Today, Margie Bunting is the final reader to share her favorite books of 2022. Before we launch into her post, I just want to thank the others who shared their favorite books: Rosemary Kaye, Jeff Meyerson, Glen Davis, Kevin Tipple, and Sandie Herron. Everyone has a different style of writing, and it’s fun to see that some books are on several lists, but most of us have different titles as favorites. To me, that’s part of the fun of sharing these lists. I hope you found some authors or books that were new to you, and added to your TBR piles!

Thank you, Margie, for today’s post. I love to read Margie’s writing. She writes interesting reviews, without spoilers. And, I know there are others who share her reading taste. Enjoy her favorite books of 2022!

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Lesa, thank you for another opportunity to reflect on my favorite reads of the past year. It’s been tough (but fun) to winnow down the 198 books I finished in 2022 to a few favorites.

I’m calling my first category EXQUISITE BOOKS. What they have in common are nuanced characters, unexpected details, an extraordinarily absorbing writing style, and a life-affirming conclusion. Where a book hasn’t yet been released, I’ve noted the 2023 publication month.

NPR’s Linda Holmes had a winner with Evvie Drake Starts Over, and FLYING SOLO is equally satisfying. Her story features a wildlife journalist who returns home to carefully dispose of her aunt’s possessions with the help of a “bereavement decluttering service.” Finding a beautiful duck decoy at the bottom of a crate, she marshals a team to determine its provenance and value, and each member of her team benefits from the experience in their own distinct way. What I especially loved: strong elderly characters who lead active lives, hilarious and poignant literary and pop culture shout-outs, unique but relatable personality traits, sage advice from true friends, and realistic romance.

Released seven years after Sarah Addison Allen’s last book, OTHER BIRDS was worth the wait. The author is beloved for unique stories tinged with a dose of magical realism. In this book she brings together a disparate cast of characters who have struggled to feel loved. They live on Mallow Island, SC at the Dellawisp Condos, named for the tiny turquoise birds that surround them, and many of them are visited by the ghosts of those who have played meaningful roles in their lives. The details in this heartfelt story–from evocative food to beautiful witch balls to a huge paper collection to an invisible “Pigeon”–are original and expressive, poignantly demonstrating that “other birds” doesn’t refer just to the island’s actual bird population, but to the otherness of the inhabitants of the Dellawisp Condos.

Claire Pooley’s entertaining second novel, IONA IVERSON’s RULES OF COMMUTING, illustrates how regular passengers on a commuter train can come together to help each other gain new perspectives and resolve problems. Iona is 57 and struggling to keep her job as an advice columnist for a women’s magazine when her editor thinks her column is not relevant to millennials. Flamboyantly dressed and toting her French bulldog and a copious tote bag, Iona is not shy about communicating with fellow travelers. How they find each other, for their common good, is clever, poignant, sometimes humorous, and absolutely life-affirming. Pooley’s writing style is accessible, both grounded and emotional, and the details are priceless and often unexpected.

THE MATCHMAKER’S GIFT by Lynda Cohen Loigman is a lovely story told in two timelines—the early 1900s and the 1990s.  On a ship from Romania, young Sara realizes she has a talent for knowing when two people will make a stellar match, which she subsequently uses to help change others’ lives. But she has to conceal her activities from the male marriage brokers in NYC, who are threatened by her otherworldly gift and fearful she will infringe on their livelihood. In the 1990s, Sara’s granddaughter has taken a different path, as a divorce lawyer in Manhattan. Abby finds some journals after her grandmother’s death that make her look at her Sara’s life–and her own–in different ways. I fell in love with both of the protagonists, and with the author’s attention to authenticity of time and place and her loving detail of all of the supporting characters. To  top it all off, I found the last page to be perfect!

I have long been impressed by Jodi Picoult’s ability to create a string of standalone books that are beautifully written,  thought-provoking, and relevant to our world. In MAD HONEY she collaborates with a co-author on the story of two teenagers who have tight bonds with their mothers and fraught relationships with their estranged fathers. Lily and Asher meet in high school and are in love. But when Lily is found fatally injured, it is inevitable that Asher will be the prime suspect in her homicide. The authors’ writing is quite lyrical at times, forcing me to slow down and savor every word. The characters are nuanced and believable. Interspersed with the action is abundant and fascinating detail about beekeeping and bee culture, including parallels drawn between bees and humans.

Ashley Poston was somehow able to turn THE DEAD ROMANTICS, a story about a funeral home family, two members of which can see and talk to ghosts, into something truly memorable and not at all silly. It has elements of romance, but it also manages to teach lessons about dealing with death, recovering from betrayal, and believing in one’s dreams. The characters of a romance ghostwriter, her unforgettable father, her (mostly) supportive siblings, her supportive best friend, and her astonishing new book editor will stick with me for a long time. Balancing multiple elements and seeing them all through to an unexpectedly moving conclusion is not an easy task, and Poston accomplishes it beautifully.

Pamela Terry has become one of my favorite authors after two evocative novels that feature expressive language, clever turns of phrase, and striking descriptions. In WHEN THE MOON TURNS BLUE, (February) a statue of a Confederate general has nearly split a Georgia town in two–those who want it taken down because of what it represents and those who want it to stay. But aside from a couple of gripping confrontations, it’s not a story about racism in the South. It is a poignant character study of those affected by what they learn about themselves in the space of a couple of weeks in a rare ice storm and power outage that temporarily stuns the town. There are many memorable characters to enjoy here, each one distinct and beautifully drawn. Then there are delightful touches such as a raven that keeps returning to a character’s windowsill and a row of topiary elephants lovingly crafted by another character for his garden, plus a bit of romance. The author’s own insights–some in the narrative, many others expressed through the characters’ voices–left a lasting impression on me.

I couldn’t wait to dive into Ann Napolitano’s HELLO BEAUTIFUL (March), after being hugely impressed with her 2020 novel, Dear Edward. The writing is so insightful that I relished every word. Julia and William find each other as college freshmen in the late 1970s, when headstrong Julia is looking for a suitable boyfriend to fit her vision for the future, and basketball player William is trying to find solace in  after being ignored by his parents ever since his sister’s death. Meeting Julia’s parents and younger sisters, William knows he has gained not just a partner but a wonderful new family. But life doesn’t always turn out the way we expect. One of my favorite things about the author’s style is the way she lovingly portrays each character with their own special talents, idiosyncrasies, inner dialogue, dreams and ambitions. Some parts of the book are difficult to read, even difficult to accept, but the empathetic way they are depicted kept me reading, knowing that there would ultimately be redemption and clarity.

Original, thought-provoking, emotional–these are some adjectives that describe Erica Bauermeister’s NO TWO PERSONS (May). The theme is how one special book can mean different things to those who read it. Alice spends years writing a book inspired by her cherished brother and more years getting it published. Along the way, we get to know the reclusive Alice as much as she will allow and others who play a role in the book’s success:  the young mother who finds the book in a literary agency’s  slush pile, the high-profile literary agent, a bookshop clerk, and the audiobook narrator. Beyond their career roles, they also find their personal lives forever changed by this book, as do several other characters, each memorable in their own right. It’s about sibling relationships, the effects parents have on their children, how inspirational teachers can make all the difference, the difficulty of finding the right partner, discovering new ways to lead one’s best life and, of course, finding inspiration from books I was moved by the way the author chose not to tie things up in a bow at the end, but left the future open to possibilities, opportunities, and hope.

In the charming REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES by Shelby Van Pelt, 70-year-old widow Tova keeps busy cleaning the tanks at the Sowell Bay Aquarium at night and has developed a special relationship with Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus. She talks to him as she works, looking the other way when he frequently escapes from his tank to forage food from other aquarium inhabitants. Marcus narrates alternate chapters, expressing his appreciation for Tova and his conviction that an octopus is far superior to a human. After Tova has a disabling fall, she meets Cameron, her temporary replacement. Cameron can’t seem to keep a job or a relationship and is looking for an opportunity to prove himself. Their stories eventually merge, leading to unexpected turns of event for both. A delightful dose of magical realism lifts the book even higher. Both the human and octopus characters are treated lovingly and believably by the author, making this a read I won’t soon forget.

In the MYSTERY category, I read many wonderful books, but the following stood out in my memory.

If you’re in the mood for an immersive mystery, you can’t go wrong with Brian Freeman’s Jonathan Stride series. In THE ZERO NIGHT, detective Jonathan has been on medical leave for more than a year after being shot in the line of duty and undergoing months of rehab and depression. His wife, Serena, also a detective, finds herself suddenly hovering on the brink of breaking her long sobriety record when she learns her mother, about whom she has very ambivalent feelings, has died. Both look to their job to bring fulfillment in the face of serious distractions. Freeman’s masterly plotting and well-drawn characters make his clever police procedurals must-reads. I gasped out loud on learning one of the plot twists. I was also emotionally affected by the subplot of Elton, a dog Serena “rescues” for reasons that are revealed about both her past and her current needs.

Belinda Bauer certainly knows how to come up with original plots. In EXIT, Felix is a quiet, elderly widower who volunteers with the Exiteers, keeping terminally ill strangers company as they commit suicide. The Exiteers do not assist in the suicide, because that would be illegal. But at one client’s house, everything goes wrong. Calvin is a young police officer who, with his female partner, is charged with investigating what was reported as a murder at that address. Nearly all of the characters are complex and flawed–neither all good nor all bad. We can’t help but empathize with both of the protagonists, who experience self-examination and character development. There are flashes of humor and whimsy throughout, as well as moments when I almost shed a tear. There is a whodunit element but little violence, and the conclusion is unexpected and fulfilling.

Catriona McPherson’s psychological thrillers are often deliciously creepy. IN PLACE OF FEAR is delicious in a different way. In 1948, Helen is excited to take on a new job of welfare officer for two Edinburgh doctors on the first day of the National Health Service of Scotland. The daughter of poor parents, she is a new bride whose husband has returned from six years in a prisoner of war camp. Neither expects that an actual house to live in will be a benefit of her job. But the house holds secrets, and the dead body of a young woman found in the shed is just the beginning. I rooted for spunky, idealistic Helen, who is determined to help people who previously couldn’t afford medical care, or who are suspicious of the new system. She is especially sensitive to the needs of women with reproductive issues and difficult husbands. The story is peppered with Scottish dialogue which lends atmosphere and authenticity—there’s a glossary at the end. Finally, the conclusion of the book absolutely blew my mind. McPherson has created a unique, suspenseful story while retaining the humanity and spirit of the central character.

NO LIFE FOR A LADY (March) is a captivating debut novel by Hannah Dolby. Violet, a young “spinster” living in a seaside English town in the late Victorian era, keeps house for her stolid banker father. Unwilling to accept any man as a potential husband and looking for something to make her life meaningful, she engages a local private detective to find her mother, who disappeared 10 years earlier. But when he uncovers some unsavory details and is not as discreet as she demands, Violet approaches  another detective who seems more suitable. Unfortunately, Benjamin has become a furniture salesman rather than follow in his late father’s detective footsteps and is reluctant to help her, but he hasn’t reckoned with Violet’s determination and persistence. Narrating her own story, Violet reveals in an often-hilarious fashion her unshakeable character, her desires and eccentricities, and her shocking lack of knowledge about certain things.

MEMOIR

In the stellar memoir THE BOYS, brothers Ron and Clint Howard write about their childhood in Los Angeles in a lovely, down-to-earth way. Both of their parents were actors, but they focused more on their sons’ careers in show business than their own. Their dad, especially, was largely responsible for keeping them grounded, showing them what to expect and how to behave on a TV or movie set,  and not allowing them to become too full of themselves, thereby helping them avoid the pitfalls of other child stars. I enjoyed the behind-the-scenes glimpses into The Andy Griffith Show, Happy Days, American Graffiti, and Gentle Ben, to name a few. It was also fascinating to read about Ron’s early interest in  directing, and of his first professional directing job working for Roger Corman. Those who enjoy show business autobiographies should be thrilled with this one.

In the ROMANCE category, here are a few that I found especially rewarding: I loved everything about Annabel Monaghan’s first adult rom-com, NORA GOES OFF SCRIPT–a relatable, down-to-earth female protagonist, a tinge of “fractured fairy tale,” and a twist I didn’t see coming. Nora makes a meager living writing screenplays for The Romance Channel and has been abandoned by her entitled ex-husband. When she fictionalizes their breakup in a new screenplay, her agent thinks she can sell it as a feature film. Soon there is a camera crew at Nora’s home and her ex is being played by a hot young movie star whose trailer is parked on her front lawn. The characters of Nora’s young son and daughter are so refreshing–they aren’t spoiled and troublesome—and Nora’s parents provide emotional support (no dysfunctional family here!)  Nora’s struggle to cope with past disappointments and get on with her life kept me rooting for her throughout the book. And I enjoyed the literary and show business references.

I loved Dee Ernst’s LUCY CHECKS IN for its charming setting in a 1700s chateau in France’s Brittany region, its middle-aged heroine, and a diverse group of hotel residents that come together to help the protagonist turn her life around. Lucy had found success as the manager of a luxury hotel in NYC and a romantic relationship with its owner. But when her lover absconded with millions of dollars, he left her to fight a legal battle with investors that exonerated her but took most of her life savings and ruined her professional reputation. The only job she can find is at the Hotel Paradis, and it is not  what she had envisioned. The hotel is in ruins, hosting six permanent residents, and her job is to restore it by tourist season to a successful business. I was all-in on the delightful story and eccentric characters, not to mention a very slow-burning romance with a man who has to learn not to be obnoxious.

LOVE ON THE BRAIN is a worthy successor to The Love Hypothesis in Ali Hazelwood’s excellent series of STEM-themed rom-coms. With a Ph.D. in neuroscience, the author is eminently qualified to fashion authentic plots and characters from the science world. She has created a gem in Dr. Bee Konigswasser–brilliant, highly educated, identical twin, purple hair, vegan, unlucky in love, cries over every roadkill, faints frequently, and can be frustratingly clueless when it comes to her personal life. A NIH employee in a thankless job, Bee jumps at the opportunity to be co-leader of an exciting NASA project involving enhanced astronaut helmets. The only catch is that the other co-leader was her nemesis in grad school. Some interesting subplots involve a “What Would Marie Curie Do?” Twitter account, a cat that apparently only Bee can see, and a female uprising against standard college admission tests, particularly the GRE.

I don’t read a lot of FANTASY, but I made an exception for a book that I found irresistible.

Heather Fawcett’s EMILY WILDE’S ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF FAERIES is set in the early 20^th century. With a doctorate in dryadology from Cambridge University, Emily has devoted her career to writing a folklore encyclopedia, and she needs to do field work covering one missing species of fairies. But her ability to build relationships with the mortal inhabitants of the small Scandinavian town is almost nonexistent, as she has always found personal communications and social interaction difficult.  Emily is startled by the unexpected arrival of her Cambridge rival, the dashing Wendell Bambleby, as she worries his reputation for delegation and even falsification of research results might endanger her attempt to publish her book alone and obtain tenure in the process. She also suspects that Wendell is not entirely who he claims to be. In the book’s exciting second half, Emily finds herself committed to using her vast knowledge of fairy folklore to find and rescue a young boy who was replaced by a troublesome changeling, as well as two young women who strayed into Folk territory. I was simultaneously thrilled and amused by the author’s imagination in describing the nonstop action, not to mention the ever-changing fairy landscape, the lore and powers of the Folk, and the resources Emily called upon in treacherous situations. Emily undergoes some character development, Wendell is a surprising and entertaining presence, and I found the supporting characters (including a huge dog) well drawn.

Occasionally I will read a YA book, and this one stood out for me in 2022:

THE RENAISSANCE OF GWEN HATHAWAY by Ashley Schumacher (March) is set over one summer in a Renaissance Faire environment, but it turned out to be so much more. Teenager Gwen (aka Madeline) is trying to find her way after the devastating death of her mother. She and her dad have continued to peddle their handmade jewelry and leather goods at a series of fairs along their annual route, while Gwen goes to school online from their RV home. Separated from her best friend and reluctant to let anyone else into her life for fear of losing them, she sometimes makes decisions with a flip of an heirloom coin. Madeline never expected to find her mother’s favorite fair almost unrecognizable under new management. Nor did she expect to meet an unimpressive-looking boy her own age who plays the lute, fancies himself a bard, and begs her to be the princess of the Faire. It is the beautiful, insightful writing that makes this book shine. We agonize along with Madeline as she tries to trust her own instincts and reconnect with life. Arthur ix one of the most surprising, engaging,  and charming male protagonists I have encountered in a long time. Supporting characters are sensitively and realistically portrayed. And the way this particular Renaissance Faire is described is almost magical.

I can’t finish  my post without another plug for LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY by debut author Bonnie Garmus. It was my favorite book (ARC) read in 2021, although it wasn’t released until 2022. I’ve been an evangelist for this book among my friends and finally got my book club to read it this month. Do yourself a favor and read it before the miniseries comes out later in the year. It’s that good!

I’m delighted to say that quite a few of the books I read in 2022 were suggested by Lesa’s Book Critiques friends, so please keep your recommendations coming! And here’s to a 2023 full of books that inform and educate us, challenge us, provide an escape when we (often) need it, restore our faith in humankind (or not), and just plain entertain us. Happy New Year!