BEST BOOKS OF SUMMER WRAP-UP 2022

BEST BOOKS OF SUMMER WRAP-UP 2022

Sep 12, 2022

Of the eighteen books I read over the summer, 8 stood out as five-star reads for me. Though some were on the “dark” side, some were research for writing a time-loop novel, and some were simply delightful, all met my criteria for enticing my interest, keeping my fingers turning pages, and erring on the side of hopeful.

What follows is my review of each book, straight from goodreads.com (if you like my reviews, by the way, please feel free to follow me there).

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center

I am still processing why this book captivated me in such a joyful way for the two days I couldn't stop reading it. Suffice to say, this is my favourite novel by Katherine Center that I've read so far -- which are all 5-star stories. Also I love how the ending keeps going. Just when you think it's over (and you're a little sad you've come to the end), there's one more thing, and then one more thing... Made me so happy!

The Intergalactic Interloper by Delas Heras

This delightful book defies genre and would make a great gift for anyone. It's quirky, smart, and captivating. Usually, I don't love books with so many characters but they were all so vividly drawn, and with New York City as a backdrop, you feel like you know them, loving them for all their glorious imperfections. The alien visit added just the right comic touch without being ridiculous. And the cat kidnapping storyline will appeal to cat lovers everywhere and might even convince some staunch dog lovers, such as myself, that cats literally rule.

Fight Night by Miriam Toews

This is the first book I've ever listened to. I enjoyed it so much, I was surprised when it was over. Though I wish I could have been reading it so I could spend more time with some of the sentences that were particularly well crafted, and perhaps look up some of the non-English words, I found the characters leapt "off the page," as it were. Fascinating story. The ending was done very, very well. Highly recommend!

Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty

Despite being unnecessarily long, I very much enjoyed listening to this book. There was a surprising ending I didn’t anticipate that made the time investment even more worthwhile.

Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier

This book was mesmerizing. The language, the way that Manderley is described to the point it is almost a character in the book, the frantic pace at which pages start turning themselves toward the end... I could not put the book down. That said, I will admit there were parts I skimmed in the last half of the book. Sometimes, the description seemed pointless when all I wanted was to get to the next plot point. But this was more a symptom of my own impatience than tiresome writing. I could not imagine how the book would end and I feared the worst, thinking, oh no, is this a tragedy? The ending turns out to be satisfying and agonizingly vague at the same time. I had more questions than answers. Still, it is a sign of a good book when you finish it and want to discuss it, to unravel it, to ask "did I miss something?”

Before I Fall by Lauren Olivier

This book made me want to savour every moment of every day. It is so well written, and although I see from reviews and descriptions, the protagonists relive the same day 7 times, I lost count while I read (actually listened to this one on audio). I kept thinking the day would end the same way each time, but there was something new and distinct in every take. It takes an amazing author to paint an unlikable main character so convincingly, a character who never completely changes her stripes yet captures our full sympathy and admiration by the end.

The Rehearsals by Annette Christie

I'm giving this one the full 5 stars because: 1) It kept my interest (knowing of course the day would repeat so I wanted to pay attention to the details of how the first day was set up); 2) I liked this time loop story at least as much, if not more than Before I Fall, which I also gave 5 stars; and 3) The dual point of views added an interesting element, providing additional points to ponder by someone experiencing the same phenomenon but from a different perspective. Like Before I Fall, I felt slightly let down by the ending, but only slightly. The ending actually leaves open possibilities while respecting the arcs that the two characters just went through. *Spoiler alert — don't read past this if you don't want spoilers: I did find it interesting that the female character was permitted more sexual exploration than the male character. I wonder if it was intentional: Did the author feel that readers would not react well to a "cheating" male figure? Or was it more of a role-reversal technique meant to prompt deeper thinking about how lies and lack of communication can do the same damage as, or more than, simply "cheating?"* The different ways the two characters tackled their trips through the time loop was fascinating, and the consequences of those different approaches were also quite inventive.

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

Riveting, creepy and stays with you long after the last page. It is, in fact, a dark story, and yet manages to end on a hopeful note.

The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams

Somehow I missed this one when I created the blog heading image. No idea how, because this book was probably my favourite of the summer. What made it extra special was that every member of my real life book club loved it — and we are not often in total agreement about books!

Two central characters, Mukesh and Aleisha, both struggling with different forms of grief, cross paths because of a hand written book list that begins “In Case You Need It.” But the list touches multiple characters, all vivid and endearing. There is a shot across the bow, at about two thirds in, that made me take a moment and grieve, as if I too were a character caught in the web of this powerful list. 🥺There are layers of themes but the most powerful one for me is how often we struggle alone when we should be reaching out for help. Mukesh beautifully and with simplicity states this theme, citing the book BELOVED by Toni Morrison, which I slogged through in 2021 and am so glad I did! I highly, highly recommend THE READING LIST (and also the reading list in the book, while also acknowledging these books comes to us when we most need them.)

That’s It!

That is my best of the summer wrap-up. Quirky, dark and delightful would be the way I would sum up my reading this summer. Not exactly beach reads, most of these books will have a little something between the pages you will not expect.

Got any recommendations for me? Hit me with your comments — I love adding to my “want to read” shelf on Goodreads!

Now, If you will excuse me, I am off to find a pumpkin spice something or other to bring on the fall weather!

Mary Ann Tippett blogs about her favourite books and writes stories of her own when she is not riding her bike, wandering around Ottawa with her schnoodle, or trying to cross country ski her way through the longest winters ever. As a special treat, she might grab an aussie cap with macadamia milk at the Little Victories coffee shop. Feel free to buy her a coffee. She really likes coffee.

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