Reading a book is a great way to unwind after class, pass the time on road trips or even just serve as a fun activity on the weekends. And with the increased popularity of reading and book trends (thank you BookTok), now is the perfect time to pick up something fun to read — whether you haven’t picked up a book in a year or are already an avid reader. In the midst of the chaos that was 2022, here are some of the best books I read this year.

“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This book follows a fictional Hollywood celebrity as she retells the story of her extraordinary love life and supposedly glamorous career to reporter Monique Grant. This tell-all provides readers an inside look into the hidden intricacies of one’s rise to fame and all the things one has to gain and lose from being in the spotlight. From start to finish, this book took me less than two days to read — it had me hooked with all its unexpected twists and turns! 

“The Stationery Shop” by Marjan Kamali

I impulse bought this book this semester, and I can safely say that it was one of the best purchases of my year. This beautifully intricate novel follows the life of a girl named Roya — from her passionate and infatuating romance with Bahman in Tehran, her college life in Oakland and all the twists and turns of her marriage with Walter. Overall, the book has taught me so much about grief, belonging and compassion in ways no other book has before.

“The Reluctant Fundamentalist” by Mohsin Hamid

This is the shortest novel on this list, yet the most powerful and impactful. Hamid narrates a conversation between Changez, a Pakistani man, and an American in a post-9/11 world on the streets of Lahore. Changez recalls the story of his life — going from the top of his class at Princeton to becoming a top consultant to falling in love in the midst of an ever-changing society. The story provides a stunning take on foreign identity in America and how far we’re willing to go to assimilate, leaving you in awe. 

“Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens

I only read this book because the movie was coming out, but it was one of my favorite reads of the year. The novel is about a girl named Kya who was abandoned at an early age in a marsh. Raising herself alone, we see her struggle with normalcy, navigating life alone and being suspected of murder. Overall, this mystery has many layers — when peeled back, you’re left with a poetic tale of heartbreak, friendship and kindness.

“Book Lovers” by Emily Henry

If romantic comedies are more your speed, then this book is perfect for you. Henry tells the story of cutthroat literary agent Nora, who goes on vacation with her sister to the small town of Sunshine Falls. There, she meets one of her acquaintances from the city, a book editor with whom she has a rocky past. They’re thrown together again and again in a series of coincidental meetings, and you are left with a thoroughly entertaining and heartwarming read.

While 2022 is coming to an end, there is still plenty of time to find your own stack of favorite books. These books were some of my best reads in 2022 — try adding these to your 2023 reading list!