I Read 55 Books in 2022, Here Are the 5 You Need to Try

Even if you only manage 5 books this year

When it comes to reading, I’ll try a bit of anything. Bookshops are my buffet and there’s truly never enough on my plate.

I managed to read 55 books in 2022, which makes it my best year of reading so far! I dabbled with Sarah J Maas, Colleen Hoover, Emily Henry, Margaret Atwood and more. You can check out the entire list of books I read in 2022 for yourself.

But when it came to creating this list, it was far less difficult than I thought it would be. I looked at my 55 books, and five immediately caught my attention. These are the books I beg you to try in 2023. Give them a read, and let me know what you think.

1. You Are Not a Before Picture — Alex Light

I am a massive fan of Alex Light. I found her Instagram during the pandemic, and since then I’ve followed her religiously. I also listen to her podcast weekly, I ordered her loungewear and I pre-ordered this book the minute she mentioned it.

I was a little worried this book would disappoint. Alex Light does incredible work regarding body positivity and eating disorder recovery. I knew she was a great writer from her journalistic work, but how would the book compare?

This book was somehow even better than I could have imagined. Not only does it cover her own experiences, in blunt detail without a hint of romanticising, but she gives the space to more voices. She weaves a cohesive tale of society’s fixation on thinness and how incorrectly we’ve been taught about nutrition and exercise. I wish I had read ‘You Are Not a Before Picture’ as a teenager, and I will recommend it until I’m blue in the face.

2. Again, Rachel — Marian Keyes

Reading a Marian Keyes novel feels like cupping your hands around a warm mug of tea. I have never found an author that can bring characters alive in the way that Marian can. She manages to create real, flawed, yet loveable characters. By the end of her novels, you feel like you know them better than the people in your non-book life. She also tackles difficult issues with incredible tact and yet honesty.

In ‘Again Rachel’, that issue is addiction. This is the first time Marian has written a sequel, although you don’t need to read ‘Rachel’s Holiday’ to understand this novel — although I do recommend it as it’s an amazing book!

Rachel Walsh is back, no longer struggling but with addiction but rather helping others to overcome it. But when her ex-husband Luke returns to her life, everything that went down between them begins to come to the surface once more…

3. Dear Dolly — Dolly Alderton

If Marian is my favourite fiction author, then Dolly has the non-fiction slice of my heart without question! Her writing has so much personality and yet feels relatable. I’d love to call her the voice of this generation but I’m not sure if I’m qualified to make such a bold statement. Either way, try either ‘Dear Dolly’ or her 2018 real-girl memoir, ‘Everything I Know About Love’.

‘Dear Dolly’ is a collection of her favourite agony aunt letters, originally published in the Sunday Times. They cover sex, breakups, friendships, self-identity and more! My favourite part was the foreward, in which she discusses her decision to be an agony aunt and the careful thought that went into selecting weekly letters to answer.

This small book is perfect for reading in short bursts, when commuting or just before bed.

4. Before My Actual Heart Breaks — Tish Delaney

I picked up this book on a whim in my favourite bookshop. I liked the cover and the blurb sounded intriguing. I was particularly drawn to the setting of Northern Ireland during the troubles. I later discovered that Saoirse-Monica Jackson (Erin in Derry Girls) narrated the audiobook, so I might try that soon as I’m a big fan.

This novel follows Mary Rattigan, a young Catholic girl growing up in Northern Ireland. She navigates love and loss, eternally struggling with her desire to escape her mother’s cruelty and father’s silence.

This is not a novel to read in public, as there is a 95% chance you’ll be crying at some point, if not throughout. Save this book for a rainy day tucked under a blanket, preferably with a cat or dog snuggled up beside you.

5. Conversations on Love — Natasha Lunn

In this collection of essays and interviews, Natasha speaks to us about love. But not just the fairytale love of romantic comedies. She discusses new love and old love, breakups and friendships, birth and loss, and everything in between. It’s described as a “celebration of love in all its forms” and it captures that perfectly.

‘Conversations on Love’ includes interviews with renowned writers, including Dolly Alderton, Candice Carty-Williams and Roxanne Gay. I particularly liked the format, which included a personal essay by Natasha on a subject, leading into an interview about it.

I was initially concerned that a lot of it wouldn’t feel applicable to me, as I’m single with no intentions of children or marriage right now, but I shouldn’t have worried. I was particularly touched by the discussions of grief, which made me feel so understood.

This is also a book that’s easy to read in snippets, and will contain moments of laughter, tears and thought.

Have any of these books earned a spot on your TBR list? If so, please let me know! I’m aiming to read 60 books this year, so I’m also always on the hunt for your recommendations.

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