In 2022, I was fortunate to read many good books. Some were really challenging, and made me think a lot, making them slower reads. Unlike the other years I’ve been making these booklists, I ended up reading/not finishing several less useful (yes, less useful) books. A couple of those, I still might try to finish up in 2023, but at the end of this post, I’ll give you a warning for a book I read that I consider complete tripe, so that you don’t make the mistake of picking it up, like I did.
Fiction
Rhythm of War
Brandon Sanderson
What is up with me having to finish up a giant Brandy Sandy at the start of the year, am I right? This next iteration of the Stormlight Archive was fantastic, though very long. I have always really, really strongly related with Kaladin, and in a stroke of very unsettling parallel, the things he was wrestling with in the book were the same that I was at the time, but, by the time I returned to the book, the conclusions I’d made ended up being the same ones he did. So there’s that. I loved it.
Brandon Sanderson
Despite it being Young Adult (not usually my cup of tea), I have enjoyed this series. Though the YA pacing and dialogue can feel a tad predictable, the latest Skyward series book took a different direction that I would have anticipated, but in a good way, and reading this was a fun time. A fairly quick read that’s perfect for getting out of my nonfiction streak.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Taylor Jenkins Reid
I had seen this book everywhere, and picked it up in an attempt to read more fiction. It was a really different story, for me (often just reading Brandon Sanderson). Our whole family got Influenza 2022 earlier in the year, and this is what I read while ill with sick children on me. Overall, I found it really compelling, and it wasn’t hard to want to keep reading more. However, I am a touch picky about what stays on my bookshelf permanently as part of ~my collection~, and I think I’ll let this one move along.
Sue Monk Kidd
This had been on my list for a while, and after readings on Heavenly Mother, last year, and starting to unpack some personal thing, this was a lovely break + addition to these ideas. It’s basically Jesus fan fiction. At first, I was hesitant to pick it up, because I thought maybe the story would make things about Jesus weird, because it’s told through the lease of his imagined wife. I was so delighted that it never was weird. The protagonist was a deeply relatable, and wonderful, strong character. And her perceptions of Jesus were in-line with what you hear about Him, but also gave a sort of compelling realness to him as a person. I don’t want to give spoilers, but I must get you to read this book. One of the things does really well—besides just exploring how women have been treated/pushed down throughout time—is explore Jesus as a human. And what if He was just a man? I spent a great deal of time mulling over this. Toward the end of the book, I felt the Spirit (or at the very least, big, important, and beautiful feelings towards my fellow women, and for Jesus) so much. I bawled. And I am not a book-crier. For women, especially, I think it’d be a lovely idea to read it at at 5 year intervals, starting around 15. You could see how your experience and perspective changes, as our protagonist’s does. I plan to reread this. And definitely to share it with my daughter some day.
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea
Axie Oh
I had such a fun time with this book. I’ve been wanting to read more books by Korean authors, and this seemed like a light, fun read. It was. If you’ve seen any K-Dramas before, I think you’ll probably enjoy this. The surprises were fun, and I liked the characters. My biggest criticism is that is wasn’t longer. There was an extended period of time that passed without much to say about it, and I really wanted more! There were also a few times that the wording was a bit confusing, and I reread passages without it providing more clarity. I’m still not sure if that was just me (hasn’t happened before), or if it was the author. The end of the book, I think, was trying to be a film with an epic battle ending, and to be honest, I think it took an interesting, contained story, and made it too big (with generic Hollywood fantasy creatures). I know that sounds like a lot of criticism, but I had just those specific things. I blasted through this book, and actually think it’d be fun to reread, which I don’t often think. If you, like me, don’t want to get bogged down in long fiction books, give this one a try.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
Sangu Mandanna
This was solidly-written, and I was surprised how much I enjoyed reading it, as I’m not usually super-into fiction. The cover was interesting, and it caught my eye multiple times at the bookstore. In October, we all went to get festive books, and this was my choice. The magical parameters set by Sangu Mandanna were unique, and felt realistically low-key, and there were lots of fun magic moments. The romance was very much expected, but I didn’t the romantic interest was alright. The best part of the book was definitely Ian, who I, naturally, pictured like Sir Ian McKellen, which I feel may have been intentional.
Pachinko
Min Jin Lee
I picked this up, because it was where I could notice it in the bookstore, and like I mentioned before, I have wanted to read more Korean stories. This was THE book of the year for me. In the US, we just don’t talk about history of other, particularly non-europeans, countries. I was delighted to learn about China and Japan in second grade, but I feel like I learn next to nothing about Korea, aside from a bit about North Korea. Over the years, I have learned some bits and pieces about Korea, but this was such a good way to really get to learn about a time and people that—at least in my world—never got discussed. I was a bit unsure how it’d go, because it was so long, but the second I started reading it, I couldn’t put it down, and finished in a handful of days during Thanksgiving vacation. So many things have stuck with me (I’m still talking about it all the time—just ask Todd), but the beginning especially. Min Jin Lee goes into great detail to describe the almost destitute living conditions of a family, and then a matchmaker comes to visit. The family had never thought to see her, as their son has physical deformities, but then the matchmaker says, essentially, “Yes, but with a family so well off, we can easily find a bride for your son”. And I’m still thinking about that over a month later. The character Han Su is one of the ‘greyest’ characters I have ever encountered. (For a good time, ask me how much they got wrong for his character in the TV show!) I read this book with just one chapter left of Korea Unmasked left (which you can read about in the nonfiction section of this post). Back to back, I have come away with even more understand and respect for Korea, and Korean people. And a deep frustration toward the world for not really sharing their stories.
The Immortalists
Chloe Benjamin
I think this book got put on my list after reading a short synopsis from maybe a Buzzfeed booklist. And then my daughter liked the cover, and bought it for me for our Christmas book swap. It was not what I expected. For one thing, coming off off Pachinko, where the author says she did a self-imposed writing internship of sorts to become a good writer (it paid off), this just didn’t have the grip that I hoped for straight away. The book is split into different sections—each sibling in a family—and the first was quite sad (no spoilers, but don’t be blindsided, like I was). And the second. From the first chapter, I felt, perhaps, the author, Chloe Benjamin, may be trying to win accolades from creepy old men, as well. As the book progressed, I was able to get into it, and finished it in a week. However, it had more sadness, and sex, than I prefer, and I probably would not have read it had I known that. So, is this book not sticking around for my shelves? Well, confusingly, the last sibling was the one I related to the most, and the epiphany she comes to at the end was so beautiful, and impactful, it may have changed my entire feeling about the book. Still undetermined.
Nonfiction
Somebody’s Daughter
Ashley C. Ford
I read this at the strong recommendation of John Green, and was not disappointed. He had Ashley Ford on in a video with him, as he gave a glowing review. In recent years, as you may have noticed from previous booklists, I’ve been trying to learn more about racism, and rooting out my own biases. And part of that is reading stories by BIPOC people. This book was so well written. The author paints the picture of her experiences so vividly, even tackling hard/grey areas in her life, especially with her father, in ways that you can’t help but understand.
Heather McGhee
Before you get into any arguments about racism: read this book. Over the years, I thought I knew what was meant by ‘systemic racism’, but it is so much more than most white people, who haven’t done any of this work, can probably imagine. Heather McGee knows her stuff, and was able to talk about big, and difficult (in that they’s sad; and also seem difficult to change, given the current system) topics within the sphere of systemic racism while making it really interesting, and giving clear ways to make things better, leaving you feeling like there is hope—we merely need to prioritize caring, and working actively to change things for the better. Highly recommend.
Educated
Tara Westover
What a wild page-turner. Once I opened this book, I could hardly put it down. Tara Westover’s childhood was both insane, and very believable (given my proximity to Idaho). She brought thoughtful insight, and curious observation about her childhood throughout the book, and living in—what my husband calls—the Morridor (Mormon Corridor). Though the wild stories were entertaining, I think the biggest takeaway may be using tools learned in therapy to look back at your life with radical acceptance and grace.
Katherine May
This was one of the change-your-whole-perspective books. The author, Katherine May, muses on the purpose of the winter season, and how that can be applied both literally, and metaphorically. She shares changes she made to her own life, her journey of accepting new phases, and problems, in her life, and moving through them. There’s honestly too any good things to say about this book, and I don’t want to give away spoilers. No matter who you are, read this one. I will probably reread it at some point.
How to Talk When Kids Won’t Listen
Joanna Faber & Julie King
I am a big fan of the How to Talk books, and was delighted to discover a new one about what to do when those things don’t work. Though I remember liking this book, more than 6 months later, I can’t remember much from it. I don’t know if that comes from me having already implemented some things we could, or if it only expanded a bit from the other books. Either way, I’m still a fan.
Twenty Things Adopted Kids With Their Adoptive Parents Knew
Sherrie Eldridge
I’ve never talked about this publicly (though I’ve very open about it in person), but I am adopted. I’ve never cared to do any personal reconciling with that, because I think (even more so now, after reading several books this year) I am a particularly well-adjusted adoptee, and have great relationships with my parents. However, this year, with my 30th birthday, I decided to do some internal work in regards to this area I felt a bit disconnected from. I didn’t expect much from this book, despite its high ratings, but it was fantastic. It gave me lots ot think about, but wasn’t too heavy. For any adoptee, adoptive parent, or prospective adoptive parent, please add this one to your list.
The Story of You
Ian Morgan Cron
Longtime followers of my booklists, or most people I’ve talked to in real life, will know I’m a big fan of the enneagram. I think it’s tremendously useful in self-improvement, but, perhaps more usefully, in understanding those around you. In this book, Ian Cron helps guide each enneagram through ways they can improve themselves. By looking w h y you came to handle the world the way that you do, you are better able to see how you might improve how you do things, as well.
Nancy Newton Verrier
Five stars, but it’s heavy content. This book supports so many things about psychology, and behavior, and more, that I’ve already read about, but puts them into the adoptive experience. This is the book that made me stop dissociating from my adoption. Though the content was very interesting (and this book has ben around for a w h i l e), I usually didn’t read a lot at once, and sometimes went days without reading more, because it gave me so much to think about, and digest every few pages. I cried. I felt sad. I felt curious. I felt hopeful. And I reconciled the start of my life with the rest of my life. Not because I was in denial about it before, but because I hadn’t really thought about what it was like to be me during that time. I have gained overflowing amounts of compassion for myself, as a result. And I’ve learned how many parts of me could be the result of that situation, not because of some inherent flaws that I could have controlled the creation of. The focus is so much on how the adoptee’s voice is the most important one to listen to, and I don’t think I’ve even been given such deference in any situation. I’ve learned that’s really important, and I am so grateful for what I learned reading this book. Please, all adoptive parents, read this. Prospective adoptive parents. And, of course, adoptees: this is a really good read.or prospective adoptive parent, please add this one to your list.
The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down
Haemin Sunim
A birthday gift from one of my best friends, this little book is full of so many amazing thoughts and proverbs. I was in a bit of a reading slump (reading slowly, and not getting through books), but switched to reading this during our Yellowstone vacation, and it was the perfect read! I dogeared so many pages, and took m a n y pictures of passages to share with my husband. It covers a variety of topics, so I had lots to think about. A great one to reread sometime.
No Bad Kids
Janet Lansbury
This was such a helpful book for me. It’s in such a similar vein to other books I follow, but things were worded just slightly differently enough to help me figure out some tough spots with my toddler. There were some bits of advice I don’t really jive with, but that was easy to overlook, given the other good stuff. In the past, I’ve largely read parenting books with my oldest in mind, However, applying those things to my youngest wasn’t really working, and, by the time I got through this book, things were actually better.
The Mother Tree
Kathryn Knight Sonntag
This had some really good thoughts and insights about Heavenly Mother—and Eve, that was some of my favourite stuff!—using the imagery of a tree (of course). I think it’s a really great way to visualize Her importance, and see symbols of her more easily. Less stars, only because I’ve read enough on the subject to not be totally blown away by some of the ideas.
Korea Unmasked
Won-bok Rhie
When my friend moved house, she cleared this out, and thought I might find it interesting. I absolutely did. As I discussed earlier, Korean history is more or less completely ignored, and this was an easily-digestible way to learn about it. It also mentioned that Korea has been largely ignored. Through half of my adult life, consuming Korean content, I have picked up on a lot of cultural things, but this book spelled out the why. It’s so easy to see a flaw in your own culture, and say, “That’s a problem, but I see why things are this way. Even if I think the why is stupid.” With the Korean culture I’d picked up on, there were some parts I didn’t know the why of, so the few things in and of themselves seemed dodgy. After reading this book, as with the US, I can say, “That’s a problem, but I see why things are this way. Even if I think the why is stupid.” I feel like I have so much better an understanding of this wonderful country, the people, and the culture. I was through all but the last chapter (about what it’d take to reunify the North and South) when I read Pachinko, and it was like a galaxy brain experience.
My overall #1 book recommendation from this list is Pachinko
But I’d love to hear from you! What were your favourite reads from the last year? I want to put your best recommendations on my list.
Now, a do not read warning:
I picked up Glow Kids, by Nicholas Kardaras hoping to find excellent research into kids brains + screens, and helpful information on how to combat a screen-loving culture. I have never been so disappointed in a book. So much so that I’m angry. I was reading it mid-year, and, now, in January, I’m still mad when I think about it.
I’m not an expert, but you may want to know where I’m coming from. I got my degree in Media Arts (film) with emphases in Screenwriting, and New Media (so, internet stuff). In my major, I took several classes about how media effects us, and what the repercussions of that could be. I also finished most classes for a Digital Humanities minor, where we also talked a lot about humans relationship with tech. My husband, Todd, is a computer science major, and now engineer, who loves games (not a gamer, though, there’s a difference). We know a lot about this subject, and have talked about things like this throughout our entire relationship.
So, going into this book, I knew a fair amount, and was looking for someone who knew more to impart their wisdom. The author, I think (I literally don’t care to look it up), deals with extreme therapy cases where intervention is needed. I cannot speak to whether the experiences he shares in this book are true or not. But even if they are completely true (I don’t really have reason to believe they aren’t), these are extreme, extreme cases. I thought he might use these to illustrate the worst of things, and then get into what you can do for your normal children, and how you can regulate their relationships with technology. Nope (or at least not by page 100)! He so vividly paints pictures using inflammatory imagery that is o b v i o u s l y meant to be a scare tactic. A zombie 7 year old who isn’t responding to their parents while playing Minecraft (which is actually probably one of the best games you could let your kids play tbh); and 18 year old who is overweight, unhygienic, and doesn’t ever leave his room! THIS IS WHAT GAMES WILL DO TO YOUR CHILDREN AHAHHG. Despite sensing that the wording was meant to rile readers up, I still had a hard time getting through it without my pulse raising. I’d have to pause, and see if he had anything of value to say. But EVERY one of his studies, or anecdotes he shared was of dubious scientific value (and needed more, and much larger studies to prove anything). You can’t use one person as an example for everything; or a study with just 6 participants to make bold claims. I mean, you can, but it just means you’re trying to trick people. I read 100 pages, and with nothing learned, and being totally sick of his verbal scare-tactics, I rage quit a book. For the first time ever. And I didn’t donate it. I threw it in the garbage, so no one else—likely with less knowledge in this area—would pick it up. PLEASE NEVER PICK THIS UP, I don’t care who recommends it. It is tripe.
