Buzzing About Books – Favourite Books for 2022

I thought that nothing could top my 2021 reading year. Yet 2022 has managed to produce a bumper crop of original and endearing stories for me to love.There were thrillers aplenty, some lovely contemporary stories, enchanting Australian rural romance and a swathe of historical fiction for me to wade through. Here are just some of my top picks for the year. 

1. Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Gamus was a standout for me this year. First recommended to me by author and columnist, Frances Whiting, this story has been a favourite for all of my friends. This very original story set in 60’s America has it all: endearing characters, a lovable talking dog, feminist ideas and emotional scenes. You will never forget the wonderful character of Elizabeth Zott. Scientist, lover, mother and beloved cooking show host, Elizabeth lives life on her own terms, in her own brave way and while her life is not always easy, she delivers her own brand of commonsense in the most difficult times. The one on everyone’s lips this year for good reason. It’s a must read from me.
2. I began the year reading Miranda Cowley Heller’s The Paper Palace and this might just be my top read of 2022. Another American setting, this time a rundown lake house where the family of Elle Bishop spend their annual holidays. Emotions are running high with the arrival of her best friend and unrequited love. It’s a beautifully written adult book which shares some difficult themes with lashings of empathy and a depth of emotion. It spans 24 hours and over 50 years. Will Elle risk her family for her old flame? Decades of family secrets and one unspeakable childhood incident will force Elle to decide between her much – loved husband and the life she has imagined with her first love if tragedy hadn’t changed the course of their lives. This book was an unbelievably good debut from this author.
3. I’ve read so many good thrillers this year but the stand out for me was the recent Exiles from Australia’s Queen of Crime, Jane Harper. I loved that Jane had taken everyone’s favourite cop, Aaron Falk, full circle in this country set novel. When Kim goes missing from the town’s Food and Wine Festival everyone is a suspect. Why would she leave her baby daughter alone? Where did she go and why did no one see anything? This twisting and turning crime thriller will have you guessing until the end.
4. You know you’re in for a treat when a new Sally Hepworth novel hits the shelves. The Soulmate is another quirky winner from this Melbourne author. Gabe and Pippa are happy. They have an enviable marriage, two gorgeous daughters and a beautiful cliff – side home. Before the woman went over the cliff they were happy and Gabe had been a local hero for talking people down from the brink. He said that she jumped. Why would he lie? This tragic event is the catalyst for a web of sordid secrets to unravel. As always Sally tackles the topics of family, marriage, love and loyalty with great insight. I could not put this one down.
5. Rural romance is my favourite romance genre and my pick for this year has to be Maya Linnell’s Paperbark Hill. This novel is the last in the Macintyre sister series and has to be my favourite one yet. It tells the story of widowed eldest sister, Diana. Diana is a flower farmer, mother of boys and rock of her family. But who is looking after Diana? When locum vet, Ned comes to lend a hand on his Dad’s rundown farm this pair meet and sparks fly. But is it too soon for Diana and her sons to welcome someone new into their lives? Filled with flowers, baking and a good slice of country life and sensibility you will fall in love with this hard working and loving family.
6. A new author for me is Holly Throsby. I loved her cosy small town mystery Cedar Valley. In 1993 two strangers arrive in town. One is 21 year old artist, Benny Miller, who is searching for clues to the life of her mother who has just died. The other is an old fashioned stranger in a smart brown suit. He sits down and leans against the glass front of a shop on Main Street for hours. Are these two linked? Holly creates the feel of a country town and its characters so well and you will be left guessing until the end. A lovely read!
7. In the follow up to her incredibly heartwarming A Funny Thing About Norman Foreman is Julietta Henderson’s lovely book, Sincerely Me. Julietta writes beautiful characters who have some quirky flaws. In this sweet novel set in London we meet Danny Mulberry. Danny is down on his luck and lives in his responsible and loving friend Dom’s garden shed. Danny likes a drink or two and is between jobs. After being arrested for writing some obscure graffiti, Danny becomes a champion for the every man and suddenly finds himself writing an advice column in the local paper. Add in Danny’s estranged sister, Lou and her loyal, wise teenage daughter, Wolfie, plus Dom’s adorable but precocious son, George and this strange family unit strengthens and grows in the most unlikely of ways. It’s original, heartwarming and oh so funny.

So what have been some of your favourite reads for 2022?  Are you a fan of any of these? These amazing books are just a few of my picks that you might like to gift to the bookworm in your life this Christmas. I so look forward to seeing what little gems we can look forward to in 2023.