What I've Been Reading: 2022 recap

This has been a big year for me in terms of my reading. At the beginning of the year, I set my Goodreads reading challenge at 30-- a number I thought would challenge, but not overwhelm me as I was still a student up until my graduation in the spring. I've had some incredible months that saw me reading up to eight books (February), whereas I didn't finish a single book in April, May, or June. Despite this, I've been able to keep up with my goal and I'm currently "right on track!" with 21/30 books read as of today. It's been a while since I've updated with what I've been reading, so let's get into it!

Instead of recapping all 21 books, I picked out the ones that stood out to me the most. I managed to whittle down the list to around half of what I've read-- I guess I've read some pretty good books this year! Here's the short list of my favorites so far:

Hold Back the Tide by Melinda Salisbury

A creature feature with familial secrets and a hostile small town.

Finale (Caraval, #3) by Stephanie Garber

The final book in the Caraval trilogy, Finale did not disappoint. I began this trilogy last year and I was quickly immersed in the vivid world that Garber created. I was really pleased that all three books in this trilogy never lost their momentum.

To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo

The Little Mermaid, but lethal. This book was a last-minute addition to my Amazon cart earlier this year, but it ended up sweeping me off my feet. This is a standalone novel about the deadliest siren and a notorious siren killer with a touch of romance and a lot of action.

Ninth House (Alex Stern, #1) by Leigh Bardugo

I started the audiobook for Ninth House back in 2020 during a move, but working full time while maintaining a full-time university curriculum put all of my reading on hold. This is my most recent read and it was incredible. It's a slow burn with tons of flashbacks, exposition, and background information that you're thankful for once things start coming together. The intimate knowledge that's provided to you throughout the book makes for characters that you really care about and sympathize with. I read a lot of books, and many of them are entertaining and tell good stories-- I even like many of the characters that I encounter. Few, however, make me care about them. I found myself truly concerned and invested in the characters' well-being. I can't wait for Hell Bent, the second book in the series that'll be released next January (the day before my birthday!).

Ruin and Rising (Grisha, #3) by Leigh Bardugo

The conclusion to the Grisha trilogy. I was ultimately pleased with the trilogy's conclusion. I can't wait to read the Six of Crows duology!

Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1) by Sarah J. Maas

This was my first SJM read and it didn't disappoint. It played on some well-known fantasy tropes, but I thought they were done well. I burned through this book quickly and have already continued with the series, as well as the novellas that precede the first novel.

An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson

A unique fantasy world where the fae and humans co-exist tenuously. Humans are able to provide "crafts" for the fae who are unable to do it themselves, occasionally providing the humans that have served them with enchanted items. I loved the unique relationships between the fae and humans, as well as the worldbuilding and magic system Rogerson created. I already have her other novels on my TBR.

The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones

How dare this book make me cry. This was such a beautifully written story about magic and zombies. This book was full of mystery and action, but also explored love, loss, and grief in such a beautiful, unexpected way. I'm tearing up as I recall reading this book, so I'm moving on.

Stalking Jack the Ripper (Stalking Jack the Ripper, #1) by Kerri Maniscalco

THIS. BOOK. WAS. SO. MUCH. FUN. I actually have a dedicated review for this book that I'll link here. I absolutely devoured this story. It's a murder mystery first and foremost, but I really enjoyed the romance sprinkled throughout. I love Audrey Rose and Thomas, and I can't wait to continue their stories with the rest of the series.

The Bone Shard Daughter (The Drowning Empire, #1) by Andrea Stewart

I saved the best for last with The Bone Shard Daughter. There aren't enough words to describe how I feel about this book. I'll go as far as saying that this book is tied with Rebecca by Daphne du Marier for my favorite book of all time.

Like Ninth House above, I really, really, cared about these characters. There were moments when I hesitated turning to the next page because Stewart made me so deeply afraid of what would happen next. (I immediately picked up The Bone Shard Emporer-- its sequel-- but I've been putting off reading it for that exact reason.) This book has it all, and it's no wonder I keep seeing it at the top of lists of those who've read it. It's a book about magic and mystery, sure, but it's so much more than that. I don't want to give anything else away, so just do yourself a favor and pick this book up.

TBR:

The Bone Shard Empire (The Drowning Empire, #2) by Andrea Stewart

I've gotta rip the band-aid off eventually.

Kingdom of the Wicked (Kingdom of the Wicked, #1) by Kerri Maniscalco

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

This was another book that I began reading in 2020 but that school got in the way of. I've started the book over, so I'll soon have the quintessential dark academia book under my belt!