My Year in Books - 2022

millie hetherington
Jan 8, 2023
3 min read

Although we're at the end of the first week of Jan, I thought I'd sum up my favourite reads of last year.

Every year we have a competition to see who reads the most books and without fail, I came last. There is only the three of us.

However, this year I’m going to prioritise reading as I want to get back into writing and I can't use uni as an excuse no more, or work.

So, here are my top three reads of the year.

The Night She Disappeared - Lisa Jewell

If anyone knows me, Lisa Jewell is the first person I will recommend to everyone. If you're big into crime, then she needs to be on your to be read list.

The Night She Disappeared fulfills all of your typical crime/drama novels - a cold case, an abandoned mansion, teenage deaths, family trauma, the lot.

Sophie moves away from the city life into a small cottage at the side of a boarding school, where her relatively new boyfriend lives, placing her in the same place somebody disappeared two years prior. As she navigates her new surroundings, she comes across a note on the back of the gate leading out of the cottage reading 'dig here'. Ominous but intriguing for a writer struggling with writer's block, whose main scope is murder mystery.

The novel alternates between Sophie living vicariously through her main character by trying to solve the mystery of the disappearance, the girl who disappeared (Tallulah), and her mother who is desperately trying to find her at the same time as Sophie.

Three different perspectives in my view is perfect, as any more can complicate the story more than needed and disengage the reader. A different perspective each chapter makes the pages turn quicker as the anticipation builds up, impatiently wanting to know what happens.

I usually stay up until 6am to finish one of her books.

Lisa Jewell beautifully explores the relationships of different families and their trauma which unveils in the understanding of each character. Every character has their own story with twists that I didn't even expect.

If you're looking for a page turner, this book will definitely live up to your expectations.

Never Saw Me Coming - Vera Kurian

For starters, I must admit I am one for judging a book by its cover. This book is beautifully subtle with the sunset font in the foreground and a woman's portrait hidden behind.

When Waterstones had their half price sale on hardbacks I could not resist. This isn't a book I had heard of beforehand, but thankyou Waterstones for capitalising on me never paying full price for books.

Never Saw Me Coming is based on an American study of psychopaths in late teenagers whilst analysing each person's behaviour in order to change or alter their ways of thinking in relation to violence.

I enjoyed this angle as it broke the stereotype of a psychopath as the main character is shocked when she comes across others in the programme who she didn't expect to be in.

There were various plot twists and topics discussed that always left you wanting more. I remember finishing this book in a few days as I was entirely enthralled.

With multiple murders lingering, the reader cannot assume who the murderer is, even though everybody in the study is a psycholopath on paper. The reader can't even trust the narrator.

TW // A few sensitive topics are discussed so I advise you to only read if you want to.

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder - Holly Jackson

I think there is a recurring theme in all of these novels.

If you're after an easier read, Holly Jackson's writing style may be more suitable as it is aimed towards a younger audience.

However, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the rest of the sequel.

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder follows a teenager completing her EPQ a closed murder case, which she insists should be reopened despite the harrowing evidence against someone who is no longer there to argue his case. The closer she gets to the truth, the more complicated the connections emerge across the town.

There are a few stereotypes and cliche plot lines, but overall this novel was hard to put down, which is always a good sign.