Since Gary and I are both working full-time, we usually only have time to dive into a good book during our holidays. Thrillers are a shared favourite, but personally, I’m also drawn to stories set in the Middle East. They tend to be vivid and packed with emotion, although often heart-wrenching as well.
Putting together a list of books that both of us can agree on can be a challenge, but after some deliberation, we finally nailed down these ten unforgettable books we enjoyed the most while relaxing on holiday in 2022.
Portrait Of An Unknown Woman (Daniel Silva)
Daniel Silva must be our favourite thriller writer. There are often references to real-world events and the political issues of the day in his novels, as well as in-depth knowledge of art restoration and the art world.
Portrait of an Unknown Woman is the twenty-second novel in the Gabriel Allon series, which takes readers on a journey through the shady underworld of the art scene while also exploring the intricacies of international politics and power struggles.
Whether you’re a fan of spy novels, historical fiction, or art, this book will keep you absorbed from the first page. Silva’s novels always make our list of the most enjoyable books of the year.
A Time For Mercy (John Grisham)
We’re also big fans of John Grisham. Having thoroughly enjoyed A Time To Kill, we naturally wanted to read this sequel. The novel continues the story of Jake Brigance, a small-town lawyer who is tasked with defending a young man named Drew Gamble, who has been charged with murder. As Jake delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a web of secrets and lies that threaten to destroy the entire town.
The plot is full of twists and turns that kept us guessing until the very end. We always enjoy the slow pace at which Grisham’s novels seem to plod along, and then suddenly, everything comes together in a thrilling finale. If you enjoy legal thrillers, you will love this.
Playing With Fire (Peter Robinson)
A compelling mystery novel, the story follows Inspector Alan Banks as he investigates a series of arson attacks that have plagued the countryside around the peaceful town of Eastvale. As Banks delves deeper into the case, he discovers that there may be more to the arson attacks than meets the eye, and he must race against time to catch the perpetrator before they strike again.
Although rather gruesome at times, we are never without a Peter Robinson novel in the house or suitcase.
A Gambling Man (David Baldacci)
An engaging and fast-paced novel that transports readers back in time to 1940s California. The story follows the charming and enigmatic Aloysius Archer as he travels to the town of Reno to start a new life as a private investigator. But as Archer moves deeper into his new profession, he finds himself involved in a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse with the criminal underworld.
Like him or not, you have to admit that Baldacci’s books are witty and suspenseful, which is the reason we read them – escapism at its best.
A Column Of Fire (Ken Follett)
Ken Follett’s A Column of Fire is a historical epic that takes readers on a journey through the tumultuous era of the sixteenth century. The novel follows the story of Ned Willard, a young man who becomes embroiled in the religious and political struggles of the time. As he navigates the dangerous waters of Elizabethan England, Ned becomes involved with some of the most powerful figures of the age, including the legendary queen herself.
Gary loved the “realness” of this novel and felt totally immersed in the time, which was a unique experience. After having come through the Covid-19 pandemic, he could relate to how helpless the people felt when faced with the bubonic plague.
A Thousand Splendid Suns (Khaled Hosseini)
I have been a great fan of Khaled Hosseini ever since I read The Kite Runner. This book has been on my list of books to read for a while, and I finally got there in 2022. The novel explores the lives of two Afghan women, Mariam and Laila, who are brought together by circumstance and Forced to cope with the oppressive conditions of living under the Taliban government. The novel offers a touching and harrowing glimpse into the lives of women in Afghanistan, as well as the impact of war and political turmoil on ordinary people.
The story is both heart-wrenching and hopeful, with moments of great tragedy and resilience. A Thousand Splendid Suns is a must-read for anyone interested in human rights, social justice, or simply a gripping and emotionally resonant story.
The Beekeeper Of Aleppo ( Christy Lefteri)
I found this novel profoundly touching. It tells the story of a Syrian refugee couple, Nuri and Afra, as they make their way from war-torn Syria to safety in England. The novel offers a powerful and intimate look into the lives of refugees and the many challenges they face as they attempt to rebuild their lives in a new country.
The story is both heartbreaking and uplifting, with moments of great tenderness and hope. I love Lefteri’s writing, which is poetic and insightful. Although Lefteri is a British writer, she worked as a volunteer at a UNICEF-supported refugee centre in Athens, Greece, where she helped to set up a creative writing workshop for refugees. A great read.
Scatterlings Of Africa (Johnny Clegg)
Both huge fans of the legendary South African musician Johnny Clegg, Gary and I were blessed to be able to watch him in concert before his death in 2019. I was given this book by a pupil of mine at the end of 2021, which makes it even more special. Scatterlings of Africa is his moving autobiography, co-written with his longtime friend and collaborator, journalist, and writer, Jared Cohen.
The book tells the story of Clegg’s remarkable life, from his childhood in South Africa to his rise to international fame as a musician and activist. Clegg was known for his unique ability to blend traditional African music with Western pop and rock, creating a sound that was both groundbreaking and deeply rooted in African culture.
Throughout his life, Clegg was deeply committed to social justice and human rights and used his music as a platform to raise awareness about the struggles of the South African people. Scatterlings of Africa offers a firsthand account of the apartheid era in South Africa and Clegg’s experiences as a white South African who rejected the racism and oppression of the apartheid regime.
The book is a beautifully written and deeply personal account of Clegg’s life, filled with vivid descriptions of the people, places, and music that shaped him. An unforgettable man and definitely one of our unforgettable books of the year.
The Alchemy Of Us (Ainissa Ramirez)
The Alchemy of Us is an exploration of the ways in which technology and scientific innovation have shaped our world. Drawing on her background in materials science and her expertise in science communication, Ramirez takes us on a fascinating journey through history, highlighting the often-overlooked contributions of inventors and scientists from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
The book is structured around a series of key inventions and innovations, from the telegraph and the light bulb to the transistor and the smartphone. Through these case studies, Ramirez shows how scientific breakthroughs are often the result of unexpected connections between seemingly unrelated fields and how the inventions we take for granted today were often the result of years of trial and error, collaboration, and ingenuity.
What sets “The Alchemy of Us” apart is Ramirez’s ability to connect these historical innovations to broader social and cultural trends and to show how they have shaped the way we live, work, and communicate today. She also addresses the ethical and social implications of these technological advancements, inviting us to reflect on the ways in which we use technology and how it shapes our relationships with each other and the world around us.
Definitely one of the more thought-provoking books we read.
A Promised Land (Barack Obama)
Barack Obama’s “A Promised Land” – a captivating and insightful memoir that provides a rare behind-the-scenes look at his journey from a young community organizer to the first African American president of the United States. The book is a blend of personal reflection, political analysis, and storytelling, offering us a fascinating glimpse into the challenges, triumphs, and complexities of Obama’s historic presidency.
From his early days as a young organizer in Chicago to his time as a senator from Illinois, and ultimately to his two terms in the White House, Obama chronicles his political and personal journey with his usual grace, humour, and honesty. He offers honest reflections on his successes and failures, his relationships with other world leaders, and the challenges he faced in dealing with the complicated and ever-changing nature of modern politics.
Obama is a gifted storyteller and writer, and his memoir is a testament to his ability to inspire and engage readers on a wide range of issues.
That’s a wrap! Why don’t you grab a great cup of coffee, find somewhere quiet and comfortable to sit, and try one of the books on our list?
Look out for the next list at the end of 2023.
