Julia’s Top Reads of 2022
Well, what a year it’s been. Book-wise, I’ve discovered so many amazing reads, thanks to the podcast, Two Lit Chicks, that I started in the summer. Reading has always been my safe place. When I was growing up, books were my addiction. My father used to tell me to put my books down and engage a bit more. But how could I when my imagination was transported to fantastical worlds, and I was living vicariously through fictional characters who were doing far more interesting things than what we were doing in reality.
This list is going to be a mix of new releases and books that were just new to me. I’ve tried to cover most genres.
This was my favourite autobiography of the year. I loved how Georgia (screenwriter of Succession and Veep) wrote in short, pithy segments, which to me, mimics the way we actually remember scenes from our childhood, not in long sweeping chapters. If I ever wrote an autobiography, I’d take her lead. Her tales of anxiety are both heart-warming and hilarious. You can also listen to our chat with her here.
This debut my Nikki May is SO MUCH FUN. The main characters feel like friends by the end of the book. It’s written with humour and a lightness of touch which means the story sails by way too quickly. Hopefully there will be a sequel in the future. A series of Wahala is being produced by the BBC, adapted by Theresa Ikoko. You can listen to my interview with Nikki May here, in which she suggests that I should try phone sex work. If you like Big Little Lies, you’ll like this.
11. Fight Night by Miram Toews (pronounced Taves)
I listened to this book as an audio in the car with my husband. Thankfully my children were plugged into something else because the lessons taught by the grandmother to her 9-year-old granddaughter would have been entirely inappropriate listening for my kids. But there-in lies the humour and the charm of Fight Night, a story of three generations of women fighting (often hilariously) for everything they have. If you like quirky comedy with a punchy message, you’ll like this.
This book was shortlisted for the Comedy Women in Print award and, as you start to read the first page, it’s quickly understandable why: Jo Lyons is hilarious. If you’re looking for a light and fun romcom to help your imagination escape to somewhere warm and full of cocktails, then this is the book for you.
Fantasy novels have always been among my favourite to read, ever since I dipped into Tolkien as a young girl. At 700 pages, this book could be used as a weapon, BUT it’s also a great way to wile away a few hours. I actually devoured it in a week. Each chapter follows the story of one of four main characters, which is part of the reason the book passes so quickly. Usually in a book where this is the set up, we choose our favourite character and count the pages until we’re back with that character again. Not so with Illborn; we are rooting for and interested in each of the characters equally. Quite a feat. I cannot wait for book 2.
Whether you have read Ulysses or not, this debut is worth a spot in your TBR pile. The events of the book take place on Bloomsday, June 16, in 2004, which is centenary of the day immortalised by Joyce in his famous book. It’s a wonderful portrait of Dublin and an emotional read. Deftly written and thought-provoking.
I don’t usually read psychological thrillers, so I was pleasantly surprised when I really enjoyed this book. Great story, characters that you love to hate, and enough surprises to keep you guessing until the end. You can listen to my interview with Erin Kelly here.
I love a good historical fiction, especially when it’s based on a strong, capable woman showing the patriarchy what’s what. Frances Quinn evokes the smells and sights of the time through her descriptive writing and the characters sing off the page. I actually listened to this as an audio book, which was well done. You can listen to our interview with Frances Quinn here.
I discovered this book (published 1992) in our interview with Francesca Sedita. He chose this book as one of the one’s that changed his life and I could see why immediately. Becoming a Man is an autobiography written by a man dying of AIDS about his struggles coming to terms with his sexuality throughout his life, and what that struggle cost him. For me, this really was the book of the series.
A fascinating autobiography about growing up mixed race in a time where there weren’t many mixed race children. Kit de Waal tells us about the struggles she faced as the child of a disinterested father and a Jehovah’s Witness mother, two dreamers who found it hard to raise a house full of children. Starvation was a regular feature of her life. You can listen to our conversation with Kit here.
An oldie but a goody. As a writer, I found this book to be a masterclass in evocative, descriptive writing. I listened to the audio book, which was narrated by the talented Christian Rummel. He had the prefect deep rumbly voice and was amazing at giving each character a distinct voice. You can listen to our discussion with Joanne Harris about this book here.
You’d pretty much have to be blind not to have seen this book in the past year. It is everywhere. And for good reason: it’s a great read, telling us the story of the indomitable Elizabeth Zott, chemist, mother and feminist. It’s a fun read and you will be rooting for Elizabeth throughout (while falling in love with her dog, Six Thirty). We chatted with Bonnie Garmus early in season 1 and she has since gone on to win loads of awards, including Waterstone’s Author of the Year. Congratulations, Bonnie!
For me, Again, Rachel really was the book of the year. Reading it was like catching up with old friends and Keyes’s effortless humour shone from every page. If you haven’t read any Marian Keyes, start with Rachel’s Holiday and then get onto this. Even through the humour, there is poignancy in this book. Just enjoy it. (And if anyone knows her, we’d LOVE to have her on Two Lit Chicks).
I hope you’ve enjoyed this list and that it’s given you some choices for yours. Please pre-order my book, SHOOTERS, which will be out in March.