In 2022, I read 24 books. I wanted to read 31, but I’m not beating myself up over it. It’s been a year. More about that in another post.

So, here’s the info:

Blood Line by James Rollins: Yet another in the Sigma Force Series. If you’ve been around here for a while, you know this is one of my two favorite series.
Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison: This was a read for African American Literature, a course I taught at East Central College in Spring 2022. It was my first time reading Invisible Man and I can’t believe I waited so long to read this classic text. I loved it. It was so timely, despite having been written almost a century ago. Which, really, is a depressing indication about how much things have improved in the last 100 years.
Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper: One of the books I meant to read in October 2021 for my Witchy Reads month, I finally got around to finishing it in early 2022. It was a slow start, but by the end I was so in love that I pre-ordered the next book in the series.
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide, Or When the Rainbow is Enuf by Ntozake Shange: This was a read for African American Literature, a course I taught at East Central College in Spring 2022. This was my second time around with For Colored Girls and it was just as moving and striking as the first time I read it. This text inspired phenomenal conversations among my students. One student said that it was a life changing read. I think he’s right
Fine Print by Lauren Asher: So, I read this book because it was recommended by Paige Koren, one of my favorite beauty YouTubers. It’s pretty spicy, but it was fun and brainless and a great break from the serious texts I was reading for class.
White Rage by Carol Anderson: This was a read for African American Literature, a course I taught at East Central College in Spring 2022. Probably my 4th or 5th read of some chapters, but my second for others. I think that this should be required reading in American history classes. So good, so helpful in understanding racism.
The Eye of God by James Rollins: Yet another in the Sigma Force Series. I would comment on the content, but they all kind of get mixed up in my brain. They’re REALLY good, though. That’s more about my brain than the texts themselves.
You Turn: Get Unstuck, Discover Your Direction, and Design Your Dream Career by Ashley Stahl: This read was one I started before I found out that I was getting the full time job.
Kindred by Octavia Butler: This was a read for African American Literature, a course I taught at East Central College in Spring 2022. One of my favorite books of all time, I was so excited to teach this for the second time.
Dial A For Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto: The first of two novels, these were the runners up for my favorite books of 2022. Delightfully hilarious and criminally wild, I was charmed by the characters and the writing.
Terms and Conditions by Lauren Asher: The second in this trilogy, the second text was a little better than the first. Still not a favorite, but good enough that I plan to read the third when it comes out.
Four Aunties and a Wedding by Jesse Q. Sutanto: The second in this miniseries, this one was even more ridiculous than the first, yet I still managed to call the end within the first two chapters. Still it was a delight to read.
Beach Read by Emily Henry: I’ve decided that Emily Henry must be my soulmate romance writer. Her books have significantly more depth than I expected and this one had me sobbing as I was driving down 63 to Columbia. Definitely a great read.
The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas: My least favorite book I read this year, It was okay. Not great. Real spicy if you’re into that.
In the Dreamhouse by Carmen Maria Machado: One of my two favorite new reads this year, this memoir was simultaneously heart wrenching and gorgeous. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great read. Caution: Lots of DV mentioned.
The Kiss Curse by Erin Sterling: An October 2022 Witchy Read. This was the sequel to one of my October 2021 Witchy Reads. I did’t enjoy it quite as much as the first one, but I did like it.
From Bad to Cursed by Lana Harper: An October 2022 Witchy Read. This one I loved even more than the first one. Harper’s world is quite cleverly embedded into the real world and I enjoyed that.
Witch Please by Ann Aguire: An October 2022 Witchy Read. I really enjoyed this at the time, but it didn’t stay with me the way other books this year did.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna: An October 2022 Witchy Read. This is my other favorite new read of the year, tied with In the Dreamhouse. The writing is gorgeous and the romantic love story is almost unexpected. Very much about the love of mentors for their mentees and the deep desire for community, I related to this book more than one should a book about magic.
Witchful Thinking by Celestine Martin: An October 2022 Witchy Read. I bought this book 100% based on the cover that I saw on a TikTok with the Novel Neighbor. No regrets. It was delightful.
Maus by Art Spiegelman: I read this because it was the semester read for East Central College in fall 2022. I think this should be required for all students in high school history. Now, let me be clear: I know about the Holocaust. I lived with a survivor for over a month. I’ve read lots of Holocaust books. But until I read this, I did not comprehend the sheer terror and horror. Spiegelman tells the story well and the comic book illustrations make everything more real.
The People we Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry: I loved this book by Emily Henry. Probably my favorite romance of the year, it was delightfully well written and easy to get lost in.
By the Book by Jasmine Guillory: This was a great retelling of Beauty and the Beast, my favorite Disney princess movie. I loved how she incorporated the fairy tale, but also made it so realistic for modern readers. Great characters. You’re really rooting for them.
Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes: An appropriate way to end/begin a year, this book was so good for me. I’m looking at my life and all the things I say no to that are out of fear. I really related to Rhimes (which probably sounds ridiculous) and I highly recommend this for anyone wanting some change in their life.

For 2023, I’m going to make it a goal to read 2 books and listen to 1 audiobooks for a total of 3 books a month. I’m making reading and writing a priority this coming year. We’ll see how it goes! I hope to give at least some speed reviews of the books I read in 2023 in addition to a year-end summary.