It’s a new year which means a new chance to work towards actually achieving the goals you create! I have a big year ahead of me with the hope of becoming a full-time freelance writer and reaching the BIG milestone of reading 100 books in the year. Crazy right? But if I am going to leave corporate America, I am going to need something to fill my time. So why not read, right?
What are your goals for this year? Let me know in the comments. And as always, drop a suggestion on any books you think I should read!
The Book of Lost and Found by Lucy Foley (Drama): Honeslty not a fan of this book. It took me a month to read because I could not get into it. I loved Foley’s other books, including the thriller The Guest List, but this one was a different genre and I just don’t think she was able to write as compelling of a story. It was a nice story, but I feel that it left too much unsaid (what happened with Oliver, etc).
The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena (Thriller): Unlike my first book of the year, this one was much better. I read this in two days and it was restored my faith in reading again. Your typical thriller, this one follows the story of a husband and wife, her rich parents, and a missing baby. You learn answers pretty quickly in the story, but Lapena has a few more twists as you read on.
Goodnight Beautiful by Aimee Molloy (Suspense): Best book read in 2022 so far! Yes, I know this is only my third, but I think it will be hard to top this one. The way Molloy blends physchological – both the genre and actual psychology – together really pushes all the twists in this book. It’s on the shorter side which means you should be able to read it quickly!
The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins (Fantasy): Slow start that leads to a crazy ending! I wouldn’t go so far as to say this is a suspense or thriller even though that was the impression I was under when I was recommended the book. All in all, I really enjoyed this book. It was definitely not one I would normally pick. It’s fantasy, but not fairy-alien type – there is the “father” and “god” references mixed with a bit of good crazy! Probably not a super helpful review but it’s hard to describe this book!
Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney (Mystery): I flew through this novel. I was in the middle of reading a crime non-fiction novel when I knew I wanted a book I could zoom through – boy did I pick a good one. This novel in written in the perspective of three characters – two of which won a free stay at a secluded remodeled (maybe haunted) chapel turned home and the other a mysterious figure who we never quiet get enough information about to figure them out. The twist is good – maybe obvious depending on how close you pay attention. All in all, a great, easy to read novel.
In Search of the Rainbow’s End by Colin Caffell (Non-Fiction/True Crime) – currently reading
The Bride Wore Black by Cornell Woolrich (Suspense): I had purchased this book last year when I visited my friend in Oregon. I had read that this hook might have helped to influence Tarentino’s Kill Bill, but I’m not sure if that is accurate or not. Regardless, this classic was very well written. Originally published in the 1940s, this novel takes us through the murder of four men by a beautiful woman.
Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover (Drama/Romance): I cried through the last half of this book. It is now my new favorite Hoover novel behind It Ends With Us and Verity. This was such a heartwrenching novel – predictable, but in a way that worked well. If you are looking for a good cry, I highly recommend this novel. Last I checked its free with Amazon Unlimited!
Regretting You by Colleen Hoover (Drama/Romance): After having my heart ripped out by Reminders of Him, I figured I might as well read the other Hoover novel I had on my Kindle. This one wasn’t as good, but still a cute story. It touches a lot on the mother daughter struggle after a death. I love that by the end of the book, both mother and daughter had a believable character arc.
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Drama): After reading Daisy Jones and the Six last year, I was excited to read another of her books. While I think I prefered Daisy, this book was still well written and had a compelling story. I think there was some characters who could have been a little more developed and maybe a few that could have been omitted to make for a better story. Overall, I still recommend this as a nice, easy option.
Such A Quiet Place by Megan Miranda (Suspense): I enjoyed this book a lot. It kept my attention throughout its entirety. It is fast paced and engaging while also being easy to fly through. Miranda has a few books out and this is the second of hers that I have read and enjoyed.
We Are All the Same In the Dark by Julia Heaberlin (Suspense/Crime): Yes. Best book I have read so far this year. It was so well written – style, the way the parts and POV are broken out, everything. Very easy to read and fall in love with the characters. I very strongly recommend this modern crime novel.
Not A Happy Family by Shari Lapena (Thriller): Honestly, not very thrilled by this one. It’s ok, but I feel like a lot was left out. I can’t really say anything more without spoiling the ending, but unfortunately, I do not recommend this one.
The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins (Thriller): I loved this one. I always enjoy a good book where the “bad” person isn’t who you think. I highly recommend this book. It’s a fast read and not too obvious. I could add this to a “beach read” list for sure.
The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix (Thriller): Yes, yes, yes. I take back what I have said about favorite books, this one takes the cake for sure. It’s different, so when you read the first few chapters and are confused, just wait. It gets better. The writer talks about final girls, which are women who have surived brutal attacks and lived to tell the tale. If you can put yourself in that world, the book will make more sense.
It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover (Fiction): There was a weekend that was really nice – like sit outside by the baby pool nice. I needed an easy book to read (for the second time) while I enjoyed the sun. This is a go-to for that for sure. Even though I read it last year, I still cried just as much the second time through.
Five Total Strangers by Natalie D Richards (Thriller): I very much enjoyed this one. I did read through it in one day. I wouldn’t rate it too high though. It’s was very obvious and similar to Riley Sager’s Survive the Night. I think I prefered that one to this even though I enjoyed this one.
The Broken Girls by Simone St. James (Thriller): I am really loving St. James as a writer. This is my second novel by the author and I have the rest of hers qued up to read next. This was decent – a solid 4/5 because it kept me interested. I wouldn’t say its the best “whodunit” it though
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry (Fiction): Another TikTok book that I knew I wouldn’t like but had to read to say I read it. It’s good and a fun beach read, but doesn’t do much for you. It’s cute.
The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James (Thriller): Yep, it’s safe to say that I love St. James. I highly recommend this one as it includes bit of thriller, ghost story, and drama.
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli (YA fiction): When my brother was visiting, he asked me to get a tattoo with him. I was happy to oblige. I knew I wanted to get a literary themed tattoo to go with my Into The Wild bus, and I immediately thought of Stargirl which is a girl stick figure and a star. Stargirl is a great lesson on being different and how fitting in is hard. This beautiful book is one I will always recommend.
The Last of the Really Great Wangdoodles by Julie Andrews (YA fiction): Similar to Stargirl, this book is one of my favorites from when I was a young girl. A friend of mine had a baby shower where they asked us to bring books instead of cards, and I thought of this one, which prompted me to reread it. And yes, this is by the same Julie Andrews you are thinking of.
An Inquiry Into Love and Death by Simone St. James (Thriller): I wasn’t as interested in this one as I was with most of St. James’ other novels. I did like this one, but it was harder to get into the novel.
The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James (Thriller): This one I flew through. It’s as much love story as it is ghost story. I was slightly disappointed with the ending – for Maddy, but I do think overall it was a good read.
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson (Mystery): I’m not sure what made me read this one, but I am so glad I did. I had not heard anything about the book – series actually, before reading. I immediately grabbed books two and three in the series to add to my libby list.
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne (Romance/Fiction): I have to admit that I saw this Lucy Hale film before I read this book. I liked both, but am proud to say I enjoyed the book more. Sure it was obvious and an easy read, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The Duke and I by Julia Quinn (Romance/Fiction): I think this is one of the few times where I enjoyed the series more than the book. With that being said, I think I will read the rest of the novels as they are a cutesy read.
The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley (Suspense): After not enjoying Foley’s novel that I started the year off with, I was very excited to say I am back on Team Foley. I hight recommend this novel though I still think The Guest List is her best work.
The Club by Ellery Lloyd (Suspense): Sorry, but this one is not worth reading. I struggled to get though it. The concept was nice, but honestly there are much better options
November 9 by Colleen Hoover (Romance/Fiction): I get the hype on this novel. You will cry and you will not be able to put the book down, trust me.
All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover (Romance/Fiction): Another book I cried uncontrollably to. I think this one pushes for one of Hoover’s best. That may be controversial, but I think I have to say this one is my favorite.
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood (Romance/Fiction): I did not enjoy this one. Yes it was cutesy, but honestly I do not get the hype.
Final Girl by Riley Sager (Suspense): This novel changed my “eh” feeling on Sager. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for some good twists and turns.
No Exit by Taylor Adams (Suspense): I started this novel right before I was planning on going to bed, but next thing I knew, it was 3.5 hours later and I was on the last chapter. There is a movie on Hulu based off this book, I will have to add it to my watch list.
Silence for the Dead by Simone St. James (Suspense): 10/10 – another great novel by St. James. I loved every part of this book, it had suspense, a ghost story, and even some romance
The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager (Suspense): I LOVED this one. I am 100% a Sager fan now. This one takes place at a summer camp and has enough twists to make it not cliche.
Misery by Stephen King (Suspense): I loved the film with Kathy Bates from the 90s, so I don’t know why it took me so long to read the book. I read it on my flight back from my honeymoon and couldn’t put it down – I was using my phone as a flashlight to read.
The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton (Suspense): Turton’s first novel, The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is my absolute favorite novel of all time, so when I saw he had a second one, I knew I had to read. While it’s not as good as his first, it was a great pirate meets ghost story.
Good Girl Bad Blood by Holly Jackson (Suspense): This and the next novel are part of the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder trilogy that I started earlier in the year. The first novel was my favorite with this second one being my least favorite. See next entry.
As Good As it Gets by Holly Jackson (Suspense): The third and final book in the series is my second favorite. The second was almost a carbon copy of the first, while the third was a new storyline with a good ending.
Eight Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson (Suspense): I saw this novel on booktok on TikTok and was excited to read it. If you like classic thrillers, you’ll love this book as the premise surrounds murders planned out like murders in classic novels.
The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager (Thriller): I flew through this novel! I wasn’t sure what to expect when it first started, but once I got a few pages in, I could not put it down!
Without Merit by Colleen Hoover (Romance): Don’t hate me, but this is not my favorite Hoover novel. It was still good, don’t get me wrong, but I would recommend others before this one.
Next Up: Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover, Home Before Dark by Riley Sager, Book Lovers by Emily Henry, The It Girl by Ruth Ware, Carrie Soto is Back by TJR, Hades X Persephone trilogy
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