My Year in Books 2022

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The numbers are in! My Year in Books for 2022 was 42 total books read! I had pledged to read 30 titles and hit that goal back in the summer. Anything after that was just the cherry on top!

My Year in Books 2021

Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links. Thank you for supporting my blog!

It has been a hot minute since the last time I shared a book roundup and even though reading is one of my favorite things ever, organizing those posts takes forever, hence the non sharing. But a yearly post? That I can do! Here's a glimpse at my 2021 reading life, a few favorite titles, what to pass on (in my opinion) and some surprise twists. 

Bringing comfort at bedtime with stories // Why Do We Say Goodnight? {a book review}

This post is sponsored by New Growth Press. As always, all opinions are my own.

I have the firm belief that reading a book can solve any problem. And I would like to think that I am instilling that same belief into my children. Point in case (or is it case in point? I get confused) when Brielana started school we began noticing her reluctance to go to sleep and then it disrupting her morning wake up routine. Talk about a bad cycle. Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links with no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

The Summer Book Report

I'm woefully behind with my book reviews so I hope this big drop won't be overdoing it. I wasn't a very productive reader over summer but I'm also throwing in my September reads and then we'll be all caught up! Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links with no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Book Swap Party

stacked books

Last Wednesday I had the pleasure of attending my first ever Book Swap Party! It is exactly as it sounds- guests bring some books, pile them on a table, browse at their leisure (or not if you want to get your first choice picks, haha) and leave with a new assortment of reads (however many you brought is what you take home.) It was such a hit there is already talks of another Swap come January!

The Spring Book Report

I have not shared my book reviews in what feels like ages, my apologizes. Between Spring Break Family visit and the sickness plague that befell us, I'm just now catching up with life. In any case, here's a big book dump! Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links with no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

The February Book Report

For being such a short month, February was extremely busy over here (anyone else?) Between Kinsey’s Birthday party prep and celebration to starting a new job (more on that later!) I've only been able to read in random pockets of time for small stretches. Thankfully I have enjoyed the two books I was able to read! Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links with no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout

The January Book Report

I have all five star rated books for you this month (how's that for starting the year off right?!) They are all women authors with big voices and ideas and I have loved every single page of each of these novels. Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links with no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

The {September} Book Report

I’m coming upon that time of year where life gets busier so my reading starts to slow down, but its not something that bothers me since the last 3 months of the year hold their own magic (whose with me on that?!) below are my four books of September. Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links with no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

The Nest by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney

The Spirit of God Illustrated Bible {a review}

I received this book for review purposes but all opinions are my own. Thanks to ZonderKidz for sponsoring this post.

The Summer Book Report

Have I been a busy bookworm this summer! I figured I'd give you a BIG book drop and start the fall off to a once a month post (back to business as usual!) I hope you find one you love, some of these are extraordinary! Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links with no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

The {May} Book Report

With all the end of the school year activities going on around here reading has slowed down a touch but here are the three books I enjoyed this month (and only a few days late!)  Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links with no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

The {April} Book Report

Another productive reading month! Rain in the first half of April set the pace but with the sun comes more outdoor time so I suspect a slower reading season is upon us. Let’s dive right in, shall we? A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links. Thank you for supporting my blog!

March Book Report

All I can say is the rainy March weather fared well for my reading life.

The February Book Report

I am happily crossing off book titles and am feeling good. This month I'm joining Stephanie for her What We're Reading Wednesday link up (pop over to her blog for a little interview by yours truly!) there's also a little Q&A at the end of this post with Penny and Stephanie. Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links. Thank you for supporting my blog!

The January Book Report

I shared my reading plans for this year last week and now I'm back with the four books I finished this month!  Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links. Thank you for supporting my blog!

That Book Life // Reading Plans for 2018

2017 Goodreads Reading Challenge | 18 books

Books actually read | 35

2018 Goodreads Reading Challenge | 30 

Books read in January | 3

I strongly believe reading is good for the soul. It is something I have always loved to do and making time to read in my daily life is essential to staying true to myself. I don't make lofty goals, since my season in life right now is all things baby, but keeping myself accountable makes me happy (Type A through-and-through.) A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Here are a few titles that I have currently residing on my bedside table ready to be called into action. Thank goodness I have fellow bookworm friends, a Free Little Library right next door and my local library about five minutes down the street to keep me supplied at all times.  

Loving Frank: A Novel | Running with Scissors: A Memoir| The Mothers: A Novel | The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks | Pigs in Heaven: A Novel | The Sinner | Manhattan Beach

The reading lives of other people fascinates me! So tell me, what books are you reading this year? Do you have a goal?

   

   

The November & December Book Report

I have read some AMAZING books the past two months, I mean 3 5-star ratings?! Its been a very satisfying time! Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Leaving Time by Jodi Piccoult

Goodreads Synopsis:

For over a decade, Jenna Metcalf obsesses on her vanished mom Alice. Jenna searches online, rereads journals of the scientist who studied grief among elephants. Two unlikely allies are Serenity Jones, psychic for missing people who doubts her gift, and Virgil Stanhope, jaded PI who originally investigated cases of Alice and her colleague. Hard questions and answers.

Thoughts:

I loved this book. I can only tolerate so many courtroom dramas by Piccoult so her fantasy stories are a breath of fresh air (I also loved Second Glance!) I didn’t see this twist coming and was hooked from page one.

Stars:

5 out of 5

Buy the book

The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd

Goodreads Synopsis:

Sue Monk Kidd's phenomenal debut, The Secret Life of Bees, became a runaway bestseller that is still on the New York Times bestseller list more than two years after its paperback publication. Now, in her luminous new novel, Kidd has woven a transcendent tale that will thrill her legion of fans. Telling the story of Jessie Sullivan -- a love story between a woman and a monk, a woman and her husband, and ultimately a woman and her own soul -- Kidd charts a journey of awakening and self-discovery illuminated with a brilliance that only a writer of her ability could conjure. 

Thoughts: A bore of a book about a horrible subject. I guess Im most upset about it being nothing like The Secret Life of Bees- no lovable characters, no satisfying ending. But Kidd is a beautiful writer and that earned this book an extra star.

Stars:

3 out of 5

Buy the book

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

Goodreads Synopsis:

Rachel catches the same commuter train every morning. She knows it will wait at the same signal each time, overlooking a row of back gardens. She's even started to feel like she knows the people who live in one of the houses. 'Jess and Jason', she calls them. Their life - as she sees it - is perfect. If only Rachel could be that happy. And then she sees something shocking. It's only a minute until the train moves on, but it's enough. Now everything's changed. Now Rachel has a chance to become a part of the lives she's only watched from afar. Now they'll see; she's much more than just the girl on the train... 

Thoughts:

I couldnt put this down! Yowza. I actually craved a drink almost as much as the narrator, the writing is fantastic. Flawes characters always have me rooting fir them and I really felt invested in Rachel’s life. Now I need to watch the movie! Also this makes me feel horrible about how much I disliked her follow up novel, Into the Water.

Stars:

5 out of 5

Buy the book | movie

Skipping Christmas by John Grisham

Goodreads Synopsis:

Imagine a year without Christmas. No crowded shops, no corny office parties, no fruitcakes, no unwanted presents. That's just what Luther and Nora Krank have in mind when they decide that, just this once, they'll skip the holiday altogether. Theirs will be the only house on the street without a rooftop Frosty the snowman; they won't be hosting their annual Christmas Eve bash; they aren't even going to have a tree. They won't need one, because come December 25th they're setting sail on a Caribbean cruise. But, as this weary couple is about to discover, skipping Christmas brings enormous consequences - and isn't half as easy as they'd imagined.

A classic tale for modern times, Skipping Christmas offers a hilarious look at the chaos and frenzy that has become part of our holiday tradition. 

Thoughts:

This is the first time I've read an adult Christmas book (because we know the girls have their Christmas books out all month) and I felt seasonally appropriate. This was a fun, easy read and the movie with Tim Allen (my favorite TV Dad) is spot on.

Stars:

3 out of 5

Buy the book | movie

The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlaine

Goodreads Synopsis:

In 1977, pregnant Genevieve Russell disappeared. Twenty years later, her remains are discovered and Timothy Gleason is charged with murder. But there is no sign of the unborn child.

CeeCee Wilkes knows how Genevieve Russell died, because she was there. And she knows what happened to her missing infant, because two decades ago she made the devastating choice to raise the baby as her own. Now Timothy Gleason is facing the death penalty, and she has another choice to make. Tell the truth and destroy her family. Or let an innocent man die in order to protect a lifetime of lies. 

Thoughts:

Chamberlaine may be entering favorite author status (along with Jane Austen, Sue Grafton, Alice Hoffman) she writes about every day life, always has amazing conflict and characters and wraps everything up just right.

Stars:

5 out of 5

Buy the book

   

   

The Sea Fairies // Collaboreads {a vintage read}

This month’s Collaboreads topic with Kristin and Rachel was a vintage read and I just so happened to be sitting on a copy of The Sea Fairies by L. Frank Baum that fit perfectly- this title was first published in 1911!

Amazon Synopsis: 

Best-known for his beloved "Oz" stories, L. Frank Baum also fabricated other realms of fantasy for his young readers. In The Sea Fairies, he takes youngsters to visit one of those fascinating places — a kingdom deep beneath the sea. Leading the way are Trot, a very independent and immensely curious little girl, and Cap'n Bill, an old sailor who likes to tell tall tales. 

One day the two adventurers come upon a sea cave where they discover a school of bewitching mermaids who guide them beneath the waves to a magnificent palace. While touring this mysterious watery realm, Trot and Cap'n Bill meet an aristocratic codfish and a bashful octopus, attend an elegant banquet, are taken prisoner by an awesome sea monster, make a dash for freedom, and have loads of other adventures. 

Sure to tickle the curiosity and delight the imagination, this enchanting fantasy, enhanced with 78 of John R. Neill's imaginative original drawings, will charm Baum fans of all ages.

Buy the book here.

Riveting:

Details about the world under the sea and the creatures (real and imaginative) was written beautifully and believable which makes for a good fantasy read.  

Elements:

Baum creates such enduring characters. Trot and Cap'n Bill are a sweet pair, and remind me of when I was growing up and spending time with my Papa; they have that young/old, yin/yang aspect. 

Associate:

I'm a bit embarrassed by this but the TV series Mako Mermaids (which is doubly shaming as I don't allow Kinsey to watch this show anymore and yet it still comes to mind, haha.) I could also see this being a Jim Henson production in the vein of The Labyrinth.

Design:

I've read the entire Oz series but didn't know Baum had written others (call me a lazy researcher) but when I saw this book at a local used book store (for half off!) I got very excited. Having a mermaid on the cover just sweetened the deal.

Stars:

3 out of 5. It was entertaining but fell short of the magic within the Oz series.