It’s been another GraceBought year! Whoot whoot! And so, as I did last year, here’s a 2022 reading recap.
Reflecting on the year is a practice I value, and it’s fun to reflect specifically back on my reading since reading is something I make specific goals in and highly value. So, here are a few of my favorite reads (alpha/beta reads excluded).
And because I work to read widely I broke the year down into a few different categories. You can click on the links to find my complete reviews on any of the books/series below.
Best Re-Reads of 2022
I finished buddy reading the The Chronicles of Narnia series by C. S. Lewis with a few friends, and so thoroughly enjoyed those, especially Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and The Last Battle.
My hope is to re-read quite a bit next year, but for this category, I chose one childhood read that I enjoyed rereading and one book that is an absolute favorite.
Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg by Gail Carson Levine
This beautifully illustrated book warms my heart every time I read it. I wanted something of a comfort read, something light and fun. I’m thinking about rereading all the Disney Fairies books this upcoming year, but this is the one that started it all and I’m glad I took the time to read it.
Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Anne Sandell
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve reread this one. It’s always so quick and yet it never fails to satisfy me. I love Arthurian legend and almost all things Camelot, but this unique and beautiful story captures me because it focuses on the Lady of Shallot <3
Best New Read of 2022
The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
This one’s been on my to-read list for a while, but I should have known to pick it up sooner since it won the Newbery award. I almost always enjoy those. Even still, this took me by surprise. It completely captivated me and absolutely enchanted me. The dynamic characters leapt off the page, the story struck an unexpected emotional nerve, and the worldbuilding tickled my fantasy-loving soul. I wholly look forward to rereading this one in the future and perhaps checking out more by this author. If I had to choose a top 2022 read, this would probably be it.
Best YA of 2022
Wishtress by Nadine Brandes
And Nadine steps in to steal best YA second year in a row. This cover is STUNNING guys! I love it! And the story within the pages is just as beautiful. This is the book that would closest contest for best book of 2022 and I will certainly be reading it again one day–and hopefully more if Nadine expands the world one day!
Best MG of 2022
Anyone who knows me knows I love children’s stories and middle grade/junior fiction. There’s so much creativity and imagination and the books generally stay innocent and pure. Kids have a childlike wonder that we often lose the older we get, so I do make it a point to keep some MG in my reading diet.
The Shattered Castle by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Unsurprisingly, last year the original trilogy was in my 2021 best of MG. I re-read them in order to read The Captive Kingdom. But this year, I read The Shattered Castle. And admittedly enjoyed it more than book 4 (though book 4 wasn’t all that bad either). Aside from The Girl Who Drank the Moon, this would be my top 2022 MG pick.
Knight Owl by Christopher Denise
This isn’t an MG book, but it is a children’s book. And while I wouldn’t normally put a picture book in my top books of the year, this one actually made my Top 10 for 2022 because it completely delighted me. It took me by surprise in the middle of the B&N and I bought it on the spot and have shared it with friends since. It’s the cutest book with beautiful pictures and I’m smitten!
Best Thriller of 2022
In a new category this year, I just had to mention this one. I love mysteries and can definitely get behind a good suspenseful thriller. This year I tried a new-to-me-author and looking back, this one made my Top 10 list.
The Line Between by Tosca Lee
I enjoyed Lee’s style and the story was truly riveting. It’s eerie that she wrote and published this duology before covid hit, and yet it shares so many commonalities with the pandemic plotline. I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Best Indie Read of 2022
Hansel and the Gingerbread Queen by Lea Doue
This one took me way by surprise. I have never loved Hansel and Gretel, but this story was well done and sweet! Pun intended 😉 I’ve read other books of Lea’s and I’ve enjoyed her work, but she really impressed me with this one.
Best Nonfiction of 2021
I work intentionally to keep nonfiction in my palate–usually a combination of devotionals, bible studies, theology books, business, finance, relationship, inspirational, etc. And this year, I have three to share with you.
Inside Prince Caspian and Inside the Voyage of the Dawn Treader by Devin Brown
I read the first book in this series in 2020 and it was absolutely excellent. As I reread The Chronicles of Narnia with two of my friends, I read these companion guides with their corresponding books. They both provided such valuable insights. I thoroughly enjoyed them and would definitely recommend them to others! I wish Dr. Brown would go on to create guides for the other books in the series because I’m sure I would learn so much more. These have taught me to see Narnia with new eyes.
Creating Character Arcs by K. M. Weiland
As a writer, books on craft can be so valuable! I loved Weiland’s teaching style and the numerous examples she used. She made it so much easier for me to understand plot and how character arcs relate to plot. I feel like I’ve grown exceptionally in my character development and understanding because of this book.
~*~
So there you have it. My top reads of 2022! In no particular order 😉
What about you? What were some of your favorite books of 2022? Have you read any of the above? Or do you want to, but haven’t yet? If you did, what were your thoughts?
In case you missed it, my friend Cassie and I are doing a 2023 Reading Challenge! You can find out more here on IG, but I may end up making a post about it in the New Year if you guys are interested. Either way, here’s to the new adventures of 2023 reading!