2022 Goodreads Wrap-Up

My 2022 Goodreads goal was to read 100 books. I'm currently on chapter seven of book 100, so hopefully, I accomplish it in time.

The Worst

There are six books on my Death to All of Them shelf and I read five of them this year

Honourable Mentions:

• Finding Yvonne by Brandy Colbert

• Dead Dead Girls by Nekesa Afia

• Black Girls Must Die Exhausted by Jayne Allen

3. The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas

This was a rec from a friend, and I was super excited to read it after seeing everyone go feral about it on BookTok. I've never been more bamboozled in my LIFE.

The plot was fine, but the characters were horrendous. Actually, it was really just Catalina who was horrible. At no point during the book did she act like the working adult she supposedly is. Her reasoning for hating Aaron was unserious, and her stubbornness wasn't charming in the slightest. I'm SO happy I borrowed this from the library instead of actually spending money on this monstrosity. However, I'm still debating reading The American Roommate Experiment (also by Elena Armas).

2. One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London

Literally, everything about One to Watch was offensive. The plot had so much potential, but the alarming fatphobia and insufferable main character ruined the entire experience.

1. 1984 by George Orwell

It took me just over a month to finish reading 1984. I don't think I've ever read a more boring book in my life. I never thought I'd see the end. When I reached the last page, I nearly cried. 80% of this book lacks excitement but it's filled to the brim with blatant misogyny that I wasn't prepared for. I know 1984 is a classic and all, but I don't really see the need for it anymore; especially when we have the genius of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale.

The Best

I read so many new favourites this year!

Honourable Mentions:

• Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

• The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

• Happily Ever Afters by Elise Bryant

5. Bones & All by Camille DeAngelis

Bones & All is the third book I've read in anticipation of a film adaptation starring Timothée Chalamet. I'm really squeamish, so I thought reading the book first would help prepare me for the movie. It didn't, but I'm glad I read the book because the story was riveting, the characters were well-developed, and I just couldn't put it down. I remember my roommates coming in at like 3 am, and I was still reading.

4. The Lightning Theif by Rick Riordan

I started reading the Percy Jackson series in preparation for the new series coming to Disney+. The entire Twitter timeline seemed excited about it, so of course, I had to jump on the bandwagon. I love all five books, but the first one is pure magic.

3. Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

I absolutely adored this book. I don't remember the last time I cried so many times while reading, but my attachment to Chloe Brown was just that serious. Talia Hibbert is a hero for giving me a cute story and a heroine I could relate to!

2. Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

The audiobook experience for Carrie Soto is Back was like none other. Goodreads users were so right for voting it best historical fiction because it was fantastic. The storytelling was impeccable, and you need to read it ASAP if you haven't already.

1. Solitaire by Alice Oseman

Solitaire became my new favourite book five pages in. The fact that Alice Oseman wrote this masterpiece at 17 is beyond incredible. As much as I love Nick and Charlie and all things Heartstopper, nothing can compare to the brilliance of Tori Spring's story.

Most Anticipated & Biggest Dissapointment

I guess you win some and you lose some

Most Anticipated: Book Lovers by Emily Henry

After reading Beach Read and People We Meet on Vacation last year, I was SO excited to read Book Lovers this year. F-- the gossip. Book Lovers ATE. I loved how it was from the POV of the rich, uptight, Peloton queenie, who's the typical villain in romance novels. Emily Henry is a genius!

Biggest Disappointment: It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover

I was warned about this sequel, but I took the risk. It wasn't worth it. I ended up selling it to BMV for $5. It's actually devastating how bland this book was, considering how much I loved reading It Ends with Us last year. If the rest of her books are as directionless as this one, my Colleen journey will end with this.

Related Stories