Favourite Books of 2022

Happy New Year! And for the first video of the year it’s one of my favourites to make (and watch on other channels) and that’s my best/favourite books of the year video. You’ve 15 recommendations from me (you are welcome) today. I would love your thoughts on those I’ve read and what your favourites were. #BookTube #BestBooksOfTheYear #WrapUp #FavouriteBooksOfTheYears #BooksOf2022
You can support me on my Patreon here / savidgereads
And follow me on my Instagram here / savidgereads
Christmas wishlist www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/...
Books Mentioned…
You have to watch to find out 😉
Me Elsewhere…
Instagram: / savidgereads
Patreon: / savidgereads
Wishlist: www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/...
The Sky Arts Book Club FB Group: / theskyartsbookclub
Spotify: open.spotify.com/user/2qu1l93...
Twitter: / savidgereads
Email: [e-mail]
GoodReads: / simon

[@lightscamerasashley.]

I adore this channel. What a great way to start my day! Hope you have a wonderful reading year in 2023 💖

[@SavidgeReads]

Awww thank you. Here’s to a fab 2023 for us all!

[@Sueellenmschke]

I just love BookTubers’ best of the Year book videos! Thank you!

[@SavidgeReads]

A pleasure. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@christinewells1539]

Just discovered your channel this morning, Simon. I'm really going to enjoy watching all your videos and I'm going to be adding so many of your choices to my TBR list!

[@SavidgeReads]

Awww thank you Christine. What a lovely comment to get. I hope you keep enjoying the channel and find some fab books, and do recommend any you think I might like as you get to know my taste more.

[@rosieringlet1]

Absolutely loved Her Majesty’s Royal Coven, the ending, the final sentence! Looking forward to the next one!

[@SavidgeReads]

Saaaaaaaaame. Can’t wait.

[@fionahart2806]

Great to see you on cracking form, I hope you enjoy your reading in 2023. I'm on the same page about being excited to get on and leave 2022 behind. Happy New Year!!

[@SavidgeReads]

2022? I don’t even remember it 😉 Here’s to a fabulous new year.

[@anitahayne8621]

I look so forward to your list each year. Keep the good books coming. Happy 🎉New Year’s

[@SavidgeReads]

Here’s to many more good books in 2023!

[@javaFlower]

🌳 I am adding many of these books to my list to read, thank you for sharing. _The Island of Missing Trees_ was my fav book of 2022. Happy New Year, Simon! on we go...🌳

[@SavidgeReads]

Hooray for the same book at the top of the pops for both of us. Here’s to 2023!!!

[@jenniferfyffe6949]

What a fabulous list, The Island of Missing Trees is on the top of my pile for January. Happy New Year to you, and happy reading. I would love to have more reviews like this, and more chats with Louise! 🐏🌴

[@SavidgeReads]

Ha. Well she has her own channel now but there may be occasional cross over videos and collabs. There could even be some more coming this week 😉

[@ashleyalfonso]

Yes! I loved you and your mum's buddy reading the booker short list. Hoping you will again in '23 🤗

[@SavidgeReads]

We’re definitely doing the Women’s Prize longlist again. Not sure about the Booker. Mum wants to, I didn’t enjoy it so much but a lot was going on with work and stuff so it wasn’t as chilling.

[@mrsbookworm72]

Great wrap up The island of missing trees was my top of 21 my top this year was lessons in chemistry! I loved violets and adore Elizabeth strout and have Lucy by the sea to read and I can’t wait! I have a few that you have that are on my TBR so I must read. Thank you for your continued joy of books happy new year 😊

[@SavidgeReads]

I liked Lessons in Chemistry a lot. It’s been a huge hit this year. I really want more people to get to Violets, I just think it’s amazing. Hope you enjoy Lucy By The Sea as much as I did. Here’s to 2023!

[@kathleenwalsh3556]

Thanks so much for this list, Simon. Loved Jess Kidd's The Hoarder - your recommendation, I think. HNY as everyone seems to be writing.

[@SavidgeReads]

Well it is HNY so seems apt 🤣

[@gailhewitt1467]

Happy New Year! My favourite for 2022 was also Island of Missing Trees. Thank you for introducing me to books by Elif Shafak. I've only read one other by her so far (10 mins 38seconds) and that was a previous year's favourite. I just adore her writing. I think I might try Blue Hour. Thank you for all the content you continue to bring us. It was your channel that got me back into, and excited about, reading again.

[@SavidgeReads]

Soooo lovely to see so many of us with the same book at the top spot. So pleased you loved it and love her and her writing. Hooray! It’s also so lovely to hear I’ve helped bring your love of reading back. That’s soooo lovely to hear.

[@readingwithavengeance]

Missing Trees was my #2 fave of the year; The Heart’s Invisible Furies edged it out of 1st by the tiniest of hairs. Glad to see it at the top of your list though. Great reading year!❤

[@SavidgeReads]

I loved The Hearts Invisible Furies when I read it. I’ve stopped reading his work now though as some of his views I just can’t abide. Shame.

[@katieg970]

The Island of Missing Tree was my favourite read last year too! Amazing book I loved it. Looking forward to The Marriage Portrait its on my list this year as I love Hamnet and I took love the way Maggie's writing it going :)

[@SavidgeReads]

How lovely we had the same favourite 🥳🥳

[@bethpalmer4970]

These videos are also some of my favourites! Love hearing about your favourite reads of the year! (I’m also loving this editing style). This was quite a different reading year for me and while I enjoyed a lot of what I read, I only had a few stand out books: The Reading List, Sara Nisha Adams; Dear Mrs Bird (and Yours Cheerfully), AJ Pearce; Rooted, Sarah Langford; and a couple of Dorothy Whipple books.

[@SavidgeReads]

Awww thank you. I like doing these edits when I can. I am hoping my new schedule with work allows me more time for editing as well as more reading. Ha. I would like to get to more Dorothy Whipple and Persephone’s actually this year.

[@barbarahelgaker390]

Just finished Stone Blind - it was wonderful - loved her descriptions of Perseus😂. Also loved The Marriage Portrait, definitely one of my top 10 in 22. look forward to seeing you and your mum on lots of new adventures in 23!

[@SavidgeReads]

Stone Blind I just thought was fabulous from start to finish. A real treat. Here’s to lots of adventures in books and life in general in 2023. You might be delighted to here the next video this week is with my mum 😉

[@amberkemp9200]

Happy New Year! Obsessed with this outfit💜 my favourite fiction book in 2022 was The Prophets by Robert Jones JR and my favourite non-fiction read was Wild Swans by Jung Chang 😊

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahaha thanks Amber. I saw this shirt in the sales and had to have it. The camera doesn’t pick up quite how wildly fluffy it also is. It could be the year of the over shirt for me 2023 😉 I looooooved The Prophets when I read it. I’ve still never read Wild Swans and would like to.

[@mradcaqbdb]

Love your passion for these books! Happy New Year! 🎉

[@SavidgeReads]

Awwww thanks so much, that’s really kind of you to say. Happy New Year to you too!!

[@gilltaber2187]

Wishing you every happiness and success in 2023, Simon. I've added The Marriage Portrait to my to read list. I enjoyed lots of books in the last year, but it's a series that I have decided to put at number one - The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter. They are giving me the comfort and cosiness I have really needed.

[@SavidgeReads]

I’d they’re bringing you joy they’re absolutely what you must read. It should be a pleasure after all, never a chore.

[@leeh4343]

Not going to miss the opportunity to thank you again for recommending Violets 😊 I also thought HMRC was completely fab - here’s to a great year of reading ahead ! 😊

[@SavidgeReads]

I’m so pleased you loved it, though I’ve confused everything with having two books with the same title in my top five. Ha. Here’s to some ace reading ahead.

[@UKLeonie]

🌲🌳Nothing has captured my heart this year in the new books, a lot of re reads for 2022. I'll be checking the hauls and lists for 2023 🌴☘️

[@SavidgeReads]

Whatever works for you reading is the best reading to be doing.

[@rachellehamilton]

Thanks for all the great recommendations. I will definitely be picking up Fool of Death, Stone Blind and Her Majesty's Royal Coven.

[@SavidgeReads]

Hooray!!!!

[@mpaiewonsky1]

Thank you. Ran across this video of book reviews. Took out audio book of Island of Missing Trees- Loving it. Thanks for this recommendation.

[@SavidgeReads]

A pleasure. Thanks for watching and for commenting.

[@criselda.]

🐑🌴 love your list! Just read 2 of them. I have some catching up to do 😅

[@SavidgeReads]

Hope you enjoy the ones you get to when you get to them!

[@CharlesHeathcote]

Lucy by the Sea is the second book that I read this year and I also found myself thrilled by the mention of her other characters. Indeed, I'm now hoping to get to The Burgess Boys sooner rather than later. After that I haven't read any of the books mentioned here, but there are a fair few that I have on my shelves and I'm looking forward to even more now so thank you for that.

[@SavidgeReads]

A pleasure Charles. Isn’t Lucy by the Sea just brilliant? I’m going to head to Amy and Isabelle who get the tiniest of mentions. Then those Burgess boys.

[@carolewatson2113]

Wonderful. Happy new year! Lessons in Chemistry for me, no contest.

[@SavidgeReads]

I liked that a lot. And a lot more than I expected to.

[@gailm.8190]

🎄 🐑 Happy New Year!! I hope your year is filled with 5⭐️ reads! Looking forward to watching and listening in 2023!!

[@SavidgeReads]

I’m looking forward to lots of reading adventures ahead and taking you all along with me.

[@patricialux6197]

What a fun video and I'm very enthusiastic about many of books mentioned. I must say you have such an engaging personality for this that even your comment section is the best! 😃 yay 2023 🎉🤸‍♀️🤸‍♂️🤸‍♂️. My reading '22 was a short 2 months but I read many v good books...faves were Piranesi & Hamnet & Memory Police...& am thrilled about a full year of reading! I do have Missing 🌲🌳🌴s on hold at library. Best wishes for super duper 23 , 🐑.

[@SavidgeReads]

Awww thanks so much for this lovely comment Patrica. That’s very kind of you. I looooved Hamnet the year it came out, I think it was my favourite book of that year! Hope we have a year of fabulous reads ahead!

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Fab list. Must get to some more of these ❤ Also, now I know why you were so remote in Wales 😂😂😂😂 JOKING 😂😂😂❤❤❤ 35:40

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahahaha. I couldn’t mentally leave Lapvona. I’m so sorry.

[@allisonryder4781]

OMG! The Island of Missing Trees is my #1 read of the year as well! It was so rich, so poignant! I was entranced from the scream! Anyway, Happy New Year Simon! All the very best to you and your mum! I would love to see both do a reading blog of the same book and edit it into one video. Thanks for all your humour, I bloody love it! #numberonebooktuber 🌳🌲🌴🇨🇦❤️

[@SavidgeReads]

Hooray Allison. Look at us with top taste there. Hahaha. Happy New Year to you too. That idea for a video of me and mum reading the same book is an interesting one! I’ll have a word with her today. Lol.

[@eviebeatricee]

Hi, I really enjoyed The Island of Missing Trees, I also loved Her Majesties Royal Coven, my daughters loved this too and we are going to buddy read the next book that follows on from this, which I am really excited for. This is such a good list of some fantastic books. Thank you🐑🌲xx

[@SavidgeReads]

I looooove that you’re buddy reading with your daughters. That’s so lovely. What a fab series to do if with too. That’s ace.

[@r.enee.morris]

Happy new year Simon. Has been great watching you this year, you always bring new titles to my attention. Xx

[@SavidgeReads]

Awwww thanks Renee, it’s been a joy watching you! Here’s to a faaaabulous year of reading in 2023.

[@lorimiller854]

Your shirt is very nice looking. Lovely color on you. I am interested in the Elizabeth Strout books because I loved Olive Kitteridge. Glad to see Stone Blind, Lapvona, and A Marriage Portrait as favorites as they are already on my shelves, but as soon as I allow myself a purchase Her Majesty's Royal Coven sounds like one I want in my life.

[@SavidgeReads]

Aww thank you. I got the shirt in the sales. A little treat for myself. I’m very much looking forward to meeting Olive Kitteridge in 2023. Hope you enjoy HMRC when you get to it. I can’t wait for the sequel this summer.

[@bookinwithdebra]

Happy New Year 🥳 Thank you sharing your favourites. I particularly appreciated your thoughts on Stone Blind, which I'm planning to try. I started Her Majesty's Royal Coven but it was during some health issues so I think the timing was wrong. I'm definitely going to pick it back up this year. I love your enthusiasm for Elif Shafak. I have a few of her books to read. I hope you have a great 2023 of reading 🌳🐑

[@SavidgeReads]

Hope you enjoy HMRC when you get back to it. Here’s to a fabulous 2023 to us all with lots of lovely times and fabulous books.

[@aaishah6743]

I love how our favourite book was the same!! Love this!

[@SavidgeReads]

Hooray!!!!

[@millysbookshelf2101]

Am reading The Marriage Portrait at the moment and am lost in that world. Totally agree with you about Lapvona.

[@SavidgeReads]

Hooray 📚🥳

[@stephanierenee7655]

The Island of Missing Trees was in my top 10 of the year as well. I think about that book all of the time!

[@SavidgeReads]

I think about it loads too. One of my favourites of all time.

[@janepeacock3704]

I luv you going on about the wonderful Elizabeth Strout !! 😄 I’ve read all the Lucy Barton books, apart from the last one; which I’m ‘saving’ for the moment to savour, after I’ve finished some library books 📚 😌

[@SavidgeReads]

I have become a huge Strout fan since reading the Lucy Barton books last year. Am hoping to head to more Strout soon.

[@benreadsgood]

Glad you loved I’m a Fan - I just picked up that edition as well, and very curious to get into it!

[@SavidgeReads]

Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

[@gilliansawers4593]

🌲 ❤️ loved Violets and only picked it up through your recommendation so thanks.

[@SavidgeReads]

Haha. Which one? I had two lol.

[@gilliansawers4593]

😂 the one by Alex Hyde.

[@cindyhaiken5644]

So thrilled that you have discovered the genius that is Elizabeth Strout. Right with you on historical fiction. In addition to the O’Farrell, my top reads of 2022 include The Whalebone Theatre, Trespasses and To Paradise, historical fiction all (although of course the Yanagihara is much more). Also big on backlists these days, more so in some cases than current releases. I have you to thank for Alex Hyde’s Violets and for The Night Ship and for much else. Happy New Year!! 🌴🐑

[@SavidgeReads]

I don’t know why but both The Whalebone Theatre (and slightly unrelatedly Theatre of Marvels) have covers that do nothing to make me want to read them but I’ve heard amazing things about. So pleased you loved Violets and The Night Ship. Here’s to many more fabulous books and book chats in 2023.

[@literaryiggy]

your videos are such a delight! Happy new year, Simon :')

[@SavidgeReads]

Awww thanks so much!!!! Yours too. Happy New Year!

[@user-qo6tz1oe1v]

Happy new year Simon 🎉 🍾 🥂

[@SavidgeReads]

And to you!!!

[@nelsonkaiowa4347]

Happy Newyear, Simon!

[@SavidgeReads]

And to you too!!!

[@kirbytimmins7399]

So glad you mentioned the mosquito! I was telling my boyfriend about it and he thought I was bonkers. My fave book of the year too. Blew me away🌲

[@SavidgeReads]

I don’t know why that part of the book has stayed with me so much. I also cried over the malting parrot quite badly. But sooooo much to love in this book.

[@lindarosborough7091]

Happy New Year, Simon! As always, I got a lot out of this video - I’m always keen to hear about your favourites and why. I enjoyed Douglas Stuart’s Young Mungo and Nancy Tucker’s The First Day of Spring this year. I haven’t gone through all the books I read to decide if they are *the* favourites, but they were memorable enough to come instantly to mind. 🌳 🐑

[@SavidgeReads]

Glad you enjoyed the video Linda. Always lovely to hear. I don’t know why I sort of avoided Young Mungo this year, I am sure I’ll head to it this year. I haven’t heard of the Nancy Tucker. I shall look that up.

[@juliewoan298]

🥕Love to see your top books of the year and so happy to see so many of my favourites authors on the list. Loved Elif and have so many of her books earlier books still to read. Love Lucy Barton books but I did start with Olive and she got me hooked on Elizabeth Strouts writing...which is so exquisite in my humble opinion. And also love that you have discovered Damon Galgut, I have read everything since I was bought the Booker short list in 2003. But saying all that, did find some new authors in your review which is fab! 🥕

[@SavidgeReads]

Glad you saw some favourites and some possibly new to try authors in the mix.

[@suedavy5394]

Thank you Simon for adding another four books to my TBR list. 😂 Totally agree with your #1 choice, I am not too sure about # 2. Just finished Lapvona and I am still trying to decide if I enjoyed it or not. Another highlight this year was Blue Hour by Sarah Schmidt. I love how she tackled some very dark subjects. Let’s hope this year will be as good as 2022!!

[@SavidgeReads]

A pleasure Sue! Glad we have some favourites in common. I can understand Lapvona not being for everyone. I was just OBSESSED! Here’s to a fab reading year this year!

[@FilipeMafagafo]

Maybe that was the year that came to change your heart about ships in books, who knows? 😅 Glad to see Akwaeke Emezi on your list, I absolutely enjoyed Freshwater. Happy new year, Simon 😊

[@SavidgeReads]

And belated Happy New Year to you too!

[@krisprepolec5616]

🌲One of my favourite books last year was Greenwood by Michael Christie. As a western Canadian it really spoke to me. The trees were almost a character themselves.

[@SavidgeReads]

Oooh that sounds brilliant. I’ll look it up. Thank you.

[@omalleysmith9100]

That was my favourite I read last year and one of my all time favourite books. Its SO fantastic. I am shocked I haven't seen it all over booktube.

[@bookishbedlam]

I have not read The Night Ship, but I loved Jess Kidd's Things In Jars. I have not read The Marriage Portrait but I loved both Hamnet and The Hand That First Held Mine. I sense a theme. Happy New Year! 🐑🐑🐑

[@SavidgeReads]

The theme is… you’ve some absolute treats ahead!

[@hasteyebooks]

Great list! You Made a Fool of Death with your Beauty is on my tbr soon! Adding Stone Blind to my list now too. I've had a copy of Her Majesty's Royal Coven for ages and still need to pick it up! Beautiful to see Shafak as your top - didn't click with this one as much as others, but her writing is incredible!! My top book was Open Water :)

[@SavidgeReads]

Hope you enjoy the four books you’ve not read yet when you do. I didn’t love Open Water sadly, I have got his new one though and am going to give him a second whirl.

[@ee0u417f]

Interesting what you say about boat books and seasickness, I'm currently (and finally) reading Life Of Pi, and I can feel the nausea of constant movement in the teeth of the waves!

[@SavidgeReads]

Now weirdly that is a book on a boat that I enjoyed quite a lot. So there’s always an exception to every rule. Ha.

[@rosalynstewart2397]

Such a fab 15! I also loved Lapvona, it was just brilliant! Like my favourite book of the year - Where I end by Sophie White, it really pushed my (already pretty broad!) boundaries. My number two was Intimacies by Lucy Caldwell which is a collection of short stories, her writing about human emotions is sublime. I'm defo going to read Blue Hour after hearing your recommendation🐑🌴

[@SavidgeReads]

Oooh I’ve not heard of the Sophie White, I shall look it up. I like a boundary pusher, well in book form! Here’s to a fab year of reading in 2023.

[@zukythebookbum]

Where I End was in my top books of the year too. So amazing!

[@Kat_Attack]

Happy New Year, Simon! 🌳🐑

[@SavidgeReads]

And to you! 🌳🐑

[@Gwyndon]

Yes Lapvona is so great!! 🎉🎉🎉

[@SavidgeReads]

It’s brilliant isn’t it. Soooo good.

[@95ndgrad]

What a great video! Did you realize you had two books called Violets in your top 10? I can’t wait to read some of these. I was surprised that I haven’t read a single one of your faves!

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahaha. See it as a reading list for 2023. Hehe. I meant to comment about the two Violets titles but forgot. I always come away from filming thinking ‘why didn’t I say X or Y?’

[@YourTrueShelf]

I've read Olive Kitteridge and it's great - think you'll enjoy it. I need to read more Elizabeth Strout! Her majesty's royal coven is on hold for me at the library. Listening to stone blind on audible at the moment 😊 I'd love to see more back list books next year, I like hearing about books that are older as well 👍🏻 Happy New year lovely x 🌳🐑

[@SavidgeReads]

Really looking forward to more Strout. Olive I am holding off from for a bit, some other characters I think I’ll check out first. So excited for all her stories to be honest. Started the year with a backlist so things are looking good. Ha.

[@YourTrueShelf]

@@SavidgeReads oh that's good!! I'm really looking forward to getting to lots of back list stuff this year as I'm really happy with my tbr shelves now 😊

[@Nickelini]

I can't wait to read The Marriage Portrait. It looks like it will check off all the boxes for me

[@SavidgeReads]

I hope you really enjoy it when you get around to it.

[@emilymolina5530]

I was wondering if Missing Trees would remain your number 1, as you predicted when you read it! I loved this book. Was a highlight read of my year, too!

[@SavidgeReads]

It did have some serious competition from Lapvona, it had my heart though all year really.

[@Novaturient_Liv]

Your author spotlight videos are fantastic- please do not hesitate to put out any for authors you love.

[@SavidgeReads]

Awww thanks. I shall see what I can do!

[@kimswhims8435]

Great list Simon. Lucy By the Sea and Limberlost, made my top reads of the year. I seemed to be drawn more to audiobooks this year and both were brilliant on audiobook. I wish I'd read Stone Blind from the page because the audiobook narration didn't work for me. The Promise was a great book, an important book to read, just didn't make my top ten. Here Goes Nothing by Steve Toltz was my top favourite. I read it from the page and it was so unexpected I loved it to bits. Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver was another audiobook that I thought was brilliantly done and I enjoyed it immensely. The Island of the Missing Trees is a great book, a favourite of mine from last year, it's the only one of all the books mentioned that is a keeper on my shelves. Although I might pick up Limberlost and Lucy by the Sea and Here Goes Nothing - at a later date. Happy Reading in 2023 🌳

[@SavidgeReads]

Sounds like you had a great reading year! Here’s to another!

[@stephmorgan286]

My favorite read was How to Lose the Time War. Such an amazing little book. A close second was the first 3 novellas in the Murderbot Diaries…they were so compelling ! 🌳

[@SavidgeReads]

Oooh noted. I may have to check those out.

[@AnnaShikari]

i adored lapvona too, incredible book. your 'Simon catnip spectrum' made me laugh because that's me as well, was actually thinking of lapvona for the 'dark/twisted/messy' side before you mentioned it! lanny by max porter and nettle & bone by T kingfisher would fit for the opposite side of 'haunting but hopeful' i think ☺️

[@SavidgeReads]

I think it’s exciting to have a wide spectrum of what we love to read. Makes it more varied which is always a treat. Lapvona was soooooo good. I think of it a lot. Lanny is also brilliant.

[@katrinamuritala3207]

Hi Simon loved hmrc and amari which is middle grade also enjoyed other Juno Dawson books each so different from the other xx

[@SavidgeReads]

They are, it’s one of the many reasons I love Juno’s books.

[@valdeane6435]

The Island of Missing Trees was my favourite book of 2021. I love her writing. My No 2 this year was her novel Honour and was pushed out of the top spot by A Woman is no Man by Etaf Rum. I hear she has a new book coming out this year, so can't wait for that. Loved Violets by Alex Hyde and Still Life by Sarah Winman too!

[@SavidgeReads]

Oooh I don’t have Honour on my shelves but I plan to read everything by Elif at some point. Very excited. Still Life was my number one book of 2021. Ha.

[@Factotum1975]

🌴🐑 one of my favorite books of the year was Hummingbird Salamander by Jeff VanderMeer. Happy New Year!

[@SavidgeReads]

I’ve still not read any of his books. Maybe that’s something for 2023.

[@nathansnook]

being here in korea, it's embarrassing to admit that i haven't read #5.. will need to get to it! what an incredible year of reading for you! happy new year ✨🥂

[@SavidgeReads]

Who even are you Nathan!?! Hahaha. I’m joking. It’s a good one but I find I don’t often want to read books set where I am unless I’m on holiday… speaking of which mum and I are talking a South Korea trip!

[@nathansnook]

@@SavidgeReads haha exactly!!! i want to read of elsewhere always! and whaaaa i sure hope to goodness ur not coming in SUMMER

[@natalieking7382]

The Marriage Portrait is on my list but not yet on my shelves. Sarah Dunant wrote The Birth of Venus and Blood and Beauty, both set in Italy in the late 1400s into the 1500s. Beautiful writing!!

[@SavidgeReads]

My mum really likes Sarah Dunant. I may have to give her a try.

[@dianedickson6366]

Happy New year, Simon. Yes, loved The Promise. very unusual I thought. Oh yes, Violets was excellent. I haven't been able to read Lapvona because of that cover. I enjoyed Lessons in Chemistry very much and The Sentence. Okay - tell me honestly how often do you feel tempted to slap that bottom on the shelf behind you? I think it looks really slappable. 🌳🌳🌳

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahaha. Cheeky! Never though, it would hurt it’s thick porcelain. 🤣 I was thrilled The Promise made another Savidge’s top books of the year list. I enjoyed Lessons in Chemistry. Sadly I wasn’t a fan of The Sentence. It sounded so me.

[@ariannelg]

Ok, now I wanna hear everything about this boat book fear 😂 Moby Dick? Alone (Chaboute)? The old man and the sea? This could be an interesting video!

[@SavidgeReads]

Ha. It could but you’ll never get me reading Moby Dick in general, let alone for a video 🤣 I have read The Old Man in the Sea. It was fine. Thankfully short 🤣

[@ariannelg]

@@SavidgeReads 😂 fair enough I would never ask you to do that! Just your general thoughts on that fear

[@shelfhelp7344]

We do share our top book with 'The Island of Missing Trees', simply superb. My other 2 in my top 3 this year were 'Tender is the Flesh' and 'Earthlings '. Good stuff.🐏🐑🌲🌳🌴🌵

[@SavidgeReads]

Hooray for our joint number one. I really want to read both your other two top titles. I’ve a few of Murata’s on the shelves and got a proof of Bazterrica’s new book in the post last week.

[@natashamarie2952]

I’ve got The Night Ship from my library and I’m really excited to read it! The Island of Missing Trees is one I’ve been interested in too so this is the push I need to finally pick it up. 🌴 Hoping this is the year I finally read some Natalie Haynes too because I think I’ll really love her books.

[@SavidgeReads]

I hope you love her books to when you get to them. And The Night Ship and The Island of Missing Trees of course.

[@18Alpine]

Please read "The Island of Missing Trees". It really is excellent. I have "The Night Ship" on order. Sounds wonderful.

[@olgaotherstories8355]

Karamazovs Brothers by Dostoyevski was a big thing for me last year. I love everything by E.Strout, especially love her Olive Kitteridge. Lucy I’ve read only the first one and I was happy to discover how many sequences of Lucy’s story there were.

[@SavidgeReads]

I am soooo looking forward to heading to Olive and finding out all her stories. I think I may head to Amy and Isabelle first though.

[@eleni8475]

I adored the Island of Missing Trees too. I’m a little biased because I have Greek Cypriot heritage and family who were impacted by the war and lost their homes, but I think regardless of that connection, it was so beautifully and cleverly written and I loved how the Fig Tree becomes a character and you learn about the Cypriot land that was being fought over in a real literal way. My dad is obsessed with his own fig tree in london so that definitely chimed with me too!

[@SavidgeReads]

I don’t know if it’s about bias. I think it’s just incredible writing that clearly impacts those with prior knowledge or experience and those with none, like me. Love your dad has a fig tree. We have three two outdoor from before I read the book and one indoor since.

[@18Alpine]

Over and above the beautiful writing and the excellent use of the fig tree what I loved about this book is that it introduced me to a part of modern history that I knew pretty much nothing about. I was drawn in and found myself reading up on this history. I learnt much.

[@eleni8475]

@@18Alpine that is wonderful to hear. As someone whose family has been affected by this history, it’s great to see the power of beautiful writing drawing attention to this forgotten piece of history that still has lasting impact today.

[@18Alpine]

@@eleni8475 Exactly.

[@books_and_ki]

Happy New Year! May it be everything you've hoped and more!

[@SavidgeReads]

And for you too!

[@a_bookish_gemini]

Delighted to see Jess Kidd on your list! Unfortunately, The Night Ship was my most disappointing read of 2022. I absolutely loved her other 3 adult novels and The Night Ship was my most anticipated release.. but I just could not get on with it. I’m not sure if it was the dual timeline (never a fan of those) or what, but I DNF’d at 40%. 😢 Added a handful from your list to my TBR! Happy new year! 🎆

[@SavidgeReads]

Oooh I love a dual timeline. They’re one of my favourite things. I though Jess did it brilliantly too as I liked them both equally which can be a hard balancing act. Hope you have a fab year of reading in 2023.

[@a_bookish_gemini]

@@SavidgeReads you too! 🥰

[@mandynott9772]

The “Island of Missing Trees” was a great story🌲🌴🌳

[@SavidgeReads]

It’s fab. I just looooooooooved it. 🌳

[@carolynmonahan2488]

I loved The Disappearing Spoon, Doc, Horse, and just now Demon Copperhead (this will be a classic.)

[@SavidgeReads]

I really want to read Horse.

[@clairebanks1903]

Thank you Simon I have read some great books in 2022 V favourites were Sacred Country -Rose Tremain - The Wild Silence - Raynor Wynn - Dear Reader - Cathy Renzenbrink - and the fabulous Alison by Lizzy Stewart 🐑🌳

[@SavidgeReads]

I want to read more of Raynor Wynn’s books. I really loved The Salt Path. Sacred Country is a corker. Love Rose Tremain.

[@clairebanks1903]

Started reading Rose Tremain following your recommendation Have The Road Home and Lily on my shelves

[@katielapko3641]

It’s still my No 1 favourite too 🌳 😊

[@SavidgeReads]

I’m assuming you mean the Shafak 😉

[@katielapko3641]

@@SavidgeReads I do 😃I could barely string a sentence together last night 😂Sober but shattered haha.

[@kai-rhone]

I definitely think Ethan Frome is worth a read. I'm due for a re-read since the last time I cracked it open was maybe 5 years ago. But it was perfect for winter...definitely sullen and reflective.

[@SavidgeReads]

Oh I loved Ethan Frome. It almost made this list, so almost that I missed it from my honourable mentions. Imagine. Ha. I love Wharton. One of my favourite books ever is House of Mirth.

[@janethansen9612]

I didn't love Limberlost, despite Robbie Arnott's beautiful writing. It just felt to me like it had been done before. Of the 6 from your list that I have read, only The Marriage Portrait is in my top 10. It's interesting to see how often Her Majesty's Royal Coven, the Wonder and Violets are turning up on the top lists this year. I shall add them to my already growing list for the coming year. Happy 2023 to you!

[@SavidgeReads]

Shame about Limberlost but we can’t all like the same books. Ha. I have noticed a few titles are definitely common favourites from 2022.

[@janethansen9612]

@@SavidgeReads It's kind of fun that we don't all like the same things.

[@brettsbookstack]

Violets sounds amazing

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahaha. Which one?

[@miss_vix_reads9110]

Also Happy New Year 🎊

[@SavidgeReads]

And to you!

[@ThirtyBooks]

Oh My GOD! I just finished Blue Hour last week...LOVED IT. You are right, it's potentially triggering for some people but she is a gothic writer and she is fearless. It's interesting though, I didn't get a sense of place. It didn't feel like Australia to me.

[@SavidgeReads]

That is interesting. I found the whole Blue Mountains setting so evocative. But I’ve never been to Oz so maybe I was aligning my version, you have the realty. Ha.

[@lorrainekorytko7927]

I also read blue hour on Simon's recommendation... absolutely beautiful

[@susprime7018]

Still Klara and the Sun at number 1 for me, honorable mentions Hamnet, Lucy By The Sea and old books by O.Douglas.🌲🐑

[@SavidgeReads]

Hooray for Hamnet and Lucy by the Sea 🥳

[@hardbackhypebeast]

What a list! Need to get on the Juno Dawson hype. Have just ordered You Make a Fool of Death With Your Beauty. With Elizabeth Strout, do you need to have read them in order, or are they just loosely linked together but you can read as standalone? Can't work it out haha.

[@SavidgeReads]

You just MUST get on the Juno hype broomstick and no mistake. You can read the Lucy books as standalones, I think I loved the more as the culminated though I think Anything is Possible is skippable.

[@BeckyPoleninja]

Definitely wouldn't want to live in Lapvona lol, or eat the grapes!! Missing Trees was beautiful. I have just discovered Larissa Bedrendt, amazing books covering Aboriginal history through a family saga style are great

[@SavidgeReads]

Ooh I’ve not heard of that author. I’ll have to look them up. Thanks for letting me know.

[@spexi513]

I know I’m 2 weeks late anddddd you get a sh**ton of book recommendations, but nature and human nature = Bewilderment IMO covers both exceptionally & relevant to the present time. If you’ve not read, ofc. In TØP 3 of 2022 for my reads.

[@SavidgeReads]

I’m a bit confused by this comment 🤣 I don’t really know what you’re recommending. Ha.

[@miss_vix_reads9110]

🌳 My top five books this year were: Lessons in Chemistry, Violets (Alex Hyde), The Dance Tree, Lily (Rose Tremain) and The Promise. I blinking loved Her Majesty's Royal Coven too. I enjoyed Stone Blind but it didn't make my top books as I felt like I was being told what to think about the characters. 🐑

[@SavidgeReads]

Oooh that’s interesting. I didn’t spot that. Mum hasn’t read it yet, I am intrigued for her thoughts. I can’t believe I’ve still not read Lily.

[@miss_vix_reads9110]

@@SavidgeReads I loved Lily couldn't put it down.

[@loriwald9532]

Yup! We don’t want anyone being stingy with book recommendations! 😅🎉

[@SavidgeReads]

Never ever never.

[@ee0u417f]

Also very interested in Damon Galgut's The Promise, not long read Wide Sargasso Sea and it sounds like similar stories of family decline and race relations. Sounds like I'd need a clue or two though!

[@SavidgeReads]

A clue or two? For what? If I can help I will. I have read Wide Sargasso Sea and The Promise, not sure I would say they are similar though. So think you’d be ok.

[@GemofBooks]

Uh oh, 3 books on your list I didn’t love 😬 I do really want to read both Violets though!!

[@SavidgeReads]

That’s fine, lol. If we all loved the same books it would be mega boring. Hahaha.

[@blgtn2103]

I loved Limberlost, too, and found it a worthy answer to the moth-hunting girl from Indiana in the 1909 Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter. Thank you for alerting us to Limberlost earlier in the year. I plan to feature it in the spring issue of Nature Book Guide. I’m not sure I would have found it without your recommendation.

[@SavidgeReads]

Ooooh I’m delighted I sent it in your direction Beth. Here’s to a fab year of reading ahead.

[@christinewells1539]

Just wondering if you've ever read any novels by Ruth Rendell? I've read tons of books but I still reckon her early novels are among the best crime stories ever written. I'm currently reading Make Death Love Me.

[@SavidgeReads]

I think I may have read a couple eons ago. My Gran used to have lots of them on the shelves and I feel like I may have read one or two on visits years and years ago.

[@benjaminjournal]

“This year? It’s gone.” LOL

[@SavidgeReads]

Hehehe. And now onto a lovely new year, ooh it’s like fresh new bed sheets, delicious.

[@18Alpine]

Yes! The Island of Missing Trees. Absolutely. The other book that is top of my list is Kate Atkinson's "Shrines of Gaiety". Kate Atkinson is a hit and miss for me (no offense Kate Atkinson). This was brilliant. Re blacklists: My best wasJohn Boyne's "Next of Kin".

[@SavidgeReads]

I need to read that Kate Atkinson. I love her writing. Sadly I’ve stopped reading John Boyne, his views are troubling to me.

[@18Alpine]

@@SavidgeReads Please read the Kate Atkinson. As I said I've struggled with some of her previous books. This was pure cheek in the tongue in the cheek historical fiction fun. That is how I experienced it anyway.

[@Bessie-On-Wheels]

🌳 🐑 Long Down Darkness Wide Seán Hewitt One Sky Day by Leone Ross but at number one the The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki. I would like to give an honourable mention to The Colony by Audry Magee.

[@SavidgeReads]

One Sky Day was one of my favourites in 2021. Was a joy to meet Leone last year. I have been itching to read The Colony lately. And Long Down Darkness Wide I can’t believe I didn’t read in 2022, I loved Sean’s poetry collection so much.

[@hardbackhypebeast]

Also dying at '202020' hahahaha 🐑

[@SavidgeReads]

Are we there yet? I currently have no idea what day of the week it is again. It’s becoming a habit.