New to Me Authors I discovered 2022!

I read 99 books in 2022... Most of the books I read 2022 were audiobooks. I actually listened to more books than read books in 2022, which is a first for me I'm pretty sure. Many of the books I read in 2022 were written by authors I'd never read before 2022.

Below are the top ten new to me authors I read in 2022:

1. Margaret Walker - Jubilee
2. Peter Swanson - The Kind Worth Killing
3. Helen MacDonald - H is for Hawk
4. Sarah McBride - Tomorrow Will Be Different: Love, Loss, and the Fight for Trans Equality
5. Diana Rowland - My Life As a White Trash Zombie
6. Xio Axelrod - The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes
7. Rudolfo Anaya - Bless Me, Ultima
8. Glen Duncan - The Last Werewolf
9. Elizabeth Day - Magpie
10. S. T. Gibson - A Dowry of Blood

Have you read any of the above authors or books? Which new to you authors did you read in 2022? Share with me in the comment section below!

News of the World by Paulette Jiles

 

News of the World by Paulette Jiles is a novel that had been in my 'to be read' pile for a number of years, until this year. I am happy that I finally decided to listen to the unabridged audio version of News of the World by Paulette Jiles and narrated by Grover Gardner.

I'd heard many great things about News of the World from other readers and of course, that this novel was a National Book Award Finalist for fiction... But I wasn't sure if I'd like it due to the hype and the fact that westerns are generally not my go to genre.

Let's just say that I was pleasantly surprised by News of the World. It's very well narrated by Grover Gardner. I enjoyed the main character, Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, the best. I also liked the other main character of Johanna as well, however not as much as the character of Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd. The characters and storyline were both well developed in News of the World and this novel contains a very tidy ending.

Listening time for News of the World by Paulette Jiles is 6 hours, 42 minutes.

Below is the summary for News of the World by Paulette Jiles from Goodreads:

In the aftermath of the Civil War, an aging itinerant news reader agrees to transport a young captive of the Kiowa back to her people in this exquisitely rendered, morally complex, multilayered novel of historical fiction from the author of Enemy Women that explores the boundaries of family, responsibility, honor, and trust.

In the wake of the Civil War, Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd travels through northern Texas, giving live readings from newspapers to paying audiences hungry for news of the world. An elderly widower who has lived through three wars and fought in two of them, the captain enjoys his rootless, solitary existence.

In Wichita Falls, he is offered a $50 gold piece to deliver a young orphan to her relatives in San Antonio. Four years earlier, a band of Kiowa raiders killed Johanna’s parents and sister; sparing the little girl, they raised her as one of their own. Recently rescued by the U.S. army, the ten-year-old has once again been torn away from the only home she knows.

Their 400-mile journey south through unsettled territory and unforgiving terrain proves difficult and at times dangerous. Johanna has forgotten the English language, tries to escape at every opportunity, throws away her shoes, and refuses to act “civilized.” Yet as the miles pass, the two lonely survivors tentatively begin to trust each other, forming a bond that marks the difference between life and death in this treacherous land.

Arriving in San Antonio, the reunion is neither happy nor welcome. The captain must hand Johanna over to an aunt and uncle she does not remember—strangers who regard her as an unwanted burden. A respectable man, Captain Kidd is faced with a terrible choice: abandon the girl to her fate or become—in the eyes of the law—a kidnapper himself.

I am giving News of the World by Paulette Jiles a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Don't Look For Me by Wendy Walker

 

The first novel I read and reviewed by Wendy Walker was All Is Not Forgotten back in March 2018. I loved reading All Is Not Forgotten, as it was an excellent and thought provoking read. 

I've wanted to read another novel by Wendy Walker ever since then. I discovered the unabridged audio version of Don't Look For Me by Wendy Walker and narrated by Therese Plummer on Chirp Books as one of their limited time deals, so I couldn't resist downloading and listening to this mystery/thriller.

I loved the suspense and tension built by alternating each chapter from the point of view of Molly Clarke followed by the point of view of her daughter, Nicole. I literally couldn’t wait to see how this novel played out. I ended up finishing this novel within 48 hours. 

Overall, Don’t Look For Me, is a great book…. However around 90% into this novel there is a plot twist that I didn’t see coming. This plot twist didn’t sit well with me. Nor did this plot twist resonate well with me either as to how the plot would unfold. Other than this detail, I thought that Don't Look For Me was a great read.

Below is the plot summary for Don't Look For Me by Wendy Walker from Goodreads:

One night, Molly Clarke walked away from her life. The car abandoned miles from home. The note found at a nearby hotel. The shattered family that couldn't be put back together. It happens all the time. Women disappear, desperate to leave their lives behind and start over. She doesn't want to be found. Or at least, that's the story. But is that what really happened to Molly Clarke?

The night Molly disappeared began with a storm, running out of gas, and a man in a truck offering her a ride to town. With him is a little girl who reminds her of the daughter she lost years ago. It feels like a sign. And Molly is overcome with the desire to be home, with her family—no matter how broken it is. She accepts the ride. But when the doors are locked shut, Molly begins to suspect she has made a terrible mistake.

When a new lead comes in after the search has ended, Molly's daughter, Nicole, begins to wonder. Nothing about her mother's disappearance makes sense.

Nicole returns to the small, desolate town where her mother was last seen to find the truth. The locals are kind and eager to help. The innkeeper. The bartender. Even the police. Until secrets begin to reveal themselves and she comes closer to the truth about that night—and the danger surrounding her.

I am giving Don't Look For Me by Wendy Walker a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

New to Me Little Free Library in San Ramon, California!

 

7524 Northland Ave, San Ramon, CA 94583

Yes, I still love finding new to me Little Free Libraries! This is the first new to me Little Free Library of 2023 in San Ramon, California! It was a very cute LFL find filled with an abundance of books. I left two books and took two books.

My 11 Least Favorite Reads During 2022!

Overall, I'd say that I enjoyed most of the books I read in 2023 were pretty wonderful... However, 11 books out of the 98 books I read this year I gave a 1 or 2 star rating out of 5 stars as follows:

1. Partials by Dan Wells - I'd read/heard a lot of wonderful things about this young adult/apocalypse novel (also the 1st book in a series). So, I decided to listen to the unabridged audio version of Partials. I didn't like, nor do I understand the hype for this novel. The characters and storyline were so one dimensional. I almost gave up on finishing this novel it was so bad, in my opinion.

2. Wolf by Jim Harrison - I wanted to branch out and try a new to me author. After I finished listening to this novel, I was like what the hell did I just listen to? Wolf was so weird/strange and all over the place. Wolf felt very stream of consciousness to me.

3. Ozoni and Onsens by Steph Gennaro - This is a short story/novella. I didn't find the storyline or characters that engaging. 

4. The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton - I listened to the audio version of this novel for a mystery/thriller virtual book club I joined this year. Although, I enjoyed the unique premise of this novel, it was 17 hours, 4 minutes long and had TOO MUCH going on to keep track of throughout the novel. The ending I didn't like, nor did I see the twist for this novel's ending either.

5. MatchMater Paranormal Dating App: The Complete Series by Laura Greenwood - Cheesy paranormal romance series. Need I day more?

6. Island of a Thousand Mirrors by Nayomi Munaweera - Intriguing storyline that sounded like a promising one to me. In the end, I thought it was okay overall... very forgettable.

7. The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones - I so wanted to LOVE this novel. Again this was another novel I'd heard great things about, but it didn't live up to the hype for me.

8. Robbergirl by S.T. Gibson - I'd listened to A Dowry of Blood by the same author earlier in the year, which I really enjoyed. So, I decided to give this novel by the same author a try. Meh, it wasn't as rewarding as the first novel was.

9. Miss Kane's Christmas by Caroline Mickelson - A Christmas themed read in time for the holiday season that makes for an easy read. I didn't care for it much - too shallow/superficial for my taste.

10. Caught Witch Handed by Catherine Waltan - Another one of those novels with an overall mediocre storyline and over the top cast of characters. It wasn't my type of book. I'll skip the rest of the series.

11. The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald - I've read  a three things written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Let's just say, I don't understand the appeal of his writing and leave it at that.

Did you come across any books that didn't make the cut with you in 2022?

Top Ten Tuesday - FREEBIE - My Top TEN Reads From the Second Half of 2022!!!

 

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl. Top Ten Tuesday was originally created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Below are my top ten favorite reads during the second half of 2022!!  Have you read any of the books in my Top Ten Tuesday post? Let me know in the comment section below!

1. The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater
2. H Is For Hawk by Helen MacDonald
3. The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines
4. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by Ian Fleming
5. Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya
6. Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore by Matthew J. Sullivan
7. Hallowe'en Party by Agatha Christie
8. The Book of Eels: Our Enduring Fascination with the Most Mysterious Creature in the Natural World by Patrik Svensson
9. Where the Lost Dogs Go: A Story of Love, Search, and the Power of Reunion by Susannah Charleson
10. 10 Landmark Supreme Court Decisions and How They Impact Your Life by David L. Hudson

How was your year of reading in 2022?

Merry Christmas!!

 

I hope you enjoy a fun filled day with those you love! 

Happy Jolabokaflod!!!

 

This would be my ideal way of celebrating Christmas Eve! A quiet evening sitting by a cozy fire, enjoying chocolates, drinking a hot beverage of choice, and quietly reading a new book in a comfortable spot surrounded by those I love also quietly reading as well. The smell of pine or other holiday scent would be a lovely touch as well.

Horror Themed Reads to Gear Up For Halloween!!

I'm not a huge fan of the horror genre. Nor have I been a fan of Halloween since childhood. However, for whatever reason, I kind of find it fun to read a few horror themed books or short stories during the month of October in order to celebrate the changing of the season... And it's also fun to prepare myself for the upcoming holiday season that occurs through the end of each year.

So, far I have listened to two short stories written by Edgar Allan Poe for free on YouTube, 'The Fall of the House of Usher' and 'The Black Cat'.

Both short stories were spooky and pleasant to listen to, especially if you are an Edgar Allan Poe fan and want a quick read. Below are the video links for both short stories mentioned above should you care to listen to one or both of them.

Additionally, I listened to the unabridged audio version of The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan in the past couple of months. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would as I am normally not a werewolf fan. The Last Werewolf is the first novel in a trilogy and I am contemplating read the rest of the trilogy. Below is a video of the author, Glen Duncan, discussing The Last Werewolf.

I am currently listening to the unabridged audio version of Hallowe'en Party by Agatha Christie and narrated by Hugh Fraser for free through YouTube, which is excellent so far. Hugh Fraser is an excellent narrator.

Below is the YouTube video/audio version of Hallowe'en Party by Agatha Christie should you care to listen to it.

After listening to Hallowe'en Party by Agatha Christie, I will be listening to the unabridged audio version of The Chalk Man by C. J Box for the Chirp Mystery/Thriller Virtual Book Club on October 31st at 9am Pacific Time. 

Below is a book trailer for The Chalk Man.

Do You Have an Issue with Tsunduko?

Tsunduko is the regular occurrence of buying books and letting them pile up without reading them. Tsunduko has become an issue for me personally. I have so many books waiting to be read. Yet, I keep adding more books to my 'to be read' pile.

It isn't that I am NOT reading books. I'm simply acquiring books faster than I can read them... What can I say? I love books in all forms, whether they be audiobooks, ebooks, or physical books.

The above video from R. C. Waldun discusses 'How To Stop Buying Books And Start Reading - Overcoming Tsundoku'. I found the video to be interesting and informative. Maybe this information would help me read more of the books I currently have and slow down on the book buying for awhile.

Does anyone else have issues with Tsunduko?