My Best Books of 2022

 I made a goal to read a book a week this year.  While homeschooling my 4 kids, working, and being a homemaker, I wanted to make sure I made time to do something I love this year! I am a stickler when it comes to making lists and then being able to mark something off- so satisfying!  So, when I made the goal to read a book a week and knew that I would be writing each book down on a list, there was no stopping me! I am currently at 89 books for this year, so I definitely met my goal, but I am working tonite at the library, so I'll probably grab a couple to finish before this weekend!  I wanted to share some of my favorites from this year, so that if you have a reading goal this year, or would just like some recommendations, you can get a good start here.  I read all kinds of books this year- bestsellers, classics, non-fiction, memoirs, and the Bible.  So, we will start there.  My favorite book of the Bible has always been John, but this year, Thad and I started Psalms The Message translation and I've really enjoyed that as well.  I also have enjoyed reading 1 John this year as well.  The link for the Psalms The Message translation can be found here:  https://www.amazon.com/Message-Psalms-Journaling-Softcover-Symphonic/dp/1641583444/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2UC73P7TA0ECP&keywords=Psalms+eugene+peterson+the+message&qid=1672332519&sprefix=psalms+eugene+peterson+the+message%2Caps%2C129&sr=8-3

The first book that I really enjoyed this year was "The Maid" by Nita Rose https://www.amazon.com/Maid-Novel-Nita-Prose-ebook/dp/B091Y4KGFH/ref=sr_1_1?crid=XAZXLNILIF29&keywords=the+maid+nita+prose&qid=1672332652&sprefix=The+Maid%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-1

Such a good little mystery!  I really enjoyed this story and can see why it was a bestseller!  If you like mystery, or whodunits, you'll enjoy this one! 

Next, was an obscure book I came across at Half-Priced Books called "A History of Wild Places" by Shea Ernshaw https://www.amazon.com/History-Wild-Places-Novel/dp/1982164808/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2QUU4BBDMUB9U&keywords=a+history+of+wild+places&qid=1672332867&sprefix=a+histor%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-1

This was a WILD book!! I was totally thrown and it kept me guessing the whole time! 

One of the Non-fiction books that I read was "Hacking School Discipline" by Nathan Maynard https://www.amazon.com/Hacking-School-Discipline-Responsibility-Restorative/dp/1948212137/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2CE954Z972FMW&keywords=hacking+school+discipline&qid=1672333012&sprefix=hacking+school+%2Caps%2C121&sr=8-1

This one is obviously pretty niche, but being the principal at the reading program, this one came in handy, had me taking notes, and really encouraged me with the discipline philosophy that we were currently using!  Highly recommend if you work in a school setting or help out with children's ministry in your church! Really enjoyed the empathetic and empowering view of discipline.

I read Pudd'nhead Wilson this year by Mark Twain https://www.amazon.com/Puddnhead-Wilson-Mark-Twain-ebook/dp/B075Y52Y1Z/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1FQBOIMGDIGQB&keywords=pudd%27nhead+wilson&qid=1672333330&sprefix=Pudd%27nhead+%2Caps%2C98&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExTlE1RTY0WDAzWlFaJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjA3NjU1MlNMMTgyOE5XNlk3SyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwOTk3NzI5UlZZR09HUEdNTFU1JndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Well, this one was a quick read and so good!  Laughable moments and moments that brought tears to my eyes.  I really enjoy reading classics-sometimes just as a challenge, and by the end, Im usually so thankful to use have gotten through it, but this book was a quick half-day read and such a good story!

One true story I read this year and enjoyed was recommended to me by Jude!  https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Pacific-1942-Drop-Drink/dp/0545928117/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3FSTH3WUUVTH4&keywords=Lost+at+sea+the+eddie+rickenbacker+story&qid=1672333626&sprefix=lost+at+sea+the+eddie+rickenbacker+story%2Caps%2C125&sr=8-3

If you enjoy WWII  history, you will like this book.  Jude says it's his favorite book!

Elsie does a bookclub with a group of her friends and I usually pick the books for them to read, but one book we did this year that my SIL picked for the girls was so good, I can't leave it out of my recommendations.  It was "Echo" by Pam Munoz Ryan https://www.amazon.com/Echo-Pam-Munoz-Ryan/dp/0439874025/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2LXS244ECGXNS&keywords=echo+by+pam+munoz+ryan&qid=1672333973&sprefix=ECHOby+pam+%2Caps%2C117&sr=8-1

This was such a good story- it has everything! History, mystery, fairytale, and characters you really care about!  Such a good one for the girls book club! 

I hope these recommendations give you somewhere to start, especially if you make a goal for the new year to read more! I will be doing a post soon about Elsie's bookclub: how I set it up, when we meet, and how we pick our books.  I will also be posting more resources coming soon on my newly created TpT page, if you're interested in creating a bookclub, but don't want to have to create all the content from scratch- I've already done it for you!  Well, I guess its time to get reading!