Which books are worth the read and which should you skip? Find out what books I’ve been reading lately and whether I recommend them.
Thus far, my 2022 reading is off to a great start.
Admittedly, I haven’t read as many books as I usually do. For which I blame my recent Grey’s Anatomy binge-watching. However, the books I’ve read have been really good.
I’ll take quality over quantity any day.
As humans, we tend to focus on the wrong things. Instead of asking how many books do you read a year, how about asking what amazing books have you read lately?
There’s reading and then there is READING. Let’s hope for more of the latter this year.
January Reading List
Reckless Girls
Rachel Hawkins
It seems like a chance of a lifetime when Lux McCallister and her boyfriend Nico are hired to sail two women to a remote Pacific island. Yet, when they arrive, another boat is already anchored there, piloted by a golden couple. The party of six gets along great until another stranger arrives and the perfect vacation turns deadly.
Reckless Girls is the perfect guilty pleasure beach read. It has all the markers – exotic setting, gorgeous people, complicated relationships, and over-the-top plot twists. You know it’s not realistic, but you get sucked in anyways because it’s escapist reading at its finest.
My Rating:
Publication Date: 4 January 2022
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The Maid
Nita Prose
Although she struggles to interact with people, her love of order and cleanliness makes Molly Gray an excellent maid at the Regency Grand Hotel. When Molly discovers a wealthy guest dead in his hotel bed, the police peg her as the prime suspect due to her unusual behaviors. With the help of her friends, Molly must investigate the murder to prove her innocence in this locked-room mystery.
Chosen as the GMA book club pick for January, The Maid is an adorable cozy mystery. You’ll instantly fall in love with Molly as the neurodivergent protagonist, with her keen observations and lovable personality. If you are in the mood for a cute book, The Maid delivers: the twists and turns are intriguing but not shocking and everyone gets their happily ever after.
My Rating:
Publication Date: 4 January 2022
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The Good Son
Jacquelyn Mitchard
Three years ago, Stefan was sentenced for the drug-fueled murder of his girlfriend Belinda. When Stefan is released from prison, his mother Thea struggles to support him as he tries to make amends to a community that wants nothing to do with him. As threats escalate, Thea wonders how well she truly knows her son and questions what actually happened the night Belinda died.
Mitchard’s January release starts as a strong character study of a mother trying to process her son’s release from prison. Thea loves her son, yet questions her parenting, his temper, and state of mind. At times, The Good Son is thought-provoking and at other times utterly dull.
Sadly, the story completely misses the mark when it adds a thriller subplot. Suddenly the story isn’t about facing the consequence of a crime, but a “thriller” that’s not very thrilling. In all, The Good Son is a novel that has so much potential but ends up being rather mediocre.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from MIRA Books. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
My Rating:
Publication Date: 18 January 2022
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No Land to Light On
Yara Zgheib
Hadi and Sama, a young Syrian couple living in Boston, are thrilled that their child will be born in America. When Sama is five months pregnant, Hadi’s father unexpectedly passes away in Jordan. After attending the funeral, Hadi is detained upon his return to Boston, caught up in a nightmarish limbo caused by the newly issued travel ban.
I loved Zgheib’s tale of anorexia, The Girls at 17 Swann Street, so I really wanted to enjoy her newest book. Despite the importance of the topic, No Land to Light On was a struggle for me to read, mostly because of the lyrical writing style. The composition jumps from past to present with endless descriptions in flowing language. The story stayed ethereal when I wanted this tragedy to be brought down to earth.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Atria Books through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
My Rating:
Publication Date: 4 January 2022
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Black Cake
Charmaine Wilkerson
Estranged siblings Byron and Benny are brought back together by their mother’s death. For their inheritance, they find a traditional Caribbean black cake and a voice recording from their mother. Eleanor’s message tells the turbulent story of her life, one full of secrets and a long-lost child that will leave the siblings questioning everything they thought they knew.
Black Cake is destined to be on all the Best of lists in 2022; it is that good. Wilkerson does an excellent job bringing to life the complicated family dynamics underlaid with the powerful story of Eleanor’s life. A great choice for a book club, Black Cake touches on a lot of hot issues that would make for a lively discussion.
My Rating:
Publication Date: 1 February 2022
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The Swimmers
Julie Otsuka
A group of daily swimmers is thrown for a loop when a crack appears in the swimming pool they frequent. Among them is Alice, who is slowly losing herself to dementia. With her daily routine broken, Alice feels thrust into chaos as her childhood memories of being in a Japanese internment camp surface, and her daughter struggles to help her.
First off, I don’t think you can actually call The Swimmers a novel because it is so extremely short. I guess you would categorize Otsuka’s novella as experimental fiction. The story is mostly told in an odd second-person format that takes some getting used to. I was set to give it a disappointing two stars, but Otsuka’s descriptions of Alice’s entrance into a memory care facility struck home for me, especially when I realized that Alice is the author’s mother.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Knopf. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
My Rating:
Publication Date: 22 February 2022
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From the Backlist
Hidden Valley Road
Robert Kolker
Shortly after World War II, Don and Mimi Galvin seemed to be living the American Dream, raising their twelve children in Colorado Springs. Until one after another, six of their ten sons were diagnosed with schizophrenia. The tale of an American family of utmost importance to proving a genetic component to schizophrenia, Hidden Valley Road was one of the top nonfiction books of 2020.
Knowing this was an Oprah book club pick, I was excited to pick up Kolker’s bestseller. Although the story is told well, it’s extremely depressing: a litany of horror stories detailing mental breaks, violence, and sexual abuse, especially of the two younger sisters. The science was interesting but also extremely depressing since it is still so little understood. All in all, Hidden Valley Road was just too traumatic for me to enjoy.
My Rating:
Publication Date: 7 April 2020
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The Sanatorium
Sarah Pearse
Having taken time off from her job as a detective, Elin Warner agrees to attend a celebration of her estranged brother’s engagement. At a minimalist Swiss five-star hotel that used to be a sanatorium, Elin immediately feels on edge. When her brother’s fiancée disappears and a girl is murdered, all the guests begin to panic after a storm shuts off access to the remote hotel. Now, Elin must use all her skills to find out what is going on.
I know some reviewers are called this Reese Witherspoon book club pick overhyped, but I was completely captivated by this thriller. I adored the setting and would love to see it come to life someday in a film adaptation. I can see Elin being a hard-to-love narrator since her PTSD keeps her on edge and slightly apart, but she made a great unreliable narrator. Admittedly, the motive for the murders was a bit convoluted, but all I can say is that I thought it was the perfect quick winter thriller to sink into on a snowy weekend. I can’t wait until the sequel, The Retreat, comes out this summer.
My Rating:
Publication Date: 2 February 2021
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Razorblade Tears
S. A. Cosby
When a gay couple is murdered, their ex-con fathers band together to deal out retribution. Both Ike and Buddy Lee struggled to accept their gay sons, straining their relationships. Now the two, one Black and one white, must confront their prejudices about their children and each other as they deal out bloody revenge in Cosby’s latest thriller.
Just so you know, Razorblade Tears is rather violent, comparable to the Jack Reacher novels. Even though it’s not my usual genre, I still loved it. Cosby does an excellent job merging weighty themes into a high-action plot. And high action it is, with a very high body count, lots of languages, and two ex-cons coming to grips with their failures as fathers.
My Rating:
Publication Date: 6 July 2021
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Girl, Wash Your Face
Rachel Hollis
When I first read Girl, Wash Your Face back in 2018, I absolutely loved it. Hollis’s motivational book describes lies women tell themselves in a down-to-earth relatable way. It was exactly what I needed to hear at the time. For the 2022 Reading Challenge, I needed to reread a favorite book, so I was curious to see if my opinion would change, especially given all I know about Hollis’s life since.
Honestly, I still enjoyed the book the second time through even though I am very aware of its flaws. I would never call Girl, Wash Your Face a must-read for all women, but I think it’s a good book for women who just need to be reminded that they can take control of their happiness. Hollis’s brand of motivation will speak to some women and will completely turn off others, but I think that’s true of almost any motivational speaker.
My Rating:
Publication Date: 6 February 2018
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Currently Reading
I always seem to have multiple books going at once. Here’s a peek at what I’m currently reading.
My To-Read List
What’s up next for me? Before I let you go, here are a few of the titles I’m hoping to get through this upcoming month.
Be sure to come back next month to see which ones I read.
Which Books Did You Read in January?
What books did you love this month? Which books can you not wait to read? As always, let me know in the comments!
More Book List to Enjoy:
Steven says
THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN by Garth Stein is a five-star and very “moving” read. In the movie version, Kevin Costner did the voice of Enzo, the book’s star and narrator. Highly recommended.
Rachael says
I’ve only heard good things, so I was excited when I saw it at a Free Little Library. I’m hoping to read it this month!
Laurie says
This month I read:
1. The Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers. Lillian Jackson Braun.
This is the last in the series and I am glad. The formula is very tired now. Still I have finished the series and for an escapist series with cats it entertains.⭐⭐
2. Twisted Tea Christmas
Laura Childs.
A comfort read to while away a couple of hours. This was my selection for By An Author You Love.⭐⭐⭐
3. The 5am Club.
Recommended by therapist. I found this perplexing and will need to re- read it taking more time before I feel I can judge fairly. ⭐⭐⭐
4. Hard Choices.
Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Although I had to recheck many names as I read, I quite enjoyed an unusual look at politics. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
5. The Nightingale.
Kristen Hannah.
Although this is written in a style I am not a fan off – flashback – I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters are well developed and the plot plausible. The subject matter is harrowing yet not too dark. My selection for Book becoming a movie in 2022.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
6. Penny Wong.
Passion and Principle.
Margaret Simons.
I started this one in late December so really only finished it this month. I am planning to read more books about or by strong women in public life. This is a factual book but not very deep. I quite liked it.⭐⭐⭐⭐
Currently I have My Own Words byRuth Bader Ginsburg started as well as The Letters of Rachel Henning by Rachel Henning. I await Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty byPatrick Radden Keefe from my local library.
Laurie says
Sorry. Forgot to put author of The 5am Club. It is Robert Sharma.
Rachael says
My husband just finished Empire of Pain. He thought it was good, if somewhat overly detailed about members of the Sackler family. We have tastes in books though, so I still need to read it and see what I think.
Terra W says
– An author you love – I changed this one to be “Book about time travel” and Read “In Five Years” by Rebecca Serle
– Goodreads Winner of 2021- “Malibu Rising” by Taylor Jenkins Reid
– Book Becoming a movie in 2022 – “Killers of the Flower Moon” by David Grann
– Book with a twist – “The Couple Next Door” – Shari Lapena
Rachael says
Oh, I just ordered The Couple Next Door as an add-on to my Book of the Month box. Can’t wait to read it!
Jasmine says
I love your review of Black Cake and Razorblade Tears. I’m reading Black Cake as my 2022 Book Release and Razorblade Tears is on my TBR.
Hidden Valley Road by ROBERT KOLKER is also on my TBR. I have not read this one yet but it a personal one for me because I have a cousin who has two little boys with Chidlhood Schizophrenia and I would like to understand it better.
I trust and follow your reviews so closely that if you give a book 3 stars or less, i will not read it. LOL
Thanks for reading and raing for us all. Time is to precoius to waste on books that are overhyped or boring.
Rachael says
Oh, I think you’ll find Hidden Valley Road eye-opening. You’ll definitely be glad your cousins’ kids weren’t born decades ago because the “science” behind schizophrenia at the time is horrifying. (At least I hope they weren’t born decades ago.)
Susan says
Right now, I’m 2/3 done with The Rose Code and am loving the book.
My January challenge books are
An Author You love – The Book Of Magic by Alice Hoffman
Goodreads winner – Crying in H mart
Book becoming a movie – White Bird by RJ Palladio
Book with a twist – Apples Never Fall
Two of my favorites read this month are
No one will miss her by Kat Rosenfield and The Gifts of Imperfection, 10th anniversary by Brene Brown
Kerry says
This month so far I have read:
Three Hours by Rosamund Lupton ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Intimacies by Katie Kitamura ⭐⭐⭐⭐
All the Children Are Home by Patry Francis ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (LOVED!!!)
The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Started Bewilderment by Richard Powers but put it aside for now. Not sure if I’ll pick it back up again. Currently reading Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware, and I checked The Good Son out of the library last week before I saw your review. I checked out many others as well, so maybe I will put it at the bottom of the pile, which means I may end up having to return it unread! Thanks for your very helpful reviews!
Rachael says
I really enjoyed Crying in H Mart. I found it fascinating how many complex themes she was able to weave into her story.
Ann says
I am currently STUCK on The Maid and have been so tempted to ditch it. But too far in & may as well finish. It is just not doing much for me.
I am really excited about Jacqelyn Mitchard’s latest The Good Son. I got word today from my library that they are holding it for me!
I’d read The Maidens, Honor, Landslide and A Spool of Blue Thread and felt January was coming along nicely till I hit this roadblock: The Maid.
I had a mix of oldies but goodies and new releases.
I am following several challenge prompts. Including yours and my library’s
Anne Tyler fit the bill “by an author you love,” and my library’s prompt “with a color in name.”
I plan on getting to Killers of The Flower Moon as “book becoming a movie in 2022.” I think Scorsese is doing it.
Assuming The Maid will be a “book with a twist.” Just wish it would get there already.
Not sure which Goodreads winner I will read. Honestly there winners in 2021 felt a little “off” to me.
Another library prompt was “set in a foreign country.” Honor checked that box.
Loving reading for Jan. so far; just need to finish The Maid.
I have a copy of Beartown by Fredrik Backman sitting & Oona Out of Order. Along with The Power of the Dog.
Someone on IG was doing a challenge to finish BOTM TBRs by end of March.
I have The Goldfinch, the afore mentioned Killers Of The Flower Moon, A Flicker In The Dark, Still Life, The Secret History & a previous DNF People We Meet On Vacation.
That may be too much, including other books I am reading. 2022 is busy already!!!!
I am testing for Covid tomorrow afternoon. My daughter & I both started feeling bad. She was scheduled to test before going back to University & in the meanwhile we both got sick. I was able to find a time slot, 10 minutes before her time. It is not looking promising.
So grateful to have books to read while we mend.
Rachael says
Cozy mysteries don’t generally appeal to me, but I think I enjoyed The Maid so much because I was in the proper mood for a cozy mystery at the time. I’m curious to hear what you think about The Good Son. Also, feel free to use one of the Goodreads runners-up instead of the winners. Or replace the category with something else entirely. Never read a book you don’t want to just to check off a box. Totally not worth it!
Kerry says
This month so far I have read:
Three Hours by Rosamund Lupton ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Intimacies by Katie Kitamura ⭐⭐⭐⭐
All the Children Are Home by Patry Francis ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (LOVED!!!)
The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Started Bewilderment by Richard Powers but put it aside for now. Not sure if I’ll pick it back up again. Currently reading Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware, and I checked The Good Son out of the library last week before I saw your review. I checked out many others as well, so maybe I will put it at the bottom of the pile, which means I may end up having to return it unread! Thanks for your very helpful reviews!
Rachael says
I’m so glad you like All the Children are Home. It has not gotten enough attention for how good it is. You should also read her book The Orphans of Race Point. If you do read The Good Son, let me know if you agree with my review. I’m curious to hear what others think.
Debi Morton says
I loved both Sarah’s Key and The Art of Racing in the Rain, and I hope you enjoy them, as well. I just finished John Grisham’s newest, The Judge’s List, and thought it was quite good, a 4.5⭐️ book for me.
Rachael says
Sarah’s key was an interesting read for me because I’ve heard so much about it that I thought I was going to be balling but I didn’t cry at all. It was a REALLY sad story, though.
Ann says
Rachel I am getting January content when I click on your February link.
Rachael says
Umm .. yeah. Email marketing is such a pain. If you click on the image I put the correct link, but apparently not on the text. Sorry!