I’m so grateful to have had a lovely reading year in 2022. Narrowing down a list of ten favorite books was difficult, but these are the ones that have stuck with me the most over the course of the past year. Here they are, in the order that I read them:
1. East of Eden by John Steinbeck. I read this book early on in 2022, and it has lingered in the back of my mind ever since. This novel is an engrossing, all-encompassing saga of a family, a place, and a time.
2. Wintering by Katherine May. This book explores the idea of “wintering,” of taking a step back from the bustle of our modern lives and embracing a period of intentional rest.
3. Ducks, Newburyport by Lucy Ellmann. I never thought I would be so enamored with 1000 pages of stream of consciousness, but here we are. Despite my initial intimidation, it was well worth the read.
4. Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel. A brilliant novel of multiple levels, layers, and narratives. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it ever since I turned the last page.
5. The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel. This book changed the way I think about wealth, saving money, and planning for the future.
6. Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes. Each summer I choose a “big book” to read–either one that is lengthy or intimidating. Don Quixote is both, but I was delighted by how much I ended up enjoying it.
7. Cannery Row by John Steinbeck. Reading this book is like walking through a dream. Steinbeck’s writing is striking and beautiful, as are his characters and the setting that takes center stage here.
8. Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman. I had so much fun reading this book during spooky season. I’m really looking forward to continuing on with this series in October 2023.
9. Range by David Epstein. This book is a fascinating, reassuring exploration of how the process of experiencing life brings us closer to understanding what is best for us.
10. Bittersweet by Susan Cain. As someone who has been called an “old soul” from a young age, this book made me feel very understood. It is a thoughtful, eloquent discussion of why some of us veer more towards the melancholic and bittersweet than others.
What’s the best book you read in 2022? I’d love to know.
Take care xx
nut free nerd 
Leave a Reply