My reading journey in 2022 was exceptional. Was it because I so needed sanctuary from the news? Whatever the reason, it was a bumper year for rewarding reading. So many of the books below earned my special asterisks for their exceptional storytelling, creativity and ability to linger in memory. Because of that, I decided to also pick my top five for those who need an instant hit of literary inspiration:

My Top Five Titles:

• Book of Form and Emptiness
• Bewilderment
• Beautiful Country
• Horse
• This is How it Always Is

My year of reading ravenously:

Beasts of a Little Land by Juhea Kim. Koreans under Japanese occupation

*Beautiful country by Quian Juli Wang. Powerful childhood memoir of a young Chinese immigrant.

**Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki. Hard to describe. Impossible to forget characters trying to survive. A book lovers, library lovers masterwork of family, connections and spaces.

*Bewilderment by Richard Powers.  Incredible writing that covers love, science, the galaxy and a very special needs boy and his father. Beyond brilliant.

*When the Apricots Bloom by Gina Wilkerson. Life under Saddam Husain

*Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner. A mother daughter bond forged in love and kimchee

*Matrix by Lauren Groff. Imagined life of a medieval abbey through decades

Celine by Peter Heller. Asthmatic blue blood senior female detective + road travels

True Biz by Sara Novic. …deaf kids & their culture.

*Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare

The other Americans by Leila Lalami

 Count the Ways by Joyce Maynard

*Facing the Mountain by Daniel James Brown

Every Day is for the Thief by Teju Cole

*Horse by Geraldine Brooks.  A masterpiece historical novel about an enslaved horse groomsman and a famous racehorse.

Memphis by Tara Stringfellow

One Two Three by Laurie Frenkel

April in Spain by John Banville

Our woman in Moscow by Beatriz Williams

*Migrations by Charlotte McConahy. Mesmerizing drama of a mysterious woman journeying to the Arctic. Imagery is spectacular.

*This is How it Always Is by Laurie Frenkel. A story for every parent trying their best. Brilliant dialogue.

I’m ending the year before finishing two other books so if you want a sneak peek into 2023:

Whalebone Theater by Joanna Quinn

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Happy New Year dear readers. May the new year bring joy, health and endless pageturners!