Does anyone else feel like the first book you read at the start of a new year sets the tone for the entire year? I certainly do, so I probably put too much weight on that first book. I know we are still a couple of weeks away from 2022, but I am currently staring at my shelves thinking about my 2022 reading and what book to start with. There are a few options, so I would love to hear your opinions on any or all of these books.
My best friend messaged me from the bookstore asking what book I wanted for Christmas and The Ballerinas was the first book that came to mind! I have been seeing the cover everywhere and I love any book that centers around ballet. So, he already told me he picked me up a copy, and I would love to read it at the beginning of the year, as it is a gift from him, which seems like a good vibe to start off the new year with! It is also a 300-page mystery, so I should be able to get through it rather quickly.
I recently attended the virtual HCC Frenzy event, which I look forward to every season! Anyone who attends receives two eARCS and one physical ARC. As soon as I saw that Extasia was on the list, I knew that it was going to be one of the books that I chose! I absolutely adored Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand and I am thrilled that we are getting another 500 page YA horror novel from her. It comes out in February, so it might be smart for me to start the year off with an ARC!
The book that I initially thought of when putting this list together was Firekeeper’s Daughter. I have spoken about this book so much lately, but it is the book that I am most upset at myself for not having read in 2021. It is also on the top of my 2022 TBR, so I would feel so accomplished to read this right away. However, it has the potential to be an all-time favourite, so what if my 2022 reading peaks with the first book?
A Certain Appeal just screams New Year’s to me, so I think it would be a fun one to read on New Year’s Day! I am also always up to try a Pride and Prejudice retelling, and this one is set at a burlesque club in Manhatten. I have been reading a lot of romance lately and am definitely open to continuing that trend into 2022.
There are a lot of Greek Myth retellings that I want to read in 2022, so I thought it might be smart to start the year with Greek Mythology: The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook. It is supposed to be a good introduction to the myths and the backstories of the popular gods and heroes. There are also stunning illustrations!
I could also start the year with an audiobook, and Noor is one I received from Libro.fm and have been wanting to read. It is also a shorter book and I have been wanting to read something by Nnedi Okorafor for years now.
Firekeeper’s Daughter sounds like the best book to start the year with! Starts the yearly reading on the right foot.
That’s what I was thinking too!
My vote goes to A Certain Appeal 🙂
It does look like a perfect New Year’s book!
Yes it does 😀
I vote for Firekeepers Daughter – my bookfriend read and said its amazing!!
I’ve heard so many amazing things. Definitely the one I’m leaning towards!!
I haven’t read any of these and just based on what you’ve written about them in your post my vote is for either The Ballerinas or Firekeeper’s Daughter.
Ah I’m torn between those two and A Certain Appeal!
A Certain Appeal sounds like it would be a quick and fun read!
I think so too! I love a short book at the beginning of the year!
It makes you feel so accomplished, like the reading year is off to a strong start! lol
Exactly!
I’m super excited for Extasia as well- Sawkill Girls was a fantastic book! I’m currently reading the Greek Mythology book abs I have to say I really appreciate how each of entries featuring a different god get right to the point, list what they’re most famous for and the most relevant and important information you need to know in order to have a decent understanding. It’s perfect for someone who only knows the very basics. For me I want to have a more immersive experience when reading mythology retellings abd the like so this book will help me pick up on the nuances and understand the story better. I figure I’ll get into more detailed mythology books once I’ve learned the basics 👍🏻👍🏻
That’s so good to hear!! That’s exactly the experience I hope I have with it!
All of these both look and sound incredible! As someone who is still deciding if I want to read Firekeepers Daughter I’m intrigued to hear your thoughts on it, so I voted for that one haha. You definitely can’t go wrong with any of these though! Lovely post 😊
Thank you so much for voting! Firekeeper’s Daughter was the first book I thought of when I putting this list together. I’m definitely drawn to it!
Each and every book looks interesting, but I can sure see the appeal of A Certain Appeal (pun a little bit intended) for New Year’s Day! Seen as you’re open to continuing in that genre, I can see that being a fun start.
I’m leaning towards that one too! New Year’s just seems like the perfect time to read it.
I think the ballerinas is a great choice I think I will read it too 🙁
Sorry typo meant 🙂
Doesn’t it look so good!?
How funny! I also put a lot of thought (I might even say overthinking) into what my first book of the year should be. This year, I haven’t really gotten to the planning stage, and I may just let it be a spur of the moment thing… but I do also feel like the first book of the year is significant and sets the tone!
That is exactly how I feel! I probably put too much pressure on that first book!
I voted for Fire Keepers Daughter, haven´t read it, but it sounds good haha!
Yay! It is supposed to be really good!
My vote is obviously for Firekeeper’s Daughter! Personally I don’t put pressure on the first/last book I read for the year, it doesn’t mean much to me, its just another new month!
Haha I knew you’d vote for that one!!
I’ve only read Ballerina’s and A Certain Appeal, and out of those two books, I preferred A Certain Appeal.