do not dare to delve into the psyche of female serial killers. Take the Netflix show Mindhunter, did they ever include a murderess? Perhaps most do not want to confront the fact that women may not be maternal and caring, but Summers certainly did.

Interestingly, Dorothy was not only cold in her attitude towards her victims, but herself. Although she brushes off her experiences of sexual violence, one cannot help but wonder if this influences her murders as she continues to experience mistreatment at the hands of men.

Overall, ‘A Certain Hunger’ is a complicated, intriguing and chilling read, which I can’t wait to re-read in 2023.

Such a Fun Age- Kiley Reid

From the title, I assumed this book would be a Dolly Alderton-style reflection on the mess that is being in your 20s. Whilst ‘Such a Fun Age’ was certainly messy for the twenty something protagonist, that’s the only similarity to ‘Everything I Know About Love’.

Instead, Reid’s novel is a clever, satirical reflection on racism today. It tells the story of Emira, a black graduate faced with the all to familiar problem of what to do with her life. Unluckily for her, she ends up working as a nanny for a middle class white family and watches as everything she knows begins to unravel.

The mother of the family, Alix Chamberlin is an inspirational speaker and blogger riding the #GirlBoss wave. Bored after moving from New York to her sleepy hometown, she becomes increasingly obsessed with Emira throughout the slow and unnerving narrative.

When Emira is accussed of kidnapping by a racist security guard, her and Alix’s lives become more and more intertwined. As Alix's past is revealed, it becomes clear that Emira is just a ploy in Alix’s desperation to prove she isn’t racist.

This book forces the reader to consider the intricacy of racism today through an intelligent, capitvating plot that will have every reader reconsider their own understanding of what it means to be prejudiced.

The Pink Line- Mark Gevisser

When my best friend gave me this book for my birthday I was intrigued and a little scared. I hadn’t delved much into non-fiction and this book was chunky. Nevertheless, I packed it for my holiday to Cyprus with high hopes.

From South Africa to Israel, this book tells the story of queerness throughout the world through unique case studies. Intersectional in every sense of the word, Gevisser's research exposes the influence of religion, politics and culture on identity in ways I never expected.

In a world where for so many being different is a crime, The Pink Line is an important exploration of queerness today.

Men Who Hate Women- Laura Bates

In her sixth book, the feminist and author Laura Bates paints a terrifying picture for women today- but one we all need to be aware of. By investigating real life instances of violence against women, immersing herself in incel forums and speaking to former men's rights activists, Bates explores how and why sexism is still rife in 2022.

From former presidents to YouTubers, people everywhere are pushing sexism. Sometimes it's given a palatable title, like 'men's rights'. But most of the time, outright hatred of women is displayed without qualms or filters.

‘Men Who Hate Women’ outlines just how often vulnerable men are ensared by this toxic rhetoric. From classrooms to social media, Bates shows how offhand comments and jokes can grow into violent, sometimes fatal, actions.

This book is on my list not just because it was interesting, but because it is an urgent warning to all of us and we need to listen.

One Last Stop- Casey Mcquiston

On a happier note, it's no secret by now that I adore queer romance. However, this often feels reductive. A good love story never stands alone, but is a way to explore a historical period, a culture or even, a sci-fi mystery.

One Last Stop had them all. A gorgeous love story set between a grungy bar and a subway car, I never expected the sci-fi subplot that made me love this story even more. It was the first time in a while I couldn't put down a book until I knew what happened. The connection between August and Jane was so dramatic and unlikely, that I just had to know if they got their happy ending.

Looking forward to 2023

As we leave 2022 behind, I’m excited to try even more new genres, styles and authors in 2023. 2022 has been the year I fell in love with reading again and I can’t wait to read even more books in the new year, starting with my January TBR, which you can read all about in my next blog post.