My Top 10 Books of 2022

I started my blog at the very end of last year, but was unable to update it sense.

It might be weird to post this now, but I wanted to publish things that were already written before I start fresh in the new year.

On top of that, there are some great books on this list and I thought they deserve to be highlited regardless of the calendar year in which I read them.

10. Problem at Pollensa Bay and Other Stories – Agatha Christie

This is a short story collection containing six mysteries and two romance stories. I enjoyed it quite a bit while reading it, but I couldn’t remember many details afterwards.

What did stand out to me was the character of Harley Quin whom I encountered here for the first time. Borderline surreal elements Agatha Christie brings in whenever he is mentioned are fascinating.

While the ending of each story is unexpected, none of them leave a lasting impression. Had I read more books, this one probably wouldn’t have been on the list.

9. Venus and Aphrodite: A Biography of Desire – Bettany Hughes

This book explores the idea of a love goddess and how it changed over time. Simultaneously, it looks at the society built around it.

It is easy and fun to read, yet provides many interesting pieces of information. There are photos of famous paintings and sculptures inside and the connection between the evolution of society and the evolution of its mythology is fascinating to learn about.

8. Little Women – Louisa May Alcott

Following the daily lives of four sisters – Jo, Beth, Meg and Amy, who are growing up during the American Civil War, this is a slow story with only a few major events. It focuses on the characters and their family relationships, which are beautifully depicted, and shows us how they changed over time and what they had to learn in the process. It can feel a bit preachy at times, but it is also cozy and enjoyable in a way few other books are.

7. Partners in Crime – Agatha Christie

This book follows Tommy and Tuppence Beresford, a young couple asked to pose as the owners of the private detective agency in order to help the government catch a Russian spy supposedly associated with it. While they are looking for clues, the business remains open and they find themselves solving cases for different clients.

Each chapter represents a new mystery which means they are not as complicated as those Agatha Christie normally writes. Still, the endings are always unexpected.

What truly stands out, however, are characters and their dynamic. You will fall in love with two detectives and their banter will make you laugh.

Another interesting thing is that the main characters constantly talk about detectives from other crime novels. There are famous names mentioned, like Sherlock Holmes, but also many others, which could help you find some authors and books you might haven’t heard about before.

Piranesi – Susanna Clarke

The main character of this book lives in a house with infinite rooms filled with strange statues. While he is trying to learn as much as possible about it, he is helping the only other person there find a mysterious knowledge believed to be the source of great power. Slowly, clues will start to appear suggesting that something is not quite right and he will be forced to rethink evetything he has ever known.

Amazing worldbuilding and an interesting mystery made this enjoyable to read. I wish the ending was a bit better, but the themes explored and the atmosphere make up for it.

5. Fishes and Dragons – Undinė Radzevičiūtė

Switching between two narratives, this story shows us the life of a Jesuit priest in 18^th century China, sent there to convert Chinese people to Christianity and the lives of four modern day women, a grandmother, her daughter and her two granddaughters in the Chinatown area of an unnamed European city.

This is the most unique book I have ever read. Told mostly trough dialog, it is filled with scenes that will make you laugh, but the topics discussed are actually quite serious.

It examines the difference between Eastern and Western cultures and the effects problems can have if left unresolved for too long.

Had there not been for an abrupt ending it would have likely been higher on the list.

4. The Snail on the Slope – Arkady Strugatsky, Boris Strugatsky

There are two main characters here. One works for the Administration, a surreal bureaucracy focused on researching the Forest, this mysterious place filled with primitive villages and strange creatures. The other had worked for the same organization before he was left stranded in the Forest, now desperate to find a way home.

This book can be a bit confusing as the information in it is revealed slowly, but the unusual events will make the reader want to know more.

However, the story itself is not the main focus. Serving primarily as criticism of our society it explores fear, abuse of power, an irrational relationship masses have with authority figures and so much more.

Though somewhat bizarre, the book will make you think and its ideas will stay with you for a long time.

3. The Grisha Trilogy -Leigh Bardugo

This series follows Alina, a girl whose magical power might be the only thing that can save her country from darkness. In order to learn how to do that she will have to train and become a member of an elite unit of magic users, but prehaps the biggest challenge will be learning to navigate the political scene.

An interesting magic system, memorable characters, great pacing, interesting topics mentioned – honestly, I loved everything about these books. The story was exciting, had high stakes, but wasn’t too dark. I simply couldn.t stop reading…

2. The Winternight Trilogy – Katherine Arden

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The story is set in the very north of Russia where winters are harsh and people have strong connection with nature, providing gifts for ancient spirits meant to protect them form evil. However, Christianity causes them to abandon old believes which weakens the spirits. Mysterious incidents start happening and only the main character has the knowledge and power to do something about it.

Set in a world inspired by Russian folklore, this beautifully writen story simultaneously feels both magical and raw. It discusses many important topics, most notably religion and, though each book starts slow, it manages to keep you engaged form the beginning to the end. The characters are complex and its amazing to see them grow. Easily one of my all time favorites.

1. Gavran i najbolje priče (The Reven and the best stories) – Edgar Allan Poe

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This is a short story collection presented here alongside the famous poem which gives it its title. The hardcover edition itself is beautiful and features some illustrations.

I was a little worried going into this book as I have heard the author’s stories are pretty dark. However, while the topics covered definitely were, he is more focused on exploring thoughts behind certain actions then describing gruesome details, so I had no problem reading them. His insights into the human mind and our society are simply fascinating.

I enjoyed this so much that I read many parts of it to my mom. She saw how obsessed I was with the stories and, more importantly, the author’s observations, several of which resembled my own, to the point where she said that sometimes it felt like Edgar Allan Poe could be my brother or cousin. Of course that was a joke, but the very fact my mom could say something like that tells you how well this book worked for me.