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10 Best Books I Read in 2022

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I’ve read some pretty great books this year, so when it came to choosing the 10 best books I read in 2022, I knew the decision was not going to be easy.

I always aim to read of variety of books in my 2022 Reading Challenge, so I’m never sure if I’m going to find lots of books I love or only a couple.

In no particular order, here are the 10 best books I read in 2022.

The Winners – Fredrik Backman

This is the final book in the Beartown series and even though I couldn’t wait to read it, I wasn’t looking forward to saying goodbye to the characters I’ve grown to love.

I knew that this book was going to break my heart but after sitting on my bedside table for a couple of months, I couldn’t put it off any longer – and I LOVED IT!!!

It’s no secret that Fredrik Backman is my favourite author, so if you haven’t read any of his books, I highly recommend that you do – in fact, read them ALL.


The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue – V.E. Schwab

I was so intrigued by the blurb for this book and it did not disappoint.

It was so wonderful, so heartbreaking, and a such beautifully written story that will stay with me for a very long time.

I will never forget you Addie LaRue.


The Things We Cannot Say – Kelly Rimmer

I’ve read quite a bit of historical fiction over the past few years and this book would have to be one of my absolute favourites.

Inspired by Aussie author Kelly Rimmer’s own family history, The Things We Cannot Say unearths a tragic love story and a family secret whose far-reaching effects will alter lives forever.

⚠️ Warning: You will NEED tissues for this one 😭😭😭


The Lincoln Highway – Amor Towles

Such a beautiful story about the unbreakable bond between two young brothers, and their journey through America in the 1950s.

My first Amor Towles book and I cannot wait to read his others.


The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo – Taylor Jenkins Reid

I absolutely LOVED this book and am so excited to learn that it is being made into a movie. Evelyn – you were definitely a force to be reckoned with and I cannot wait to see who will play you on the big screen.

My first time reading Taylor Jenkins Reid and I’ll definitely be reading more of her work.


Verity – Colleen Hoover

I finally see what all the fuss is about – this book is brilliant!!!

If you haven’t already read ‘Verity’ – add it to your list NOW.

This book sure was ‘unputdownable’ and I was so blown away by the ending that I had to go back and reread the last chapter, just to make sure that my mind wasn’t playing tricks on me.


The Nightingale – Kristin Hannah

Another fabulous historical fiction story, that had me sobbing (ugly Kim K style) into my pillow.

This one has been on my reading pile for quite a while and I’m so glad that I finally got around to reading it.

Now I cannot wait to see the movie adaption with the Fanning sisters playing the lead roles.


Wrong Place Wrong Time – Gillian McAllister

How far would you go to stop your child from committing murder? 😳

Would you travel back in time to stop the crime? 🔪

Couldn’t put this one down! Loved it!


The Soulmate – Sally Hepworth

Another terrific book by Sally Hepworth, that I finished in less than 24 hours.

Full of love, lies and loss, this story will keep you guessing until the very end.

Nothing better than local authors and locally based stories.


My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She’s Sorry – Fredrik Backman

Fredrik Backman has done it again! I seriously love everything this man writes.

This heartwarming story was full of intriguing characters and a little protagonist that I couldn’t help but love.

Not quite what I expected but terrific just the same.


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⁣⁣What books have you loved this year? Have you read any of my favourites?

Keep track of other books I love in my Goodreads or #MelbourneMammaBookLove

10 Best Books I Read in 2021

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I’ve read some really amazing books recently, so when I sat down to choose the 10 best books I read in 2021, I knew it was going to be hard for me to choose only 10.

And there wasn’t even a stand-out favourite as I read several books this year that will now count as my all-time best books.

I try to read of variety of books in my 2021 Reading Challenge and I’ve found some amazing authors that I’ve never read before too.

In no particular order, here are the 10 best books I read in 2021.

Betty – Tiffany McDaniel

I already called this my favourite book of the year way back in February!⁣⁣
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Even though this book tore my heart to pieces, I could not put it down (is that weird 🤷🏻‍♀️) and I actually had no words when I finished it #notlikeme⁣⁣
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Based on the life of the author’s mother, Betty is a page-turning Appalachian coming-of-age story filled with resilience, tragedy, discrimination and loss….. but also a father’s unwavering love for his children, especially his “little Indian” Betty.⁣⁣

A Man Called Ove – Fredrik Backman

I’m so glad that I finally got around to reading this book – it had been on my #tbrpile for awhile – and I can see why so many people rave about it.

This wonderful and heartwarming tale of unlikely friendships, kindness, love and loss will be one that I remember for years to come.⁣
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I laughed. I cried. And I laughed some more.⁣

The Heart’s Invisible Furies – John Boyne

If you haven’t already read this book – add it to the top of your reading pile right NOW!!!

I laughed, I cried, I got angry and I got swept away in the brilliantly written story.

The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart – Holly Ringland

This was the first book I read this year by first-time Aussie author Holly Ringland and I absolutely loved it.⁣⁣
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The farm that I was staying at, at the time, was the perfect location to immerse myself in this captivating story of love, loss and redemption.⁣⁣

A Little Life – Hanya Yanagihara

I read this book back in February and it still haunts me. ⁣⁣
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It’s definitely not a book for the faint-hearted and I found I could only read about 100 pages at a time (it’s 700+ pages) before I’d need a break.⁣
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I wasn’t sure if I was even going to make it to the end but I quickly became invested in the characters and was glad that I did because even though this is an incredibly sad and heartbreaking story, it’s also a story of extraordinary friendships and love.⁣⁣

Us Against You – Fredrik Backman

I always worry that when I read the second book in a series that I’m not going to enjoy it as much as the first but boy was I wrong with this one. ⁣
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This book is bloody fabulous and I actually think I loved it more than I loved “Beartown” (which was fantastic!).⁣
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This beautifully written story has it all; strength, love, family, grief, loyalty, courage and loss. ⁣

The Light Between Oceans – M.L. Stedman

I’ve read quite a bit of Australian based fiction this year and this would have to be one of my favourites.⁣
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It’s a heartbreaking tale of what happens when good people make bad choices. And makes you wonder what you would do in the same situation.⁣

The Good Sister – Sally Hepworth

This is the first book I’ve read by local Melbourne mamma Sally Hepworth and it was brilliant. ⁣
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It has the perfect mix of love, laughter, sibling rivalry and suspense, and was just what I needed after starting the year with some pretty intense books. ⁣

I cannot wait to read more of Sally’s books.

Anxious People – Fredrik Backman

I cannot get enough of Fredrik Backman’s books! Anxious People is the fourth book I’ve read of his and I’ve loved them all.⁣
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This is a story about many things – a bank robbery, a rabbit costume, a bridge, pizza and idiots – mostly it’s a story about idiots.

When She Was Good – Michael Robotham

What was the last book that you just couldn’t put down?⁣⁣
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The first night I started this book, I didn’t put it down until 2.18am and then I couldn’t put it down again until I finished it the next night 1:47am. ⁣⁣ It was so fast paced and suspenseful.
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This is the second book in this series, so make sure you read “Good Girl Bad Girl” first (it’s awesome as well).


⁣⁣What books have you loved this year? Have you read any of my favourites?

Keep track of other books I love in my Goodreads.