It’s hard to believe the first three months of 2022 are behind us. I certainly thought I’d read more in 2022, but my schedule fills up quickly with more social activities than before. Even though I’m reading less, I’ve still read 26 books so far this year, seven of which made it into the top of the first quarter.

Six of Crows Duology by Leigh Bardugo

I can’t rave about this duology enough! Bardugo’s writing is flawless. The characters are believable. The world feels real. I’m also committing to reading the Shadow & Bone Trilogy in the next three months. So many books, so little time.

Highlights:

• Multiple Points of View

• LGBTQ representation

• Crime - Keeps you guessing!

• Excellent world-building

• Magic

The Daevabad Trilogy by S.A. Chakraborty

My unexpected favorite! My Page 1 Books subscription sent me The City of Brass for my February book, and I loved it. I immediately devoured the next two in the trilogy and happily preordered the next book, The River of Silver. Excellent series.

Highlights:

• Strong female protagonist

• Love is a theme, but all kinds of love (familial, romantic, love of country), and romantic love is not the goal of our protagonist

• Multiple Points of View

• LGBTQ Representation

• Non-euro-centric story, mythology, and world

• Magic

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

Oh, how I loved THITCS!! TJ Klune knocked my socks off with this book. It’s full of kindness, love, doing the right thing when turning your back is easier, and, unsurprisingly, magic. This is a beautiful, family-friendly story on the importance of kindness and treating others with respect, even if they are different from you.

Highlights:

• LGBTQ Representation

• Hilariously written characters but believable

• Easy, fast read

• Magic

Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman

I had to throw non-fiction in the mix. While my 2022 focus is fiction, I still love learning and reading non-fiction books. Four Thousand Weeks held my attention as it turned traditional productivity help books on its head. Even if you’re not big into non-fiction, this is worth reading.

Highlights:

• Short, easy read

• Not dry, stuffy, or full of unreadable statistics

• Embraces life as it is today for most average humans

• Doesn’t shy away from telling you the harsh truth over a pleasant lie

I see a theme in that I like books with magic. Let’s see what the next quarter brings!