Favourite Books of 2022

 In 2022 I read 123 books. Storygraph tells me this is 32,151 pages. The authors I read the most books by were Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, and Robin Stevens.

Here are my 15 favourites.

1. Why Didn’t They Ask Evans - Agatha Christie

I’d either never read this before, or read it as a teenager and forgotten it. It was a really fun adventure with engaging characters. It’s become one of my favourite Christies.

2. The Murder Most Unladylike series by Robin Stevens

It’s hard to pick just one from this series - if I had to, I’d go with the final book, Death Sets Sail, but they’re all wonderful. They’re fun, adventurous, the characters are brilliant, and the many nods to golden age detective fiction make them even better. I’ll definitely be reading these again.

3. Write It All Down - Cathy Rentzenbrink

I read this at the start of the year and it was really inspiring. A writing guide that focuses on what stops us writing was really helpful, and I managed to establish a daily writing practice after reading it.

4. Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow - by Jessica Townsend

The most recent instalment of the Nevermoor series, I thought this was the best yet. I can’t wait for the next book to come out. 

5. The Lost Ones - Anita Frank

This has many of my favourite things - a creepy old house, secrets from the past, feminism. Absolutely loved this and promptly bought it for several other people.

6. Rizzio - Denise Mina

This is a really short book that I read one afternoon outside in the sunshine. I was obsessed with Mary, Queen of Scots as a child and this took me right back into that obsession. It’s very well written and really exciting to read.

7. Miss Pym Disposes - Josephine Tey

Reading inspired by both Shedunnit and Backlisted, two of my favourite podcasts. I really enjoyed this book and loved reading about Miss Pym and all the details of the girls’ training college. This is sort of a crime novel, but the crime doesn’t happen until quite near the ending. The very end was absolutely excellent. 

8. From Doon with Death - Ruth Rendell

This was my first Ruth Rendell and immediately I could see why she’s considered one of the best crime writers ever. I also appreciated that she did a lot in a very short book, that there really is no need for 1000 pages if you’re this good. I think the solution is easier to come by as a 21st century reader, but it was a great introduction to her and I’ve continued with the series and enjoyed them all so far.

9. Girl Friends - Holly Bourne

Holly Bourne is one of the writers who can communicate exactly what it’s like to be a teenage girl/young woman in the early 2000s and the impact that has on you as an adult. I massively related and this is probably the book that had the strongest emotional impact on me this year. I love her.

10. Stone Blind - Natalie Haynes

I love her writing and am here for all the retellings she wants to do. I’ve been into Greek Myths since I was a child and reading her work reminds me of why, but addresses many of the untold stories.

11. The Ministry of Unladylike Activity - Robin Stevens

I could not narrow it down to one Robin Stevens series even. I love her work and this was a brilliant and fun story. I can’t wait for the next one. I also think she writes children accurately, I remember feeling similar emotions to those of the kids in this book. 

12. Bibliomaniac - Robin Ince

Non-fiction book about Robin Ince going to loads of bookshops around the country, and buying loads of books there and in charity shops. It was funny and emotional and I related a lot, and was glad there is someone who has more unread books than I do.

13. The Lighthouse Witches - CJ Cooke

This is another book that has many elements I enjoy - lighthouses, witches, storylines from the past, a bit of mystery. I couldn’t put this down and can’t wait to read her other books. 

14. Artists in Crime - Ngaio Marsh

I had never read Ngaio Marsh before this year, and now I’ve read 9 of the series. Some are definitely better than others, but I’m picking Artists in Crime as it introduces Agatha Troy, who is one of my favourite characters. My other favourite is probably A Man Lay Dead. 

15. The Red House Mystery - AA Milne

I finally got round to reading this and it’s just so fun. Milne apparently loved mystery novels so had a go at writing one, and it just seems like he’s having a really good time with it. It’s probably up there with my favourite golden age mysteries now. 

Honourable mention to books I read for the second time, or have read so many time I’ve lost count, so clearly they’re my favourites: Moondial by Helen Cresswell, Cat Among the Pigeons by Agatha Christie (and numerous other Christies), The Hound of the Baskervilles, The Year of Reading Dangerously by Andy Miller, The Prisoner of Heaven by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, and Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild.