Top 5 Books of 2022
A look back at some of this years favourites
It’s not been my best year in terms of reading. In my defence its been go time for the MA and I had a dissertation with a ton of research that needed to be done! And now it is, so here’s to a 2023 with lots of reading! (This is a good wish, I’ve brought more books than I have space for and I got books for Christmas…bless) But now that the year has ended lets have a throwback to some of this years favourites. I won’t lie it wasn’t hard to pick them (there were so few to choose from lol). But what I love about this list is that it’s not euro-centric. We travel the world, from an amusement park on shores of America to the desert sands of Persia to a train stuck in the snow in the Orient. You can probably guess where this list is going but here it is regardless. I hope you get the chance to read these titles, they were brilliant and worth the investment and space on your bookshelf to revisit in the years to come.
The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
Ooof, where to begin with this one? First of all it is a stunning look at life after death. It examine our humanity, it looks at life - not through rose tinted glasses- but looks. Really looks at what we did throughout our lives and whether it meant a damned thing. This book made me laugh and made me cry, especially the ending. It also gave rise to the notion that we are exactly where we are meant to be. Don’t be angry, don’t be sad - there is a reason why you’re where you are.
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Layli and Majnun by Nazami Ganjavi
Talk about a love story for the ages. And people say Romeo and Juliet is the ‘Greatest love story of all time’. News flash: It’s not. Give this damned book a read and I swear to god. These two were meant to be together but their families wouldn’t allow it, they even deviously kept them apart. And then it was Layli and Majnun themselves that put the final nail in the coffin of their love. I won’t lie, its a rollercoaster of emotions.
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The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak
This one was an unexpected book. As in, it took me in a journey that I didn’t anticipate. We start in the US, in a safe suburban world of bake sales, trips to the lake etc. and then BAM we’re transported to the Middle East and meet Shams of Tabriz and one of the most romantic poets of all time: Rumi. There is a little ‘you’ve got Mail’ type twist to this book. It made the book devastatingly beautiful.
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Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
I just love a good murder to be honest with you. At least murders that happen in the world of fiction and make-believe. And, naturally ones written by the Queen of Crime herself, Agatha Christie. I mean, it’s a win-win situation. You’re trapped on a train in the middle of a snow drift with an ingenious killer on board? Not to mention one of crime fictions most famous endings, I mean come on guys. You’ve got to read this!
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The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas
Sometimes you just need to curl up with a good ol’ fashioned romance novel. and if you want a Henry Cavill-esk male romantic lead then this is the book for you. It’s romantic, slightly soppy but incredibly steamy. I had to have this book on this list for the steaminess factor. I could’ve put Shakespeare on the list, but we do give the Bard too much credit sometimes.
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