My Favourite Fiction Novels of 2022 So Far

Because I’m (still) a multi-faceted nerd

I’m heading camping for a few days and have most definitely packed more books than clothing or food!

I’m really looking forward to spending a few days outside as well as spending lots of time reading outside, so I thought I would share with you a few of my favourites from this year so far.

Note, these books weren’t necessarily written or released this year, I just happened to read them in 2022.

5) Scarborough, by Catherine Hernandez

Scarborough is a quick and easy read, but the content is heavy. It’s fiction heavily based on reality. The author weaves tales from the perspectives of diverse children and their families in East Toronto (a.k.a. Scarborough).

These families live in poverty and experience the hardships of poverty, discrimination, racism, xenophobia, and classism. This book was also on CBC Canada Reads in March 2022.

4) The Diamond Eye, by Kate Quinn

I have written previously about how much I love Kate Quinn’s writing. My favourites were The Alice Network, The Huntress, and The Rose Code.

All of these stories are rich in history, plot, and character development. They are set around the second world war and centre around complex, strong female protagonists.

Honestly, I would read anything and everything written by Kate Quinn.

3) American Dirt, by Jeanine Cummins

American Dirt tells the story of a mother and son making the journey from Acapulco, Mexico to the U.S. (to American soil). Her son is a lot like mine, actually, gifted and wise beyond his years, and different from other children his age.

The mother and son make a harrowing journey and meet important figures along the way. This book is not an easy read, it is full of tragedy and hardship, but it is a story much like that of many real-life immigrants and refugees.

We should understand what life is like for those who don’t have the same privileges we do.

I was born (and still live) in Canada. While I have experienced some forms of discrimination, I have never feared for my life simply because of my language, ethnicity, the colour of my skin, or where I was born. I did nothing to earn this privilege, I was born into it, just as many others are born into dangerous situations.

2) The Lies of Lock Lamora, by Scott Lynch

My husband actually suggested this book after I read several books by Leigh Bardugo (listed below) and really enjoyed them. I have to admit I was skeptical at first, my husband and I tend to have very different tastes in literature.

However, there are incredible similarities between The Gentleman Bastards (Scott Lynch’s series) and The Six of Crows — they are different and complex enough to all be wonderful reads, but I also enjoyed finding similarities between characters.

I love books about outcasts, renegades, rebels, and general oddballs, and these books did not disappoint.

Update: I read book #2, Red Seas Under Red Skies, and am nearly finished book #3 of this series, The Republic of Thieves. I am completely hooked. I’ve already pre-ordered book #4, The Thorn of Emberlain, which isn’t expected to be released until October 2024.

1) All Of The Books By Leigh Bardugo!

I have written about a couple of Leigh Bardugo’s books already, so I won’t go into great detail here, but I highly recommend all of her books. My favourite thus far has been Six of Crows, which is the first of a duology.

That said, if you like to read all of the stories in order (like I do), you’ll want to start with the Shadow and Bone Trilogy. I haven’t actually read those books. Sometime recommended Six of Crows to me, so I started there.

Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom, by Leigh Bardugo.

The next duology is the King of Scars.

When reading King of Scars, I came across a passage that resonated with the work I do as an advocate. I could also relate it to my personal experiences as someone who has never quite fit in, and the parent of a child who has struggled in similar ways.

Book two in the King of Scars duology is Rule of Wolves

This book has very strong female characters, Zoya and Nina, and I absolutely loved Zoya. She is smart-assed, tough-as-nails, sharp minded and sharp tongued — some of my favourite qualities in female characters (oh hell, they’re some of my favourite qualities in real-life people too).

Branching out

Most of these are very different from the types of books I typically read, but I am glad I gave them a chance as I really did enjoy all of them.

I’m currently reading Red Seas Under Red Skies. It is the second of the seven-book series, The Gentleman Bastards, by Scott Lynch.

© Jillian Enright, Neurodiversity MB

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