Top 10: Favorite Books of 2022

2022 was the year I finally got out of my reading slump. For not having read for quite some time, I finally discovered what I really want to read, explored new genres and authors. I had a great reading year. My goal was 20 books, I ended up reading 33, which is a big deal for me. Here are my favorite books I read this year.

10. I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
A book I would have never picked up if I hadn’t read so many great things about it on social media. It’s a memoir from Jennette McCurdy, who got fame because of her role as Sam Puckett on the Nickelodeon show “iCarly”. She tells the story of how she never wanted to become an actress, but was forced into it by her mother who wanted nothing more than for Jennette to be famous. It’s an honest, raw and heartbreaking story. Read my FULL REVIEW HERE.
 

9. The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman
I started this series this year and “The Man Who Died Twice” is the second book in the Thursday Murder Club series. We follow a group of septuagenarians who live in an elderly community and have a murder club, where they try to solve cold cases. When people actually get murdered around them, they try to solve it. The characters are so great, I would love to be part of this group. This is a highly enjoyable whodunit and a perfect sequel. Check out my FULL REVIEW HERE.
 

8. The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
This is the book that got me out of my reading slump. A book I received in a blind book box. Mariana Andros visits her niece Zoe after her friend Tara has gone missing. Zoe goes to Cambridge University and soon Mariane starts suspecting one of Zoe’s professors: Edward Fosca. He is a professor of Greek Tragedy and a very popular man. He even has a group of loyal female followers who themselves the Maidens. I loved the dark academia vibe and the constant tension between Mariana and Fosca. A rock solid mystery thriller. Read my FULL REVIEW HERE.
 

7. The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz
This was one of the surprises this year. I got this in a blind book box and I was so surprised in how good this book was and how much I ended up loving it. It’s about Jake Bonner, a teacher of creative writing and a failed writer. When one of his students shares a plot he’s been writing and Jake later learns he dies, Jake decides to use the plot himself and write a book. It turns out to be a best-selling novel, but someone has found out that the plot this book is based on, isn’t his. The book isn’t the most eventful one I read, but somehow it intrigued me. There is this constant oppressive feeling and Jake’s fear throughout the book kept me invested. There are also chapter where you actually read parts of Jake Bonner’s book. I found this really clever. I was super impressed by Jean Hanff Korelitz’ writing and can’t wait to read more of her work. Read my FULL REVIEW HERE.
 

6. Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney
The second book by Alice Feeney that I read and I loved it. Adam and Amelia are taking a trip to Scotland, were they will be spending the weekend together. Adam is a workaholic screenwriter who suffers from face blindness. While on their vacation, Adam and Amelia realize something is not right. The story is told from three different perspectives: Adam, Amelia and a woman named Robin. There are also chapters that are letters written to Adam by his wife, commemorating several anniversaries of their marriage. This was such a good thriller, so well-crafted. The plot twists were amazing. Read my FULL REVIEW HERE.
 

5. Lock Every Door by Riley Sager
This was my introduction to Riley Sager. A book that kept me on the edge of my seat at all times. Life hasn’t been particularly kind to Jules Larsen. She was fired, dumped by her boyfriend, no place to live and broke. She stumbles upon an ad for a house sitter, in the Bartholomew building, where the rich and famous live. The amazing salary would solve all of Jules’ problems. And even though it all sounds to good to be true, Jules grabs the opportunity. But strange things are happening in the Bartholomew. The story alternates timelines and when the book started, I was immediately sucked in. And the ending had me speechless, so unexpected and original. Sager became a favorite auto-buy author for me this year. My FULL REVIEW IS HERE.
 

4. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
This book is an enchanting and heartwarming novel that shows that there are always other possibilities. An ode to life. In “Midnight Library” we meet Nora who is overwhelmed by the feeling that she has made wrong choices in her life, disappointing everyone. when she finds herself in the Midnight Library, a place between life and death she gets the chance to see the many ways her life could have turned out differently. Every book she opens takes her to another life. You can read my FULL REVIEW HERE.
 

3. His & Hers by Alice Feeney
This was the first Alice Feeney book I read and I was blown away by “His & Hers”. A woman is murdered in a parking lot. Journalist Anna Andrews is reluctant when she has to report on this police investigation. Detective Jack Harper suspects Anna’s involvement in the case, but eventually becomes a suspect himself. One of them is not telling the truth. Each chapter brought new information and I loved how the book was told from three different perspectives: his, hers and the murderer’s. And the end was so good, never saw it coming. Read my FULL REVIEW HERE.
 

2. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
This is the first in a series and a debut novel for Holly Jackson. I’m not very good at keeping up with series, but this one I will definitely continue reading. Because I absolutely loved reading this book. It follows the story of Pippa, a student who decided to write her final essay on a murder that happened in her hometown five years ago, where Andie bell was murdered and Sal Singh was arrested for it. Pip doesn’t believe that Sal did it and wants to find out what actually happened all those years ago. The format of this book was so unique and it really was a page-turner. You can read my FULL REVIEWHERE.
 

1.  The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
I would have never picked up this book if it wasn’t recommended to me, because the synopsis didn’t appeal to me at first. Let alone thinking this would eventually become my favorite of the year and even a new all-time favorite. It follows Linus Baker, who is a social worker with the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. He is given the special assignment of investigating whether six magically gifted at-risk youngsters living in an orphanage on a small island may pose too great a danger to society. This book was such a warm hug, I loved every minute of it and all the characters were so loveable. And aren’t these the best books, when you don’t even expect to like it as much as you did? I am so glad I decided to pick it up. Read my FULL REVIEW HERE.  
 
Honorable mentions: Pop Goes the Weasel by M.J. Arlidge, The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware, Home Before Dark by Riley Sager, Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, The One by John Marrs

Book Review - I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jenette McCurdy

Title: I’m Glad My Mom Died
Series: -
Author: Jenette McCurdy
 
Description: Jenette McCurdy was six years old when she had her first acting audition. Her mother’s dream was for her only daughter to become a star, and Jenette would do anything to make her mother happy. So she went along with what mom called “calorie restriction”, eating little and weighing herself five times a day. She endured extensive at-home makeovers while mom chided, “Your eyelashes are invisible, okay> You think Dakota Fanning doesn’t tint hers”? She was even showered by mom until age sixteen while sharing her diaries, e-mail and all her income.
 
In “I’m Glad My Mom Died”, Jenette recounts all this in unflinching detail. Just as she chronicles what happens when the dream family comes true. Cast in a new Nickelodeon series called “iCarly”, she is thrust into fame. Though mom is ecstatic, Jenette is riddled with anxiety, shame and self-loathing, which manifests in eating disorders, addiction and a series of unhealthy relationships. After her mom dies of cancer, Jenette embarks on a recovery and decides for the first time in her life what she really wants.
 
Review: When Jenette McCurdy was two years old, her mother Debra was diagnosed with breast cancer. From then on, Jenette felt she had to take care of her mother and did everything her mother wanted, to make her happy. Her mother’s dream was to make Jenette famous, and so Jenette was forced into acting.
 
To fit into the perfect picture of Debra and Hollywood, Jenette’s mother talked her into an eating disorder. At 14, Jenette had to start counting calories from her mother to stay young. As a result, according to Debra, she would get roles more often. In addition, her mother did not want Jenette to grow up, because then she could no longer dictate to her what she wanted. Jenette had to be weighed five times a day and on Sundays she measured her upper legs with a tape measure.
 
Debra was a control fread and still wiped Jenette’s butt until she was 10 years old. Furthermore, she regularly performed medical check-ups to make sure Jenette din not have cancer. Debra did this by feeling Jenette’s breasts and vagina. In addition, Debra showered Jenette up until she was 16 years old and did the same to Jenette’s youngest brother Scott.
 
In her book, Jenette writes that she never wanted to act and wanted to quit doing so. She told this to her mother before she was cast for the hit series “iCarly”, but she became hysterical. Jenette continued acting. When she finally stars in the show, Jenette was severely exploited. She had to wear bikinis and was forced to kiss. Her self-worth diminished. In contrast, her bond with co-star Miranda Cosgrove has always been good and she has been incredibly supportive of Jenette.  
 
While starring on the spin-off series “Sam & Kat”, Jenette was comparing herself to counterpart Ariane Grande. She was jealous of her career and youth and at first didn’t even know she was going to be a part of the show. She thought the spin-off was just about her. And Grande was paid more than Jenette for the same amount of acting.
 
When Debra died in 2013, Jenette was only 21 years old. Soon after Jenette suffered a relapse of her eating disorder and later alcohol addiction. She still adhered strictly to her mother’s rules in order to keep her legacy alive. She went to therapy several times and had to face her life as it was. Jenette had been abused by her mother and is now living with the consequences. And where people think the title of the book is tasteless and disrespectful, Jenette McCurdy things very differently. She claims that people who have been abuse by their parents understand this title. And people with a sense of humor understand the title. This book is meant for them.
 
I’m not a big memoir reader, but I believe this should be read by everyone. It touched me, grabbed me and I felt heartbroken about her story. The way McCurdy writes her story is so honest, raw and heartbreaking. I read this while listening to the audiobook, which is narrated by McCurdy herself. Would recommend, it’s such a beautiful book.
 
Rating: 4,5/ 5