I don’t know if anyone else has been bombarded and enticed by what is referred to as BookTok, but what was once a hobby of mine has basically become my most prevalent personality trait.

BookTok is a sub-community on the app TikTok, focused on books and literature. Creators make videos reviewing, discussing, and joking about the books they read. These books range in genre, but many creators tend to focus on young adult fiction, young adult fantasy, and romance novels.

Where I have always been a bibliophile I have been picking up speed over the past few years and now BookTok has pushed me over the edge. No longer am I ashamed of my love of literature and I have gained the confidence to embrace my love of Fantasy Romance books, and my new love of smut. I can not get enough, flying through an entire series in a matter of days. I have invested in a Kindle this month to keep up with my appetite, although I still have an attachment to purchasing books and keeping them like little trophies. When my budget runs low and Half Price Books doesn’t have what I need I can always rely on my new trusty Kindle.

Because I have already read so much this year I have decided to break my favorite annual post (my reading list) into a monthly series. You can also keep up with Hunkiedorië this year as I release more book content than I have in the past. Let me know what you think, do you have any suggestions on what I should read next?

You can find my full 2022 reading list on my Amazon storefront by clicking here!

Disclaimer: there may be a few spoilers; if you read on you have been warned.

My January 2022 Reading List

The Christmas Pig

by J.K. Rowling

One boy and his toy are about to change everything…

Jack loves his childhood toy, Dur Pig. DP has always been there for him, through good and bad. Until one Christmas Eve, something terrible happens – DP is lost. But Christmas Eve is a night for miracles and lost causes, a night when all things can come to life… even toys. And Jack’s newest toy – the Christmas Pig (DP’s annoying replacement) – has a daring plan: Together they’ll embark on a magical journey to seek something lost and to save the best friend Jack has ever known…

A heartwarming page-turning adventure about one child’s love for his most treasured thing, and how far he will go to find it. A tale for the whole family to fall in love with, from one of the world’s greatest storytellers.

Hunkiedorië Review: Meh, I could take or leave this one. I was sobbing early on, but then great bored fairly quickly. This is the first non-Potterverse book I’ve read by J.K. Rowling, and it failed to capture that wonderful balance of wonder, adventure, and humor that made me fall in love with her early writing. I am always looking for holiday-themed books but I don’t think this is one I would revisit.

Click here to buy The Christmas Pig on Amazon

Pride & Premeditation

by Tirzah Price

One of BuzzFeed’s best YA books of 2021! Perfect for fans of the Lady Janies and Stalking Jack the Ripper, the first book in the Jane Austen Murder Mysteries trilogy is a clever retelling of Pride and Prejudice that reimagines the iconic settings, characters, and romances in a thrilling and high-stakes whodunit.

When a scandalous murder shocks London high society, seventeen-year-old aspiring lawyer Lizzie Bennet seizes the opportunity to prove herself, despite the interference of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, the stern young heir to the prestigious firm Pemberley Associates.

Convinced the authorities have imprisoned the wrong person, Lizzie vows to solve the murder on her own. But as the case—and her feelings for Darcy—become more complicated, Lizzie discovers that her dream job could make her happy, but it might also get her killed.

Hunkiedorië Review: Loved it. I am always a fan of a Jane Austin retelling or spin-off, and this one really hit the spot. I caught myself tearing through this book looking for familiar characters and trying to predict who the criminal mastermind was and before I knew the book was over too soon. This story is the first in a trilogy of Jane Austen’s classic novels to receive a murder mystery makeover. And you best believe I already have book two on pre-order.

Click here to buy Pride and Premeditation on Amazon

A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses Series, Book 1)

by Sarah J. Maas

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a terrifying creature arrives to demand retribution. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she knows about only from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not truly a beast, but one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled her world.

At least, he’s not a beast all the time.

As she adapts to her new home, her feelings for the faerie, Tamlin, transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie she’s been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But something is not right in the faerie lands. An ancient, wicked shadow is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it, or doom Tamlin-and his world-forever.

From bestselling author Sarah J. Maas comes a seductive, breathtaking book that blends romance, adventure, and faerie lore into an unforgettable read.

Hunkiedorië Review: This was my introduction to the fantasy romance genre and I was hooked from the first growl. There is no shortage of ACOTAR content on social media and there is good reason for it. I could write a dozen posts about this series, and maybe I will but I will try to avoid spoilers in this post as much as possible. Sarah J. Maas writes some addictive books and I fell hard for these characters, but I had no idea what was in store for my little heart as I read further into this series. Just do yourself a favor and read these.

Click here to buy A Court of Thorns and Roses on Amazon

A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses Series, Book 2)

by Sarah J. Maas

Feyre survived Amarantha’s clutches to return to the Spring Court – but at a steep cost. Though she now possesses the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can’t forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin’s people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, the mesmerising High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates his dark web of political games and tantalising promises, a greater evil looms – and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can step into her growing power, heal her fractured soul and have the courage to shape her own future – and the future of a world cloven in two.

Hunkiedorië Review: This is hands down my favorite book of the series thus far. I found my allegiances shifting as Maas took what I already thought was a strong female character and brought her to the right people to support her as she turned her into a total badass. I had no idea what I was missing from the books I read in the past until I discovered SJM’s ability to write kick-ass women who could go through trauma, only to come out on the other side to not only stand on their own but reach out a hand and lift others up. The main characters in these stories are inspiring, clever and strong. Combined with the type of love we all dream of and the humor so enchanting I caught myself rereading chapters over and over again grinning like some idiot.

Click here to buy A Court of Mist and Fury on Amazon

A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses Series, Book 3)

by Sarah J. Maas

Feyre has returned to the Spring Court, determined to gather information on Tamlin’s actions and learn what she can about the invading king threatening to bring her land to its knees. But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit. One slip could bring doom not only for Feyre, but for everything-and everyone-she holds dear.

As war bears down upon them all, Feyre endeavors to take her place amongst the High Fae of the land, balancing her struggle to master her powers-both magical and political-and her love for her court and family. Amidst these struggles, Feyre and Rhysand must decide whom to trust amongst the cunning and lethal High Lords, and hunt for allies in unexpected places.

Hunkiedorië Review: This book just goes to prove that when SJM writes a strong female main character there is no way anyone will be able to keep her down. Feyre’s carefully planned manipulation in the beginning of this story gets me every time. As a reader I was concerned that the series I have come to love so dearly was going to be wrapping up before I was ready to say goodbye (as if I would ever be ready). But don’t worry readers, although one battle may be wrapping up SJM is just getting started.

Click here to buy A Court of Wings and Ruin on Amazon

A Court of Frost and Starlight (A Court of Thorns and Roses Series, Book 4)

by Sarah J. Maas

Feyre, Rhysand, and their friends are still busy rebuilding the Night Court and the vastly altered world beyond, recovering from the war that changed everything. But Winter Solstice is finally approaching, and with it, the joy of a hard-earned reprieve.

Yet even the festive atmosphere can’t keep the shadows of the past from looming. As Feyre navigates her first Winter Solstice as High Lady, her concern for those dearest to her deepens. They have more wounds than she anticipated-scars that will have a far-reaching impact on the future of their court.
Bridging the events of A Court of Wings and Ruin with the later books in the series, A Court of Frost and Starlight explores the far-reaching effects of a devastating war and the fierce love between friends.

Hunkiedorië Review: I know that fans of this series usually aren’t enthusiastic about this book, but I loved it. I read to escape the harsh world around me so to be able to dive into a book that was focused on giving characters a break from battle and heartbreak so they can spend a holiday together was really something different and I ate it up. I loved spending a book watching my inner circle relax and live the lives they have been fighting for, I wish more authors did something like this. This novella had that fan fiction feel to it, where it didn’t really further the series plot but it did give me what I was craving.

Click here to buy A Court of Frost and Starlight on Amazon

A Court of Silver Flames (A Court of Thorns and Roses Series, Book 5)

by Sarah J. Maas

Nesta Archeron has always been prickly-proud, swift to anger, and slow to forgive. And ever since being forced into the Cauldron and becoming High Fae against her will, she’s struggled to find a place for herself within the strange, deadly world she inhabits. Worse, she can’t seem to move past the horrors of the war with Hybern and all she lost in it.

The one person who ignites her temper more than any other is Cassian, the battle-scarred warrior whose position in Rhysand and Feyre’s Night Court keeps him constantly in Nesta’s orbit. But her temper isn’t the only thing Cassian ignites. The fire between them is undeniable, and only burns hotter as they are forced into close quarters with each other.

Meanwhile, the treacherous human queens who returned to the Continent during the last war have forged a dangerous new alliance, threatening the fragile peace that has settled over the realms. And the key to halting them might very well rely on Cassian and Nesta facing their haunting pasts.

Against the sweeping backdrop of a world seared by war and plagued with uncertainty, Nesta and Cassian battle monsters from within and without as they search for acceptance-and healing-in each other’s arms.

Hunkiedorië Review: I can say with absolute confidence that I was not looking forward to this book. I am not a Nesta fan. I honestly couldn’t stand her moody sour attitude from book one, only to watch it get worse and worse. Girl suck it up and appreciate what you have and those who want to be a part of your life. I know this book was all about healing and coming to terms with her past experiences and I did learn to be okay with Nesta. But Sarah if your out there, I think my sweet baby Bat Boi deserves better. Cassian is my favorite of the Bat Boy’s and I hated seeing him have to accept the scraps of love he is given when I feel he deserves someone as goofy, exuberant, and dedicated as he is. But if anything could save this book it is the House of Wind’s Bookclub slumber party, probably one of my favorite scenes ever, I want to experience that!

Click here to buy A Court of Silver Flames on Amazon

I have absolutely loved all that BookTok is throwing my way and I can not wait to share my monthly reading list with you all as we move through 2022. If you have any suggestions please let me know!

My Top 5 Reads of 2022 (thus far)

  1. A Court of Mist and Fury
  2. A Court of Wings and Ruin
  3. A Court of Thorns and Roses
  4. A Court of Frost and Starlight
  5. A Court of Silver Flame

My Top 5 Reads of 2021

  1. The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter (Theodoa Goss)
  2. The Viscount Who Loved Me (Julia Quinn)
  3. The Toll (Neal Shusterman)
  4. The Midnight Library (Matt Haig)
  5. The Immortals (Jordanna Max Brodsky)

My Top 5 Reads of 2020

  1. Mr. Dickens and His Carol (Samantha Silva)
  2. Scythe (Neal Shusterman)
  3. Thunderhead (Neal Shusterman)
  4. The Vine Witch (Luanne G. Smith)
  5. Ready Player One (Ernest Cline)

My Top 5 Reads of 2019

  1. The Graveyard Book (Neil Gaiman)
  2. Strange Practice (Vivian Shaw)
  3. Dreadful Company (Vivian Shaw)
  4. Grave Importance (Vivian Shaw)
  5. Little Women (Louisa May Alcott)