This Story Is Not What You Think

The best books of 2022 + a link to the rest

Dec 29, 2022

My favorite place in Nashville outside of my own home is the library. As soon as I grace its threshold, I’m enveloped in an embrace of quiet. Stillness. Peace. Rows upon rows of books welcome me. Nurture me. Make me a better writer.

I read many good books this year, but these stand out in my memory as the best.

I made a page of all the other books I read here. Covers and linked titles only!

Comment below on your favorite books of 2022. I’d love to read your recs.

The Song of Achilles, by Madeline Miller. The great warrior Achilles, part man, part god, is depicted by Miller through the eyes of his lifelong companion, Patroclus. The plot follows Achilles and Patroclus from the time they are boys, through the Trojan War, and even until death. If you’ve only witnessed this epic through movies like Troy, then this story is not what you think. The ending was so beautiful, I read the last word again and again, tears running down my face.

The Rose Code, by Kate Quinn. At this point, if Kate Quinn’s name is on it, I’m reading it. The Rose Code was her best novel I’ve read to date. Beth, Osla, and Mab are all young women living in England when the British government forms an intelligence unit at Bletchley Park, a countryside manor just east of London. The three women use their individual skills to aid the war effort, decrypting Nazi code Enigma to stay one step ahead of the enemy. Aside from the action, there are some beautiful love stories for each of them.

Resistance Women, by Jennifer Chiaverini. Even after reading so much about the Holocaust, I love that Resistance Women starts in the 1920s. The living conditions in Germany during that time are key to understanding why Hitler rose to power, and the disbelief people had that he could do so was fascinating to watch. The story follows three women, one of whom is Jewish, through the 20s, 30s, and into the war years. I wasn’t ready for the ending, but I must admit it was reality for so many Resistance fighters, many of whom we will never know.

Cloud Cuckoo Land, by Anthony Doerr. Anthony Doerr wrote my favorite book of all time, All the Light We Cannot See. In Cloud Cuckoo Land, Doerr brings his trademark prose to a story that spans centuries and galaxies, from the Ottoman Empire to a space colony of the future. All of the plot lines intertwine in fascinating ways, and the entire tome is a beautiful ode to books.

Where the Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens. People went absolutely wild for this novel, and now I finally understand. I loved the way Owens talks about the flora and fauna of the Marsh. Not only did I feel like I was there, but I felt like I loved it, too. The mystery at the center of the plot kept me guessing until the very last word. I also love who Kya ends up with for life—I think they have a really beautiful love story.

Crying in H Mart, by Michelle Zauner. At the heart of this memoir is Zauner’s love for her mother, even after a few years of tumult in their relationship. Zauner is half-Korean, half-white, and her mother is her Korean parent. As a biracial person, this made her story so personal to me. When her mother calls with a cancer diagnosis, 25-year-old Zauner’s life changes forever. Along the way, she tells their story through Korean food and what it meant to both of them. I think you’ll love this one.

Under the Banner of Heaven, by Jon Krakauer. I struggle to stay engaged in a nonfiction book (even though I love reading nonfiction articles online), but this one kept me hooked in until the very end. I wrote about it in From the Aisle Seat here, but the main reflection I have is that religious fundamentalists have more in common with one another than they do with other believers of their same faith tradition. This is one of the best nonfiction books I’ve read, period. I think everyone should know about this part of American history.

The Book of Lost Names, by Kristin Harmel. I already had high expectations of this novel, but they were surpassed. From the beginning, we’re introduced to Eva, a Parisian Jew studying for her PhD when France is invaded by the Nazis. After a loved one is arrested and deported, Eva thinks quickly to spare herself and her mother, relocating them to a quaint village hours away. Not long after they arrive, it becomes apparent that this village has secrets of its own, and a place for Eva’s skills. Not only is this a story of a brave young woman, but a romance for the ages.

The Lost Letter, by Jillian Cantor. This one takes place in Austria during the war, which is interesting since their country wasn’t quite invaded. It was more of a political “election” and Austrians lined the streets to welcome a parade of Nazi troops. Still, many people couldn’t believe their own would vote in such a repressive foreign government. In the midst of it all, a Jewish girl and Gentile boy fall in love, are separated for decades, and come back together under highly unexpected circumstances. This one had so many twists and turns. The characters were not who they seemed to be, making it an intriguing read.

What did you read this year that you absolutely loved? I’m making my 2023 TBR and so are your fellow readers. I’m sure everyone would benefit from your taste!