Top 10 Fiction Books I Read in 2022
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Project Hail Mary
This is one of the best sci-fi books I've read, and I will never stop recommending it. Project Hail Mary is a thrilling adventure that mixes complex scientific ideas with humor and a relatable character.
If you like sci-fi, you will love this well-crafted book. For everyone else, I still highly recommend you give it a chance. The story's blend of humor, relatable characters, and gripping narrative makes it a standout in the genre and a must-read for anyone looking for an engaging adventure.
" I spend a lot of time un-suiciding this suicide mission. " - Andy Weir
The Silent Patient
"The Silent Patient" is a master class in suspense and contrasting storytelling. I simply could not put it down. This book came as a recommendation from my wife—shout out to her—who said, "You have to read it so that we can talk about it... but you shouldn't know anything going in." So I did, and I am so glad I did!
I feel the same way for you: I don't think I should give too many details other than to say it is absolutely worth the read. Dive into this psychological thriller and experience the gripping narrative for yourself.
" Choosing a lover is a lot like choosing a therapist. We need to ask ourselves, is this someone who will be honest with me, listen to criticism, admit making mistakes, and not promise the impossible? " - Alex Michaelides
The Martian
"The Martian" by Andy Weir is thrilling and humorous all the way through to the end. The story follows Mark Watney, an astronaut who is left on Mars after a mission goes poorly. This science-filled masterpiece is so entertaining, fun, and scientifically accurate (all while maintaining readability for everyone) that it became one of my favorite reads of the entire year.
" Yes, of course duct tape works in a near-vacuum. Duct tape works anywhere. Duct tape is magic and should be worshiped. " - Andy Weir
While I think there is a real possibility that the main character, Mark Watney, might be hard to relate to for some, I resonated with him a lot. Specifically, I appreciated how he uses humor to deal with bad situations. I believe the majority of people will really enjoy this book, and I can't think of anything else that would or should turn you off from reading it.
The Broken Earth Trilogy
"The Broken Earth Trilogy" by N.K. Jemisin is best read as a complete series rather than as individual books. So, I decided to add the review of all three here rather than separately. Each of the three books is extremely solid, but the true brilliance of the story comes together when you experience the trilogy in its entirety. If you're going to read the first book, you should plan on reading the whole series because the narrative arcs and themes interweave beautifully across all three books.
" Home is what you take with you, not what you leave behind. " - N.K. Jemisin
That said, this series is not for the faint of heart. The world Jemisin created is cruel and unforgiving, with harsh realities that can be tough to digest. However, amidst the brutality, the story also explores beautiful themes of family and home, offering moments of profound emotional depth.
This trilogy is a page-turning epic that can quickly get you out of a reading slump or make you eager to get to your next reading session. Jemisin’s storytelling is unparalleled, and her ability to build a complex, immersive world is nothing short of extraordinary. It’s a challenging but rewarding journey that I highly recommend.
Babel
"Babel" is an impressive and ambitious story that captivated me and sparked a newfound curiosity about history. Despite not being a big history enthusiast, I found myself deeply engaged with the narrative and impressed with the level of research that must have gone into this book. Kuang does an excellent job of fleshing out the main character, Robin Swift, making him a truly compelling figure.
"
This is how colonialism works. It convinces us that the fallout from resistance is entirely our fault, that the immoral choice is resistance itself rather than the circumstances that demanded it.
"
-
R.F. Kuang
While the book is a dark academia-type fantasy and may not be everyone's first choice for a fantasy read, I really enjoyed it. It was easily one of my top fantasy reads of the year.
A Darker Shade of Magic
I am sure the title of this review left you a little confused... That is a bit by my design. See, in 2022, this was the only book of the series I read, but now, at the time of writing this review, I have read all of the books in the series, as well as one book set in the same world but a different series. TLDR: I really liked this book and the series as a whole, but it didn't quite make my top books list in 2023.
" I'd rather die on an adventure than live standing still. " - V.E. Schwab
So, why the review title? Well, the world that Schwab has built here is intricate, and the characters are really well done. The series as a whole has nods to other fantasy/sci-fi books, movies, and TV shows—NOT IN A BAD WAY. It's simply worth noting that if you are looking for something completely fresh and new, this might not be right for you. If nods to other stories are not a deal breaker for you, I think it is a really fun read. The main characters are interesting, and they get better and better throughout the series.
The final verdict? My recommendation is if you like this first book, you will enjoy the others. If you don't love it, it's okay to put this on your did-not-finish (DNF) shelf. For me, I am glad that I read it and that the series is continuing.
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing & A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor
Another book series where I couldn't just recommend one of the books. I think this series is best experienced if you read them together. This duology came as a recommendation from my sister-in-law, an avid reader, librarian, and someone with excellent taste. She pitched it to me like this (paraphrasing slightly): "Imagine a girl stumbles across something in New York City that wasn't there moments before, makes a video about it, and then that video becomes the most watched video ever, making her the designated expert for all things related to this phenomenon."
" This is unfortunate, but the world is too complex for there to be good reasons for any truly great decision. " - Hank Green, A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor
That alone made me curious about what it was all about. It was a premise I had never heard of before; it felt really fresh and relevant. The books explore themes of fame, social media, and the impact of internet culture on personal identity. Hank Green’s writing is engaging and thought-provoking, blending humor with deep social commentary.
"An Absolutely Remarkable Thing" and its sequel, "A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor," together form a compelling narrative that keeps you hooked from start to finish. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is filled with unexpected twists and turns. Green’s ability to weave complex themes with an accessible and entertaining storyline makes this duology a must-read.
If you're looking for a series that combines science fiction with a sharp critique of modern society, this duology is for you. It’s an exhilarating ride that not only entertains but also makes you reflect on the world we live in and our place in it. Highly recommended.
The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy
I don't think there is much I can add that hasn't already been said. It's a great series and an absolute classic. I loved the movies when I was a kid (I still watch the extended versions every fall), and I really enjoyed these books. I find that every time I delve into Tolkien's world, I discover something new to love.
" It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to. " - J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
Red Rising Trilogy
" I would have lived in peace. But my enemies brought me war. " - Pierce Brown, Red Rising
For those who love this series, you may not agree with everything I'm about to say, but I have a strong love/hate relationship with this trilogy. Let's start with the negatives.
The Bad:
- Darrow O'Lykos, the main character and POV of this trilogy, often felt one-dimensional. He charges through the plot like a tornado, causing chaos without much depth.
- The series is brutal, with numerous deaths, but I never felt that Darrow was in real danger. He always seemed invincible, which diminished the tension.
- Many plot twists lacked impact, and several plot points felt borrowed from other sci-fi series.
- The sheer number of characters with unusual names can be overwhelming. You almost need to read the books back-to-back or keep a wiki open to keep track, which can slow down the reading experience.
- Lastly, something that drove me crazy is that a ton of the plot is developed because of a lack of communication.
The Good:
The series does get better and better. Pierce Brown does an excellent job of building on what is already great from one book to the next.
- Going back to Darrow, something that is great about him is you know what to expect—a powerhouse who is going to bring the action time and time again.
- The action in these books made me forget I was reading, and it comes up often. There is no need to wait until the end of the book for a climactic-feeling fight.
- I loved several of the characters that surround Darrow, and they give a much-needed perspective. I only wish that I could get their input more often.
- Referring back to the brutality in this book, something that is great is that decisions have real and lasting impacts, plus it's hard to stop reading when you are watching a proverbial train wreck.
The Great:
There are many, many great things in this book. I hear this series recommended a lot, and for good reason. It's a series that has so much depth to it and is far from boring. If you like books with action that are vast in world-building, and you want something that is big and will keep you reading, this is for you. Just be warned, it does come with flaws and is NOT for the faint of heart.
After all of that, I give the series as a whole 4-stars because the positives outweigh the negatives, and, as I mentioned, the series continues to get better and better.
The Midnight Library
"The Midnight Library" by Matt Haig is a solid 4-star book. It offers many great lessons, heartfelt moments, and deeply sad moments, making it a very good read overall. There's a reason so many people have read and praised it.
" If you aim to be something you are not, you will always fail. Aim to be you. Aim to look and act and think like you. Aim to be the truest version of you. Embrace that you-ness. Endorse it. Love it. Work hard at it. And don't give a second thought when people mock it or ridicule it. Most gossip is envy in disguise. " - Matt Haig
However, this book made it onto this list not because I simply enjoyed reading it, but because it deserves an "Honorable Mention" as there is someone out there who would love this book. There is nothing inherently wrong with it, but I find myself looking back and remembering very few plot points. While it deserved the hype it received, there are better books out there with a similar message and emotional impact. That said, if the premise of this book intrigues you, it's definitely worth a read.
Honorable Mention
All Good People Here
Ashley Flowers is an exceptional storyteller. I have been listening to her podcasts, Crime Junkies, Supernatural, and more for years. So, when she announced her book on Crime Junkies, I preordered it immediately. To my dismay, I felt this book fell a little short of her usual quality. My review is more like a 3.5 (maybe 3.75) out of 5, but we'll call it a 4 for simplicity.
" The cost of this marriage, she knew, would be keeping those secrets. She just hoped it would be worth it. " - Ashley Flowers
What went wrong? To avoid spoilers, I think it comes down to two things:
- This is her debut novel. Of course, it's not going to be perfect. This is the first time she has ever written something of this length (to my knowledge). I believe she will get better and better with more experience.
- The absence of Brit Prawat. I believe Brit Prawat (from Crime Junkies) plays a HUGE part in balancing Flowers's storytelling, and in this book, she feels absent. Flowers is a phenomenal storyteller, but she tends to get hung up on certain details. Her "Rabbit Holes," as she calls them in the podcast, are abundant in this book and distract from its potential.
There are still many things going right for this book. It was one of my hardest choices for this list, but I thought it was solid enough to make it. I think readers will especially enjoy this book if they are already fans of Ashley Flowers or crime-focused novels.