Since I didn’t share much of what I read this year, thanks to my lengthy blogging break, I thought I’d do a quick reading recap of the highlights. These titles weren’t all necessarily released this year; it’s just what I read and liked best. In case you’re new to my reading posts, I read a little bit of everything but especially love family dramas, a good memoir and books about people’s lives that are completely outside of my own experience. I remember several years ago, a person emailed and scolded me for reading an author who didn’t personally have the same religious views as me. Isn’t that the point?! Okay, tangent over. Enjoy the list, and I’m happy to answer questions about any of these.
What’s the best book you’ve read this year?
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American Dirt should be read by every American! It really hit home with me because I’ve visited several of the towns mentioned in the book.
Thanks for sharing! I added a few of these to my books to read list after looking a bit more into them. Happy Holidays!
I always love book recommendations, and I added some of your suggestions to my long “to-read” list. Thanks! I read American Dirt this year also, and really liked it. I loved This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger. I actually loved it so much I read Ordinary Grace by him as well, and loved it just as much! I also loved Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys.
I like your reading “strategy”. Thanks for sharing!
Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting and both Finlay Donovan books were my fave. Also, My Lady Jane has the best narrator as an audiobook. I’m going to check out the family drama book you’d hares.
I’m currently reading, “Philomena” by Martin Sixsmith.
A description on book cover: When she became pregnant as a teenager in Ireland in 1952, Philomena Lee was sent to a convent to be looked after as a “fallen woman.” Then the nuns took her baby from her, swore her to secrecy, and sold him, like thousands of others, to America for adoption. Fifty years later, Philomena broke her silence and decided to find him.
I have enjoyed this book thus far, and like the author’s interesting writing style.
That description is intriguing! I’ve never heard of this book. Thank you.
It was made into a movie featuring Judy Dench. Very sad but very well done. I didn’t know it was based on a book so I’ll need to check it out.
Just saw your reply – sorry!
A heads up, though. I’m a Christian believer and rarely read stories like this. It’s NOT in graphic details, but the true story surrounds Philomena’s son and his homosexual lifestyle.
Once I began reading, however, could not put it down.
Now, I’ve checked out a different book written by same author, “Russia,” since I loved his writing style.
This subject? Not sure, haha!
Dee, Philomena is also a movie starring Judi Dench. I haven’t read the book so I don’t know if the movie is accurate to the story. Good to know it’s a book also.
So far, the best books I’ve read in 2022 are ‘Jayber Crow’ by Wendall Berry and ‘The Shell Seekers’ by Rosamunde Pilcher. I listened to both of these and the readers were excellent. I listen to books while I walk and the only drawback is that you can’t underline a meaningful passage. And there were many in both of these books.
Perhaps I’ll get the print version and re-read them. I’m getting older and have come to the realization that I’ll probably never get to all of the books I want to read but I would make time for a re-read of these two. There is so much substance to the stories (and the characters!).
Thanks for your recommendations Emily. I always enjoy your posts. I do hope you’ll do more ‘Make it Pretty’ posts of solving readers’ problems.
Merry Christmas!
Brenda