How’s my 22 for 2022 challenge going so far, you might wonder?
At the beginning of the year, if you recall, I said that I would join the 22 books for the 2022 challenge. The goal was, and still is, to get through as many books from my own library as possible before purchasing more.
As a bonafide bookworm, I will never, ever stop buying books. Just in case anyone was wondering. I try to be reasonable, but I don’t always succeed. I just bought two more bookshelves a few days ago, and I still have books in piles throughout the house because they didn’t all fit in.
So…, as I was saying, I’m still working on my book-buying issue. I’m trying to read as many of my own books before purchasing more, but there’s always a book that I have to have.
But for now, let me recap which books from my tentative 22 books for 2022 I’ve actually read, and which I’m still planning to get through before the end of the year.
Read Books
These are the ten books from my pile I’ve managed to read. I’ve categorized them into physical books and e-books.
Physical Books:
The Push, by Ashley Audrain
A well-written, tense psychological drama that has some disturbing issues. Although I found the subject matter a bit hard to deal with, the writing kept me guessing for more. A definite page-turner that I’m glad I got to this year. I gave it three stars on Goodreads. If you want to read my previous review of this book, it’s linked here.
Good Girls Lie, by J.T.Ellison
This gothic novel is a great private all-girls school drama that gives you spooky vibes and an eerie atmosphere. Once you start, it’s hard to put down, as you get intrigued by all the disturbing mind games these girls play with each other. I love J.T. Ellison’s engaging writing style, and this book got me hooked from the first page. I also rounded this one off to four stars on Goodreads.
The Death of Mrs. Westaway, by Ruth Ware
A twisted tale with old family secrets, and lots of dreary gothic vibes. I think this was my favorite Ruth Ware book yet. The story was well told, and it lived up to its chilly atmospheric plot that is set at a decrepit aging British estate. If you’re into this genre, I definitely recommend it. I gave it four stars on Goodreads.
Rupture, by Ragnar Jonasson
The fourth book in the Dark Island series deals with an old case that was never solved, a child that has gone missing in broad daylight, and a town that is under quarantine. It rang a bit close to home after the last couple of years we experienced, but the plot just made sense at the end. I like Ragnar’s writing just fine, but I prefer the other Icelandic writers more. It still deserves three stars, as far as I’m concerned.
The Help, by Kathryn Stockett
This book was on my To Be Read pile for a number of years, and I think I even saw the movie a few years ago. Although it was not fresh in my memory, I still found the book to be much better. I guess the details were blurry to me, but the author gives a lot more descriptions of the feelings and thoughts of the characters. It was a very enjoyable read, and I rated it four stars on Goodreads.
The Mothers, by Brit Bennett
This is the first novel by Brit Bennett, but I’ve actually read her second one, The Vanishing Half first. Unpopular opinion here, I actually enjoyed this book more than the previous one. Maybe it was the storyline that I preferred or the setting. Either way, I definitely recommend reading it, it is worth it. I rounded it off to four stars on Goodreads.
Girl in the Ice, by Robert Bryndza
This was probably the most anticipated series that I’ve had on my bookshelves for the longest time. Am I glad I finally started this series!! I absolutely love it. I love Bryndza’s writing, and although it doesn’t fall into the Nordic Noir category, it is still a very well-plotted thriller. Action-packed and with a strong female lead, it is right up my alley. I rounded it off to four stars on Goodreads, but it might get upgraded to five before my final tally of this year.
E-Books Read
I also have an alarmingly growing collection of ebooks, and this puts a tiny dent in it. But one book at a time is better than none.
Girls Who Lie, by Eva Bjorg Aegisdottir
A second installment in the Forbidden Iceland series, this book was a comfort read for me. It can be read as a standalone, but if you like to follow the characters’ lives, I suggest you start with the first book, The Creak on the Stairs first. The Icelandic writer was a newly discovered author for me, and she is becoming a favorite Nordic Noir author. Even though I enjoyed it tremendously, I rounded it off to 4 stars on Goodreads.
The Dark, by Emma Haughton
A closed-room mystery, this book gives you all the chilly vibes you’d expect from a serial killer thriller. Who’s the culprit between the twelve people on a mission in Antarctica? You can’t help but suspect everyone at one point while reading this mystery, and you feel the deep coldness in your bones. A good debut novel that kept me on my toes but didn’t wow me, hence I only gave it three stars on Goodreads.
Betrayal, by Lilja Sigurdardottir
Another Icelandic writer that is fairly new to me, Lilja Sigurdardottir is another must-read Nordic Noir author. The first book I’ve read by her, Betrayal, is a fast-paced thriller that touches on subjects many of us experience in our daily lives. Her writing is great, and the plot is well-structured. I loved it and gave it four stars on Goodreads. Looking forward to the Reykjavik Noir Trilogy that I purchased immediately after reading this book.
Now, let me show you the twelve books that are still waiting patiently to be read.
To Be Read… Still
Night Stalker, by Robert Bryndza
I’ve already started this second Erika Foster series that I finally got around to. Unfortunately, too many library loans came in, and I had to set them aside for the time being. But I will definitely pick it back up as soon as those loans are through.
Dark Waters, by Robert Bryndza
And the third book in the series by Bryndza that I own will follow Night Stalker. I will go ahead and predict that I will read it in June, fingers crossed. I think the series actually has six books in total, but I only own three.
The Heart’s Invisible Furies, by John Boyle
From the reviews I’ve read, I have to prepare myself mentally for this book. I want to be clear-headed and not stressed about any outside factors, because i’d like to be able to finish it in about a week or so. It’s been compared to A Little Life, and that one took me more than a month to finish because of the hard subject matter.
A Gentleman In Moscow, by Amor Towles
Another book that I only hear good things about, I really hope I will like it as much as everyone else. It is one that I’m very much looking forward to reading as well.
And the Mountains Echoed, by Khaled Hosseini
I’ve read his previous two novels, The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, and loved them both. I find Hosseini’s writing exquisite, and I’m sure this will be another four or five-star read for me.
The Immortalists, by Chloe Benjamin
How do you feel about going to a fortune teller to find out the date of your death? It is a very interesting topic, and I’m curious about how the author develops the story. With a 3.71 average star rating, it seems promising.
All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr
One of the longest books that have been sitting on my TBR list, I’m challenging myself to get to it before the end of the year. With rave reviews all around, I’m hoping to like it as much as most people. Another book that I want to like, but we shall see.
American Dirt, by Jeanine Cummins
Many mixed reviews have not deterred me from wanting to read this book. When people are too divided on books, it actually makes me want to read them more. I will definitely share my own thoughts on this very controversial book.
The Darkness, by Ragnar Jonasson
This is the first book in the Hidden Iceland series, another series I own the first three books of. If it’s like the Dark Iceland series, it will be an easy, fast read. As soon as I get to it, which is the hardest part.
Sweet Little Lies, by Caz Frear
A new discovery that I’m not too sure where I’ve seen, but after reading the synopsis I think I will like it. Thoughts to follow once I get through it. Also a first in a series, this one follows detective Cat Kinsella.
The Elegance of the Hedgehog, by Muriel Barbery
I own this as an ebook, and I’ve already started it a couple of months ago. Didn’t love it on the first try, but not because I don’t like the writing style. I actually know that I will enjoy it a lot more once I’m ready for it. It’s one of those books that you need to get in the right mood for. In my own humble opinion, anyway.
A Spark of Light, by Jodi Picoult
I’ve read a couple of books by Jodi Picoult already, many moons ago, and I like her style. This book is about a topic that is very hot in the US, and many people are divided on it. A woman has the right to make her own choices when it comes to her body, and that is an opinion I will never steer from. I feel like this will open a can of worms but with all due respect, I can’t believe abortion is up for debate in our day and age.
Concluding Words
And there you have my update on my 22 books for 2022. I think it is totally doable finishing the remaining 12 books from now until the end of the year. I find participating in this challenge gave me a little push I needed to try to read some of my own books. What are your thoughts on this whole idea?
