2022 Reads

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I read 41 books in 2022! This fell short of my 52 book goal. Despite not meeting my goal, I am pleased with the content I read.

I am not participating in any reading challenges in 2023. Instead I will be focusing on completing books which have been on my TBR list for a while and rereading old favorites.

I'm going to provide a star rating for each book. If you have additional questions, please reach out! I greatly enjoy discussing and recommending books!

You can follow me on Goodreads to keep up with what I'm currently reading.

Nonfiction:

Bible:

1. Holy Bible, New King James Version (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Duh). This year I read the books in alphabetical order and it helped create some interesting new connections. It also helped break up the Old Testament and New Testament reading. I recommend trying it!

Christian Living:

1. The Fear of the Lord: Discover the Key to Intimately Knowing God by John Bevere(⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Given to me by my Bishop. Powerful. Convicting. Truthful. This is a book you will want to revisit and share with others.)

2. Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts by Jennie Allen (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- helpful and practical. Allen uses scripture to help you take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ.)

3. Loveology: God. Love. Marriage. Sex. And the Never-Ending Story of Male and Female by John Mark Comer (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Everyone should read this. The younger the better (with parental/caregiver guidance). This book points us to ultimate authority on all matters of love and sexuality: Jesus- the Creator of it all. I also appreciated the promotion of marriage and singleness as equally valid stations and vocations in the service of Christ.)

4. Undistracted: Capture Your Purpose. Rediscover Your Joy. by Bob Goff (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)

5. You are the Girl for the Job: Daring to Believe the God Who Calls You by Jess Connolly (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)

6. The Blessing: Giving the Gift of Unconditional Love and Acceptance by John Trent, Gary Smalley, and Kari Trent Stageberg (⭐️⭐️⭐️- I would recommend an earlier version of the book. This one largely felt like an infomercial for their courses and products.)

Interactive Journal/Devotional:

1. Embraced: 100 Devotions to Know God is Holding You Close by Lysa TerKeurst (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- A solid devotional if you're looking for something quick)

2. 101 Questions to Ask Before You Get Engaged by H. Norman Wright (⭐️⭐️⭐️-more a workbook than a book.)

Leadership:

1. Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone by Brene Brown (⭐️⭐️)- Not my favorite by her)

Memoir:

1. Out of the Dark: My Journey Through the Shadows to Find God's Joy by Mandisa (with Suzanne Gosselin) (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Encouraging and Faith-Building for anyone who struggles with mental health.)

Self-Help

1. Peace is a Practice: An Invitation to Breathe Deep and Find a New Rhythm for Life by Morgan Harper Nichols (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- SO DIFFERENT from her other books. Well worth the read.)

Fiction:

Middle Grade:

1. Stef Soto, Taco Queen by Jennifer Torres (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- CUTE and CLEAN)

2. Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- A great growing up story. Family, community, friendship, new beginnings.)

3. A Good Kind of Trouble by Lisa Moore Ramee (⭐️⭐️⭐️-This book is a great reminder of the challenges kids face growing up today. Themes: friendship, family, courage, self-advocacy, and racial reconciliation.)

4. Ghost (Track #1) by Jason Reynolds (⭐️⭐️⭐️- The authors goal is to not write boring books, and he does a great job. Lots of my toughest students gravitated to this series.)

5. Refugee by Alan Gratz (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Perfect for the kiddo who is interested in history.)

6. Lifeboat 12 by Susan Hood (⭐️⭐️⭐️- Another good one for WW2 history. Based on a true story.)

7. The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Liked this one a lot! Fun cast of characters. Clean.)

8. No Fixed Address by Susin Nielsen (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️-Well written. Engaging. Real World. Relevant. Some crude humor.)

9. How I Became A Ghost: A Choctaw Trail of Tears Story by Tim Tingle (⭐️⭐️⭐️- Good (and sad) insight into the Trail of Tears experience for Native Americans).

Middle Grade & Young Adult Graphic Novels:

1. El Deafo by Cece Bell (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- the graphics are not my favorite in this one, but I think it was a great way to communicate the message and educate on people who experience hearing loss.)

2. They Called Us Enemy by George Takei (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- So appreciate George's courage in telling his family's story of living through Japanese internment.)

3. Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel by Mariah Marsden (Adapter) (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- LOVE. LOVE. LOVEEEE! Such a beautiful way to introduce students to my favorite story and character.)

4. Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol (⭐️⭐️- Definitely Indie & Alternative. Edgy.)

5. Hey, Kiddo: How I Lost My Mother, Found My Father, and Dealt with Family Addiction by Jarrett J. Krosockzka (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- A stirring memoir of the author's upbringing told through graphics. Lots of explicit language. Very compelling for my students who experience similar upbringings.)

6. Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani (⭐️⭐️⭐️- A little introduction to Hindi culture and customs. Some magical realism.)

7. Lint Boy by Aileen Leijten (⭐️⭐️⭐️- A really captivating way to share the message "we can overcome any situation when we join together." Reluctant readers like this one).

8. Pilu of the Woods by Mai K. Nguyen(⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- This one will make you cry! So sweet. Beautiful art.)

Middle Grade Memoir/Short Stories:

1. Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Woodson shares her experiences growing up in the South in the 60s and 70s. Kids love this book. It not only connects them to history but shows them that anyone- no matter race or learning difficulties can become a writer.)

2. Us, in Progress: Short Stories about Young Latinos by LuLu DeLacre(⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- my LatinX students really identify with these stories.)

Young Adult:

1. The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna (⭐️⭐️⭐️)

2. Fairest (The Lunar Chronicles 3.5 ) by Marissa Meyer (⭐️⭐️- not my favorite of the series, but it did bring new insight to Levana's character.)

3. The Secret Diary of Lydia Bennet by Natasha Farrant (⭐️⭐️⭐️- A fun Pride and Prejudice spin off. A good, but sleepy read for me.)

4. The Summer I Turned Pretty (Summer, #1) by Jenny Han (⭐️⭐️- Snooze fest. Uncompelling characters.)

5. The Inheritance Games (The Inheritance Games, #1) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (⭐️⭐️⭐️- I kinda understand the hype.)

General Fiction/Series:

1. Rainbow Valley (Anne of Green Gables #7) by L.M. Montgomery (⭐️⭐️⭐️)

2. The Inn at Ocean's Edge (Sunset Cove #1) by Colleen Coble (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)

3. Smoke Screen by Terri Blackstock (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐)

4. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (Chronicles of Narnia, #3) (⭐️⭐️⭐️)

5. Among the Mad (Maisie Dobbs, #6) by Jacqueline Winspear (⭐️⭐️⭐️)