My favorite books of the year! Who doesn’t love talking about books they loved?

Some of these were ones I’d been looking forward to, and they didn’t disappoint. Some were sort of spontaneous reads. Some I didn’t really know if they’d be my kinda book, but they surprised me in the best way.

So here, in no particular order, are my top ten(ish) reads of 2022, plus a few other things I loved!

Merry & Sprite // Bone to Be Wilde by Dani Lakely

I just adore these two characters and their relationship! Sort of enemies-to-lovers and grumpy + sunshine, but more just someone who liked things done a certain way and was annoyed with the other character even though he was secretly crushing. I can really feel the love between them, and these books made mesmile and feel so warm and squishy inside.

[ My Review ]

Blooded by Nat Kennedy

This was such a great urban fantasy book all-around, great characters and relationships/friendships and plot. But the vampire angst and biting were especially exceptional!

[ My Review ]

The City Beautiful by Aden Polydoros [Audiobook]

I loved how Jewish this was, and how I got to feel so immersed in a culture and time different from my own. Not only that, it was one of those books in which the POV and voice of the character was so strong that it really pulled me in. It was also just a great story with lovable characters!

[ My Review ]

Dream On by E.M. Jeanmougin & Jay Wright

This is the 4th in a series, but it’s one of my favorite series! And this book had feels and cute relationship moments and difficult struggles and action and lovable/interesting characters and a great story, much like the other books before it.

[ My Review ]

Oak King Holly King // Tales from Blackthorn Briar by Sebastian Nothwell

These were such sweet, adorable, gentle books! Lovely romance between wonderful characters who deserved each other. Also interesting and fantastical fae. Both books left me feeling warm and happy.

[ My Review ]

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

This wasn’t even technically SFF (which is normally what I read and talk about here), but I ended up reading it, and it was just so darn adorable! Especially when it came to gender euphoria and acceptance.

A Strange and Stubborn Endurance by Fox Meadows [Audiobook]

This one had a sweet and understanding romance, kind characters, complex but not confusing politics and courtly intrigue, and a vibrant fantasy world!

[ My Review ]

Blackwater by Jeannette Arroyo & Ren Graham

A trans character, a POC character, both of them physically disabled! But I didn’t love this just for the rep. The romance was absolutely adorable, I felt so much for the characters, I loved the portrayal of different types of parent-child relationship struggles, and altogether this was just so good with all the feels.

[ My Review ]

Space Opera by Catherynne M. Valente [Audiobook]

I had such a wild experience with this book. I went from not being super into it but appreciating the writing and humor and creativity in all the aliens. Then I started to enjoy it more because I loved the two main characters. Then the ending was so perfect and brought everything together so well that it retroactively improved my whole experience and made me appreciate everything more, and I ended up loving it!

[ My Review ]

A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland [Audiobook]

I loved these characters, and this was such a lovely romance between a prince and his guard! The longing, the adoration, the devotion. *swoons*

[ My Review ]

Favorite Song / Music Video:
“Mars” by Yungblud

*Warning for fake blood and violence in the video.* I’m not really sure I could pick a favorite song, but I do really love this one and listened to it a lot. And this video just entranced me when it came on. I don’t actually watch that many music videos. I just listen to the songs. But I’ve watched this so many times. The performances are so emotional and powerful.

Favorite Show:
Interview with the Vampire S1

This show is so good. Incredible, even. This was the first show/movie/video in a long time that I was able to just sit and watch without multitasking. When it was on, all I wanted to do was stare at the screen. Very different from the books, sort of a reimagining, but that allows it to explore different things and bring different perspectives and push things further than the books did. So intense sometimes. So sexy other times. So gay all the time. Fantastic acting, fantastic costumes, fantastic sets. Top-notch Louis and Lestat bickering. The way Sam Reid portrays Lestat’s character is perfection. All of it is perfection.

Check out my other end of the year posts!

Gamer Musings: Top Ten Games I Played in 2022
Cover Characteristics: Best Book Covers from Books I Read in 2022
Bookish Musings: Top Ten Characters from Books I Read in 2022
Bookish Musings: Top Ten Books/Series I Read in 2022 + Some Non-Bookish Things