Books of 2024

Books read: 30
Adult: 15
Teen: 4
Children's: 11
Nonfiction: 13
Fiction: 16
Plays: 1

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy 

When people ask that impossible question, "What is your favorite book?" my go-to answer is Anna Karenina, but I realized I haven't read it in 20 years, so I thought I'd see what I thought reading it today. Unsurprisingly, I loved it. I was able to take my time and notice the wonderful writing and character development. All of Tolstoy's characters have such depth. In this reading, I particularly loved Dolly--whose life is a mess, mostly because of her irresponsible, philandering husband, but she still manages to be a kind person and enjoys moments of beauty and joy as she raises her children. I read Rosamund Bartlett's translation and may have liked it even better than P&V's. 

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith 

I really enjoyed this, got totally engrossed in her world and story. My favorite moment is the source of the title: People told Katie that it might be better if her sickly baby dies, but she responds, "It's not better to die...Everything struggles to live. Look at that tree growing up there out of that grating. It gets no sun, and water only when it rains. It’s growing out of sour earth. And it’s strong because its hard struggle to live is making it strong. My children will be strong that way." She defiantly says to them, "This baby will live." 

Yearning for the Living God: Reflections from the Life of F. Enzio Busche by Enzio Busche 

Enzio Busche converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in post-war Germany after a period of study. Later, he became a leader in the church. This is his memoir. I picked up the book largely because I was interested to learn about his experiences growing up in Nazi Germany, and being drafted at age 14 (!). This takes up a very brief part of the book, and the rest is filled with lots of inspiring and interesting stories which testify of God’s presence in our lives. 

Blackbird Girls by Anne Blankman 

Two girls who’ve always been enemies find themselves thrown together when both their fathers are at work in Chernobyl at the time of the meltdown. It’s a book about friendship and overcoming prejudices. Really nicely done. (Middle grade, but I think it would work for teens also.)

Lone Wolf Goes to School by Kiah Thomas, illustrated by K-Fai Steele 

“Wolf could count his friends on one hand. Three, two, one…NONE! And that was the way he liked it.” That’s how this easy chapter book starts. The illustrations are silly and a touch grotesque. The “snotty kids” have literal green boogers hanging out their noses through the whole book. It is laugh out loud funny. The illustrations are so good–those facial expressions. And spoiler alert, Wolf absolutely does not learn the value of friendship. (Easy chapter book)

Troubled by Rob Henderson 

From a drug-addicted mother, to foster care, to an adoptive family, to a broken home, to the military, to Yale, to being published by the NY Times, to Cambridge. I couldn’t put this down. I think I read it in 2-4 days. The thing that really stood out to me was this: at the end of the book, he looks at all his accomplishments and successes and realizes he would trade it all for a stable home life growing up. 

Bye Forever I Guess by Jodi Meadows 

This was really cute. A thirteen year old who loves video games and has an instagram account featuring texts sent to wrong numbers. And then she gets an accidental text from someone her age that begins to form into a real friendship, but what will happen if/when the digital crosses into the real world? Also she’s not quite cool enough for her best friend, so there’s friend drama, too. Fast, hard to put down. (Middle grade)

The Outrun by Amy Liptrot 

Memoir about an alcoholic realizing she needs help, going to rehab, and returning to her childhood home to find a life of sobriety in the Orkney Islands. I enjoyed the strong sense of place Liptrot creates with her descriptions of Orkney. There is something peaceful and comforting about the natural world she experiences that I felt as I read. 

Day of Infamy by Walter Lord 

I wanted visiting Pearl Harbor to be more meaningful, so I read this and learned exactly what happened that day. There were times I couldn’t put it down. I learned a lot.

Mountain of Fire: The Eruption and Survivors of Mount St. Helens by Rebecca E. F. Barone 

Gotta love a volcano book. There was so much I didn’t know or understand about Mt. St. Helens, and it was so interesting to learn about. It was the first lateral eruption on record, and they had no idea how devastating a lateral eruption could be. One misconception this book cleared up is that very few people were inside the red zone. The reason so many died is because their predictions were wrong rather than people defying evacuation orders. At the end, she goes over what might have happened if the volcano had erupted any later than it did, which is sobering. The chapters are short, so this is great for the middle grade audience it’s written for. (Middle grade)

Honorable mention:

Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper

Egil's Saga by Snorri Sturluson

The Heart of the Matter by Russell M. Nelson (only belatedly realized I didn't have this on my list and maybe should have included it in the top 10, but I'm sticking it here, at least for now.)

The Heart of the Matter by Russell M. Nelson • The Outrun by Amy Liptrot • Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper • Troubled by Rob Henderson* • The Good, the Bad, and the Barbie: A Doll's History and Her Impact on Us by Tanya Lee Stone • Bad Therapy by Abigail Schrier* • Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy • Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross • Take Me with You When You Go by David Levithan and Jennifer Niven • The Parasitic Mind by Gad Saad • Oedipus the King by Sophocles • Blackbird Girls by Anne Blankman • A Confession by Leo Tolstoy • A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith • How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell • Hillbilly Elegy by JD Vance • Odder by Katherine Applegate • They Call Me No Sam by Drew Daywalt • Far Beyond Gold by Sydney McLaughlin • I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys • Egil’s Saga by Snorri Sturluson • Bye Forever I Guess by Jodi Meadows* • Day of Infamy by Walter Lord • Lone Wolf Goes to School by Kiah Thomas, illustrated by K-Fai Steele* • Lone Wolf Gets a Pet by Kiah Thomas, illustrated by K-Fai Steele* • The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers • Good Energy by Casey Means* • Yearning for the Living God: Reflections from the Life of F. Enzio Busche by Enzio Busche • Mountain of Fire by Rebecca E. F. Barone* • The Wild Robot by Peter Brown 

Best Picture Books of 2023

 Here's my list of favorite/best picture books published in 2023

The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish by Chloe Savage

Dr Morley goes to the arctic with a skilled crew to find the legendary giant Arctic jellyfish, which no one has ever seen. As they search, they see beluga whales, orcas, narwhals, and polar bears; they see the aurora and icebergs; they dive into the depths of the sea and travel to new places. They work very hard, but still no jellyfish. Eventually the failure of their trip starts to sink in and they prepare to return home, when Dr Morley catches a glimpse of something--"could that be?" What the illustrations reveal that my description does not is that the jellyfish is there the whole time, hiding. Children will undoubtedly see this as they read. The ink and watercolor illustrations are beautiful and transporting. On some pages, we see intricate cross-sections of the boat, revealing every room and every person at work. Other pages display explorations and magnificent scenery both above and below the water. What made this a favorite of mine is the meaning, which I think could be summed up as: Have faith. Don't lose hope. 

How Do You Spell Unfair?: MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Frank Morrison

In 1936, eight grader Macnolia Cox won the Akron, Ohio spelling bee. She was the first African American to win, and she and another girl were the first African American students to advance and compete in the National Spelling Bee in Washington DC. This book tells the story of her academic excellence and the discrimination she faced on her way to prove that African American students were just as smart as everyone else. Macnolia excelled at the National Spelling Bee and only made a mistake when asked to spell a word that was not in the dictionaries provided by the spelling bee to study. "Can you spell U-N-F-A-I-R?" the narrator asks. Frank Morrison really takes this book to the next level with his illustrations. The colors are saturated and vibrant. The emotions are palpable. I love looking at Macnolia. She looks small on stage with her nerves, serene when studying, fierce when facing racism, and proud, knowing who she is. Wonderful.

Dim Sum Palace by X. Fang

Liddy is so excited to go to Dim Sum Palace, she can hardly sleep. But before she knows it, she's following an irresistible smell to the kitchens of Dim Sum Palace. There are treats of every size and shape, but before she can eat, she tumbles into a bowl of dumpling filling and gets folded into a dumpling to be served to a very hungry empress. This was a delight. I love the style of the illustrations--particularly all those round cheeked-faces. Now I need to go get some dim sum...

Afikomen by Tziporah Cohen and Yaara Eshet

In this wordless picture book, loved ones gather round the table to celebrate Passover. The children steal the afikomen and climb under the table with it, only something strange happens. When they pass under the tablecloth, they find themselves in Egypt. They watch a woman place her baby in a basket and put it in the river. They follow the basket, trying to keep it safe until it's found by Pharaoh's daughter. My favorite part of this book is the page where the children open the basket themselves to see Moses. Yaara Eshet captures the most wonderful moment of awe on the children's faces. I love how this book combines reverence and childlike play.

Have You Seen My Invisible Dinosaur? by Helen Yoon

The little narrator in this picture book is looking for her invisible dinosaur. It's a challenge because once she cleans him, he's...invisible. Many of her schemes to find him (like putting up Lost Dinosaur flyers which contain an empty square for a picture, because the dinosaur is invisible, after all) fail, until suddenly, she does find him. Funny, silly, and whimsical.

Roll, Roll Little Pea by Cécile Bergame, illustrated by Magali Attiogbé

In this picture book for younger readers, a pea rolls away across the floor, under the stairs, past the mouse and the cat, and you get the idea. There's some nice repetition and eye catching bold and bright illustrations.

You Go First by Ariel Bernstein, illustrated by Marc Rosenthal

There's a new slide in town, and Cat and Duck are excited to try it. Or at least Duck is. Cat is not so sure. Cat finds lots of ways to procrastinate trying the slide and eventually warns Duck of all that could go wrong. When Cat sees that Duck doesn't want to go anymore because of the worries he introduced, he sees the only solution is to show her how fun the slide is. A funny and sweet story about overcoming fears and being a good friend.

Simon and the Better Bone by Corey Tabor

Simon the dog sees another dog with a bone better than his. Only it's not another dog, it's his own reflection and he doesn't realize it. He tries various tactics to get the bone, but they mostly don't work (for obvious reasons). When he thinks his new friend has lost his bone, he offers him a new one. Based of Aesop's "The Dog and his Reflection," this one is sweet and funny. Tabor illustrated it so that you hold the book horizontally instead of vertically, so that the reflection is on the bottom and Simon is on the top. Fun.

The Biggest Mistake by Camilla Pintonato

Lion thinks catching gazelles will be easy, but each time he tries, he learns that maybe it's not so easy. Bright, bold and fun.

A Walk in the Woods by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney and Brian Pinkney

A boy finds an envelope with a map from his father who recently passed away. He goes into the woods and finds a box his dad made when he was his son's age. It's filled with drawings of and poetry about the woods. One of the things that makes this book really special is the story behind those that made it. Celebrated illustrator Jerry Pinkney died before this books could be finished. But he had made the sketches for the book, and they were used for the illustrations. Then Jerry's son Brian finished the sketches by adding color in his own style. They're pretty fantastic. So this is book about a boy grieving the loss of his father and walking in the woods as his father loved to do, illustrated by a son grieving the loss of his father who loved to take walks in the woods. Beautifully written by Nikki Grimes, and beautifully illustrated by the Pinkneys. 

Honorable mention:

The Real Story by Sergio Ruzzier

The Red Fruit by Lee Gee Eun

Problem Solved! by Jan Thomas

See the Ghost by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka

Mine! A Story of Not Sharing by Klara Persson, illustrated by Charlotte Ramel

How to Count to 1 by Caspar Salmon, illustrated by Matt Hunt

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*