This post would probably have been more appropriate a month or two ago, but life as a small business owner and a mom sometimes (only sometimes, ha!) leaves little time for reflecting and writing.
Here are the highlights from what I read in 2022 (and one I finished in Jan 2023)
Night of the Living Rez by Morgan Talty. A series of interconnected short stories that illuminate reservation life in Maine. The stories detail the lives of well-drawn characters trying to survive in an environment plagued by past and present trauma. Raw and heartbreaking at times, but so well-written.
The Furrows by Namwali Serepell. A beautiful story about the love between siblings and the tragedy of being the survivor and forever feeling responsible. There were a few sections that felt like the thread of the story was lost, but overall a compelling book.
True Biz by Sara Nović. Set at a fictional boarding school for deaf students, True Biz gives a glimpse into the world of young people who are also deaf. Readable and filled with multi-layered characters.
Lighter Reads
The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams. A heart-warming story about the impact grief and loss has on people and the incredible power and need for connection. 17 year old Aleisha is working at the local library in Wembley when she has an interaction with widowed, Mukesh. What begins as a frustrating situation for both of them leads to a connection with reading and each other. Some of the themes felt familiar and too easy, yet it was about reading, so I loved it anyway.
Book Lovers by Emily Henry. A totally predictable rom-com, but still fun.
The Paper Palace by Miranda Crowley Heller. Overall I loved the sense of place. Some of the interpersonal interactions and dialogue was unrealistic and borderline annoying, but I stuck with it to stay in this hidden circle of the Cape.
Mysteries
One Step Too Far by Lisa Gardner. This is the second in Gardner’s latest series featuring Frankie Elkin – amateur cold case investigator. This time Frankie is looking for a missing man in a Wyoming national forest and it had me on the edge of my seat. I can’t wait for more adventures with this character.
The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf. A crime writer, an isolated farm house, a huge snowstorm and then finding a small child outside in a drift leads to a creepy and suspense filled novel.
Non-fiction
Murder in the Neighborhood by Ellen Green. A thorough exploration of the 1949 mass-shooting in nearby Camden, NJ. I was curious about the circumstances of the murders and the impact on the community and individuals who survived and Green delivered. Some of the writing felt a little clunky, but it was clearly well researched.
Tanqueray by Stephanie Johnson. I was captivated by Stephanie/Tanqueray’s story a few years ago on HONY (Humans of New York). She is a colorful character and full of fascinatingly stories. This thin volume takes you through her story in fuller detail.
The Gifts of a Challenging Childhood by Jan Bergstrom. I try to read or listen to a lot of therapy and self-help books to guide and aid my work as a therapist. I am now taking Jan’s related workshop and I think this book is an excellent primer for individuals to use to understand and work with their childhood experiences in a non-shaming way.
Here’s hoping 2023 will include more reading and writing!