Whittling down 110 books into a top five for 2022 proved harder than expected—so, in true rule-bending fashion, I settled on six standout reads. Each of these books grabbed me for different reasons, and while the genres vary, they all had one thing in common: they stayed with me long after the final page. Here’s a spoiler-free look at my favourites.

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FIFTH PLACE (Joint)

Paul Mariner: My Rock ‘n’ Roll Football Story – Paul Mariner with Mark Donaldson

To me, Paul Mariner will always be one of the greatest classic strikers—an essential cog in the brilliant Ipswich Town team of the late 70s and early 80s. But this memoir reveals he was so much more than just a player. A larger-than-life character who lived with passion on and off the pitch, Mariner’s story is equal parts football nostalgia and human insight.

He passed away far too soon in July 2021, aged just 68. With help from his family and co-author Mark Donaldson, the book was completed posthumously. It’s 336 pages of compelling storytelling that I read in one sitting on a cold, wet Sunday in January. If you’re an Ipswich fan—or just love football history—it’s essential.

North Wind – JD Kirk

Robert Hoon isn’t your typical hero—he’s brash, damaged, and alcoholic. But beneath the cliché of the ‘burnt-out ex-cop’ lies one of the most compelling characters I’ve come across in crime fiction. Hoon was first introduced in the DCI Logan series, but here he takes centre stage in a gritty standalone that doesn’t require prior knowledge of the other books.

This was the first of four I read in the series. It’s raw, funny, bleak in places, and completely addictive. Kirk knows how to balance dark humour with suspense, and North Wind delivers on all fronts.

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FOURTH PLACE

1979 – Val McDermid

How I missed out on Val McDermid for so long, I’ll never know. But I’m glad I finally caught up. 1979 introduces Allie Burns, a tenacious investigative journalist fighting to make her mark in a male-dominated newsroom—while uncovering murder, corruption, and systemic sexism along the way.

McDermid paints a vivid portrait of Scotland at the turn of a new decade, and Allie is a character worth following. This is the first in a series (book two, 1989, is already queued up) and I’m eagerly awaiting the rumoured Netflix adaptation.

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THIRD PLACE

The Teacher – Katerina Diamond

This one came as a complete accident—picked up at The Treasure Chest, my local bookshop. I started with The Angel, only to realise I’d jumped in at book three. So I promptly downloaded the full back catalogue and began from the beginning.

In just three weeks, I’d devoured all seven books in the DS Imogen Grey and DS Adrian Miles series. Their stories combine grim murders with deeply personal arcs, making each case feel grounded and human. The Teacher was my starting point, and Diamond’s blend of grit and emotional intelligence makes her a must-read for any crime fiction fan.

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SECOND PLACE

Wrong Place Wrong Time – Gillian McAllister

Topping many “Book of the Year” lists in 2022, and rightly so. This is a masterfully structured psychological thriller with a twist of time travel. A mother witnesses her son commit a murder—and wakes up the next day in the past. Each new day pulls her further back in time as she tries to understand and prevent the crime.

It sounds like something you’ve read before, but trust me—it isn’t. The tension is immaculate, the pacing relentless, and the emotional payoff is well-earned. It’s smart, moving, and highly original.

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FIRST PLACE

The Library – Bella Osborne

This one caught me off guard. It’s not the sort of book I’d usually read—I’m more of a psychological thriller or procedural type (see above)—but The Library was a genuine joy.

It follows Tom, a 16-year-old boy, and Maggie, a 72-year-old widow, who form an unlikely friendship centred around their shared love of a struggling local library. Together, they campaign to save it, and in doing so, transform each other’s lives.

It’s a heartwarming, intergenerational tale of community, resilience, and the power of books. Sweet without being saccharine, touching without being twee—this was my book of the year, no contest.

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Final Thoughts

2022 was a strong reading year, and while narrowing 110 books to six was tough, these titles truly stood out. From football memoirs to twisty thrillers, from crime noir to uplifting fiction, this list reflects both my go-to genres and some happy detours. If you’re building your 2023 TBR pile, you could do worse than starting here.

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