Top 10 Books of 2022
It’s the beginning of a new year, and so like any reader I feel compelled to look back over the previous year’s reading and pick out my favorite books. I started out with a list of twenty-five titles and then made myself narrow it down to ten. Reading is such a subjective thing. As one character in Harry’s Trees* puts it, “To every story we bring the story of ourselves.” How much we enjoy a book is influenced by what’s happening in our lives at the moment or the location where we’re reading, so I’m including a little note about why each of these ten books made my favorites list but not much of a summary, because I don’t know about you, but I dislike reading summaries. I prefer coming blind to the story, ready to be surprised.
Still what we read and when goes, like the people we meet, by ‘fate.’
- from The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien*
Alexander Hamilton* by Ron Chernow
I read this book off and on for a couple of years and finally finished it in 2022. I was so moved by the ending! Mostly by seeing how Lin-Manuel Miranda played with words in his lyrics, because in the end (spoiler) Hamilton did indeed throw away his shot. I couldn’t stop thinking about the ending and about Eliza. I felt pretty irritated with him on her behalf, though, thinking of her having to live all those years without him raising their family alone.
The Odyssey* by Homer, translated by Emily Wilson
I’m a homeschooling mom and read this alongside my daughter in the fall, and I was blown away by this translation. It’s written in verse, and the word choices are really beautiful and readable. I thoroughly enjoyed this reading experience, and I give Emily Wilson credit for that. I recommend familiarizing yourself with all the stories and the general plot before reading this epic poem. Not having to worry about decoding plot and language simultaneously definitely made it easier to enjoy the reading experience.
The Silmarillion* by J.R.R. Tolkien
This is another case of how becoming familiar with the material through an easier medium makes it much easier to read a more difficult work. This history and mythology of Middle Earth defeated me in the past, because I was overwhelmed by not being able to keep up with all the different races and their place in Tolkien’s mythology. But after watching the first series of Rings of Power on Amazon (with frequent pausing and asking my husband questions), I had more of an incentive to try again. I was amply rewarded by Tolkien’s high fantasy and beautiful prose, and I could almost keep all the Valar straight.
A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie, narrated by Emilia Fox
Agatha Christie gets the credit for a clever premise, but I don’t know if this book would have made my top ten were it not for the narration of Emilia Fox. I listened to this one on audio, and Fox was incredible at doing various voices and accents. She was very easy to listen to, and her skill enhanced the reading experience.
The Tech-Wise Family* by Andy Crouch
Not many people (including the author) can or will live out the ideals in this book perfectly, but books like this are so important in our world of “easy everywhere” technology. It’s worth taking the time to think about what boundaries we need to put around screens, specifically the kind of constant entertainment that so easily takes over our lives and keeps us from creative pursuits, meaningful work, and time with other people. Andy Crouch writes from a Christian perspective, but you don’t have to be a Christian to engage with the material.
Miss Buncle’s Book* by D.E. Stevenson
I listened to this on audio last February, then bought a hard copy and read it aloud to my husband in the fall. Reading a new book twice in one year makes it a favorite, right? This was my first D.E. Stevenson, and I thought it was so funny and charming.
Manalive* by G.K. Chesterton
A book collector I follow on Instagram mentioned this novel and how it was probably Chesterton’s best along with a quote from it. I happened to have it on my bookshelf, so I began reading it immediately. It was clever and humorous and culturally subversive in my favorite kind of way, offering up a question for your consideration, “What if we lived and thought differently? What if the popular, tired way of thinking isn’t the only way to think? What if we’re all living upside down?”
Aggressively Happy* by Joy Clarkson
I thoroughly enjoyed Joy’s podcast episodes on each chapter of her first book, each one filled with wisdom and creative tools for navigating life with chapter titles like: Remember You Have a Body, Tell Yourself a Good Story, Befriend Sadness, and perhaps most controversial, Be Like Mr. Collins. In linking up to her podcast I just noticed one of her favorites mentions the whimsy in Chesterton’s Manalive, so now I need to add that one to my listening list.
The Bullet that Missed* by Richard Osman
This is the third in a series of cozy English murder mysteries starring The Thursday Murder Club, a group of retirees living in an upscale retirement home who solve cold cases for their enjoyment, but they somehow also get involved with current cases as well. These books have a light and funny tone but are good mysteries, too. This one and the first in the series are my favorites.
Travels in Switzerland* by Alexandre Dumas
It’s possible you might have to enjoy Alexandre Dumas’ work and/or be traveling in Switzerland to want to read this 1843 travel memoir, but if that criterion ever applies to you, I highly recommend this book! I’ve become aware in the past few years of several travel memoirs from authors I would consider “classic,” and I am looking forward to reading more of them. I found this book on Scribd where I find a lot of older memoirs and obscure books. You can get a free 60-day trial with my link.
So what about you? What were some of your favorite books and/or reading experiences this year? Did you combine your reading with travel? I’d love to hear all about it.
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