'Reading... is by far the most successful pursuit of happiness'
If like me you're a big book lover, now it's December, you feel the need to hibernate and all you crave is the opportunity to hunker down by the fire with a stack of books, then grab yourself a cuppa and read on...
I wanted to write down the list of books I've read in 2022, the books I'm half way through (because aren't we all guilty of having a few books on the go), and a list of the 'must read' books that are stacking up high next to by bed, on my book shelf, in my car, practically everywhere I look I see a book I want to read.
I hope you enjoy reading about my 2022 book collection. Maybe you've read them all or maybe you have a few books you'd like to recommend I should read in 2023, please connect with me. I'd love to hear from you and find out which was your favourite book of 2022.
GUESS WHAT?! If you do reach out and connect with me, I shall enter you into the 'Ease Retreats Christmas Prize Draw', where you'll be in with a chance to win an Ease Retreats Book Stack (3 lovely books posted to you before Christmas Day) - the lucky winner will be announced on social media on Sunday 11th December.
List of books I read in 2022
1 My Name Is Lucy Barton - Elizabeth Strout - long listed for the man booker prize. I am so late to the party in reading Elizabeth Strout books. This was my first of many. Oh William was a brilliant second.
2 Wintering - Katherine May - if ever there was a book for this time of year it's this book!
3 What I Don’t Want To Know - Deborah Levy (1st book in her living autobiography series)
4 Cost of Living - Deborah Levy (2nd book in her living autobiography series)
5 Write It All Down - Cathy Rentzenbrink - this is the book that turned my writing journey around. It made me connect with Cathy, quite literally. Who'd have thought it. I love this book.
6 Dear Reader - Cathy Rentzenbrink - a beautiful publication, one I will go back to time and time again. I actually asked Cathy when she was co-hosting a retreat with me, would she write a sequel to this. The answer was not a 'no'.
7 Do Walk - Libby Delana - a wonderful wonderful book. Libby has the biggest heart and I highly recommend you follow her on social media and listen to her podcast.
8 Lost Connections - Johann Hari - an extraordinary book. I shall be diving into again in the not too distant future.
9 I Am I Am I Am - Maggie O’Farrell - as memoirs go, this one is up there with the best
10 4000 Weeks - Oliver Burkeman - for all you productivity nerds, I think you'll enjoy this one
11 Sorrow & Bliss - Meg Mason - there are no words on how brilliant this novel is. Just read it. You will not be disappointed.
12 Delicacy - Katy Wix - any book that includes cake always gets my attention. This is a memoir that in parts is sad, very funny and delightfully sweet.
Books I'm still reading…
1 The Untethered Soul - Michael Singer
2 The Cove - L J Ross
3 The Red Of My Blood - Clover Stroud
4 What We Want - Charlotte Fox Webber
5 Real Estate - Deborah Levy (3rd book in her living autobiography series)
6 The Untethered Soul - Michael A Singer
Books still on my shelf... MUST READ
1 Things We Don’t Tell The People We Love - Huma Qureshi
2 Bird By Bird - Anne Lamott
3 Lucy By The Sea - Elizabeth Strout
4 The Way Of The Fearless Writer - Beth Kempton
5 Drift - Caryl Lewis
6 The Paper Palace - Miranda Cowley Heller
7 Homesick - Catrina Davies
My favourite book of 2022...
'Cost of Living' by Deborah Levy - she is my muse. One day I dearly hope our paths will cross, you never know, I might get the opportunity to host a writing retreat with her - watch this space.
I dearly hope you have a wonderful December, enjoy the festivities whether you 'go large', 'go slow' or 'go home'. I've big plans to retreat to a cosy corner with my new stationery, a book or three and a very large glass of baileys over ice.
Merry Christmas
Take care and stay safe
Until the next time
Tan xx
"You are a reader and therefore a thinker, an observer, a living soul who wants more out of this human experience"