We’ve just reached the halfway point of the year which I can hardly believe, so I think we’re due a round up of the books I have read so far. This year, I set myself the goal of reading 22 books (22 for 2022!) and so far I’ve read 9, so I’m slightly under target at the moment. It’s been a busy few months as I’ve been finishing university including writing a very long dissertation and my final exams, so it hardly comes as a surprise, but I’m determined to get back on track!
As well as not reading as many books as I hoped to so far this year, I also haven’t read any that have really stood out to me – there are no 5 star reads in sight just yet! I think this has contributed to me reading less as well, as most of them have taken longer to get through than usual, and reading books that I’m less inspired by tends to lead me into a reading slump. So to not waste anyone’s time, I’ve chosen four of the nine that are really worth recommending to highlight in this post. But I’ll also be listing the others I’ve read along with their star rating further down so you can also get a glimpse of what I didn’t love so much!
The best books I have read so far this year:
The Audacity by Katherine Ryan – 4 stars
I absolutely love comedian Katherine Ryan and getting an insight into her life through her memoir the audacity was nothing short of fabulous. The chapters – all beginning with ‘how to…’ mimicking self-help know it alls – are packed with witty anecdotes that lead her to becoming the TV favourite she is today. Her personality shines through effortlessly and this was a really uplifting read – although I enjoyed seeing her live at the London Palladium a couple of months ago even more.
Worst Idea Ever by Jane Fallon – 4.5 stars
A well-written novel starring two best friends and the secrets that unravel between them after one has a well-meaning but disastrously bad idea, Worst Idea Ever was by far my favourite of all the books I have read so far this year, and the only one which I was really hooked by. There’s romance, friendship and twists and turns in a gorgeous Primrose Hill setting and I really rooted for the main character, Georgia. I flew through it in about three days and am determined to read the rest of Jane Fallon’s work now!
Me by Elton John – 4 stars
If you liked the film Rocketman, or really any of the musician biopics to have graced cinema screens and streaming services in the past couple of years, then you will love Elton John’s memoir Me. While the film is fun, his memoir is far grittier and in-depth, and at the same time refreshingly candid. It takes the reader all the way up to the present, presenting an immense and likely unrivalable music knowledge across all genres. I found the sections about his interactions with fellow music icons such as Queen and The Beatles just as interesting as creating music for the musicals The Lion King and Billy Elliot, as well as the aftermath of the 1997 Candle in the Wind single.
The No Show by Beth O’Leary – 4 stars
Beth O’Leary is one of my all-time favourite authors, as I’m sure she is for book bloggers far and wide, so of course I was excited for her latest novel The No Show. “Three Women. Three Dates, One Missing Man…” is its highly inticing tagline, revealing little other than this novel takes the perspective of three female protagonists, with three different plot lines. A mighty challenge by anyone’s standards, this did weaken the novel as some parts felt rushed and undeveloped. A little less complication may have given the novel more of the heart that I remember fondly of her other books. However, The No Show is still a worthy read as while its premise is over-ambitious, its turns also provide some jaw-dropping and heartbreaking moments (of the best kind!).
The other books I have read so far this year:
Really Saying Something – Our Bananarama Story by Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward – 4 stars
How To Fail by Elizabeth Day – 3 stars
Are We Having Fun Yet? by Lucy Mangan – 2.5 stars
Wham! George and Me by Andrew Ridgeley – 3.5 stars
A Class Act by Rob Beckett – 4 stars
You may have noticed that as well as not having as much time to read over the past six months, I’ve also not had much time to blog. I expected to have more time to do both once I’d finished uni, but I almost immediately ended up in a full-time job, so the summer picking back up my hobbies went out the window! However, weekends are now an actual break for me, rather than just more time to study, so I am going to be getting more into a routine with blogging from now on. I’ve given the blog a bit of a revamp so it feels fresher and exciting again and you can now expect blog posts from me about books, theatre, tv and all round culture every Friday.
Make sure to be following me on Good Reads for more updates about my reads!
What is the best book you have read so far this year?
