Anyone who knows me knows how much I love reading, and I think 2022 was my biggest reading year ever. I didn’t even intend to read as much as I did, but I read 110 books throughout the year, and found some new favorites! I love how reading has become part of my daily routine, from finding 20 minutes to read between classes to reading a few chapters before bed. I tried to explore some new genres this year, and I read fantasy for the first time in forever. I also re-read some old favorites, some great Christian books, and found my new favorite duology! This was hard to narrow down, but today I’m sharing my 22 favorite books I read in 2022!

1. Mere Christianity // My first C.S. Lewis book (other than Chronicles of Narnia), and I really enjoyed it! Some parts of it were hard to get through, but I loved his writing and the overall message. The book covers what it means to be a Christian and true dying to self. It’s not enough to live a life half dedicated to Christ and half focused on my personal wants- it’s giving myself to him fully to use me and change me!
2. You Are What You Love // This was a very well written, intellectual book- the author is very smart and well-versed in scripture and theology. I really enjoyed the first four chapters, but the last few were a little dry. I loved the message about how we get caught in daily rituals and habits that we don’t even realize are trapping up and leading us away from the Kingdom.
3. The Night Swim // Wow, this book was good. It’s told in such an interesting way that keeps you guessing and always wanting to read the next chapter. I love how it’s a mix of mystery, court room drama, and true crime podcasts! Definitely recommend.
4. Better Than the Movies // This was one of my favorite books this year! It’s a little cheesy, but I thought it was so cute. It reminds me of To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before with the fake-dating plot, and I loved all the music and movie references throughout. Highly recommend!
5. The Summer of Broken Rules // This is a great summer read, set over the course of a week in Martha’s Vineyard. It was a little cheesy at times, but I loved the setting and all the wedding prep, and the love story was so cute.
6. Six of Crows // Definitely one of my top books of the year. It took me a little while to get into, because I never read fantasy and the first few chapters were a lot of names and terms to set you up in the world of the book. But after that, the story picked up pace quickly and keeps you so invested. It’s about a group of six teens who band together to pull off an impossible heist, and there are so many twists and turns. I liked the multiple perspectives from each of the characters, and the hints of romance between different pairs!
7. Crooked Kingdom // The second book in the SoC duology, and I was obsessed. Each chapter is told from a new perspective and has new twists, schemes, action, and character development. I love all the characters, but especially Kaz and Inej. The character development throughout the book was amazing, and each person has their own unique backstory. I love how intricate the schemes and plans were throughout the book, and there were always new twists and turns to keep you guessing what would happen next.
8. The Cruel Prince series // I actually didn’t really like the first book of the series, but the second (and especially third) made up for it! This was my second fantasy series of the year, and it made me want to get more into the genre.
9. Love and Other Words // This book sucked me in within the first twenty pages, and I thought the story was so cute! It flips between present day and when the main characters were teenagers, and I think I loved the flashback chapters even more. The characters were really well developed, and I wasn’t expecting the little twist at the end.
10. The Relentless Tenderness of Jesus // I couldn’t recommend this book enough. It’s a book I can see myself coming back to again and again. I got so many notes and quotes from it, and it is completely reframing the way I view Jesus and his love for me. Many tears were shed while reading this book, just taking in the picture of being fully loved and known and accepted by Jesus while deserving none of it!
11. The Devil Wears Prada // I love the movie, so I was excited to finally read the book version, and it did not disappoint! I loved the NYC world of fashion and reading about Andy’s life as the assistant to a major magazine editor. It was a light, easy read- perfect for the beach!
12. Every Summer After // This is the epitome of a perfect summer read! It’s set at a lake house over the course of five summers, watching the two main characters grow up together. I loved the descriptions of the summer lake house and all the characters were so well developed!
13. Where the Crawdads Sing // This book was so descriptive and full of vivid imagery, and you can tell the author had a lot of experience and background in wildlife/zoology. I liked the alternating timelines as we learned Kya’s background, and the trial scenes were perfectly paced. It was a little slow in the beginning, and I did think the ending was a bit rushed, but I wasn’t expecting the little twist on the last page!
14. One True Loves // This was a really well written, well paced book! I found myself constantly conflicted between who I wanted Emma to end up with: her new fiancé or her long lost husband. I really enjoyed the flashback chapters of their high school years, and I thought the ending wrapped it up so satisfyingly.
15. Life of the Beloved // Soooo many good quotes in here, I need to reread it and write them all down. This was about living our daily life knowing we are fully known and loved by God. To see our life on earth as temporary, knowing we are here to love and serve others but that heaven is our home. Really enjoyed!
16. The Nightingale // Wow. This was such a beautiful, heart-wrenching book. I had been told to read it so many times but never read much historical fiction, so it was daunting to me. But I’m so glad I did! It starts out a little slow, but the second half of the book picks up and you get so sucked in. It was both interesting and horrifying to read what the people of France went though during WWII, and the alternating perspectives of the two sisters was amazing!
17. The Good Lie // This was such a good thriller! I was sucked in from the very beginning, and every chapter leaves you with more threads and questions about who the Bloody Heart Killer is. I genuinely had no idea who it could be, yet the final reveal was so shocking and made so much sense
18. Ready Player One // This book was such a fun adventure! I’ve never been very into video games or sci-fi books, so I wasn’t sure if I would like this at first. But I’m so glad I read it, it was so good! The main character is smart, sarcastic, and a pro at video games. I loved reading about the world of the OASIS and all the twists and turns with getting to the final gate.
19. The Hotel Nantucket // This was such a fun book, it makes me want to work at a hotel and live in Nantucket. Elin Hilderbrand never fails!
20. The Heroes of Olympus series // This was one of my favorite things I read this year. I was obsessed with the Percy Jackson series in middle school, and it was so nostalgic to go back and reread all 10 of them! I love the Greek mythology, the friendships/relationships, and all the characters! Even as a 21 year old, they were just as good!
21. Just Do Something // I got this book for my high school graduation and never read it… what better time than right before college graduation? It was seriously so good! I stress so much about finding God’s will for my life and praying to follow his purposes, but this book really stresses the fact that God’s will for us is our sanctification. Wherever we live, whoever we marry, whatever job we work, as long as we are living for him and growing in our faith, we are on the right track!
22. Dance of Thieves // I really enjoyed this book, it is definitely a new favorite of mine! I loved Six of Crows, and it gives me similar vibes with the fantasy/kingdoms/scheming. I was on my toes the whole time trying to figure out Kazi and Jase’s underlying plans, and I loved the characters! I thought it would be a struggle to read but after 50 pages, I was hooked and I read like 400 pages in a day.

Looking back on my Goodreads log from the year, I realized that even though I read a lot of books, I didn’t have as much diversity or “stand out” books as I hoped. This year, I want to read new books, more faith-related books, some nonfiction, and classics! Comment your favorite book of the year below!