Book Reviews

2022 Year In Review: SMSA’s Top 10 Books

Have you managed to read all of SMSA’s most popular books?

Discover our Top 10 most borrowed titles for 2022, in our Year in Review series.

We hope you enjoy them as much as we did!

Sections

Top 10 Books

Click the title to see the book in the Library Catalogue

 

1

Give Unto Others by Donna Leon

Brunetti is approached for a favor by Elisabetta Foscarini, a woman he knows casually, but her mother was good to Brunetti’s mother, so he feels obliged to at least look into the matter privately, and not as official police business. However, when his friend’s daughter’s place of work is vandalized, Brunetti asks his own favors of his friends, which soon enough turns official as they uncover the dark and Janus-faced nature of a venerable Italian institution.

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2

The Locked Room by Elly Griffiths

Ruth is in London clearing out her mother’s belongings when she makes a surprising discovery: a photograph of her Norfolk cottage taken before Ruth lived there. Ruth and her daughter return to Norfolk determined to solve the mystery despite Covid lockdowns. While they become friendly with their neighbour Zoe, Nelson starts to investigate a series of deaths of women that may or may not be suicide.

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3

The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley

Jess needs a fresh start. She’s broke and alone, and she’s just left her job under less than ideal circumstances. Her half-brother Ben didn’t sound thrilled when she asked if she could crash with him for a bit, but he didn’t say no, and surely everything will look better from Paris. Only when she shows up – to find a very nice apartment, could Ben really have afforded this? – he’s not there.

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4

The Murder Rule by Dervla McTiernan

A twisty, complicated story centred on a young woman, Hannah Rokeby, a law student who lives with her mother Laura (an alcoholic struggling with a traumatic past). After blackmailing her way into an organisation called The Innocence Project, it is clear from the outset that Hannah’s motives have very little to do with exonerating innocent people and everything to do with vengeance.

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5

The Devil’s Bargain by Stella Rimington

In 1988 Harry made one mistake: he took a bribe, letting a man he knew as Igor into Britain – and he’s regretted it ever since. So, when he recognises Igor many years later as his newly elected MP, he knows he has to come clean. But the MP recognises him too – and Harry fears what he might do next.

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6

The Paris Bookseller by Kerri Maher

When bookish young American Sylvia Beach opens Shakespeare and Company on a quiet street in Paris in 1919, she has no idea that she and her new bookstore will change the course of literature itself. But the success and notoriety of publishing the most infamous and influential book of the century comes with steep costs.

 

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7

Lying Beside You by Michael Robotham

When a man is murdered and his daughter disappears, forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven must decide if Maya Kirk is running, hiding, or a hostage. Cyrus understands how killers think better than anyone; after all, he’s a survivor. Evie is a troubled teenager with an incredible gift: she knows when someone is lying. Evie witnesses the second abduction, glimpsing the driver, but only two people believe her.

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8

Salt Creek by Lucy Treloar

1895 – Failed entrepreneur Stanton Finch moves his family from Adelaide to the remote Coorong area of Southern Australia, in pursuit of his dream to become a farmer. With Mrs Finch struggling to cope, Hester, their perceptive eldest daughter, willingly takes on more responsibility. But as Hester’s sense of duty grows, so does a yearning to escape Salt Creek and make a new life of her own.

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9

Dark Rooms by Lynda La Plante

As the investigation and search for answers over the brutal death of a young girl intensifies, Jane Tennison travels to Australia. There she discovers the dark secret that the Lanark family has kept hidden for decades. A secret that not only threatens to bring down a family dynasty, but also places Jane Tennison in mortal danger.

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10

So You Want to Live Younger Longer? by Norman Swan

Deeply researched and written with his trademark wit, common sense and accessibility, Norman brings together what’s known, not known, hopeful but not harmful and harmful and not hopeful, summarised with quick takeaway messages backed up by the science and evidence. No matter what your age, So You Want to Live Younger Longer? gives you the information you need to make your own choices without wasting your time and money or even missing a nice dinner because you might be on a diet that is getting you nowhere.

 

 

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Honorable Mentions

Click the title to see the book in the Library Catalogue

 

Most Held/Reserved Books

Still life by Sarah Winman

Most Popular e-Book

The murder rule by Dervla McTiernan

Most Popular Audio book

Fear on the fens by Joy Ellis

Most Popular Magazine

Hello! Magazine

 

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We’d love your suggestions

Have you read something you loved this year, but it’s not part of our collection? Or maybe there’s a book you wish we had? We’re always happy to hear your suggestions! You can share your book recommendations by writing in the suggestion book at the library desk, or submit online via the library catalogue or suggest a book for the library to purchase

SEARCH THE LIBRARY CATALOGUE
MAKE A PURCHASE SUGGESTION

 

2022 Year In Review: SMSA’s Top 10 Books
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