Favorite Books of 2022

A couple days ago I started to write a post with all of my favorite books of the year. And then I got super overwhelmed because there were so many. So I decided to just share one from each category: picture book, middle grade, young adult, and adult and let you know that if you want to know more of my favorite books from 2022, feel free to follow me on Goodreads.

Favorite picture book of 2022...

Gibberish by Young Vo

Gibberish tells the story of a young boy named Dat who is new to the English language and what that feels like to be the new kid at school who doesn't understand everyone. That story arc isn't new, but the way Young Vo tells it and illustrates it is unlike anything I've seen before. His use of black and white cartoonish illustrations for Dat's surroundings along with emojis for dialogue that he doesn't understand really immerses the reader into Dat's world of unknowing. As Dat becomes more attuned to the English-speaking world and begins understanding more, his surroundings become more colorful and less cartoonish.

This book is brilliant and so incredibly innovative... and it's really hard for me to say a book is innovative given the number of picture books I read every year. This book is still my top contender for the 2023 Caldecott medal.

Favorite Middle Grade of 2022...

Hummingbird by Natalie Lloyd

Hummingbird is Natalie Lloyd's most personal and vulnerable book to date, as it is about a girl who has the same disability: osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease. This book is about a young girl named Olive who has been homeschooled her whole life and convinces her mom to send her to the local public school despite her mom's fears over Olive's fragile body.

As with all of Natalie Lloyd's books, it is full of magical realism. There’s a teacher in the story that says a pen is a direct line to a person’s heart. Well, Natalie Lloyd’s pen draws a whole lot of lines to readers’ hearts.

Favorite YA of 2022...

The Most Dazzling Girl in Berlin by Kip Wilson

The year is 1932 in Berlin and now that Hilde is eighteen, she must leave her orphanage and set out on her own. She quickly discovers, however, that finding a job is near impossible in these economically depressed times. But fate intervenes one night when she meets Rosa, who brings Hilde to Café Lila where she meets a cast of characters that soon become her chosen family.

As Berlin falls further and further into the authoritarian grip of the Nazis who are scapegoating Jews and the queer community, Hilde along with the employees and patrons of Café Lila continue to remain quietly hopeful and defiant... until trouble comes loudly knocking on their door.

Just as the title suggests, this YA historical fiction in verse by Kip Wilson is dazzling. Berlin is my favorite city on earth, mostly because there has always been a provocative, defiant, avant-garde, and counter-cultural energy about it. That was true in 2004 when I visited for the first time, and it was certainly true when this novel takes place.

But just as this book is a window into 1930s Germany, it's also an alarming mirror to societies, including American society, that allow idealogues and populists to rise to power.

Favorite Adult Book of 2022...

Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole by Susan Cain

Just like Cain’s book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking changed my life as it asked me to celebrate my introversion rather than admonish it, so too did Bittersweet change my life by bringing awareness to those of us walking the earth who have a tendency towards melancholy and why that’s actually a good thing.

I’ve never felt so seen and understood as when Cain talks about why people with bittersweet personalities find such joy and satisfaction listening to sad music… because longing is active. It moves us. It compels us. It makes us feel like a missing piece of your soul was just added to the puzzle that is your life. So the next time I sit down at the piano to play Moonlight Sonata and feel that sense of longing despite the fact that I’ve played it dozens of times before, or the next time I get chills listening to a song I love for the first time, I’ll remember why I continue to be moved by the bittersweet.

I was so enamored by this book that after I finished it, I went on a three day hyperfixation of playing and creating a playlist of bittersweet music.

What were your favorite books of 2022?

Purchasing books from any of the above Bookshop affiliate links support independent bookstores and gives me a small percentage of the sale. 

My Pet Feet by Josh Funk, illustrated by Billy Yong

When the letter R suddenly goes missing, a little girl has to figure out where it went, or else run the risk of having pet feet instead of a pet ferret. There are also a slew of other mishaps that a missing letter R might cause you to encounter... such as a galloping hose instead of a horse, a flock of cows instead of crows, and a babbling book instead of brook just to name a few.

I can't even imagine the mental gymnastics that had to occur in order to write a book with no Rs, but Josh Funk manages to make mental gymnastics fun and entertaining. This book is no doubt going to be an uproarious read aloud favorite with groups of kids.

My Pet Feet by Josh Funk, illustrated by Billy Yong

Published: August 23, 2022

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Pages: 48

Genre/Format: Picture book

Audience: Primary

Disclosure: Digital copy provided by author

Purchasing from the above Bookshop affiliate link supports independent bookstores and gives me a small percentage of the sale. 

Emotional Inheritance: A Therapist, Her Patients, and the Legacy of Trauma by Galit Atlas, PhD

"When we learn to identify the emotional inheritance that lives within us, things start to make sense and our lives begin to change. Slowly, a door opens, a gateway between present life and past trauma." 

I wasn't planning on reading AND finishing this book in one day. I was just going to sit down and read the introduction to see if this was a book I wanted to keep reading or if I would take it back to the library. But before I knew it, I was on page 100 and couldn't stop reading. The only reason I didn't finish it in one sitting is because I needed to come up for air since the subject is so intense. Otherwise I would have finished it in one sitting; I was that riveted.  

Emotional Inheritance was not what I was expecting. When I picked it up, I fully anticipated a book full of psychological jargon and written in expository format. Instead, the book is written entirely in narrative format, and each chapter is the story from one of Atlas' clients as it illustrates anecdotally how someone inherited the trauma they are currently wrestling with in their lives. While many people will say the anecdotal nature and lack of cited research discredits this book, I would argue that Atlas' intended audience means she used this format to compel the reader to seek out more information in the field of epigenetics and inherited trauma. The page-turning nature of this book will mean that the reader likely will seek out more information about this field and want to learn more.

But speaking of lack of citations, my only issue with this book is Atlas' frequent references to Freud which, I get that Freud got some things right, but given his lack of credibility in our present day, it feels like there should have been more context to citing his work since many people now find him so problematic.  

Overall though, I thought what made Emotional Inheritance an effective read is how it compels the reader to learn more about the way trauma is baked into our DNA. 

Emotional Inheritance: A Therapist, Her Patients, and the Legacy of Trauma by Galit Atlas, PhD
Published: January 25, 2022
Publisher: Little, Brown Spark
Pages: 288
Genre: Nonfiction/Self-Help
Audience: Adults
Disclosure: Library Copy

Purchasing from the above Bookshop affiliate link supports independent bookstores and gives me a small percentage of the sale. 

Run: Book One by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, L. Fury, and Nate Powell

 

"First you march, then you run." 

John Lewis' story doesn't end with the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Run Book One is the story of tension within the membership of SNCC, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, that John Lewis was the leader of. What stands out most in reading this first book in the series are the comparisons the reader can make to what was happening in the 1960s to what is happening now -- how despite the progress that African Americans have made, white Americans always find a way to push back in an attempt to continue their oppressive behavior, both systemic and on an individual level. 

I've been thinking a lot lately about how difficult it is to live in these turbulent times, thinking that every time you turn around something horrible is happening in our country or the world, but reading Run was a good reminder that this era does not hold a monopoly on continuous terrible events. The difference is, we just have instantaneous access to those events, therefore flooding our brains with constant anxiety and existential dread. 

This book ends on a cliffhanger, which makes sense because it is intended to be a trilogy just like March. I'm really looking forward to reading the next book and if it were already available, I would be picking it up immediately. 

Run: Book One by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, L. Fury, and Nate Powell
Published: August 3, 2021
Publisher: Abrams ComicArts
Pages: 152
Genre: Memoir/Graphic Novel
Audience: Young Adult/Adult
Disclosure: Free copy received at ALA conference 2022

Purchasing from the above Bookshop affiliate link supports independent bookstores and gives me a small percentage of the sale. 

Blog Tour: The Hurricanes of Weakerville by Chris Rylander

Publisher description:

All his life, Alex Weakerman has had one passion: baseball. Specifically, the Hurricanes of Weakerville, Iowa—the scrappy independent-league team owned by his Grandpa Ira.

Even as team and the town have fallen on tough times, there’s no place Alex would rather be than at the ballpark—a hot dog in one hand, a pencil and scorebook in the other, keeping track of each and every statistic. Alex has never been all that great at playing baseball, but that doesn’t matter. For someone as painfully awkward as Alex, being a fan—and a wiz with baseball stats—is all he needs.

When Grandpa Ira passes away, though, Alex is crushed. He’s lost his best friend, and he doesn’t see any way that the team will survive. But Ira, it seems, has one last trick up his sleeve: his will names Alex the new manager of the Hurricanes.

Alex is as excited as he is terrified at the chance to finally put some of his fantasy baseball genius to use. But as he sets to work trying to win over the players, he soon learns that leading them to victory is about more than just stats. Will he be able to save his team, his hometown, and his family legacy?

The Hurricanes of Weakerville by Chris Rylander is The Sandlot meets Field of Dreams meets A League of Their Own. As someone who is not a lover a baseball the sport, but loves a good baseball story, this book fills all the satisfying notes of a good baseball story: quirky characters, a David vs. Goliath trope, and a satisfying resolution. 

About the Author:

Chris Rylander is the author of the acclaimed and bestselling “Fourth Stall” saga, the “Codename Conspiracy” trilogy, and co-author of book three in the New York Times bestselling “House of Secrets” series. He lives in Chicago, where he eats a lot of raspberry jam and frequently tries to befriend the squirrels on his block.

Publishing June 28, 2022

The Hurricanes of Weakerville Blog Tour Stops

6/21 Nerdy Book Club @nerdybookclub

6/22 A Foodie Bibliophile in Wanderlust @bethshaum

6/23 Teachers Who Read @teachers_read

6/27 LitCoachLou @litcoachlou

6/28 Bluestocking Thinking @bluesockgirl

6/29 Walden Tumblr @waldenpondpress

7/1   Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers @grgenius

The Most Dazzling Girl in Berlin by Kip Wilson

The year is 1932 in Berlin and now that Hilde is eighteen, she must leave her orphanage and set out on her own. She quickly discovers, however, that finding a job is near impossible in these economically depressed times. But fate intervenes one night when she meets Rosa, who brings Hilde to Café Lila where she meets a cast of characters that soon become her chosen family. 

As Berlin falls further and further into the authoritarian grip of the Nazis who are scapegoating Jews and the queer community, Hilde along with the employees and patrons of Café Lila continue to remain quietly hopeful and defiant... until trouble comes loudly knocking on their door. 

Just as the title suggests, this YA historical fiction in verse by Kip Wilson is dazzling.  Berlin is my favorite city on earth, mostly because there has always been a provocative, defiant, avant-garde, and counter-cultural energy about it. That was true in 2004 when I visited for the first time, and it was certainly true when this novel takes place. 

But just as this book is a window into 1930s Germany, it's also an alarming mirror to societies, including American society, that allow idealogues and populists to rise to power. 

In addition to being a cautionary historical fiction in verse, The Most Dazzling Girl in Berlin is also a gentle queer/lesbian love story, which is a much-needed addition to the canon of LGBTQ+ YA fiction, which seems to lean more heavily towards male romance. Because this book is many things (historical fiction, novel in verse, queer romance, a cautionary tale for modern times), there would be potential in the hands of a less adept writer for this book to have taken on too much. But never fear, dear reader, Kip Wilson manages to weave all of these elements perfectly and seamlessly. 

The Most Dazzling Girl in Berlin by Kip Wilson*
Published: March 29, 2022
Publisher: Versify
Pages: 416
Genre: Historical Fiction/LGBTQ+ Romance
Audience: Young Adult
Disclosure: Advance listening copy provided by publisher

*Purchasing the book from the above Bookshop affiliate link supports independent bookstores and gives me a small percentage of the sale. 

Riley's Ghost Blog Tour: An Interview with John David Anderson

ABOUT THE BOOK
 
From the author of Posted comes a ghost story pulled from the darkest shadows of middle school—and a tale of one girl’s attempt to survive them.

Riley Flynn is alone.

It feels like she’s been on her own since sixth grade, when her best friend, Emily, ditched her for the cool girls. Girls who don’t like Riley. Girls who, on this particular day, decide to lock her in the science closet after hours, after everyone else has gone home.
When Riley is finally able to escape, however, she finds that her horror story is only just beginning. All the school doors are locked, the windows won’t budge, the phones are dead, and the lights aren’t working. Through halls lit only by the narrow beam of her flashlight, Riley roams the building, seeking a way out, an answer, an explanation. And as she does, she starts to suspect she isn’t alone after all.

While she’s always liked a good scary story, Riley knows there is no such thing as ghosts. But what else could explain the things happening in the school, the haunting force that seems to lurk in every shadow, around every corner? As she tries to find answers, she starts reliving moments that brought her to this night.
 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

John David Anderson is the author of many highly acclaimed books for kids, including the New York  Times Notable Book Ms. Bixby’s Last Day, Posted, Granted, One Last Shot, and Stowaway. A dedicated root beer connoisseur and chocolate fiend, he lives with his wonderful wife, two frawesome kids, and clumsy cat, Smudge, in Indianapolis, Indiana. You can visit him online at www.johndavidanderson.org.

Interview with John David Anderson

Foodie Bibliophile: As a librarian in a K-8 school, I have often been attuned to the readers who aren't quite ready for YA, but still want something more mature than what is usually offered in a typical middle grade novel. What I have appreciated about your books is how they speak to that in-between age... of students who want to explore their burgeoning adolescence but are still not emotionally in a place where YA is in their wheelhouse.  What made you decide to write for this age group and how have you navigated it in the publishing world, since straddling lines, genres, and age groups is likely not an easy feat, even after you've finished the writing process. 

John David Anderson: I think “in-between” describes how a lot of young readers (and some older ones like myself) feel much of the time: never quite sure where you stand in the world, with your family or friends, never quite sure of yourself or your worth. Straddling the line between being the person you think you are, the person you want to be, and the person other people want you to be. That perpetual uncertainty, that feeling of always being in a liminal space, really starts to sink its claws into you by the age of twelve or thirteen—at least it did for me. And it’s something I empathize with and appreciate in my readers—the inner strength required to grapple with all that ambiguity and self-doubt. Of course, it’s a struggle that continues into young adulthood and beyond, but I think middle grade readers are especially attuned to those feelings. In that way, the genre probably matters less than the mindset of the character. A coming-of-age story can take place in the country or the city, in a fantasy kingdom or another galaxy. I’ve always been more interested in the battle with insecurity and the quest for agency and self-actualization than conflicts with dragons or supervillains or ghosts, though these do make things more exciting. 

 

As for the publishing world, I’m very fortunate to have a publisher and an editor who are willing to let me cross genre lines and reach slightly different audiences. I think they see it as their goal to help me write the best stories I can, regardless of setting or tropes, stories that (hopefully) speak to kinds of social and emotional conflicts my young readers deal with daily. I agree, it’s not easy—for me, writing never is--but if it gets kids reading, thinking, laughing, crying, and questioning, it’s worth it.  

 

FB: How is Riley's Ghost different from your other novels and what have you learned about yourself as a writer since publishing your first book?

 

JDA: Riley’s Ghost is dark. Not pitch-black, not hopeless by any stretch, but definitely gloomier than anything I’ve published before. Partly that’s a function of genre—it is a ghost story, after all, bordering on psychological thriller--but mostly it’s a reflection of the emotional place I was in when writing it. I think many of us, young and old, have had our imaginations travel to dark places in the last year or two, and personal loss only intensified my connection with Riley as she grappled with issues of legacy and memory and guilt. Riley is not some good-as-gold, perfect protagonist ready to leap into the fray. She’s angry, confused, hurt, isolated—and that’s before any ghosts show up. I probably identified with her emotional journey more than any character to date. 

 

As for things I’ve learned—the list is much too long and a work in progress, so I’ll just pick one. I’ve learned to trust the process more. (Note, I said trust, not like. There are still parts of it I dread.) I’ve resigned myself to working through eight or nine drafts, which means I’ve learned how to make more of a mess in the beginning and how to clean up those messes at the end. I don’t fret as much over a cliché in draft two, knowing/hoping I’ll come up with something more original by draft five. I’ve learned to trust the editorial process (much to my editor’s chagrin as it probably means more work for him). I often tell young writers that no story is ever perfect, only finished. I still think that’s true, but I now have a much better idea of what “finished” should look like and all the hard work that’s required to get there. 

 

I’ve also learned that revision, which I find challenging, is incredibly bad for my diet. I’m looking at you, can of Pringles.     

 

FB: As I was reading Riley's Ghost, I picked up on nuanced themes that went beyond typical ghost story tropes, such as bullying, mental health, and family struggles. What was it about a ghost story that felt like a natural way to explore these issues?

 

JDA: What I love about a good ghost story is how it forces the present and the past to confront each other. In that way, it is ideally suited to explore the repercussions of our actions and to gauge the amount of progress we’ve made in terms of handling our problems (like bullying or anger management or family conflicts). Most of us have done things in the past that we aren’t particularly proud of or that we regret, but when those things manifest themselves as potentially malevolent beings chasing you down the hallway…well, it’s harder to turn a blind eye. 

 

Just as important, though, is the ghost story’s potential for redemption. The process of “laying a ghost to rest” works brilliantly as a metaphor for overcoming all kinds of mental, spiritual, and emotional struggles. Forgiveness, empathy, understanding—these are the positive products that can come with confronting the ghosts of our past.

 

That all being said, I also felt that there weren’t enough scary stories out there for the middle-grade crowd. I wanted to write something that quickened the pulse a little.

 

Also, middle-school is just really scary. I’ve been there. I know.   

 

FB: What is the most meaningful thing a reader has ever told you and what do you hope Riley's Ghost will mean to readers? 

 

JDA: I don’t know about most meaningful, but lately I’ve been hearing from several parents who have connected with their tween by reading one of my books aloud together. I always hope that my books speak to some young reader out there, of course, but when the book becomes a catalyst encouraging families and friends to talk, share, laugh, and cry with each other? That’s the whipped-cream frosting on the triple-layer chocolate cake. I won’t lie, I also love to hear that one of my books is somebody’s favorite, even if it’s only for a day.

 

As for Riley’s Ghost in particular…I hope that it keeps them madly turning pages to see what fate befalls her, if she makes it out of that place alive. Then, after they’ve closed the book, I hope it encourages them to reflect on all the ways we as human beings manage to hurt each other, intentionally or not, and what it takes to heal those wounds. I’m not sure I have the answer, mind you, I just know the question is worth asking.   

 

FB: Since the theme of my blog is about food, books, and travel, I always end interviews with the same question: What is your favorite food, book, and place you've ever traveled? 

 

JDA: I’m sure my answer would be different if you asked me tomorrow, but for today I’m going with:

 

Food: Chicago-style deep-dish pizza with sausage, spinach, pepperoni and fresh garlic (the spinach is to help you delude yourself about your life choices).

Book: Hundreds of possibilities, but this time we are going with Slaughterhouse Five. If it has to be a kid’s book, let’s go with Winnie-the-Pooh. 

Place: Most recently, Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park (it’s about the journey, not the destination). Also Narnia, Tatooine, and Middle-Earth.

Blog Tour Stops

 

January 10 Nerdy Book Club @Nerdy Book Club

January 12 A Nerdy Bibliophile in Wanderlust @bethshaum

January 13 Teachers Who Read @teachers_read

January 14 A Library Mama @alibrarymama

January 15 Maria's Mélange @selkeslair

January 18 Lit Coach Lou @litcoachlou