5 Star Reads of 2022

As 2022 has ended and we are getting comfortable in 2023, reading Sammie’s Five Star Reads of 2022 made me want to go down memory lane as well.

So, before I do exactly that, let me tell you that I set myself a goal of reading 52 books in 2022; a book a week. But, that reading challenge could not be completed as 2022 was a rollercoaster of an year for me.

From being a long distance girlfriend to a long distance wife, dealing with new emotions, travelling, and not to mention my day job, there was scant time to read. So I was only able to read a total of 32 books.

Of those 32, only 3 make it to this post. My 5 star reads of 2022.

This is How You Vagina: All About Your Vajayjay and Why You Probably Shouldn’t Call It That

The history, mystery, and majesty of the most fascinating organ

In This Is How You Vagina, Dr. Nicole Williams presents readers with a much-needed education on the history, science, and attitudes of the most fascinating and misunderstood part of the female anatomy: the vagina. She covers valuable information about sexual function, childbirth, and physiology and provides answers to her patients’ (and probably your) most asked questions. She matter-of-factly dispels the most common myths and misinformation concerning female genitalia.

Mini Review
An interesting and informative book that made me feel pain, sadness, excitement, and fear. Not only did I unlearn the myths I have been hearing all through my life but also learnt a lot of scientific knowledge without the subject being made dry.

Medusa

A dazzling, feminist retelling of Greek myth from the internationally bestselling author of The Miniaturist, stunningly illustrated by Olivia Lomenech Gill.
Exiled to a far-flung island by the whims of the gods, Medusa has little company except the snakes that adorn her head instead of hair. But when a charmed, beautiful boy called Perseus arrives on the island, her lonely existence is disrupted with the force of a supernova, unleashing desire, love, betrayal . and destiny itself.
Filled with glorious full-colour illustrations by award-winning Olivia Lomenech Gill, this astonishing retelling of Greek myth is perfect for readers of Circe and The Silence of the Girls. Illuminating the girl behind the legend, it brings alive Medusa for a new generation.

Mini Review

This illustrated retelling of Medusa not only brings you the story of Medusa but in a subtle way talks about much more than just the story from Greek mythology. It talks about rape, and, victim blaming, and it talks about power. Loved every word of it.

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Love Under Contract

When you can’t find the perfect date for the holidays you hire him!
Hotshot lawyer Rebecca Madison is dreading the annual family Thanksgiving break where the question on everyone’s lips will be ‘why are you still single?’.
When it comes to her career, she’s the best of the best, hired for her take-no-prisoners approach and sharp instincts. But when it comes to her love life…well, she hasn’t found the loophole for happy ever after yet.
So when she has a one night stand with a gorgeous stranger she meets in a bar, Becca decides to do what she does best: make a deal with Mr One Night to be her Mr Right (just for the holidays).
With an iron-clad contract setting out the terms for their fake relationship, Becca has one important point. Clause 1.a. No kissing, no sex (as mind-blowing as it was), and absolutely no emotional attachment!
But five thousand miles from home and spending every waking moment in the company of a man who makes her feel things she’s never felt before, just how easy will it be for Becca to stick to her own rules…

Mini Review

I love the fact that there is a reversal in the character psyche and the heroine is a commitment phobe rather than the hero. The hero is all fun and ready to take the plunge but the woman here is the cynic. I am not saying that it is a good thing to be a cynic but it plays very well into the story.

Full Review: Read Here

That’s it folks!

Now on to see how many 5 star reads I get this year. Hopefully more because of the two that I have read already, one was a 5!