Best Reads of 2022

Hey howdy hey, all you beautiful people! I hope you've been having a great December. 🤎 Mine has been... uh, cold. Shocker. 😜

But I've been getting a lot of reading over the past couple of months! Actually, make that the past year. I just reached my 2022 goal of 200 books! And I'm still going. I see a lot of end-of-the-year wrap-ups going on, and my general writing/life/goals post will be out next week. But for today, I wanted to share with you my best reads of 2022!

Series Binges!

Several books released in 2022 by the infamous P. D. Atkerson. And if you know me, then you know that she's my Number One auto-buy author. So not only did I read her new releases, I also re-read several of her other works. And by several, I mean...

Yeah. Thirteen. Deadlock, Choices, Exploit (Deadlock #1, #1.5, & #2), Minor Detail (A Typical #1), Murphy Lawson, Ghost hunter, Most Wanted, Winnie Winfield, Not Enough (AKA Simon Lee #3, #4, #4.5, #5, #5.5), They Call Her Ella (The Grimly Family), Smoke Screen (Castling #1), T.H.E.Y., T.I.M.E. (THEY #1 & #2), and Falling of the Stars (of the Stars #3). Am I even done yet with Atkerson's books this year? No. Am I sorry? Pfft. No. 😇

And it turns out I'm a Lynette Eason fan! Most of the time. She does have a few books I will not read, or a few I read that I'm not the hugest fan of, but... eight isn't excessive. Right? Right. (Some content warning for some if not all of these books... they can deal with some pretty hard topics. 😉)

(Active Defense and Vow of Justice were my favorites!)

While we're on the binge-read topic, I found my new favorite Chuck Black series, and re-visited the amazing duo of Brent and Emily, The Accidental Cases of Emily Abbot by Perry Elizabeth Kirkpatrick. What can I say? If I find an author I love, I go crazy. I've had too many spurts of not having anything to read to worry about flying through books when I do find them. Please tell me I'm not the only one!

Historical Fiction

A Sheild and A Refuge & A Threat and A Promise | Angie Thompson

I love this series. Love it. Angie has this way or writing that not only incorporates action and adventure (A Threat and A Promise was quite the humdinger of a quest!) but also creates this cozy feel. I honestly feel like I'm going back home every time I read these books.

A Night Divided | Jennifer Nielsen

I'm a fan of most of Neilsen's works, including her most recent. A Night Divided is one of her older works (her first historical fiction, actually) and it took me an insane amount of time to finally sit down and pick it up. And what happened when I did? *Blinks* I finished it in a day. Lesson learned, people. Try books sooner!

Contemporary

Bridgers | Angie Thompson

Another fabulous work by Angie Thompson. 😍 (It's getting really obvious that I read books I love an exorbitant amount of times, isn't it?) I haven't read many parables, but I think she knocked it out of the park with this one. And while being raw and serious, with mature content and happenings, Angie didn't go into unnecessary detail. *Holds the book out* If you haven't already, you should seriously consider reading this book.

The Coronation | Olivia Lynn Jarmusch

I'm not gonna lie. This book is not my usual cuppa. And isn't it a pity that I use that excuse when people ask me if I've read a book or not. Do I usually read Contemporary YA Royalty? No. Did I enjoy this book? Actually... yes. And I'll be the first to commend Olivia on her high moral standards for this book. (And I will be getting the rest of the series at some point. Asher has his own book! *Is very excited*

Dearest Josephine | Caroline George

People: "So, why did you read this book?" Me: *Blinks* " My friend read it, convinced my sister to read it, then they both joined forces to assault me till I caved and read it myself." *Bows* Yes, that is literally how it went down. Yes, said friend and sister know what they did. Can't you see their triumphant smirks from here? But that being said... I did end up reading it in less than forty-eight hours, I believe. And it was good! A hard-cover copy sits on my shelf, in fact.

O To Be Like Thee & Stop the Rain | Kassie Angle

*Takes a deep breath* Oh, these books. Oh, these books. Oh, these books! I don't do books and crying. I don't do crying period, really. But man, did that almost change when I read these books.

If you are easily affected by emotional trauma and heartbreaking reality, then you should think twice before picking these books up for just a quick, fun read. These are not quick, nor are they really classified as "fun," though there are some very fun parts to them. They are hard. Real. Raw. So, so raw. BUT. IF you are a person who values the true story—who values knowing what it's really like to go and fight and witness death and come back home, and live among people who can't understand you... then please. Please. Read these books. (Kassie also has another book, Tattered Wings. Look it up!)

Oh, the Fallen | Abigail Kay Harris

What, you didn't think I'd mention my absolute favorite Prequel ever? Come on. I thought better of you. Oh, the Fallen is literally ranked up there in my mind alongside all of Angie Thompson's and Kassie Angle's works. If you have not read this book, then what are you waiting for?! (The next in the series, Oh, the Lamented, will follow Frisco, and I am so excited to have that on my shelf!!! I am seriously restraining my fangirly streak right now. I need this series and its entirety on my shelf!)

Mystery

A Study in Scarlet | Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

My first Sherlock, and most definitely not my last! In fact, I'm having to pace myself with this series, I love it so much. Sherlock is so sharp! yu can learn so much from just reading the books. I seriously wish there was a book in his POV. I'd love just a glimpse into his mind.

Deadly Devotion | Sandra Orchard

I heard about this trilogy from Lindsey from Books For Christian Girls, and decided to give it a try! Definitely different from most mysteries I've read, but I enjoyed Book #1 so much, #2 and #3 are sitting on my shelf, waiting to be read. 😁 Thank you Lindsey, for sharing about this series!

Sci-Fi

We Could be Villains | Megan McCollough

*sings: Ooooh, way over south, where the Mac girl lives, We Could be Villains was displayed in her digs* Please tell me you've read this book. I'm not even a Marvel fan, but AHH THIS BOOK! The superheroes vibes are so thick. Book #2 is on my pre-order list. 🤩 And just look at that cover.

Dystopian

The Wonderland Trials | Sara Ella

While we're on the role of gorgeous covers... Mmm, yes. Enclave did a stellar job with this one. And it was such a fun read, too! The Alice in Wonderland nods and just little bits and bobs that related to the original were just such a joy to pick out. The Looking Glass Illusion (Curious Realities Book 2) releases sometime next year. And it... may or may not be on my pre0order list too... 😇

Non-Fiction

Do Hard Things | Alex and Brett Harris

I don't read many nonfictions book. But this was one that I just had to get my hands on. And I encourage you to as well. Too long have our youth been treated with low expectations and it is time for a rebellion. A rebellion against low expectations. Do hard things, fellow humans!

Children's/Middle Grade

Lines of Courage | Jennifer Neilsen

I've read several of Jennifer Neilsen's books, and never once have I gone, "Huh. Well, that was kinda boring." Yeah, this was no exception. Lines of Courage was such a good book! (So much so, I did an in-depth review that you can find here. 😊) Yes, this is a middle-grade marketed book, but it was just so rich and full of detail and information about WWI, a war I find not many people know too much about.

The Bark of the Bog Owl | Jonothan Rogers

Ah, man, this book. I loved it! This was my first Jonothan Rogers book, and it shall surely not be my last. I need answers! Well, I need the rest of the story. Then when I finish with this series, I'm moving on to more of his books. The way he portrayed Aidan as David, the battle, the shepherd aspect, ugh, so good! And not to mention the humor! A very unique and enjoyable writing style, I must say. (and yes, I did a review on this one too. 😂)

Classics

Dawn | Eleanor H. Porter

One of those classics you pick up to read more out of "I should probably read this" than "Man, have I been waiting to read this." No, actually, this turned into a "WHY HAST THOU WAITED THIS LONG TO READ YON BOOK, DESPICABLE BEING THAT IS MINESELF?" *Adds to my TBRR—To Be Re-Read list* *Realizes it's already there* *Adds it again*

The Secret Garden | Frances Hudgson Burnett

By far my favorite classic ever. This is quite easily a pleasure read for me, and I mean, it did help that I read it during the spring. 🥰🌼 And I will probably read it again next spring, then again next spring, and on and on again, well past the point where I've grown too old to remember what it was about, most definitely.

So there you have it! Some of my favorite reads from this year. So long, 2022. You've shown be a whole world of genres outside my norm. And for that, I thank you.

But because I loved them so much, here's a little something: a reel-type video I made for some of my favorite reads of this year (note how I said "some." It would take more than a forty second video to cover all my reads from this year. 😂)

Best Reads of 2022

Catch ya on the flip side!

_Mac