“Even if you fall on your face, you’re still moving forward.” —Victor Kiam
To Victor Kiam goes the spoils! Looks like I’ve been moving forward and I didn’t even know it.
The fact that it is now March, and I haven’t posted my 2022 favorites could be a fall-on-your-face move, but I’ve been busy mining the best books. Here are last year’s favorites that felt a bit like magic tricks to me.
FAVORITE BOOK(S) OF THE YEAR
You know it’s an incredible year in the books when you wrestle internally over which read rightfully earns the “favorite” distinction. I can’t decide. My heart is still pumping chocolate for Project Hail Mary. But my girl Mags made reading great again (in back-to-back years) with her latest, The Marriage Portrait. How’s a girl to decide? I guess I’m going to do what any responsible book blogger would do in this situation: let Rachel choose when she posts this.
FAVORITE HISTORICAL FICTION
After many months, I’m still fascinated by Karen Joy Fowler’s look into the infamous Booth family. She provides such interesting insights into the impossibly vain mind of Lincoln’s assassin. (The Book of Lost Names was also an eye-opening historical fiction I read this year.)
Favorite Book I Should Have Read Before Now
(But Didn’t Because of Blog Crossover)
If the 2 of us at 27 carry any book clout with you, dear reader, Circe is a must read. No questions asked. I’m convinced Madeline Miller writes her books on Mount Olympus. She can weave a Greek tale together better than Athena herself.
FAVORITE LISTEN
I’m with audible on this one, no wrestling about it: Project Hail Mary was an outstanding listen. Long live Ray Porter! And Rocky and Ryland of course.
THREE’S A CHARM WHERE THESE READS ARE CONCERNED
It’s no secret we’re R.J. Palacio fans around here. Her young characters endear. If you love a good story that underscores the need for courage in a mixed-up chaotic world, look no further.
I miss Marcellus, the wry (sometimes aloof) giant Pacific octopus that cracked a cold case wide open. I dare you to read this remarkably bright book and not fall in love with the mollusk.
Anthony Marra was one of my best discoveries last year. I’ll let Anne Patchett do the honors: “The word ‘brilliant’ gets used in all of his reviews. Mercury Pictures Presents…is full of history, comedy, and horror. It’s a great literary read.”
Looking back, 2022 was filled with the wonder of good reads. I’m so glad.