Better late than never, no? This is kinda long, so I won’t pre-comment on my commentary too much. Enjoy!
Fiction
Mrs. March by Virginia Feito
Why? I’m not even sure. It must have been on some list of new releases, and my library had it, so I got on the waiting list. When it was my turn, I read it.
And… A bit disturbing; I felt sorry for the main character; I should have seen the ending coming, but I didn’t. It did make me thankful for my own mental health and healthy marriage!
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Why? This is an old favorite of a close friend.
And… It was a cozy little read, not at all what I expected, and I’m glad I didn’t read it in high school, because I would have been scandalized at some points and clueless at others. It was sad, too. Protagonist was very interesting.
My Ántonia by Willa Cather
Why? The two Cather novels I read in 2021 are part of what’s called her “Great Plains Trilogy” and this is the third one, so I wanted to finish it out.
And… The premise of this one was more unique for Cather, and I enjoyed the narrative voice being told from a first person perspective but not from the title character’s. And I loved the ending!
The Wreath (Kristin Lavransdatter #1) by Sigrid Undset
Why? I joined a book club for the first time since middle school, and this was the first book on our list.
And… Lovely style, interesting characters, realistic plot. I have always heard that Kristin Lavransdatter is “hard to get through,” but I completely disagree. It is long, especially if you look at the whole trilogy as one, rather than as three separate books, but the writing itself was not hard to get through. Undset is, at times, quite subtle, so you do have to think, but I wouldn’t put it as being harder to read than your typical 19th- and 20th-century classics. (Perhaps which translation one reads makes a difference. Tiina Nunnally’s is stunning.) And stuff was happening right up to the last page. Multiple layers of plot. I predict this will be a re-read on audiobook someday!
The Wife (Kristin Lavransdatter #2) by Sigrid Undset
Why? Book club.
And… I loved it. There is SO much going on, and it feels SO real. I love how Undset describes characters’ tone of voice and body language to let their emotions speak for themselves, particularly in a dialogue; and how she delves into the inner thoughts and motivations of one character at a time, so the reader can get to know them as individuals. It’s a cleverly told story.
The Cross (Kristin Lavransdatter #3) by Sigrid Undset
Why? Book club.
And… This book left us (book club) with so many questions! Once again, the plot was completely full of stuff happening. It tied up many loose ends from the other books, but left several open to ponder (or maybe to scrutinize in a re-read). Don’t regret reading; together the Kristin trilogy was one of my very favorite reads this year.
The Innocence of Father Brown (Father Brown collection #1) by G.K. Chesterton
Why? This was what I picked when it was my turn to choose for book club! It’s been on my “want to read” list for a long time.
And… These were fun little mysteries with a fun little main character. Nothing too complex, just enjoyable. The prose itself is on point.
The Ghost Stories of Edith Wharton by Edith Wharton
Why? It must have caught my eye one day on Goodreads. The library had it. Voilà!
And… These are exactly my speed for “scary stories.” I don’t do horror films. These were just a little chilling or mysterious or creepy, but not going to give me nightmares. I even read these while nursing a baby in low lighting. I still think about “A Bottle of Perrier” almost a year later!
Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty
Why? I’d been meaning to pick up this author, on the recommendation of multiple people, and I received a copy of this book as a gift, so it was an easy choice.
And… A quick and absorbing modern read, not great for bedtime wind-down because it’s kind of exciting and suspenseful. Interesting character lineup. *Trigger warning: infant loss.*
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
Why? Book club.
And… Just as good as a re-read as it was the first time several years ago. Encourages taking an uncomfortably honest look at one’s own vices, as it really brings to life things you’ve thought about but haven’t put into words yet, about why it feels so hard to be “good.”
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Why? I bought a beautiful hardcover copy of this and started reading it aloud to Miryam a while ago, but we got distracted by other family reads and never finished. I’d seen the movie many times with my grandma when I was a kid, but had never actually read the book. Time to finish it!
And… Absolutely adorable! A couple of spoiled brat kids redeeming each other by working hard out in nature. The prose is delightful. Sort of a children’s book that’s equally valuable for adult readers.
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Why? Every once in a while, I want to read the latest bestseller like everyone else.
And… This story was so fun to read! A good fiction to end the year on. A little more racy than what I’m usually interested in, but it was done pretty tastefully, and I really liked the characters. I expected it to be more corny based on the plot premise, but it was actually pretty believable.
Non-Fiction
Declutter Like a Mother by Allie Casazza
Why? Recommended by a friend precisely at a moment of wanting to declutter things again, inspired by a chapter in another book I was reading (The Grace of Enough, below).
And… I love Casazza’s style. She has compassion for where we are at (busy moms with lots of stuff), but she also has a plan for how to reclaim our space and time so we can be better versions of ourselves. I read this cover-to-cover over the course of a few days, then took it a chapter at a time through my whole house. It was Spring Cleaning “on steroids” (but in a healthy way) and I definitely recommend it!!!
The Grace of Enough by Haley Stewart
Why? I’ve been a fan of Haley’s podcast and general life outlook for years now; I finally picked up her first book when I was pre-ordering her second book, which you will find later on this list.
And… This was a fun little look at being counter-cultural for a purpose. It inspired me to read and act on Declutter Like a Mother.
On the Family (Familiares Consortio) by Pope St John Paul II
Why? Moms’ small group assigned reading.
And… This was a timely read, as my family was in the second year of our new community. JPII goes over the family’s role in the church, its role as Domestic Church, and the ways the universal Church can support families, according to God’s original plan. Excellent to read and discuss with fellow moms.
Habits for Holiness by Fr Mark-Mary Ames
Why? Book club.
And… This was a highly practical, quick read, well-suited to help anyone at any level of faith find a good next step to take to grow in personal holiness. My biggest takeaway was his explanation of what it means to put into practice our roles as “priest, prophet, and king,” conferred at baptism.
Jane Austen’s Genius Guide to Life by Haley Stewart
Why? I bought this at the same time I bought Haley’s other book (The Grace of Enough) and it had been sitting at the top of the decorative pile of books on the entryway table for quite some time, so it was physically easy to pick up when I finished my last non-fiction book.
And… Reading this made me want to write literary criticism essays again like I did in college. I loved Austen’s books already, but I learned a lot from Haley, and now I love Austen as an author even more!
Side note: I have met Haley in person, which is why I feel okay about referring to her, even as an author, by her first name. I hope she doesn’t mind!
Theology of Home by Carrie Gress et al.
Why? I actually heard about this book on Haley’s (above) podcast, and when I saw it on a friend’s coffee table, I asked to borrow it.
And… This book was pretty to look at and affirming to read. I expected it to be a how-to make/keep your house beautiful, but it’s more of a “why to” and a look at some real life beautiful and faith-filled homes. Joanna Gaines meets Chicken Soup for the Soul maybe? Anyway, worth reading.
Pray For Us by Meg Hunter-Kilmer
Why? I met Meg Hunter-Kilmer once so I wanted to buy her book when it came out.
And… This book is awesome. The saint profiles are concise but complete, interesting and unexpected (mostly people you’ve never heard of before), just the right length to read at bedtime when you’re tired, and there is someone for everyone in here!
No Greater Love: A Biblical Walk Through Christ’s Passion by Edward Sri
Why? Justin and I picked this for our couples small group to read together.
And… We learned so much! There are a lot of deep insights and detailed information in this book, presented in a very approachable format and writing style.
Awaited: an Advent Devotional for Couples by Clarissa Pluta and Stephanie Calis
Why? Justin asked if I’d like to read it with him during Advent, so of course I said yes!
And… The book’s target audience seems to be engaged couples rather than married-for-9-years couples, so some of the topics were comically basic to us, but it still gave us some really good conversation starters, and best of all, it helped us establish a new habit of reading books together (literally, taking turns reading out loud to each other), and spending time discussing them, in place of more mindless activities (hey there, Netflix) for hanging out after the kids go to bed some evenings.
Read-Alouds
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
Why? My sister gave us a beautifully-illustrated hardback copy for Christmas.
And… The kids (and I!) couldn’t wait to read another chapter at bedtime each night. The book is even more fun than the movie, in my opinion.
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty MacDonald
Why? Miryam wanted more Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle after the one we read last year.
And… THIS is the collection of MPW stories I remember from my childhood. So silly, but poignant; all-around fun to read with a kid who is beginning to form her own judgments!
More Magic Treehouse by Mary Pope Osborne
Why? The big kids are hooked on these.
And… They get a little bit more interesting as we get further into the series, because there is an overarching plot to the series beyond the immediate plots of each book. However, I am weary of the kids (characters) whispering, “Oh, man,” or other cliche and uneloquent expressions when something surprising happens; I’m suspicious of Morgan sending two kids on life-endangering missions; and I kind of wish I’d waited to give these as “read on your own”s for Miryam. But, like I said, both Miryam and Luke are hooked, they do glean tidbits of knowledge, and I loveeee when I end for the night and they beg me for one more chapter because they want to know what happens. Fostering an affinity for books: check.
The Jungle Books by Rudyard Kipling
(I’m cheating including this one on this year’s list, because we didn’t finish them, but the kids were really hooked there for a while, and it might be years before we do finish them.) Anyway…
Why? We have an abridged “early reader” edition of the story Rikki Tikki Tavi, which the kids LOVE, so I thought it might be fun to get the full version and try some of the other stories, too.
And… They’re not really kid stories, but they’re almost fable-like in the way they are stories about animals that are trying to teach humans how to be better humans. Of course some of the characters are familiar from the Disney movie, but surprisingly (or perhaps unsurprisingly, seeing that Disney’s version is not very faithful to the text), the Mowgli stories were the least captivating to my kids, ages 7 and under. Rikki Tikki, and The White Seal, were their favorites of those we got through this year. I love Kipling’s narrative voice. Everyone should read these.
Audio Books with the Kids
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Why? A classic I’ve never read; available on audiobook the day before a day-trip to Dallas.
And… All three big kids (age 7, 5, 2.5) enjoyed listening to this in the car, as did Justin and I.
Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater
Why? Same as Alice but for a much longer road trip.
And… So funny, so ridiculous! Completely unbelievable but also a great time.
Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Why? We were on our way to the Great Smoky Mountains to stay in a cabin for a week. What could be more fitting?
And… I forgot how much “this is how life was” this book is. The plot is a glimpse into history. Everyone enjoyed this.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Why? Um, why not?? Ha!
And… Again, everyone loved this. We spent subsequent hours of the road trip listening to the 1971 movie soundtrack to relive the story and pass the time on the way home.
The Mouse and the Motorcycle and Runaway Ralph by Beverly Cleary
Why? The kids were just the right age for these. And the roadtrip was 14 hours each direction.
And… The kids loved them and they didn’t annoy Justin and me. We shared a few moments of eye-rolling over Ralph’s angsty teenager attitude, which actually enhanced the audiobook experience for us adults. Win!
Kids Books
A new category this year! Miryam is reading chapter books independently now, and I’ve read some of them concurrently with (although separately from) her, so I can monitor what she’s reading. She was first grade at the beginning of 2022. Second half of 2022 she was in second grade and reading on at least a third grade level. I think she actually reads faster than I do!
Clover’s Luck (The Magical Animal Adoption Agency #1) and The Enchanted Egg (#2) and The Missing Magic (#3) by Kallie George
Why? I must have found this on a book list somewhere, searching for chapter books Miryam could read on her own. She loves unicorns, so this seemed to be appropriate content.
And… I was surprised to find myself really into this story: both plot and writing style! It is more advanced (vocabulary, sentence structure, metaphors, length) than Magic Treehouse, and also a thousand times more interesting (to me anyway!). Just all-around charming. Excellent literary value as something I could hand to a young elementary student to read on her own. Miryam immediately asked for the next book upon finishing the first, and she read #2 and #3 much more quickly, because she was already invested in the story.
The Princess in Black by Shannon and Dean Hale
Why? A friend told me her daughter enjoys this series, so I checked it out for Miryam.
And… This is perhaps an even easier read than Magic Tree House, with very short chapters and full-color illustrations on every page, so it would be a fantastic fit for a kid just moving into chapter books. Miryam can read these books in one sitting, which she told me in a complain-y way, but she keeps asking for the next book after each one anyway, so I think she likes the story. (I only read the first one.)
Meet Felicity and Felicity Learns a Lesson by Valerie Tripp
Why? I found the first one for $2 secondhand, so it seemed a good opportunity.
And… While it was good practice for reading (more advanced than Magic Treehouse), and gives a glimpse into a moment in our country’s history (similarly to MT), Miryam and I both found these to be kind of bland and boring compared to the fast-paced adventure of MT and the sheer cleverness and charm of Clover’s Luck. I won’t be checking out any more of these from the library. I may try other AG series, though. Molly was my favorite book set as a kid. So we’ll see!
Dog Man by Dav Pilkey
Why? Miryam was exposed to these graphic novels from the same author as Captain Underpants at school, and lovesss them, so I perused this first volume when she brought it home from the library.
And… They’re funny. Their titles play on classic works of literature, which I can at least appreciate. It’s sort of slap-stick and not always polite. I’m not going to ban M from reading them, but I won’t be actively placing them into her hands, either.
Well, that’s all, folks! Tell me: what was your favorite book you read last year?
Last year’s Books post: Books of 2021
