Books of 2023

Books read: 38
Adult: 15
Teen: 5
Children's: 17
Fiction: 23
Nonfiction: 13
Graphic novels: 11

(See everything I read in 2023 at the end)

Paradise Lost by John Milton

A Preface to Paradise Lost by C. S. Lewis

I started Paradise Lost in 2022 and finished in 2023. It was work to get through, but it was worth it. I was amazed how often I've thought of it since. Part of Milton's genius is his rich portrayal of Satan. Satan is the embodiment of pride and selfishness, with a fair amount of resentment and deceit thrown in. You can see so much of what he says being said in today's world. I also loved the depiction of Adam and Eve and the Fall. His portrayal of them as husband and wife in the garden is tender, and the Fall and the sins that follow heart-breaking. But God appears to them and sends His Son to cover their nakedness both outward (with "skins of beasts") and inward ("with his robe of righteousness"). Later as Adam and Eve are consumed with so much despair that they consider suicide, they remember the love and grace of God: "with what mild / And gracious temper he both heard, and judged, / Without wrath or reviling." They conclude:

He will instruct us praying, and of grace
Beseeching him; so as we need not fear
To pass commodiously this life, sustained
By him with many comforts, till we end
In dust, our final rest and native home.

Overall a beautiful and rich work, with depths that could be explored again and again. I would be remiss if I didn't mention C. S. Lewis's A Preface to Paradise Lost, which I found very helpful, especially as I struggled with sections that bothered my modern sensibilities.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

It's all about chapter 17. I found the world Huxley created to be prophetic and also kind of icky. While the world is designed to be a place of continual happiness, the Savage sees the absence of all genuine life experience, emotion, and meaning. When he defiantly claims or welcomes the sufferings and misery that is part and parcel of a fully lived life, I got chills:

"But I don't want comfort. I want God, I want poetry, I want real danger, I want freedom, I want goodness. I want sin."

"In fact," said Mustapha Mond, "you're claiming the right to be unhappy."

"All right then," said the Savage defiantly, "I'm claiming the right to be unhappy."

"Not to mention the right to grow old and ugly and impotent; the right to have syphilis and cancer; the right to have too little to eat; the right to be lousy; the right to live in the constant apprehension of what may happen tomorrow; the right to catch typhoid; the right to be tortured by unspeakable pains of every kind." There was a long silence.

"I claim them all," said the Savage at last.

12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B. Peterson

This one is personal. After Covid emptied my life, I became interested in the topics of meaning and suffering, which is how I ended up picking up this book, knowing next to nothing about Peterson himself. I found Peterson's rules and perspective to be very helpful as I tried to rebuild my life. His analyses of biblical stories were illuminating as well.

The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann*

An exciting tale of survival that reads like a novel. A British ship called the Wager left England in 1742, then wrecked on an island at the edge of the world. Months later a boat of dying sailors landed in Brazil, telling the tale of their shipwreck and survival. Then six months later another even more ramshackle boat of three sailors arrived in Chile, claiming there had been a mutiny. You just can't make this stuff up. And what a life it was being a sailor back then! Interesting and fun to read from beginning to end.

The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession by Michael Finkel*

Truth is stranger in fiction in this biography of a self-proclaimed "liberator" of art who stole hundreds of artifacts purely to view them in the comfort of his own home. Or at least that's how it started. As he steals more and more, his obsession starts to look like an addiction so much that even his longtime girlfriend and accomplice starts to worry. Nothing about this story is predictable--especially not the end! (Also, it's super short, if that matters to you. No judgment.)

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, translated by Oliver Ready

I don't usually think of classics as page-turners, but this one gripped me from the start. Raskolnikov is obsessed with the idea that he could be above the rule of law and morality and decides to murder someone he thinks the world would be better off without. He goes through with it, but many things, internal and external, do not go the way he expects. The moment that really captured me and sticks in my mind months later, is the story of Sonya which is related by her father, Marmeladov, in chapter one. Marmeladov tells Raskolnikov of how his own alcoholism resulted in his daughter going into prostitution to provide for the family. Nothing is stated outright as I just did. It's implied, and it'll rip your heart out. That was the moment I thought, whoa, Dostoevsky knows how to tell a story. And if those two storylines weren't enough, Raskonikov's sister gets caught in a dramatic scandal involving the unwanted affections of her employer. Crime and Punishment is intense and psychological. I read Oliver Ready's translation. And now that I've read it, the cover of this edition seems pretty on point.

Eerie Tales from the School of Screams by Graham Annable*

The only horror I enjoy is horror for kids, and this graphic novel is wonderfully, deliciously eerie. As an example, in one tale, three kids spot a drone and it's being controlled by a ghost, which they decide to chase after. They chase and bully and mock this ghost all the way into an abandoned house and then that's it. The next page shows an eerily familiar drone, spotted by some children we haven't seen, controlled by four ghosts, one we've seen before and three who closely resemble the kids who did the chasing. Great illustrations, pacing, and use of color. A delight. (Children's/middle grade)

How to Stay Invisible by Maggie C. Rudd*

Twelve-year-old Raymond comes home from school one day to find his parents gone. They've cleared out of their trailer, leaving only the dog. Raymond doesn't want to end up in a group home again, so he tries to find a way to survive on his own. Raymond learns about his own tenacity, but more importantly, he learns about the kindness of others. A heart-warming book that affirms the goodness of humanity. Who doesn't need that nowadays? (Middle grade)

Aniana del Mar Jumps In by Jasminne Mendez*

Written in free verse, this is the story of Aniana, who loves swimming more than anything. But she and her father have to hide her participation on the swim team because of trauma her mother suffered years before. When mysteriously stiff and swollen joints suddenly prevent her from moving in the most ordinary ways, she must admit her secret to the doctors as they try to figure out what's wrong. Swimming becomes a point of conflict, as Ani tries to figure out how to advocate for herself, improve her health, and maintain her relationship with her mother, who tends to interpret maladies as punishments from God. (Middle grade/middle school)

Dagfrid, Viking Girl: No More Ear Buns! By Agnes Mathieu-Dade*

Dagfrid is a Viking. She thinks her name is terrible. She hates wearing her hair in the prescribed "ear buns." She doesn't like long dresses. She hates fish. And she's bored, but she's not allowed to sail to America. So she decides to "sail for the high seas" and go exploring. In this easy chapter book, Dagfrid quickly became my favorite grumpy Viking girl. The illustrations of her perpetually grumpy face and her Viking adventures are hilarious and so is the story. (Easy chapter book)

Books Read in 2023:

Ride On by Faith Erin Hicks • Notre Dame: The Soul of France by Agnes Poirier • The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat • Songs of Innocence and Experience by William Blake • Born Standing Up by Steve Martin • A Preface to Paradise Lost by C. S. Lewis • Paradise Lost by John Milton • The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi • Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega, illustrated by Rose Bousamra • 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B. Peterson • Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessic Day George • The One and Only Ivan by Katharine Applegate • Courtiers by Valentine Low • Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos • Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky • Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe • The Last Battle by C. S. Lewis • Throwback by Maurene Goo* • A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat* • Brave New World by Aldous Huxley • Flamer by Mike Curato • The Best Minds: A Story of Friendship, Madness, and the Tragedy of Good Intentions by Jonathan Rosen* • Four Eyes by Rex Ogle • Take by Jennifer Bradbury* • Parachute Kids by Betty C. Tang* • The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession by Michael Finkel • How to Stay Invisible by Maggie C. Rudd • Aniana del Mar Jumps In by Jasminne Mendez* • Eerie Tales from the School of Screams by Graham Annable* • Family Style: Memories of an American from Vietnam by Thien Pham* • Lost Boy by Jay Martin* • Squished by Megan Wagner Lloyd, illustrated by Michelle Mee Nutter • When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi • The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann • The House of the Lost on the Cape by Sachiko Kashiwaba* • The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx • Dagfrid, Viking Girl: No More Ear Buns! By Agnes Mathieu-Dade* • The Book That No One Wanted to Read by Richard Ayoade*

*indicates published in 2023

If you are ever interested in content warnings or other info on any book I've read, feel free to ask!f.

Picture Books of 2022

Here's my list of favorite/best picture books published in 2022

 

1. Farmhouse by Sophie Blackall

Farmhouse tells the story of an old farmhouse and the family of fourteen that lived there. It was a home where the children's changing heights were measured, where arguments transpired followed by apologies, where the children slept, and read and whispered secrets, where cows were milked, stalls were mucked, and apples were picked. After long and happy lives were lived within its walls, it was eventually abandoned. And then raccoons and rain and leaves made their way inside. And then the author of the book found this old farmhouse and cleaned it up, finding treasures along the way—remnants of the lives previously lived there and used some of those remnants to write this book. The result is beautiful, heartwarming, and even a bit meta. She explains in the author’s note how she used layers on layers of items found in the house to create collage illustrations, and the book and story seem to have layers themselves. This book feels like family and childhood and growing up. A real work of art. 

2. Knight Owl by Christopher Denise 

Owl has always dreamed of becoming a knight. The only problem is that he’s about the size of a knight’s foot. But when there’s knight shortage, Owl applies to knight school and is accepted. The only question is whether he can perform when a terrifying enemy shows up at the castle? Great storytelling with beautiful, cinematic illustrations and some humor. 

3. A Bear, A Bee, A Honey Tree by Daniel Bernstrom, illustrated by Brandon James Scott 

What happens when a hungry bear sees a drool-inducing, honey-filled beehive in a tree? It’s no picnic. Simple and lots of fun. 

4. Big Truck Little Island by Christ Van Dusen 

A big, oversize load-carrying truck gets stuck while on the way to deliver his load, blocking the only road going from one side of the island to other. The families stuck on either side have appointments to keep and errands to run and homework to do. Only cooperation will solve the predicament. The illustrations give the reader a great sense of the size of this truck by playing with perspective. Based on a true story. 

5. Pizza! A Slice of History by Greg Pizzoli 

A bold and graphic tribute to pizza, that answers questions like: Who made the first pizza? Where does pizza come from? How did it come the US? How much pizza do we eat? What does pizza look like around the world? So much fun. 

6. Parfait, Not Parfait by Scott Rothman, illustrated by Avery Monsen 

A hilarious book of wordplay and rhyming that even includes a sort of visual rhyme hunt. 

7. A Day for Sandcastles by Jonarno Lawson 

A wordless picture book about a trip to the beach, that perfectly captures and spirit and essence of a beach day. The illustrations are wonderful and full of details and happenings for children to examine and discover. 

8. Walter Had a best Friend by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier 

The title says it all. Notice the tense? Walter’s best friend makes a new friend and Walter ends up alone more often than not. After giving himself some time to grieve, he lets go of hurt, anger and resentment, and goes out looking for something new. And that’s exactly what he finds. 

9. Cornbread and Poppy by Matthew Cordell 

Cornbread loves to plan and prepare, getting everything ready for winter, while his friend Poppy prefers adventures and living in the moment, which means she’s procrastinated her own winter preparations so much that it’s too late. For this reason, she decides to go to Holler Mountain, the scary and dangerous mountain that Ms Ruthie never came back from. 

10. Mina by Matthew Forsythe 

Mina’s father is always bringing home surprises (i. e. random stuff). One day he brings home a particularly worrisome surprise, a “squirrel” that looks an awful lot like a cat. Mina is skeptical, but her father assures her, “Everything will be fine.” They notice the the “squirrel” isn’t eating...and then he shows up with some friends, but I won’t spoil the end. I love Matthew Forsythe’s rich gouache, watercolor and colored pencil illustrations. 

Honorable Mention:

Frances in the Country by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Sean Qualls 

A History of Underwear with Professor Chicken by Hannah Holt, illustrated by Korwin Briggs 

Bublebee Grumblebee by David Elliott 

Dragon Bones: The Fantastic Fossil Discoveries of Mary Anning by Sarah Glenn Marsh, illustrated by Maris Wicks 

Books of 2022

Total books read in 2022: 71
Adult: 23
Teen: 19
Childrens: 28
Fiction: 34
Nonfiction: 21
Graphic Novels: 15

1. The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis

My mom read these to me as a child, but I have no memory of them, though I knew the basic story of The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. I absolutely loved them. They were everything I needed this year: edifying, entertaining, comforting, meaningful. I loved that there was religious symbolism and meaning along with lessons about life, and yet it didn't feel didactic. And I loved Aslan and loved how it produced this feeling of wishing he were in every scene. "The value of the myth is that it takes all the things we know and restores to them the rich significance which has been hidden by ‘the veil of familiarity.’"

1. And Away... by Bob Mortimer

I was first introduced to Bob Mortimer through his appearances on Would I Lie to You? (a sort of variation on two truths and a lie) which had me in stitches. Then I moved onto Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse: Gone Fishing, a half hour show where the two British comedians who've both had heart surgery embark on a fishing weekend in the beautiful English countryside and talk about life and act silly and catch fish; it's equal parts funny, silly, relaxing, beautiful and contemplative. I was so thoroughly delighted, I picked up his autobiography and the delight continued. The fascinating thing is he worked as a lawyer for years and stumbled into show business by attending the shows of Vic Reeves. He also revealed that he was very shy. And while he made me laugh plenty, he also got my heart, as demonstrated by this closing remark:

3. Can You Whistle, Johanna? by Ulf Stark

Berra wishes he had a grandfather when he hears about all the fun his friend Ulf had with his. Ulf knows exactly where Berra can find a grandfather for himself: at the old folks' home. This is already a beloved children's book in Sweden. It hasn't been translated into English until now. Everything about it is perfect. It's funny and heartwarming.

4. Temple Alley Summer by Sachiko Kashiwaba

This book starts with a boy named Kazu climbing out his bedroom window onto the roof in the middle of the night to pee because he hates going downstairs to the bathroom in the dark. While he's out there, he sees a mysterious girl leaving his house and he realizes she's a ghost. But when he goes to class the next day, she's there and everyone acts as if they've always known her! Kazu starts to investigate and finds history and legends and stories that captivated me the whole way through. This is five-star storytelling.   

5. The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty

Lucy was struck by lightning. Ever since, she's had savant syndrome, giving her genius-level math skills and a touch of OCD. She's been homeschooler her whole life and now, at the age of 12, she's ready for college. Only grandma insists she attend middle school and make one friend before she can go to the advanced math classes of her dreams. Turns out friendship is a much bigger challenge than calculus. Wonderful. Great for fans of Smile and Real Friends, as it hits on the woes of navigating female friendships in a very real way. 

6. The Complete Maus: A Survivor's Tale by Art Spiegelman

Excellent

7. A Grief Observed by C. S. Lewis

This was the experience of 2022 for me. 

8. Merci Suarez Changes Gears by Meg Medina

Another solid middle grade book, with that perfect mix of humor, challenges and realism. A story centered around family that addresses the challenges of life and change with courage and personality.

9. The Peach Rebellion by Wendelin Van Draanen

A great story of young women from different classes and backgrounds realizing coming together as they see what they have in common and their strength.

10. The Heavens are Open by Wendy Nelson

Honorable Mention:

All of Huda Fahmy's graphic novels:
Yes, I'm Hot in This: The Hilarious Truth about Life in a Hijab by Huda Fahmy
That Can Be Arranged
Huda F Are You?

Growing Pangs by Kathryn Ormsbee & Molly Brooks

Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas

Where is God When it Hurts? by Philip Yancey

Everything read in 2022:

The Least of Us: True Tales of America and Hope in the Time of Fentanyl and Meth by Sam Quinones • The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas • Can You Whistle, Johanna? By Ulf Stark, illustrated by Anna Höglund • Sylvie by Sylvie Kantorovitz • The Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley • Crushing by Sophie Burrows • The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera • Too Bright to See by Kyle Lukoff • How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big by Scott Adams • Ambushed! The Assassination Plot Against President Garfield by Gail Jarrow • Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina • They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera • When It Doesn’t Make Sense by John Bytheway • The Continuous Atonement by Brad Wilcox • You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson • The Complete Maus: A Survivor's Tale by Art Spiegelman • Heartstopper by Alice Oseman • Living with Viola by Rosena Fung • The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty • The Deep Places: A Memoir of Illness and Discovery by Ross Douthat • Where is God When It Hurts? By Phillip Yancey • Gallant by V. E. Schwab* • Fuzz by Mary Roach • The Problem of Pain by C. S. Lewis • A Grief Observed by C. S. Lewis • Temple Alley Summer by Sachiko Kashiwaba • The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis • The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey • Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner • Murder Among Friends: How Leopold and Loeb Tried to Commit the Perfect Crime by Candace Fleming* • Sheets by Brenna Thummler • Huda F Are You? by Huda Fahmy • That Can Be Arranged by Huda Fahmy • The Big Break by Mark Tatulli • Real Food/Fake Food: Why You Don’t Know What You’re Eating and What You Can Do About It by Larry Olmstead • Night by Elie Weisel • Ain't Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds & Jason Griffin • Yes, I'm Hot in This: The Hilarious Truth about Life in a Hijab by Huda Fahmy • Lost and Found by Orson Scott Card • The School for Whatnots by Margaret Peterson Haddix* • Maizy Chen’s Last Chance by Lisa Yee* • The Race of the Century: The Battle to Break the Four-Minute Mile by Neal Bascomb* • Concealed by Christina Diaz Gonzales • The Year of the Horses by Courtney Maum* • L’Appart by David Lebovitz • The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow & Liz Lawson* • Growing Pangs by Kathryn Ormsbee & Molly Brooks* • The Peach Rebellion by Wendelin Van Draanen* • Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas* • Melissa by Alex Gino (formerly George) • Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett • Till We Have Faces by C. S. Lewis • Prince Caspian by C. S. Lewis • Isla to Island by Alexis Castellanos* • The Spirit of Revelation by David A. Bednar • Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C. S. Lewis • Merci Suarez Changes Gears by Meg Medina • Premeditated Myrtle by Elizabeth C. Bunce • Smaller Sister by Maggie Edkins Willis* • The Heavens are Open by Wendy Nelson • The Silver Chair by C. S. Lewis • Skandar and the Unicorn Thief by A. F. Steadman* • Everything is an Emergency: An OCD Story in Words and Pictures by Jason Adam Katzenstein • The Horse and His Boy by C. S. Lewis • The Aquanaut by Dan Santat* • Aviva vs. The Dybbuk by Mari Lowe* • And Away... by Bob Mortimer • Only A Monster by Vanessa Len* • Foster by Claire Keegan • The Magician’s Nephew by C. S. Lewis • Free Kid to Good Home by Hiroshi Ito*

Best Picture Books of 2021

1. Watercress by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Jason Chin

This was one of the first 2021 books I read, and I wondered if it was too soon to declare it the best of the year. Every word and brushstroke is chosen with care to tell the story of a girl learning to connect with her past through watercress found by the side of the road. A beautiful story, beautifully written and beautifully illustrated. (It deals with her mother's life in China during the Great Famine when her brother died, so be aware.)

2. The Little Wooden Robot and the Log Princess by Tom Gauld

A childless king and queen go to an inventor and a witch to try to get the children they always dreamed of. They get a wooden robot and a log princess. The princess transforms into a log when she falls asleep and back into a princess when the magic words are spoken. But one of the maids doesn't know this, and she throws the princess in log form out the window. A grand adventure begins for the little wooden robot as he tries to find and rescue his sister. At two points the narrator sums up the many challenges and adventures faced along the way with titles and illustrations but no more detail than that. So readers will be left to wonder about "The Old Lady in a Bottle" and "The Mischievous Pixies," or they could make up the stories themselves. Spoiler alert, they all live happily ever after with some help from friends. This is a new fairy tale that children will love. The illustrations are excellent as is the story.

3. Wonder Walkers by Micha Archer

"Is fog the river's blanket?" "Are trees the sky's legs?" "Is the moon the world's night light?" These are the imaginative questions of two small "wonder walkers." It's amazing what Archer can do with collage. Each page is a feast for the eyes.

4. Off-Limits by Helen Yoon

"I'm just looking," a little girl says when going into her father's "off-limits" office. "...and I don't think anyone would miss one piece of tape." I think you can tell where this is going. The girl's facial expressions are priceless. Exuberant celebration of office supplies might be one way to describe this book.

5. The Lost Package by Richard Ho, illustrated by Jessica Lanan

A little girl in NYC carefully puts a package together and drops it off at the post office. But on the road the package falls out of the truck and lands in a gutter. Fortunately, a conscientious little boy whose family happens to be moving to the package's destination finds it and hand delivers it once they pack and drive all their stuff across country. I think more than one thing can be gathered from this story. The package arrives at its destination despite obstacles and detours. It's also a story of kindness and friendship--the girl who sent the package in the first place, the boy who rescued the package, the family who decided to make sure it reached its destination, the new friendships that formed as a result. Also, I loved seeing the workings of the post office. The illustrations have a cinematic feel. 

6. Mel Fell by Corey Tabor

Mel decides that today is the day she will learn to fly, so she jumps off her high branch and falls and falls, page after page, passing all sorts of animal onlookers. This journey downwards is pretty funny as the animals attempt to save her (of course no one is better than snail who speaks as slowly as he moves). Mel hits the water, catches a fish, flips back up and flies all the way back up, passing all the animals who are now cheering her on. She is a kingfisher, after all. The orientation of the book changes with the direction Mel is going. Funny and charming.

7. Norman Didn't Do It (Yes, He Did.) by Ryan T. Higgins

Norman the porcupine's best friend is a tree named Mildred. They play catch (you can imagine how that goes) and "tree" and chess. But Norman becomes jealous when another tree starts to sprout, and he thinks that the new tree threatens his friendship with Mildred. So Norman digs up the tree under cover of night and takes it away to an island, hopefully never to be seen or heard from ever again. Problem solved, right? Funny, funny stuff.

8. Moon Pops by Heena Baek

When the moon begins to melt in the oppressive heat, Granny catches the drips and makes the perfect cooling treat with them: moon pops. Everyone in her apartment building experiences relief from the heat thanks to her moon pops. But then two discombobulated rabbits show up at the door worried about their home which has melted away. Granny will figure out something. A note at the beginning explains the Korean folklore than suggests there are rabbits on the moon. Baek has illustrated the story with dioramas and charcoal drawn cutouts. LED lights illuminate the moon and its pops.

9. We Wait for the Sun by Dovey Johnson and Katie McCabe, illustrated by Raissa Figueroa

Before dawn, Dovey and her Grandmother leave the warmth of their home and venture into the darkness of the forest to pick berries and watch the sunrise together. It's a sensory experience filled with descriptive language and illustrations that are all about light. It's also more than a fond remembrance of a beloved experience, though. It's a story about patience, perseverance, and courage in the darkness. It's a story about the sun rising literally and figuratively. It's a story about a grandmother loving her granddaughter, spending time with her, and teaching her to be strong and have hope. 

10. The Great Stink: How Joseph Bazalgette Solved London's Poop Pollution Problem by Colleen Paeff, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter

Any book that has the phrase "poop pollution problem" in its title bound to be good, right? It's a book that combines humor, colorful language (including almost every word for poop imaginable) and good storytelling with the factual story of the development of sewers which saved London from stinkiness and cholera.

Honorable Mention:

The Night Walk by Marie Dorleans

The Longest Storm by Dan Yaccarino

The Rock from the Sky by Jon Klassen

Chez Bob by Bob Shea

Boo Stew by Donna L. Washington, illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler

Magic Candies by Heena Baek

Books of 2021

Total books read in 2021: 83

Adult: 13

Teen: 18

Childrens: 52

Published 2021: 26

Fiction: 70

Nonfiction: 83

Graphic Novels: 17

Unlike last year, I read a lot this year. Here are my top 10 in no particular order, and plentiful honorable mentions. As usual, these are my favorite books. There are many more I thought were excellent, that I could wholeheartedly recommend but just didn't occupy the same place in my heart as these.

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

I went into this book knowing almost nothing. At first, I wondered if I wanted to continue. I had a hard time figuring out what was going on, there didn't seem to be anything happening. But I persisted and was rewarded. It's almost like a puzzle that unfolds gradually and then all at once into something thrilling and even beautiful. I will reread it at some point, though it will never quite have the original magic of discovery this first read did. (Adult)

All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat

A tribute to humanity--and specifically to the people of Thailand. Ingenuity, selflessness, creativity, generosity. It will restore your faith in humanity. It will make your heart tense with worry and then swell with joy. And the most amazing thing of all? They did it. They saved all thirteen. They accomplished the impossible. (Children's/Teen)

The Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher

As soon as I read "her familiar is a sourdough starter," I knew I had to read this, and it did not disappoint. The wonders of dough magic never cease in this whimsical, entertaining, and funny fantasy. (Teen/Adult)

Hamster Princess: Harriet the Invincible by Ursula Vernon

A wicked fairy curses Princess Harriet Hamsterbone to prick her finger on an enchanted hamster wheel and fall into a deep sleep on her 12th birthday. When Harriet learns about the curse at age 10, she celebrates what she sees as 2 years of invincibility by jumping off the tallest tower into the moat and starting a career on the professional jousting circuit. Humor, adventure, twists and turns, a fairy tale unlike any you've seen before. Thoroughly entertained by this one. Also, Ursula Vernon = T. Kingfisher. (Children's - Easy chapter book)

The Dragon with the Chocolate Heart by Stephanie Burgis

A young dragon beguiled by chocolate. Delightful and charming. It's the kind of story that makes your heart feel as warm as the molten chocolate you're bound to want to drink as you read. (Children's)

Mere Christianity and The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis

I love C. S. Lewis's philosophical approach to religion.

Red, White and Whole by Rajani LaRocca

My heart! Fictional, but also drawing on the author's experiences growing up in and Indian family in an American city in the 80s. While the author has a unique perspective of growing up in those two worlds, the book ends up being a universal story of family, friends, resilience, loss and sorrow, love, strength, and acceptance. Beautifully written. And it may make you cry. (Children's/Teen)

Skyward by Brandon Sanderson

Thoroughly entertaining book! Action, humor, adventure, charm, secrets, great characters and good pacing. (Teen)

When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed

The true story of Omar Mohamed's experience living in a refugee camp. On the one hand, it tells a story so different from our experience in the US--a story that teaches us about the hardship and suffering that others experience. But it also tells a story of being human, a story that feels familiar in so many ways, because things like trying to maintain friendships, caring for family members, struggling with dashed hopes are universal experiences that we can all relate to. It's a beautiful story of friendship community, faith, resilience, and hope. (Children's)

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

This and its sequel acted as comfort food for me in early in 2021. Later I watched the miniseries which performed the same comfort food function. I just love the characters and setting. Audiobook version is very good. (Adult)

Lighten Up by Chieko Okazaki

Written in 1993, but it feels modern and relevant to today. I appreciated her perspective, stories, and wisdom.

Honorable Mention

Friends Forever by Shannon Hale & LeYuen Pham

Josephine Against the Sea by Shakirah Bourne

Pity Party by Kathleen Lane

The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

While I Was Away by Waka T. Brown

Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor

Uprooted by Naomi Novik

The Curse of the Mummy: Uncovering Tutankhamun's Tomb by Candace Fleming

Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown by Steve Sheinkin

The Haunted Mask by R. L. Stine

Seventh Son by Orson Scott Card

Everything I read in 2021:

Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret by Judy Blume • Frindle by Andrew Clements • The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith • Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith • Sarah Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan • The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware • The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare • A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle • The Haunted Mask by R. L. Stine • Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien • Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbett • Lighten Up by Chieko Okazaki • Magyk by Angie Sage • Just Listen by Sarah Dessen • Maniac McGee by Jerry Spinelli • We Had to Be Brave: Escaping the Nazis on the Kindertransport by Deborah Hopkinson • Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis • A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin • Nat Enough by Maria Scrivan • Class Act by Jerry Craft • Piranesi by Susanna Clarke • Stepping Stones by Lucy Knisley • All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat • When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson • The Chosen by Chaim Potok • Eventide by Sarah Goodman • The Mysterious Disappearance of Aidan S. by David Levithan* • The Inheritance Games by Jennier Lynn Barnes • Amber and Clay by Laura Amy Schlitz* • Red, White and Whole by Rajani LaRocca* • Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls by Kaela Rivera* • My Last Summer with Cass by Mark Crilley* • The Crossroads at Midnight by Abby Howard • Skyward by Brandon Sanderson • Monster and Boy by Hannah Barnaby • Dustborn by Erin Bowman* • Normal: One Kid’s Extraordinary Journey by Magdalena and Nathaniel Newman • Ophie’s Ghosts by Justina Ireland* • Twins by Viran Johnson & Shannon Wright • Golden Arm by Carl Deuker • The Postman from Space by Guillaume Perreault • Allergic by Megan Wagner Lloyd, illustrated by Michelle Mee Nutter* • The Montague Twins: The Witch’s Hand by Nathan Page & Drew Shannon* • Wink by Rob Harrell • Long Distance by Whitney Gardner* • Oh My Gods! by Stephanie Cooke & Incha Fitzpatrick, illustrated by Juliana Moon* • Seventh Son by Orson Scott Card • Red Prophet by Orson Scott Card • While I Was Away by Waka T. Brown* • Katie the Catsitter by Colleen AF Venable & Stephanie Yue* • Eva Evergreen, Semi-Magical Witch by Julie Abe • How to Be Yourself by Simon Doonan • Bunnicula by James Howe • The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart by Stephanie Burgis • Josephine Against the Sea by Shakirah Bourne* • Rival Magic by Deva Fagan • Mary Shelley: The Strange True Tale of Frankenstein’s Creator by Catherine Reef • Shark Summer by Ira Marks* • Pity Party by Kathleen Lane* • Friends Forever by Shannon Hale* • The Curse of the Mummy: Uncovering Tutankhamun's Tomb by Candace Fleming* • Born Behind Bars by Padma Venkatraman* • A Separate Peace by John Knowles • Foundation by Isaac Asimov • The Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher • Bad Sister by Charice Mericle Harper, illustrated by Rory Lucey* • Garlic and the Vampire by Bree Paulsen* • Hamster Princess: Harriet the Invincible by Ursula Vernon • Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown by Steve Sheinkin* • Catfishing on Catnet by Naomi Kritzer • The Genius Under the Table: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain by Eugene Yelchin* • The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes • One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia • Clementine by Sara Pennypacker • The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman • Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor • The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis • My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier • The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katharine Peterson • You Can’t Say That! Writers for Young People Talk About Censorship, Free Expression, and the Stories They Have to Tell edited by Leonard S. Marcus* • Kaleidoscope by Brian Selznick* • Uprooted by Naomi Novik • Alien Nation by Sandro Bassi*

If you are ever interested in content warnings or other info on any book I've read, feel free to ask!