Lesli's 2022 Top Ten Reads
It’s almost impossible for me to believe 2022 is coming to a close. I saw a meme the other day that said something to the effect of “We are one month away from 2023, and we are all still processing 2019. It was four years ago.” Is it just me or did it feel like we went from being neck deep in a global pandemic to “it’s over?” Yeah, still processing.
Wish You Were Here is a book by Jodi Picoult that I read in November not really knowing the story line. It’s a story set during the coronavirus pandemic. Again, it’s mind-boggling to me that there has been time to experience and write a non-fiction book based on that time period. Alas, there was, and this book was fantastic. It was my first time with Ms. Picoult and I loved how, over halfway through the book, it shifted major gears and all but smacked me in the face. I remember where I was (Starbucks drive thru—shout out to the morning crew) and how I felt (shook) when it happened.
It’s safe to say that Wish You Were Here will make it into my top ten books I read this year. And although the year is not quite over and there might still be some favorites on my shelf, I wanted to take time to share with you what I enjoyed this year.
10. Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid—It reads like a true story. Reese Witherspoon has turned this into a mini-series coming in March, but there’s plenty of time to get caught up before it airs.
9. The Mistress of Aushwitz (series) by Terrence D. Williamson—I just finished this three-part series and enjoyed the story line. It’s equal parts heavy and fluffy. It’s an easy, page turning read.
8. The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren—This was my most recommended beach/vacation read to my friends. Flirty and adventurous...it didn’t disappoint.
7. Raising Good Humans by Hunter Clarke Fields, MSAE—I wrote an entire review of this one and have referenced this book often in everyday life this year.
6. Will by Will Smith—I read this one before the infamous slap and I would read it again. It was beautiful and raw and he sings in the audio version.
5. I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jeanette McCurdy—I could not put this one down. There were so many layers to unravel in this book and it was interesting to unpack.
4. All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir—I checked this book out on a whim and it over-delivered. It was on NPR’s top books of 2022 list and they were not wrong. It is a Romeo and Juliet story for today.
3. What We Wish Were True by Tallu Schyuler Quinn—This is another book I reviewed for TXK magazine. I think about this book often and it has inspired me to write more and be more intentional in my life.
2. Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult—mentioned above. Told you I loved it!
1. Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin—Another book that made the TXK reviews. This one is polarizing among my reader friends. I will continue to recommend it because it was my #1 for 2022. It hit me right in my 41-year-old heart and I’m currently thinking of the next perfect person to recommend it to.
There you have it. I have a few others I will finish up this month and trust me when I tell you that if I deem them worthy to review... you will be the first to know. Thank you for taking your time to read my Talk Tuesday each month. Each time I hear someone say they read it, it means the world to me and makes me feel like the queen of Texarkana Magazine. Happy Holidays, friends!
