Although I sent my friend Kaye Wilkinson Barley a list of my favorite books of 2022 for her Meanderings and Muses post, “What Did Women Like in 2022?”, I said even then that it wouldn’t be a final list. I changed my mind, added a book or two, took some off the list. As of today when I’m writing this, these are my favorite books read in 2022. It’s certainly not a “Best of” list, as I say every year. These are just my favorites, in the order I read them. I hope you add a book or two to your TBR pile!
I loved the fourth book in Connie Berry’s Kate Hamilton mystery series, The Shadow of Memory. The traditional mystery is carefully plotted, and all the pieces fit together beautifully. The characters, the antiques, and the setting always make Berry’s series shine. This time, though, the mystery is skillfully woven into a seamless story with nothing forgotten. The Shadow of Memory is an intriguing mystery with roots in the past.
I’m keeping Christopher Denise’s charming children’s book, Knight Owl, on my list. I was thoroughly caught up in the little owl’s world. Denise has illustrated other books, but this is the first he has written and illustrated. It’s sweet and charming. Even the endpapers are perfect in this book, dragons mixed with knights’ helmets. If you pick up this book, look at every detail of the illustrations. The illustrations are warm and beautiful, and even adults can appreciate the wordplay and artwork. Just skip below to see the artwork from the title page.
There’s seldom a science fiction novel on my lists, but John Scalzi tops my list of favorite living science fiction authors. How can I pass up The Kaiju Preservation Society with an ordinary hero in an eco-thriller featuring an alternate earth and Kaiju (giant monster of a type featured in Japanese fantasy and science fiction movies and television programs)? Scalzi deals with COVID and the struggle to find new jobs. He deals with man’s greed and search for power. He brings up nuclear power and the Kaiju. John Scalzi gets the adventure, the escape, and the atmosphere right in his latest novel, The Kaiju Preservation Society.
Eloisa James’ How to Be a Wallflower is just one of several books with romantic elements that makes this year’s list, but it’s the only historical romance. When I reviewed it in April, I defined it as “Pure joy”. There are two wonderful lead characters, some excellent supporting characters, and humor as well as the romance. There’s also a connection to theater. It’s a business rivals to lovers trope that celebrates two intelligent people. It pits a British heiress against an American who wants to buy a costumier’s shop, and the two challenge each other. There’s so much laughter in this book. While the book has its sexual overtones, the true strength is the main characters and their growing friendship.
I sobbed over Ashley Poston’s The Dead Romantics so much that my cat, Josh, had to climb in my lap to check on me. Do you believe in ghosts? What about love? Do you believe in happily-ever-after romantic love? Florence Day, whose family owns a funeral home in Mairmont, South Carolina, sees ghosts. But, she fled town as soon as she graduated, heading to New York City because she didn’t want to be bullied or laughed at any longer for being the girl who saw ghosts. But, she left behind a family that loves and supports her. She’s a writer who hasn’t returned home to Mairmont for ten years. When she’s forced to return for a family funeral, she answers the door to find her handsome editor standing there, a ghost. Poston’s descriptions of Mairmont are beautiful, but it’s all Florence’s thoughts of death and ghosts, along with her father’s comments about it that are moving and fascinating and thought-provoking. It’s a story of love, loss, regret, hope, and family with all its disagreements and love. If you finish the book, you might not believe in ghosts or happily-ever-after. But, you’ll want to believe.
I know there are readers here on the blog that don’t agree with me about Deanna Rayborn’s Killers of a Certain Age, but my editor at Library Journal and I loved this book so much it went on our Best Crime Novels of 2022 list. Deanna Raybourn puts a new spin on senior crime fiction. When you think of Killers of a Certain Age, think of the movie RED. Think of assassins who hoped to retire only to discover they have a price on their heads. Those are the women of Raybourn’s outstanding, well-plotted story. Four women in their sixties reach retirement age from their careers as assassins for “The Museum”, an agency that killed those who needed killing. However, now the women find themselves targets. The book is a fast-paced, engaging thriller as the women use all of their skills, developed over forty years, to stay alive and take out the people who plan to kill them.
Terry Shames’ previous Samuel Craddock mystery, A Risky Undertaking for Loretta Singletary, came out in 2019. Shames’ latest, Murder at the Jubilee Rally, proves that neither she nor Craddock have missed a step in the last few years. Shames skillfully mixes the politics of Texas and small-town policing with Police Chief Craddock’s family problems. It’s a well-written police procedural that doesn’t skimp on the humanity. How do you inform a needy family of a loved one’s death? How do you investigate, knowing you might tear a town apart? And, how do you handle a troubled teenager? Murder at the Jubilee Rally marks the return of the empathetic small-town police chief of Jarrett Creek, Texas. It’s so good to have Samuel Craddock, and Terry Shames, back again.
Even when I first read Jenn McKinlay’s The Plot and the Pendulum, I thought, this book does everything that a cozy mystery should do, and it does it well. Jenn McKinlay’s latest Library Lover’s Mystery has one of my favorite covers, and The Plot and the Pendulum is one of my favorite books in the series as well. McKinlay’s descriptions of the scenery and weather in Connecticut in October tie in beautifully with the mystery itself. Here’s just one sentence to introduce you to the setting and story. “It was very much a Poe day outside, with a certain feeling of menace in the chilly air.” A cold case, a sinister mansion, a book collection, a skeleton, and Poe. McKinlay once again succeeds in the latest in her Library Lover’s Mystery series with a book filled with interesting characters, moments of humor to alleviate the suspense, and several chilling scenes.
If I have to pick one book as my favorite of the entire year, it’s Nora Roberts’ The Choice, the final book in her Dragon Heart Legacy trilogy. It’s a magnificent conclusion, and I bought all three books in the series. It’s light versus dark, good versus evil. It represents every final battle in fantasy literature. Breen Siobhan Kelly, Daughter of Dragons. “Daughter of the Fey, of Man, of Gods.” Breen is the only one who can defeat her grandfather, a dark god called Odran who has lusted for her power since she was a toddler. Breen discovered her parentage, her ancestral home in Ireland, and, just across a tree, the world of Talamh where magicks still existed. She reclaimed her grandmother, her friends from childhood, but discovered the truth about her background and the dark being that craves power and control, her grandfather. And Keegan, the taoiseach, the leader of the people, reluctantly taught Breen to fight and prepare for battle. Because there was a battle coming between all the people of Talamh and Odran’s evil forces. There are moments of beauty, and also deep grief in this final reckoning.
In Louise Penny’s A World of Curiosities, she takes readers back in time, thirty years, twenty years, to terrible crimes and unforgettable killers. A World of Curiosities is a study in contrast, as all her books are. There is mercilessness and hatred, and there is forgiveness. There is depravity and violence, but there are moments of love and laughter. Most of all, there are always moments of hope, sometimes a last second reprieve, and the knowledge that “All will be well.” Louise Penny always includes the reader in a world of knowledge, a world of curiosities, as she discusses art and music, poetry and history. Over the course of the series, we’ve observed as Gamache saw the worst in society. This time, he has to dig and see the worst in himself, as well as his deepest fears. But, Penny points out that it’s the acts of courage, of decency, that provide those moments of hope in life. And, I was moved by the role of women in this book. Watch for the women.
I do have several hints for you for 2023. I’ve read books that are being published as late as May. Here are three to watch for.
Hide by Tracy Clark (Jan. 1)
A Killing of Innocents by Deborah Crombie (Feb. 7)
Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane (April 25 – The best crime novel I’ve read since S.A. Cosby’s Razorblade Tears)
Great list, Lesa! I don’t think I’ve read any of those…yet…
Oh, if there are any on the list that appeal to you, Glen, you’ll get to them.
Same here – I’ve not yet read any of these Lesa, but some of them will certainly be added to my list. I like the sound of the Connie Berry, Jenn McKinlay and Terry Shames books, and Knight Owl looks absolutely delightful.
I don’t often buy children’s books for myself, Rosemary, but Knight Owl is worth it. I just enjoyed all the books on this list.
I look forward to reading that fourth book in Connie Berry’s Kate Hamilton series. I read the first one, A Dream of Death, recently after coming across the review & interview you had from several years back. Thanks as always.
You’re welcome, MM! Connie Berry’s series just gets stronger.
Killers of a Certain Age is on my Top 10 for 2022 as well. Going to order Connie Berry’s as well—I met her this year at Malice Domestic and she was lovely.
I’m hoping to meet Connie after I move back to Ohio, Becky. Killers of a Certain Age was just different for me.
Thank you, Becky! See you at Malice 2023 I hope.
I agree that Connie Berry’s The Shadow of Memory may be the best yet in this wonderful series. Thanks to recommendations by so many “What are you reading” posters I have enjoyed many of the books on Lesa’s list. I have to give a special shout out to Knight Owl. I’m not sure where I first saw the cover but I immediately bought it for my three yr old grandson and absolutely loved it. The illustrations are terrific.
Due to totally losing track out what day it is I missed reading yesterday’s What are you reading post until today. Even though I rarely post I so look forward to reading all the book suggestions and updates on everyone’s weather and life in general. I have read many new to me authors and kept abreast of upcoming reads from favorite authors. Reading this blog is a daily treat.
Wishing all a happy new year.
Susan, I’m so glad you enjoyed Knight Owl. It’s such a special book.
And, that’s exactly what the blog and chat are for – to find new authors, and follow along with other readers who have become friends. Thank you!
Happy New Year!
Thank you, Susan. I’m so glad you liked the book.
Thank you for the list, Lesa! I’ve read and enjoyed five of these, and I’m waiting for the Louise Penny from the library. I just may have to add a couple more to my TBR list.
Oh, there’s always room for more books on a TBR list, Margie!
I forgot KNIGHT OWL. It was adorable. KILLERS OF A CERTAIN AGE is on my hold list (I’ve put it off several times). The Scalzi is on my list too. Jackie is waiting for the Roberts.
Good list.
Thank you, Jeff! I didn’t know you read Knight Owl. I just loved it. I’ll be interested to see what you think of the Scalzi. Tell Jackie The Choice is as good as the others in the series, but The Becoming might be my favorite in the trilogy.
Sorry, mis-phrased. I meant the Scalzi is on my Favorites list.
Jackie is going to reread – on at least re-skim – the second of Nora’s trilogy because she reads the new one.
I didn’t go back to look at your Favorites, Jeff, but thought you had read Scalzi. And, it’s a good idea to go back and read The Becoming.
Love this list! We share, as you know, a few favorites.
I know we do, Kaye. Thank you, my friend.
So happy that you mentioned Terry Shames’ Murder at the Jubilee Rally. We critique together and I’ve been rooting for this book all along.
Ana, Terry Shames’ Murder at the Jubilee Rally is on another Favorites list I’ll be posting here soon.
Love Berry’s series so much and loved Killers of a Certain Age too. So many good things waiting to be read! Best get to it! Happy New Year!
And, Happy New Year and happy reading to you!
Thank you for the complement–and I love Deanna Raybourn too!
I’m looking forward to Killers of a Certain Age. Just haven’t gotten to my signed first edition yet. So many books, so little time!!
I agree, Sandie!
Lesa – I am reading The Dead Romantics right now and I am continually wondering why, when the main character refers to Dana, that she is always referring to her as “they”. Dana is by herself, but Florence always, throughout the book, refers to her as “they”. Any idea on why? Thank you! Love your blog!
Florence knows Dana does not choose to identify as male or female, so refers to her as they.
In case anyone who likes Connie Berry and does not get her blog she had a short story on her blog yesterday, I have printed it but have not yet read it.
https://connieberry.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Murder-at-Holly-Lodge-Connie-Berry.pdf
Thanks for sharing, Jeannette!
Thanks, Jeannette! I had so much fun writing that story. Glad you enjoyed it!
Lesa, thanks for your list. As others also say, you do create a wonderful TBR pile for each of us yearly. And the new authors you introduce us to are fabulous.
Happy holidays.
Thank you, Jeannette. Thank you for sharing your own reading with us, and visiting often.
Lesa, what a great list! We share Louise Penny’s and Terry Shames’ as favorites, and I have The Owl Knight on my list to buy. Now, that I have an owl outside my window almost every night, I’ve renewed by owl obsession.
You really need to read Owl Knight, Kathy. It’s beautiful.
A new Dennis Lehane book is always a cause for celebration. I will have to be sure to pre-order it. Thanks for mentioning it.
You’re welcome, Sandra. Fabulous book! I hope you enjoy it.
Lesa, thank you for including The Shadow of Memory on your list for the year! I am so honored to be amongst such incredible company.
You’re welcome, Connie! Thank you for a terrific book!