#100: Favorite Books of 2022

And a new logo!

Hi Readers,

It was another great year of reading. I want to share with you my favorite books that I read this year. These are books that I want to own and re-read.

But before I do that, this is my 100th post! Hooray for base-10 number system milestones!

To celebrate pressing “Publish” 100 times, I went out and got a logo. Ta da!

Can’t go wrong with a “B” that looks like a stack of books (or so they tell me). I’m hoping a professional-looking logo brings some street cred to this little publication. It’s a little publication that I’ve grown quite fond of, and I appreciate your readership and comments. How I love talking about books with people.

Alright, let’s talk favorites.

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Fiction

Jade City by Fonda Lee - I was mixed after finishing this back in April, but I haven’t forgotten it in the ensuing months and I’d like to finish the trilogy next year.

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi - My book club liked it, but I was the only one who liked it. I was the only one claiming I’d seen the face of the Almighty and been forever changed by it; that I could see and hear ghosts. That might mean I’m crazy, but this book was a clear standout this year and I’ve been telling everyone to read it. Full review and explanation of the madness here.

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel - This may be reflecting the light of the TV series in my memory, but ESJM’s writing is comfort food for the soul. Full review here.

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier - I never would have guessed at the beginning of the year that this would make my list of favorites. It wasn’t even on the list after reading 60% of it. But dang, that ending.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith - Heartwarming, wholesome, uplifting, and almost scriptural in its parables. This is a book to own, mark up, and read with the littles.

Tiamat’s Wrath by James S.A. Corey - Book 8 in the 9 book Expanse series and my clear favorite! Obviously, you need everything that comes before in order to appreciate it, but my goodness. Hanging out with the crew of the Roci never got old and I’ll miss it.

Non-Fiction

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer - Slow, pondering, beautiful stories about learning from the earth. Read it while camping. Read it in a hammock. Listen to it while puttering in the garden. Mother Earth is beautiful and can teach us so much. Full review here.

The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson - Lots of pages but never felt long due to the effortless writing on the part of Wilkerson. This felt landmark and essential. Full review here.

How to be Perfect by Michael Schur - A light and fun primer on moral philosophy that scrapes the surface with just enough humor to pique interest in a deeper dive. Schur uses footnotes to great effect. I liked it!

A Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans - I read this way back in January and as I reflect on my experience with it here in December, I feel a warmth and appreciation for it. The blogger-vibe worked for me and I wished I could have met the author while she was alive. Full review here.

Dreyer’s English by Benjamin Dreyer - No, this isn’t about the origins of a beloved ice cream brand. Dreyer is copy chief at Random House and the guy loves the English language. He, like Schur, also loves a good footnote and uses them for humor and instruction. He convinced me I need to own a dictionary and use it, so I put one on my Christmas list.

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That’s all for now! I wanted to include favorite movies and TV as well, but those lists will have to wait for another week.

Thanks for reading and please share your favorite books of the year in the comments!

Kyle