It’s time to reflect on all the reading I’ve been doing in the past seven months, and I must say that 2022 has been a fairly good year for books so far! Originally a tag created by Ely from Earl Grey Books, this post is going to discuss the highlights of the books I’ve read:
What you’ve been reading:
Having read 36 books in total so far, horror has unsurprisingly claimed the throne for being my most read genre this year. While I’m inclined to read dark and mysterious books, I’m glad that I’ve explored other genres as well:
Best book you’ve read in 2022 so far:
In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado is a very moving memoir about the author being in an abusive relationship with her former girlfriend. While memoirs aren’t usually my thing, Machado certainly has a way to tell her experiences in a poetic and meaningful way that may hit hard for many people.
New release you haven’t read but want to:
What Moves The Dead by T.J Kingfisher is a retelling of Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Fall of the House of the Usher.” Admittedly, the cover is a part of the reason why this book entices me so much, and I will definitely have to get around reading it this year.
Most anticipated release of 2022:
It seems like I haven’t had enough of plague or parasite related novels this year despite the state of the world, as Leech by Hiron Ennes somehow really intrigues me. It’s supposedly like Wuthering Heights…but with worms. I’m always down for an uncanny gothic sci-fi book!
Biggest disappointment
Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk was disturbing in so many ways, and I usually do not mind that aspect in books; I’m a lover of horror, after all! The problem lies with the characters, writing style, and plot, along with the gratuitous disturbing factor which felt artificial. If you’d like a more in-depth explanation about it, feel free to check my review here.
Biggest surprise
Based on the premise and cover alone, books such as Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney typically has zero appeal to me. Frankly, the title also seemed very banal, so I didn’t have high hopes when I started reading it for a book club I joined—but I was completely taken aback by how enjoyable the book was, especially with Rooney’s writing style.
Favourite new author
This year I’ve finally gotten to read two of Madeline Miller’s works, and I must say that her prose is incredible! Now I understand what the hype is all about. The Song of Achilles is my next book by her, and I have high expectations.
Newest favourite character
Piranesi from Piranesi by Susanna Clark is one of the most wholesome and precious characters I’ve ever read about. He’s not annoyingly innocuous, and he’s very intelligent as well as curious about everything surrounding him.
Book that made you happy
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern was a tale that immersed me entirely in the realm of magic, and I can’t get enough Morgenstern’s prose! Her fascinating descriptive style appeals to all of my five senses, as if I’m actually there with the group of eccentric characters.
Favourite book to movie adaptation you’ve seen this year?
Gone Girl, originally a novel by Gillian Flynn is one of those rare film adaptations that is just as good as the source material. The “Cool Girl” Monologue is forever etched into my brain, and is probably one of my favourite scenes of all time.
Favourite review you’ve written this year?
It might be because it’s one of the best fiction books I’ve read so far, but I had so much fun ruminating over this book:
Most beautiful book you bought or received so far this year?
The Hollow Places by T.J. Kingfisher has an eerie cover that amplifies the beauty of the sublime and the strange; the cover definitely lured me to buy it:
What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
My to-be-read pile is shamefully becoming larger, but I do have a couple that take priority: The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern, The Hollow Places by T.J. Kingfisher, The House of the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune, Men without Women by Haruki Murakami are all books I aim to finish by December!
And that concludes the Mid-Year Freak Out Book Tag!
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