A 3rd Year of Books: 52 Books in 52 Weeks
/My reading momentum died during last summer’s post vaccination craze and I went months without even thinking about books. It wasn’t until my mom bought me a Kindle as a gift that I renewed my passion for reading. Reading in 2022 became so much easier thanks to my Kindle (I have no idea why I was holding out for physical books) because I was able to access books at anytime at any place. I could read on the beach in Galveston or in a cafe in Oslo or on the plane to a work trip in Seattle. The ease of access helped me become more settled in my reading routine this year and I was able to easily complete 52 (plus!) books.
The Flip Side (by James Bailey)- I decided to start off 2022 with a lighthearted hilarious novel about a man whose failed marriage proposal (atop the London Eye no less) leads him to leave his life decisions up to the flip of a coin. He’ll do whatever the coin tells him to do- which introduces him to all kinds of trouble, adventure, and most importantly, love. The book has a happy ending and puts every reader in a great mood.
The Rose Code (by Kate Quinn)- My book club’s first pick of 2022 was my choice for a historical fiction and I was so excited to read The Rose Code. The book didn’t disappoint! I was so wrapped up in the intrigue and history and drama of the World War II British codebreakers that I would spend hours reading a day until I finished. There are 3 heroines whose stories are at the forefront of the story and their stories are told from their perspectives in alternating fashion. The chapters also alternate between present day and the past. It takes some close reading to connect the dots, but I loved the mystery of it all and the very exciting ending.
Ghosts (by Dolly Alderton)- The MOST relatable book ever. The way the author describes the attitudes of single versus married friends as well as app dating is spot on. I found myself agreeing with so many conversations that went on in the book and felt so validated that I wasn’t the only person noticing these things. This book is for any modern day woman navigating the dating field!
So We Meet Again (by Suzanne Park)- Love stories with Asian American leads are few and far between (although its definitely trending upwards so that’s good news!) so when my Kindle recommended this book to me, I knew I had to give it a chance. Its definitely a lighthearted book that makes you feel carefree and happy so don’t expect the next Gone With The Wind, but its worth a quick read because it puts you in a great mood.
The Bookshop on the Corner (by Jenny Colgan)- A cute story about a British girl who moves to the Scottish countryside, rents a giant van and turns it into an adorable book store, falls in love with a rugged Scottish man, and realizes that life is what you make of it and dreams are worth chasing after. This book made me want to move to the middle of nowhere and open a tiny little book shop too!
Without a Hitch (by Mary Hollis Huddleston)- Growing up, my dream career was to become a fabulous wedding planner and this book helped me relive my love for weddings (and also reminded me of all the drama and reasons why I ended up not going down that career route…). Set in Dallas, Texas, Without a Hitch is filled with a twentysomething girl who is just trying to figure out her life (life can definitely be confusing sometimes, trust me I know!) and become someone she can be proud of.
Royal Holiday (by Jasmine Guillory)- I’ve read Jasmine Guillory’s books in the past because they’ve been part of Reese Witherspoon’s book club, but could never get into her love stories. Royal Holiday, with its love line of an older woman meeting the man of her dreams while visiting the Queen’s country home in England, still didn’t end up anywhere near my list of favorite books. But it was a cute story with a happy ending so a great stress reliever read!
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (by Holly Jackson)- After reading a few slower paced books, I was really looking forward into getting a murder mystery and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is the perfect mix of mystery and young adult drama. I found it so fascinating and could not put the book down. The book’s premise is built on a high school student attempting to solve a murder that has bogged down her Connecticut town where the previously accused killer committed suicide resulting in the murder never really being closed. The book is actually the first in a trilogy and I can’t wait to read the remaining 3 books.
Beautiful World, Where Are You (by Sally Rooney)- Rooney’s Normal People became a worldwide phenomenon so when her sophomore novel came out, I knew I had to read it. As with Normal People, this book takes a bit of deep thinking to understand its many nuances and its plot. I love how Rooney crafts a beautiful story about friendships and romance and the relationships between humans.
Love and Gelato (by Jenna Evans Welch)- Romance, Italy, and gelato- what can get better than that in a novel? I headed off to San Francisco for a action packed 2 weeks of remote work/adventuring/reuniting with friends and knew I wanted to read something equally as adventurous and fun along the way. I loved Welch’s story about a girl who starts a new life in the Florence countryside with her newly discovered father and a whole gang of new friends.And the best part is the author has written many more books in the same series so there is many more romance and fun to be had!
Nice Girls (by Catherine Dang)- I’ve been into suspense novels recently (if you can’t tell by now!) and really enjoyed reading about how the protagonist of Nice Girls’, Mary, who from all appearances is sort of a loser, solves a local crime that involves local missing girls. There are a few parts of the story line that seem to drag on, but Dang wraps up the ending nicely and its a pretty satisfying read.
The Maid (by Nita Prose)- And the suspense novels continue! The Maid was highly recommended to me and it did not disappoint. If you loved Eleanor Oliphant as I did, you’ll love reading about Molly Gray aka Molly the Maid and her life working at a prestigious hotel and getting wrapped into a murder mystery. Molly presents as a neurodivergent woman and I loved reading about her thought process and what it means to be neurodivergent.
LA Weather (by Maria Amparo Escandon)- I wasn’t sure what to expect from LA Weather because other than being on Reese Witherspoon’s book club list, I didn’t know anything else about it. But it was nice to read a different type of genre from my usual murder mystery or romance. In fact, I was so interested in reading about the Alvarado family and all their drama that I could not put the book down until the end!
Last Girl Ghosted (by Lisa Ungar)- This book is definitely not what I thought it would be about based on the title…. I thought it would be a creepy story about a girl who stalks a guy who ghosted her after a few dates. But, instead it is a very deep and kind of scary book about a girl with a traumatic past who gets involved with a very scary man (no spoilers so that’s all I’m going to say on that). There were many twists and turns and the book is pretty heavy…
Malibu Rising (by Taylor Jenkins Reid)- After skipping my books club’s February read, I was excited to dive into the March book, Malibu Rising, especially because I love anything written by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I love a good story about siblings and their unwavering loyalty towards each other and Malibu Rising is just that. Nina, Jay, Hud, and Kit have been on their own since childhood and this book details their strength, their growth, and their stories.
The Cheerleaders (by Kara Thomas)- One year, Five dead cheerleaders. That’s the premise of Thomas’ The Cheerleaders, a whodunit mystery novel about the string of cheerleader deaths that has plagued a small town. Monica, the novel’s protagonist, is adamant in finding out whether or not her sister (the last cheerleader to die) actually committed suicide and to confirm the truth behind the deaths of the other four cheerleaders. Her search for the truth is broken up in the novel by flashbacks to her sister’s Jen’s version of events, which provides a fascinating insight into the mysterious deaths. The book is artfully written with plenty of subtext and hints without actually word for word revealing plot lines,
Reckless Girls (by Rachel Hawkins)- Lux is a twentysomething woman who resides in Hawaii with her boyfriend of one year and embarks on the journey of a lifetime aboard her boyfriend’s boat to a mysterious island with a dark history where survival is only meant for the strongest. During her journey she is joined by two other women and mets a handful of other people along the way- all of whom are not who they appear to be. While Lux remains the protagonist of the book, the chapters are told from the different perspectives of some of the other characters, thus revealing the book’s secrets page by page. It’s a book that will leave you guessing until the end!
You’ll Be the Death of Me (by Karen McManus)- One of my favorite YA mystery writers came out with her newest books so I knew I had to read it right away! Like her other books, You’ll Be the Death of Me tells the story of a group of high school friends who get tangled up in a crime that they then have to solve in order to prove their innocence. And like always, the ending is one you’ll never see coming!
Little Threats (by Emily Schultz)- Little Threats is as dark and sad as they come, but the suspense is throughly written and worth the read. Kennedy and Carter (yes they are named after presidents) are twins who lived a privileged life until Kennedy is convicted of a murder she does not remember committing. As she is released from prison after 14 years, she attempts to reenter a world that has moved on without her while mending her relationship with her twin and desperately trying to remember the actual truth that resulted in her conviction. I was shocked at the ending, but the author did a great job leaving the crumbs leading me there.
My Not So Perfect Life (by Sophie Kinsella)- Recovering from Lasik eye surgery has been taking a bit longer than I expected and the slightly blurry vision has definitely put a damper on my reading plan so I had to resort to other measures. Aka audiobooks. I haven’t been a huge fan of audiobooks because of how quickly they are read and how easy it can be to lose focus and miss a part of the book, but since I really had no other options I thought I would give it a shot. Sophie Kinsella’s latest romantic comedy novel was filled with relatable funny quirks and when read by a British actress, the story truly came to life. I loved listening about a twenty something small town girl trying to make it in the big city!
Wedding Night (by Sophie Kinsella)- Desperate for another funny light hearted rom com read in a posh British voice, I chose another random Sophie Kinsella audiobook to listen to as continue to recover from lasik surgery. However, Wedding Night was nothing like My Not So Perfect Life (aside from the yes equally posh British voice). Majority of the book was about the sexual tension between two people who were desperate to do the deed, but having their efforts continuously thwarted by the protagonists’ well meaning but meddling sister. It was overall a silly novel and not at all funny- but yes a great way for an person who can;t watch tb or drive or do basically anything to pass time.
You' Can’t Be Serious (by Kal Penn)- I went to hear Kal Penn speak at a Texas Asia Society event a few months ago and was so fascinated by his story (and his jokes!) that I decided to borrow his audiobook and spend another week of lasik recovery listening to his memoir. I love listening to audiobooks read by the celebrity themselves and learning about their story through they own words and voice. Kal’s story was equally funny as it was interesting and was worth the listen.
Run Rose Run (by James Patterson and Dolly Parton)- Um Dolly Parton wrote a book?? I obviously had to read it! James Patterson is an author known for scary thrillers so I was expecting a country themed murder mystery with a ton of twists and turns. But Run Rose Rose focuses more on a young girl (albeit with a mysterious past) turning a leaf in her broken past and becoming a huge country music superstar and just sprinkles in a little bit of thriller.
The Paris Apartment (by Lucy Foley)- Another Lucy Foley novel means another week holed up in my apartment engrossed in the latest artfully crafted thriller. The Paris Apartment sounds like it would be about a beautiful adventure in Paris, but its in fact the opposite… A girl arrives in Paris looking for her older brother and winds up involved in the mystery of a lifetime- its definitely one of the best books I’ve read this year!
Good Girl, Bad Blood (by Holly Jackson)- I was hooked to the first book of the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series and could not wait to read the sequel (there’s also a third book!). The sequel solves a completely unrelated, but equally interesting mystery and presents the same lovable characters as the first book.
They All Fall Down (by Roxanne St Clair)- I just can’t stop reading suspense thrillers and mysteries- They All Fall Down fits that genre to a tee. The book is about girls on a “hottie list” (yes I know…) who are dying one by one. The locals think its a curse, but could there be something more sinister going on behind the scenes? You have to read this book to find out!
That Weekend (by Kara Thomas)- Told from main character Claire’s perspective (until the end when the perspective switches around), That Weekend brings you down a rabbit hole of missing persons, complicated high school romances, and lost memories. This book had so many twists and turns, I honestly had no idea what was going on until the end, but I just couldn’t put it down!
Verity (by Colleen Hoover)- Colleen Hoover’s books have been all over social media lately and I’ve been so curious about the intense attraction to them so I picked up Verity on the suggestion of a few friends. Verity is about an unknown author who is tasked with finishing a popular book series when the author goes into a coma. But the twists come when the author comes across something she shouldn’t and what she finds brings her down a spiral. Verity is so well written- filled with enough suspense and darkness to keep you up at night. I can’t wait to read another Colleen Hoover book now!
Love at First Spite (by Anna Collins)- After a few thriller novels, I was ready for a cute love story and Love at First Spite made me feel like I was reading something out of a Korean drama! I love stories where the two protagonists despise each other at first without knowing that they are each other’s soulmates and destined to fall in love. Love at First Spite also mixes in interior design and architecture (the female protagonist is building a house!) with the adorable romantic comedy so what can be better!
The Ivies (by Alexa Donne)- I’ve been gravitating towards a lot young adult mysteries lately and The Ivies fits right in that genre. Telling the story of a group of high school girls who call themselves The Ivies as they work (or should I say scheme) towards obtaining admission into the prestigious Ivy Leage colleges, the book brings the reader on a journey of friendship, greed, and betrayal (the best combination when it comes to a murder mystery).
The Night Shift (by Alex Finlay)- 15 years ago, 4 video store employees were brutally murdered at during their shift and the murderer was never caught, Now in the present, an eerily similar murder at a local ice cream shop occurs where the shop’s 3 young employees are killed. Both murders have one thing in common- there is one survivor left alive. With a premise like this, The Night Shift hooked me right in and left me unable to put down.
A Flicker in the Dark (by Stacy Willingham)- This book was SO suspenseful and the ending was SO shocking. I had so much sympathy for the story’s main character who grew up to be a psychologist under the heaviness of her father’s murder conviction for 6 local girls when she was a child. This book has been selected for a limited tv series starring Emma Stone so hopefully the thriller will play out before our eyes soon.
The Nightingale (by Kristin Hannah)- Every time I open a historical fiction novel about WWII I know that tears are bound to fall and that the story is going to be filled with emotion. Earlier this year I read the Rose Code which is about Britain’s involvement in the War, but this book tells the story of non Jewish French women living in the countryside, which I thought was a unique perspective and brought about experiences I had never learned of before.
As Good as Dead (by Holly Jackson)- This New York Times bestselling trilogy is finally complete with the release of As Good as Dead and while I’m sad that I won’t be reading about the crime solving Pip anymore, I’m glad I was able to follow along for one finale mystery.
The Roughest Draft (by Emily Wibberley)- I decided to take a break for a string of thrillers I’d been reading to crack open this romance story about 2 authors who were formally romantically involved but have since had a major falling out and are currently being forced to work together to create the next big novel. The book’s premise seemed super cute, but in reality the story line was slightly convoluted and the “big” secret that was the reason why the couple broke up turned out to not be that dramatic.
Counterfeit (by Kirsten Chen)- I was on the fence about reading a book about Chinese counterfeit goods because I feel like Asians always get criticized regarding fake luxury bags and in the end I should have trusted my instincts because this book wasn’t the most interesting. The story of two Asian women who buy and sell counterfeit products from China was full of international trips and relationship ups and downs.
The Night She Went Missing (by Kristen Bird)- Kristen Bird is a Houston based author and I was so happy to be able to support a local female first time author by reading her debut novel. The Night She Went Missing tells the mysterious story of a Galveston girl who vanishes under mysterious circumstances and is told from the perspective of multiple people in her life.
Book Lovers (by Emily Henry)- I love Emily Henry and her latest book did not disappoint. I love the idea of having a staycation in a quaint little town mentioned in a book because I’ve always wished the cute towns in Susan Mallery books actually existed in this world. How wonderful would it be to wander through a peaceful town with white picket fences and cafes and bookstores and meet the ideal man?
How to Fail at Flirting (by Denise Williams)- A cute love story about a professor and her boss set in a university that addresses real issues faced by women in the academic world. I found this book to be a funny romance, but also emotional at times.
Greenwich Park (by Kathleen Faulkner)- When you mix money, privilege, complicated family relationships, mysterious friends, and dark pasts together, you get Greenwich Park. I didn’t read the synopsis of Greenwich Park prior to reading it so I had no idea what to expect and found the book’s suspenseful storyline to be quite interesting.
The Agathas (by Kathleen Glasgow)- I love Agatha Christie, the original female sleuth, and loved reading a story about 2 girls who idolized Agatha as well. Alice and Iris, strangers at school, but tutor and pupil after school, join forces to help solve the case of the disappearance of Alice’s missing ex best friend, Brooke. No one know where Brooke has gone, but they can’t help draw comparisons to Alice’s own mysterious 5 day disappearance the year prior.
The Spanish Love Deception (by Elena Armas)- The waitlist for this book was so long I wasn’t sure I was going to even be able to read it this year. But the library waitlist gods smiled down on me and I was able to read about the most adorable love story between a Spanish American girl and her rude (but hot) colleague. The book is set in New York and Spain- two beautiful places! Its a typical story of hate and misunderstanding that turns into love, but I love cheesy love stories so to me, this was the perfect novel.
The Boardwalk Bookshop (by Susan Mallery)- 3 women’s stories come together in The Boardwalk Bookshop as they become business partners in sharing a charming storefront on a beach boardwalk. From strangers to partners to friends, Bree, Ashley, and Mikki are navigating life together and discovering more about themselves everyday.
Apples Never Fall (by Liane Moriarty)- 4 siblings must decide what to do after their mother goes missing and their father appears to be a likely suspect while also dealing with the appearance and disappearance of a mysterious woman who had woven herself in their lives with shady motives. Liane Moriarty is a master in storytelling and crafted a intricate suspense novel about a family who pull out each other’s dark secrets during a turning point in their life.
Mr Wrong Number (by Lynn Painter)- What would you do if you received a text meant for someone else? Would you keep the conversation going? Would you form an anonymous relationship that that person? Olivia accidentally unknowingly texts her brother’s best friend one night and the two embark on the relationship of their life. The story is one of those that could never happen in real life but is the cutest idea ever.
It Ends with Us (by Colleen Hoover)- Colleen Hoover has become the booktok queen, rising from obscurity (she’s been an active writer for years) to modern day fame and her most highly praised novel is It Ends with Us. What is seemingly a fairytale come true love story evolves into a deeper discussion about families and loyalties and abuse. There will be a sequel released later this year that picks up right where the book ends.
Olga Dies Dreaming (by Xochitl Gonzalez)- I recently joined a local Houston girls bookclub and one of the first books I read was Olga Dies Dreaming in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. A Puerto Rican New Yorker, Olga, has to rethink what her American dream is while dealing with her complicated family and equally complicated love life. I learned so much about the political and economic issues affecting Puerto Rico and was so grateful to have read this novel this year.
Black Cake (by Charmaine Wilkerson)- Through the inheritance of a legendary family black cake recipe, siblings Eleanor and Bennett are able to gain a deeper understanding of their recently deceased mother and her life in their island homeland. The siblings uncover family secrets and learn about their mother’s complicated past and the importance of black cake. The book also includes a black cake recipe so that the reader can make their own black cake at home.
The Lifeguards (by Amanda Eyre Ward)- Set in the Barton Creek neighborhood of Austin (an area I frequented a lot during my college years and where some of my friends still live), the story of mother son relationships, privilege and wealth, new beginnings, and murder come to life.
Lessons in Chemistry (by Bonnie Garmus)- I’m not sure when this book became so popular but once I started reading, I realized that everyone else was reading as well and the book was even named Barnes and Nobles’ book of the year. The storyline is set in the 1960s, a time when it wasn’t common for women to work outside the home, much less be single mothers. But yet, Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant chemist, accomplishes all that all while challenging the status quo.
For Your Own Good (by Samantha Downing)- Recommended to me by author Kristen Bird (The Night She Went Missing), For Your Own Good is told from several teachers and students of a prestigious private school’s point of view and is one of the best murder mysteries I read this year.
Booked on a Feeling (by Jayci Lee)- I love a solid romance story led by Asian American (in this case Korean American) protagonists thought Booked on a Feeling was the perfect cozy rainy day read. Lizzy is a perfectionist lawyer who loves books and bookstores, while Jack is her best friend who is about to embark on a brand new career away from the family brewery business. Its a great mix of personality for a cute romance.
The Case of the Left Handed Lady (by Nancy Springer)- I loved the Enola Holmes movies on Netflix and was pleasantly surprised to discover that the movies are actually based on a series of books with the same protagonist. I randomly chose a book in the series to read and soon came to the conclusion that Enola is definitely more charming in the movies than in the book, but still finished my journey with crime solving with Enola.
The Younger Wife (by Sally Hepworth)- Ended 2022 with a bang (or a thrill really) and finished reading a great suspense novel. The Younger Wife starts off like a typical story about a much younger beautiful woman becoming the wife of a much older man to the dismay of his two adult daughters (who have just committed their own mother to a hospital due to her progressive Alzheimer’s). But things are not always what they seem and that’s all I will say about it!
And that’s all for 2022! Some of my favorite reads this year included The Rose Code, The Cheerleaders, and Book Lovers. See you in 2023!
