January was a helluva reading month.
Could not Handle
The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan: I HATED THIS SO MUCH. It made me feel terrible and panicked. But! I read it really fast and finished it so I could at least have closure. **2022
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong: OMG. This book is beautiful but just too sad for me to handle. **Audio
Did not Love
Joyful by Ingrid Fetell Lee: Meh. Solidly. **Audio
American Girl by Wendy Walker: A pretty OK Audible Original thriller. The presentation was a little hokey and the actor's Canadian accent drove me nuts. **Audio
Effortless by Greg Mckeown: Meh. Some good advice, but I think Gretchen Rubin's habits book was better. **Audio
The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro: An excellent and restrained quest story. I want to read this for a class so I can work out all the metaphors. **Audio
SO Entertaining
The Outsider by Stephen King: Scary enough that I could not listen while I put Minnie to bed. **Audio
Last Breath by Karin Slaughter: A shortie prequel. **Audio
Fallen by Karin Slaughter: I started the year off with a audiobook in my favorite trashy thriller series. I was really stressed about COIVD, so I bought this one on Audible, even. A comfort read (listen). ** Audio
Autopsy by Patricia Cornwell: I wanted this to be great because I have missed Kay Scarpetta. But then she went to the Whitehouse and led some astronauts through a space autopsy and what?
A Touch of Jen by Beth Morgan: This was weird and hilarious-- loved it.
Just Haven't Met You by Sophie Cousens: An excellent palate cleaner.
But You Seemed So Happy by Kimberly Harrington: A divorce memoir! So funny and sweet. Why are there not more of these?
Fiona and Jane by Jean Chen Ho: MEH. But a charming format, and some of the stories were great. **2022
Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory: SO GOOD. She's a truly fantastic romance writer
Serious Reads
Call Us What We Carry by Amanda Gorman: This is great. And I think REALLY great for HS and college kids.
The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones: Yes. Everyone should read this.
Who Will Run the Frog Hospital by Lorrie Moore: I am always looking for excellent books (not Audible Originals) included in my Audible subscription, and this book (from 1994) is WONDERFUL. ** Audio
Poet Warrior by Joy Harjo: Next time you are in the mood for a memoir, this is the one to read! Beautiful poetry, too.
Could Be in the Running for Book of the Year but They Were Published LAST YEAR, and it Makes NO SENSE to Include Them on a 2022 List
The Wonder Test by Michelle Richmond: I loved this thriller and will read ANYTHING she writes from now on. It's about a rich school, scheming parents, the FBI, a badass mom-- all great.
Contenders
Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez: My first 2022 read of the year! This was a great story of family drama, and I really liked the characters. **2022
Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins: Loved this one! A great mindless read. Or listen. **2022 **Audio
Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson: This book was lovely-- charming, gripping, and ultimately really touching. **2022
Book of the Year (so far)
Yinka Where Is Your Huzband by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn: READ THIS (or listen to it because the narrator's Nigerian British accent is fabulous). This book is funny and smart and touching-- loved it! **2022 **Audio
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