Reading Challenge 2022

Reading challenge 2022 took some time to get going but I finally got into the rhythm around mid-March. 

Just by carving out 2 hours every night before going to bed, I have made a significant dent in my reading list for the year. 

I began my reading challenge in 2020 to get myself back into the habit of reading at least 1 book every week and becoming a better writer.

I started with 2 books a month in 2020 and I’m now up to 1 book a week = 4 books a month. 

My ultimate target is 2 books a week which is achievable if I read longer than 2 hours on weekends.

Without further ado, here’s my reading list for 2022. It’s an ongoing project so I will be adding more books as they arrive on my bookshelf till the end of the year:-

Reading List 2022 (Challenge Commenced Mid-March)

March 2022

1. Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple – 3/5
2. The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware – 2.5/5
3. Will by Will Smith & Mark Manson – 3.5/5

April 2022

1. What She Knew by Gillian Macmillan – 2.5/5
2. Kill Your Darlings by David Bell – 2.5/5 (needs TW)*
3. The Dry by Jane Harper – 3/5
4. Nothing More Dangerous by Allen Eskens – 3.5/5
5. The Grifters by Jim Thompson – 2.5/5

May 2022

1. Every Last Fear by Alex Finlay – 2.5/5 (needs TW)*
2. The Drowning Kind by Jennifer McMahon – 2/5
3. The Lost Man by Jane Harper – 2.5/5 (needs TW)*
4. The Chestnut Man by Søren Sveistrup – 2.5/5 (needs TW)*
5. Every Day is for the Thief by Teju Cole – 2/5
6. The Shadows We Hide by Allen Eskers – 4/5
7. Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyrou – 5/5

June 2022

1. The Stolen Hours by Allen Eskens – 3/5 (needs TW)*
2. The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens – 3/5 (needs TW)*
3. Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury – 2/5. Not really about learning how to become a better writer. More of an autobiography and an exercise in the author’s achievements over and over and over again. Although there are 1 or 2 nuggets in there, it’s nothing we haven’t heard before. I find On Writing a much better read.
4. Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson – 3.5/5
5. All Is Not Forgotten by Wendy Walker – 2.5/5 (needs big fat TW)*
6. Stay With Me by Ayobami Adebayo – DNF

July 2022

1. The Cousins by Karen M. McManus – 3/5
2. The Butcher by Jennifer Hiller – 2/5 (needs TW)*
3. The Simple Path to Wealth: Your Road Map to Financial Independence & a Rich, Free Life by JL Collins – 2.5/5
4. Balance: How to Invest & Spend for Happiness, Healthy & Wealth by Andrew Hallam – 4/5
5. Naked by David Sedaris – 3/5
6. Creep by Jennifer Hiller – 2/5
7. The Little Book of Common Sense Investing by Jon C. Bogle – 4/5

I’m reading a lot of personal finance books this year to improve my knowledge of investing and prepping for retirement.

August 2022

1. The Bogleheads’ Guide to Investing by John C. Bogle – 4/5
2. Killing Floor by Lee Child – 3.5/5
3. Counterfeit by Kirstin Chen – 3/5

I didn’t get to read much this month. I worked late most nights and traveled quite a bit. Hopefully, I get back to my reading regimen in September.

October 2022

1. Lightseekers by Femi Kayode – 3/5
2. We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker – 2/5

There are a lot of whodunnits on my list as that’s my favorite genre but I’m yet to come across a serious page and mind-turner so far this year 🙁

I’m also reading some mental health and wellness books but I’ve chosen not to include those on my reading list. 

You can buy any of these books at my Bookshop.org store HERE. Buying through Bookshop.org supports local, independent bookstores.

My reading challenge fizzled out around November unfortunately. I had a few professional courses to complete at work before the end of the year so reading took a back seat.

While my reading suffered, I did manage to complete all the courses on time.

I didn’t stop buying books though and have a huge stash already waiting to get started in 2023. I’ll update the starting list next year.

HNY in advance! 🙂

FINAL READING CHALLENGE TALLY 2022 = 36

Tips for a Successful Reading Challenge

I shared my best tips for getting the best out of a reading challenge at Reading Challenge & Goals for 2020.

Previous Reading Challenges

• Reading Challenge 2020
• Reading Challenge 2021

What are your reading goals for 2022? And feel free to drop any book recommendations for me in the comments section. 

I’m also branching into reading more drama this year so I welcome those recommendations too.

*TW means trigger warnings in case you’re not familiar with the term. It is sometimes called trauma warnings.

You can learn more about the phrase “trigger warning” HERE.

Wunmi inherited every sarcastic bone in her parents’ bodies and channels the genetic feistiness through her fiction stories. She’s always eating chocolate and plans to never stop laughing while she can. Learn more about Wunmi here…