Best Books to Read in 2022

Panchinko by Min Jin Lee was my favorite read of 2021!

This novel follows multiple generations of a Korean family living through war, immigration, poverty, sickness, and injustice, as well as joy, beauty, and success. I loved the character and the pacing of this novel. I couldn’t wait to get back to it and read a few more pages each day. There are very tough subjects covered, and I appreciated how the author showed empathy with each character as they handled their own challenges. It took the perfect amount of time to read and taught me about a completely unfamiliar time in history for Koreans living in Japan.

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett was another big winner.

I love Ann Patchett, so it’s no surprise that I gave this novel a 5 star rating. It is loosely based on the hostage situation in Lima when the Japanese embassy was overtaken by terrorists, however the novel is focused on the friendships and romances that form over the course of the event. I loved the complications that arose from everyone speaking different languages and the appreciation for music that joined them all together. It’s the perfect novel to make you think, feel, and get transported to another place.

The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles was the last book I read in 2021 and it was a great way to end the year!

This was a highly anticipated novel for me because I loved A Gentleman in Moscow and Rules of Civility. The story follows three young adult boys and an 8 year old boy on a journey in the United States over the course of 10 days. I love how Towles explores adult/child relationships and what we learn as we mature.

Emmet, Duchess, and Woolly became friends in a boys reform school. When Emmet gets out, his plan is to pick up his younger brother Billy (as they became orphans while he was away) and head West. However, due to a series of events that Duchess and Woolly largely contribute to, that plan goes out the window. Instead, Emmet and Billy end up making their way to New York City in pursuit of the other boys before they can finally start their originally intended upon journey.

I loved the characters, their interactions, and the continuous switching of points of view (while still keeping the story cohesive). There are numerous side characters and antics that keep the pace enjoyably quick. Getting to revisit the mindset of younger people and appreciate how they solve problems was a highlight for me and I cannot recommend this book enough!

Old Masters, New World: America’s Raid on Europe’s Great Pictures, 1880-World War I by Cynthia Saltzman was made for me. And if you’re into art and art history, it was made for you too!

I loved this book! The subject is right up my alley and it was so fun to read about all of the art collectors of the Old Masters all in one place. From Frick, to Morgan, to the Havemeyers, this book had it all! It’s the story of the ultra rich Americans who acquired Old Master paintings from Europe. Think works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and van Dyck for hundreds of thousands of dollars. I loved learning about the art dealers who brought these millionaires masterpieces and all of the emotion and strategy that played into it. It was especially exciting for me to read about the works that made their way to the Met and gave me a greater appreciation for all of the effort that went into collecting my favorite pieces. If you love art, this is a book for you!

The Shadow of the Wind by Carols Ruiz Zafon.

This book was a wild ride! It follows the curiosity of a young man in Barcelona in the first half of the 20th century while he explores the life of a mysterious author. The tale unfolds through time with multiple love stories and friendships. I got some good laughs, enjoyed beautiful imagery, and found this to be a captivating and surprising read.

The Indigo Girl by Natasha Boyd.

I loved this historical fiction novel! It was hard to get into at first because of the older style language, but once I got in a flow I was hooked. The novel follows the real life story of Eliza Lucas who as a young girl in South Carolina took over running her father’s plantations when he was away on military duty. She realizes that her family needs to find a new source of revenue if they are to keep their properties and emerge from debt, so she sets out to produce indigo. Her relationships with her slaves, her ambition and brains, and her rejection of a traditional path of marriage all make for an interesting and exhilarating story. Highly recommend this if you are interested in business in the pre-Revolution colonies, the role of women in early American society, and the complicated relationship between slaves and owners.

My Notorious Life by Kate Manning.

Wow, what a wild ride! This novel takes a chapter or two to get the hang of the writing style, but once you’re in it it’s impossible to put down. Axie is an orphaned girl who is separated from her siblings. She ends up working in the house of a midwife and learns skills that lead her to wild financial success and terrifying legal challenges. The book explores the meaning of family, personal mortality, motherhood, and romantic love. I really enjoyed this story.

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah.

This book stayed on my mind long after finishing it. This story follows a mother, father, and daughter who move to Alaska as an escape from their wandering ways (driven by the father who is a Vietnam vet). There is abuse and heartache, but also strong examples of love and what it takes to physically and mentally survive the brutal climate of Alaska. Themes around disabilities and education are explored, which I throughly enjoyed.