Anne-Charlotte PasseraMy New Year resolution for 2022 was to read one book per month. For once, I achieved my goal. In fact, I surpassed it. I traded in my obsession with shoes for books. Some people see reading as a waste of time, counterproductive and I was one of those people. Yet something slowly shifted in my perception of reading in the last few years. Before, when I did read, it was only during my commute. Nowadays, it can be at home in bed or on the sofa, in the car, on the beach if the book has me wrapped inside the story. There are books you can read over a weekend and others that take longer to process.
When it came to picking the books to read in 2022, I tried to alternate the genre so as to not be bored and to broaden my experience with reading. Sometimes, a book who had been sitting on my shelf for way too long started calling my name or maybe it was the cover that just stood out that made me want to pick it. Because you see, I tend to collect books like people collect toilet paper as I’m afraid to always run out of something to read.
As you’ll see from the following list of books I read below, there is a little bit of everything for everyone. While I quite enjoyed reading all of these books for various reasons, only two fell short of my expectations.
Self-help & Inspiring books
My new reading journey started with a self-help book by Jen Sincero about 5 years ago. It lifted me out of depression. Ever since then, I’m less afraid on picking up a self-help book than I was before. They all tend to give the same message but in a different way. But the more you read them, the better your life improves.
If you are looking for new resolutions and how to stick to them, READ THIS ARTICLE.
Avoiding couple therapy, yet you still want something to try to save your relationship? READ THIS ARTICLE.
Do Less by Kate Northrup
This book was perfect to start the New Year. I learned a lot from it from organizing my schedule around my cycle and creating weekly tasks instead of daily ones. What she says totally makes sense but the main thing I took from this book is that you have to listen to your body.
As an example, being a blogger as a side hustle, we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be consistent with publishing articles. Sometimes, actually, more often than not, we are exhausted but just want to push through and finish our article. Since we are tired, it might take us 2 hours to finish up. However, if we listen to our body and tell ourselves, I’m gonna take a little nap and then finish my article, you’ll see that the end result will be the same. Taking a nap is not a waste of time. Quite the contrary. It will give you the boost of energy that your body and brain needed and you’ll be more productive. Tired, it will take you 2 hours to finish your article. Rest, then write, it will take you less than 2 hours of your time. (It might no be 2 hours, but it is just an example to show you that the end result will be the same time wise but not energy wise).
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Another great book to learn about self-discipline and changing just a tiny habit at a time can greatly improve your life.
Habits form based on frequency, not on time. It’s the frequency that makes the difference.
Wild by Cheryl Strayed
I had seen the movie, but it did not do justice to the book. I had never cried reading a book. The first chapter of this book was charnal, brutal and created unstoppable waterworks probably because it hit way too close to home.
What is one boot without the other boot? It is nothing.
I learned more about the PCT trail, the Appalachian trail and (re)discovered the song Both Sides Now from the album Colours of the Day by Judy Collins..
Dodging Energy Vampires by Christiane Northrup
I sucked the life out of this book. Skeptical at first, by the end of it, it all made sense and has
made a major impact on my life. I realized that I am indeed and empath (there is no shame in it) and have been living with a vampire. The book reminded me that the group Al-Anon exists and I have been attending meetings on a regular basis.
You are here to bring your light to the world.
Oddly enough, it’s the author’s daughter’s book listed above that made me pick up this book.
Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez
There is so much to take away from this book, whether you are a feminist or not. Actually, you don’t need to be a feminist to read this book.
Since the book is based on data, a lot of numbers will be thrown at you and it can be overwhelming. Yet, you’ll come to the conclusion that the disparity in women’s lives compared to their male counterpart continues to exist in all fields from urban planning to design. You’ll see that women’s rights is not only about equal pay, gender equality or the #metoo movement. It goes way beyond that. I was flabbergasted reading this book because it was so on point and made total sense.
If you are searching for books to take your life to the next level, read my list of inspiring books read.
Historical fiction
Historical fiction books are my favourite type of books to read. Part of it is because I like learning about history but have difficulty retaining the facts. When it is part of a story, it is much easier to understand how it all went down.
A Column of Fire by Ken Follett
I always enjoy reading a Ken Follett book because I love reading about history. The way he intertwines historical facts with fiction always blows my mind. This one takes place in England around Elizabeth I reign.
Since I was worried about what would happen to some of the characters in the book, I turned to Wikipedia to check out some historical figures or events in order to prepare myself for what was coming in the book.
Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
Paris in the 20s. That era was wild. When reading this book you’ll probably think that all they did was drink and smoke and might not be far off the truth.
While the book is fiction it does flow around reality which in this case is a person by the name of Ernest Hemingway. It is quite a fascinating read and interesting to see how some of Hemingway’s stories came about.
Novels to discover new places and cultures
The following novels tell a story of course but their locations are described in such depth that you almost feel like you are travelling as well.
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
If you are an ignorant white girl like me about racism and love to read, you should add this book to your reading list.
When white people say dark, they mean Greek or Italian, but when black people say dark, they mean Grace Jones.
Some parts I could relate to as an immigrant and the difference in culture and language, but this book goes way beyond that. It acknowledges other issues that as a white person you wouldn’t see nor live from a Nigerian moving to America or Europe type of view.
It’s witty, funny and consciously interesting to read.
He was shocked to walk into a stall and discover a mound of shit on the toilet lid (…). It looked like a puppy curled on a mat. It was a performance.
Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleaton
Definitely a book to read during the summer or while on a beach vacation.
When we left Cuba by Chanel Cleaton
The storyline takes place parallel to the one in Next Year in Havana from the view of another character in the book. I devoured this book like I did the previous one. It’s a fun and exciting read with a splash of glam.
If I’m going to have regrets in my life, I’d rather them be for the chances I took and not the
opportunities I let slip away.
Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck
This book took longer than expected to read. I discovered this book in another book: Nomadland, which was quite good.
I was disappointed by its lack of excitement. It’s unfortunate as the premise is great. A real 3 month road trip in the 60s which the author too with his dog across America. A truck turned into a sleeping van. It’s definitely something avant-garde since it is very mainstream nowadays but wasn’t when the book was written. It just lacked luster.
The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
The story takes place during the 1950s in the pink city of Jaipur, India.
It is a captivating story about women’s resilience and ambition in a society controlled by men with a
caste system.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
This was my last read of the year and a great way to leap into the next one. It is filled with inspiring quotes on how to live your life and about our own Personal Legend. But first, you need to know what your Personal Legend which most people don’t.
When someone makes a decision, he is really diving into a story current that will carry him to places he had never dreamed of when he first made the decision.
Novels for the pleasure of reading
Some novels are just that. They can’t necessarily be put under a category and that’s ok.
Leslie & Coco by Marie Demers
If you understand French, you can read this book from a French Canadian author.
The story made me go back in time. I realized that our youthful problems were so much less than what we can experience as adults. But also that some of the problems of youth can be carried over into our adult lives.
This book made me LOL as it is a fun read using raw language.
The problem with reading a good book is that you want to finish the book, but you don’t want to
UNKNOWN
finish the book.
Lucky by Marissa Stapley
Lucky is a drifter with a lottery ticket she cannot cash in.
While it is well written, I have no idea how it made the New York Times Bestseller List or why it appeared on Reese’s book club radar. The story is not that engaging and probably something you might have read before. It’s a very easy read but not mind blowing nor highly original.
On the Rooftop by Margaret Wilkerson Sexton
It was the September 2022 book pick for Reese’s book club. Since I had just finished a book, I
figured I could get on the same reading track as Reese.
The story takes place during the 1950s in the neighbourhood called The Filmore in San Francisco.
Learn what dedication, fighting for your personal dreams and the fight to have rights means.
Thrillers & Mystery
I am not a huge fan of thrillers and mystery books even though I do like them as movies. I stepped out of my comfort reading zone with the following three books.
Saturnalia by Stephanie Feldman fantasy thriller
Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister
An original book to read that tells a crime story backwards. While at some point you might have an idea on how the story ends or of whom is whom, you’ll still be surprised. It actually gave me ideas for the book I’m in the process of writing.
The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
This book was a little odd for me. If I hadn’t read Saturnalia beforehand, I wouldn’t have understood the premise of it. It is however well written, and certainly different from the more mainstream books.
Autobiography
I’m usually not a big fan of autobiographies, but I couldn’t sop myself from getting the following book:
It is a very inspiring life story. Although it is easy to read, some parts I said to myself: where is she
going with this…and then was left with no answer. But the book felt genuine, inspirational and relatable as a woman and a mother. Some of the quotes from the book are:
I think it’s one of the most useless questions an adult can ask a child – What do you want to be
when you grow up? As if growing up is finite.
That made me LOL because it is true.
There’s power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using
your authentic voice.
It is true. As women, we have been told to blend in, keep quiet and not be so emotional.
A miscarriage is lonely, painful and demoralizing almost on a cellular level (…) we mistake it for a
personal failure which is not (…) it happens all the time, to more women than you’d ever guess
(…)
It is unfortunate that we don’t talk more about this because it does happen more often than not and it can feel like a terrible loss.
So there you have it, a list of books to read this year to make you want to travel, self-improve, motivate or simply learn new words. Have you read any of those books? Let me know in the comment box below.
