End-of-the-year lists have always entertained me, and 2022 has been no different. Well, except for one thing–I made a list! I received a text asking for a list of favorite books I had read in 2022. I was thrilled with the “assignment” and quickly looked in Wendy’s book journal to remind myself of all the books we had read. Here is the list:

*A Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss. It is the second in the author’s The Kingkiller Chronicle. The first, The Name of the Wind, was also excellent, but that was a 2021 read.

*Oh William and Lucy by the Sea, both by Elizabeth Strout. Lucy is a recurring and exceptional character in four Strout novels; the other two are My Name is Lucy Barton and Anything Is Possible.

*American Midnight by Adam Hochschild and Red Famine by Anne Applebaum, both selected from the history section at Barnes and Noble. Simply, I like to challenge my knowledge and understanding of the world and its evolution.

*Unsheltered and Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. Wendy also read The Poisonwood Bible years ago and wasn’t too fond of it. The two I read in 2022 are historical fiction as was The Poisonwood Bible; however, the author steps into current history with Unsheltered and Demon Copperhead. Demon Copperhead is especially current and especially good.

*A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. This novel is right up there as one of the best books I have ever read. Make room To Kill a Mockingbird, A Tale of Two Cities, and Rebecca. Gentleman met my needs for a creative story, great characters, and expansion of my knowledge of history. It had everything.

Until next time…Shakespeare signing off.