And all the rest...2022 edition

Oh my goodness...we made it y'all. It is New Year's Eve, and we are about to say goodbye to 2022. Now I know I have briefly mentioned this before, but although there is one post per week (every Friday) featuring one book, there are also a few books that I read that do not make it in. Sometimes this is planned, as in I read something with no intention of giving it a space here. Other times, the decision comes in the middle of reading, and it can be for a number of reasons. So whatever it was, below are the books I read during 2022 that did not receive their own special moment on this blog.

Dry by Neal Shusterman & Jarrod Shusterman: For the first entry, I remember attending a book signing and reading for The Toll, the third installment in Shusterman's Arc of a Scythe series. Near the end, he described the plot for Dry, and it terrified me so much that I thought I would never read it. Initially published in 2018, I finally bought it in 2021, and it still sat on my shelf until earlier this year. Essentially, the state of California runs out of water, and people lose their minds. I believe his direct quote was "Imagine you have a baby at home, and he's going to die unless you get some water soon...and you know that your neighbor has been stockpiling. What do you do?" See? Terrifying...

My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite: This one had been recommended to me by a friend, and I was finally able to snag it from the Cloud Library. Also, it is short enough that I was able to get through it pretty quickly...and the crazy premise helps. Korede's sister Ayoola has a nasty habit of killing whoever she is dating at the time. Things somehow manage to go up a level when Ayoola begins dating Korede's boss, whom Korede has also been in love with for quite some time. This book is a wild ride, and it being under 250 pages means even those with short attention spans should be able to power through to the end.

Mouth to Mouth by Antoine Wilson: Another recommendation from a friend - but more in the way of them wanting to know what I thought by the end of it - this one is another short suspense novel, coming in at under 200 pages. The narrator listens as a former classmate tells him a story of saving someone's life at the beach, and the friendship that comes after it. I remember enjoying the book enough, but honestly, I could not give specific details as to what happened or why it was important. The twists and turns were perhaps too subtle for me, or too subtle in general. Honestly not sure...

What the Fireflies Knew by Kai Harris: When Kenyatta and Nia are sent to live with a grandfather they have never met, the following summer ends up being one complicated by feelings of abandonment, confusion, frustration, and loneliness. Kenyatta has to watch as her older sister makes new, cooler friends, and therefore no longer has time for her. And she cannot help but feel that everyone is keeping secrets from her. I picked up the book because the writing was compared to Jesmyn Ward, but ultimately, it just did not interest me that much. 

The Maid by Nita Prose: This book ended up taking the top prize for the Best Mystery & Thriller category in the 2022 Goodreads Choice Awards. Twenty-five year-old Molly Gray has trouble navigating social situations and interpreting social cues, but she thrives as a maid at the Regency Grand Hotel. But when a wealthy regular guest turns up dead, Molly's orderly life is thrown off track when she becomes a suspect. This was one of those books that I wanted to read, and debated giving a space on the blog, but it just did not happen. Lovers of quirky mysteries will adore it though.

You Sound Like a White Girl by Julissa Arce: I had the opportunity to hear author Julissa Arce speak at the 2022 San Antonio Book Festival, and also have her sign my copy of the book. The book's subtitle is The Case for Rejecting Assimilation, and it is exactly that. Arce came to live in the U.S. from Mexico at the age of 11, and throughout the book, she talks about her journey as she learns English and eventually begins a job on Wall Street, all while chasing the hope of being considered 'American.' While part one is all about the lies immigrants are told, part two is about embracing the truth. It is another short one (just under 200 pages) that is worth picking up.

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy: Oh yes...I read this one too...much like everyone else. Initially, I had no plans to even pick it up. I grew up watching Nickelodeon, but anything McCurdy was in was a little after my time. But there was simply too much buzz around this book for it to be ignored, and my goodness, I certainly understand the fuss. It won in the Best Memoir & Autobiography category for the Goodreads Choice Awards in a landslide victory for a reason. The title alone should tell readers exactly the kind of brutal honesty to expect, and McCurdy does not hold back. The former child actress is candid about the abuse she experienced at the hands of her mother, until the woman's death after an intense battle with the cancer when McCurdy was only in her early 20s. This book is everything everyone has been saying it is, but it is not for the faint of heart.

Dare to Lead by Brene Brown: I have been a fan of Brown's work since hearing her speak at a conference several years ago. Known for focusing on vulnerability and the power of courageous leadership, Dare to Lead looks at what it means to lead teams that are braver, and more daring. I always appreciate Brown's ability to weave in stories from her own life, and these stories are often evidence of her own vulnerability, and just how much she believes in the value behind it. I will tell anyone who asks that I am no leader, and I have do not have any intention to be, but books like this are still helpful in my everyday work life. 

So yes, these are the books that I read during 2022 that I felt needed at least a paragraph at the end of what has been an interesting year, and not only in the world of publishing. I hope that everyone has a wonderful and safe new year's, as well as a joyful 2023. 

Graphic Memoir: Ducks by Kate Beaton

In late 2015 and early 2016, I read both of Kate Beaton's comic collections, Hark! A Vagrant, and Step Aside, Pops. It is somewhat difficult for me to describe, but there was something about Beaton's comic timing, and how it came through on the page, that delighted me. I was delighted once again when I discovered that Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands, would be available to readers in mid-September. But upon reading the description, I could tell this would be a very different kind of book, one which may include humor, but the point would not be to make readers laugh.

Genre, Themes, History: This graphic memoir chronicles the two years that Beaton worked in the oil sands of Alberta, Canada after graduating college. Starting in 2005, Beaton would make the journey from her home in Nova Scotia on the far East coast of Canada, all the way to the other side of the country, with the promise of good money for hard work. Beaton received a degree in a subject she loved, but did not see what she learned earning her enough money to help pay her student loan debt. So she risked entering a field that was mostly dominated by men, in a place very far from home. While the money did come in, Beaton would experience loneliness, isolation, and near unending harassment from the men around her. And the situation would either get worse, or stay the same as she changed locations, positions, and companies. The question of whether these men were only acting this way because Beaton was only one of the few women on site was something she wrestled with her entire time there. It was only after a year or so in the Beaton would begin working on her comics and set up a website, and this is the passion she continues to pursue today.

My Verdict: Graphic memoirs are something I am trying to read more of, and if any of them are half as interesting, or eye-opening, or even heart-breaking as this one, pursuing more of them can only be a win. First, Beaton spares no detail or story, as this collection clocks in at over 400 pages (most of the graphic memoirs I have read up to this point rarely reach 250 pages). She fully explores the thought process and panic over her student loan debt, which led to her decision to take such a massive leap (at least from my limited view). Beaton also brings up the aforementioned issue of seemingly ordinary men - often men with families back home where they are from - acting the way they did simply because of where they are currently working and the conditions they are subjected to. And there are Beaton's own conflicted feelings when it comes to indicting these men, as they are trying to do the same as her, which is earn money in a landscape where money is hard to get for those from where she grew up. I will issue a trigger warning for this book, as the attention Beaton often received from the males around her was questionable at the best of times...and there seemingly were not that many 'best of times.' But I cannot recommend it enough, and hope many people decide to check it out.

Favorite Moment: During her time in the Albian Sands, Beaton worked with a Warehouse Foreman named Ryan. While Ryan certainly had his own issues, I appreciated his honesty about the situation, often confirming Beaton's own assessments. When asked by a frustrated Beaton whether or not they worked with adults, he plainly states that no, they do not. 

Favorite Quote: "But people kid themselves if they think the only life they're living is somewhere else." - Brent, a mechanic in Aurora.

Recommended Reading: Both Hark! A Vagrant, and Step Aside, Pops made me laugh out loud. But another graphic memoir worth getting ahold of is Almost American Girl by Robin Ha.   

Young Adult Fiction: I'm the Girl by Courtney Summers

Many lovers of young adult mysteries and thrillers are familiar with the work of Courtney Summers, author of This Is Not a Test, All the Rage, and the bestselling Sadie. Her most recent offering, I'm the Girl, has been described as the spiritual successor to Sadie, which many or her readers must have been excited to hear. When a young girl discovers a dead body, her already fragile world is once again shifted. 

The Situation: Sixteen year-old Georgia Avis has dreams for herself. She plans to make more of her life than what it currently is in the town of Ketchum. For Georgia, those plans begin with Aspera, a resort for the rich and elite. It is where only a certain kind of girl gets hired to be an Aspera girl, something Georgia has wanted to achieve for a long time. It is also where Georgia's mother worked before she died, and Katy Avis did not leave her job on the best of terms. But when Georgia discovers the dead body of a 13 year-old Ashley, it throws her directly into the path to her dreams, as well as into the investigation of what really happened that lead to the death of the sheriff's daughter.

The Problem: Georgia has always remembered what her mother told her about not being good enough for Aspera, but she refuses to believe it. She knows she is good enough, and pretty enough, and can barely contain her joy when she finally gets a job at the pristine and glamorous resort. But the road between Ketchum and Aspera is also the road where Ashley's body is found, which brings both of Georgia's worlds uncomfortably close to one another. As she finds out more about Ashley and her final days, with the assistance of Ashley's older sister Nora, she cannot help but feel that she is also in danger. Ashley's killer is still out there, and the more they uncover, the longer the list of guilty parties grows. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult mystery/thriller novel that explores many difficult themes, which is not unusual for a book by Summers. Many trigger warnings have been issued for this book as the plot involves sexual assault, grooming, the murder of a child, and the privilege and influence that exists for the rich and powerful. Similarities have been drawn between the plot and the Jeffrey Epstein case many times, which should help readers decide if this is a story they wish to pick up. Georgia wants little more than to be an Aspera girl at an elite resort, believing it will prove what she has always felt, which is that she is beautiful, and desired, and worthy to be in the same place as the most rich, powerful, and influential people. But the second storyline of her discovery of a dead body makes everything much more complicated, and terrifying.

My Verdict: Summers is a fantastic writer. I decided to lead with that, because in the end, I have the same issue with this book that I had with Sadie, along with a few others. Much like Sadie, the ending of this one did nothing for me. It felt as if nothing was resolved, and no solutions are offered. As for other issues, they mostly lie with the character of Georgia. The combination of self-centered and naive makes for a character that is so blind when she is only looking out for herself, that she is missing every glaring and obvious red flag she is confronted with. Georgia wants so badly to believe she is special, and the mystery she finds herself being caught up in is not solid enough to make the frustration worth it. Much of it is clunky, some of the discoveries seem convenient, and the breakthrough does not feel complete. 

Favorite Moment: Honestly, it's all pretty uncomfortable and frustrating. The moments of victory, triumph, and discovery do not feel worth it. 

Favorite Character: Nora has her own issues and baggage - after all, her younger sister was discovered dead on the side of the road - but despite everything, she seems to have her feet firmly under her and sees the world for what it is.

Recommended Reading: A book that explores similar issues is My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell, and in my opinion, that book handles it much better. 

Contemporary Fiction: The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez

After reading The Vanished Birds in 2020, I was excited to see what author Simon Jimenez would come up with next, so it was an easy decision to pick up The Spear Cuts Through Water. Though I rarely read fantasy written for adults, I took a chance on a story that was described as an epic fantasy adventure.

The Situation: When Jun is tasked with assisting his grandmother on a journey for freedom, he knows it will not be easy. His grandfather insisted on keeping her contained, and Jun knows his actions will disappoint his power-hungry father. But the magnificent - and bloody - escape is only the first of many intense events that will occur over the five-day pilgrimage. And on their way, the grandson and grandmother will encounter and sometimes travel with an ailing tortoise, a previously imprisoned bird, a severed head, and a one-armed man intent on keeping an oath he made to the woman who gave him a home and a job when he had nowhere else to go. The journey will be dangerous and difficult, with little chance of ending well.

The Problem: The trip will prove dangerous because the grandmother happens to be a god, the Moon fallen to Earth to be exact, attempting to escape her three sons, known in the land they rule as the Three Terrors. As powerful as she is, she knows she cannot outrun the sons that chase after her, even with Jun's help. But she is determined to end the rule of the Moon Throne, which she initially helped bring about. Each day brings new dangers, new side missions, but also new allies, as the group embarks on a mission that becomes more strange and more dangerous the longer it goes. It also does not help that Jun is hated in every land, as he is both a son of the First Terror, and has blood on his hands from his past. 

Genre, Themes, History: This book is an epic fantasy initially presented as a story being told by a mother to her son, through a memory. Then it eventually moves to being a performance done on a stage, that the same son is now watching as an adult. Occasionally, the narrative will pause to add more details about the watcher's own story, before returning to the adventure and what new obstacle the Moon, her grandson, and the one-armed warrior must face next. There are beasts that talk; a network of nearly all-seeing tortoises that spread the news; a man who can control others through the power of his words; another who has the head of a wolf; and a good deal of commentary from witnesses who are never named, some of which even died during the events. 

My Verdict: This book is perfect for those looking to settle into a story of a long journey full of incredible events and magical creatures. It is an adventure that only spans five days, but more life is lived for those involved in those five days than many have experienced in five years. Readers who pick up fantasy books on a regular basis may love it, and while I enjoyed most of it a great deal, I only found myself becoming invested after reaching the last 100 pages or so (the book clocks in at over 500 pages). I am not entirely sure if I was simply excited to be near the end, but something changed in the story for me at that point, making the adventure more engaging and interesting. The book certainly is not lacking in imagination and creativity, and nearly every thread is followed through to the end.

Favorite Moment: When the Third Terror makes his appearance, his circumstances are so fascinating - as well as horrifying - that I wish the reader had been allowed to stay in that environment a little while longer, despite how dreadful and grim it is.

Favorite Character: Keema is the one-armed outcast that joins the adventure, albeit for his own reasons, be he proves to be essential despite his limitations. 

Recommended Reading: Jimenez's previous book, The Vanished Birds, is more science fiction than fantasy, and also much shorter. But I recall it being full of as much adventure and detail as this one. 

Nonfiction: Solito by Javier Zamora

Once again, 2022 comes through with an engaging piece of nonfiction. Solito by Javier Zamora chronicles the author's journey at the tender age of nine from El Salvador to the U.S, where he was to be reunited with his parents. The 'trip' as it was always described to him is long, hard, dangerous, and full of uncertainty.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a memoir that takes place almost entirely within the weeks between April 20 and June 10 of 1999. During this time, young Javier made the 3,000 mile journey from his small town in El Salvador to the U.S, where he would reunite with his parents. He was nine years old, and entirely alone, except for the group of strangers that were also making their journey for their own reasons, to be reunited with their own loved ones. Using nearly every mode of transportation, Javier will make a trip that was supposed to take only two weeks. But there are setbacks and countless dangers, and the fear and uncertainty about what happens next only grows as the weeks go on. With both English and Spanish used for the dialogue, Zamora tells of his experience with the utmost attention to detail, giving readers access to memories that many may never forget.

My Verdict: For those readers that are looking for a memorable journey, and also for a detailed, first-person account of the often difficult trek across the U.S. and Mexico border, this is absolutely for them. The fact that Zamora is only nine years-old when he is sent off to make this trip alone is enough to astound or even impress many people. I can only vaguely recall what I was like at nine years old (my memory has never been the best), but I am fairly certain that something like this would have broken me. Many times throughout the book, young Javier worries that he is being a nuisance to the adults in the group, or that he is annoying the older kids. It is an understandable concern, but it is eventually buried in the magnitude of everything else that is going on. It is the kind of story that is hard to believe, but it did happen, and Zamora relays it well with specifics and honesty, and the kind of observations and thoughts that only a small and vulnerable child would have.

Favorite Moment: At one point, it is determined that it is easier for Javier to pretend to be part of a family with three other travelers. It does not take long for the young boy to realize that this new and made up family is actually quite real, despite the fake papers that declare it to be true. 

Recommended Reading: I recommend The Man Who Could Move Clouds by Ingrid Rojas Contreras. 

Winners of the 2022 Goodreads Choice Awards

After two rounds of voting, the readers have spoken and the winners have been chosen. It is time to reveal the victors of the 2022 Goodreads Choice Awards. There is usually at least one surprise and more than a few close calls, but more than anything, it is exciting to see which books came out on top.

It is no surprise to me that Gabrielle Zevin's Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow took the top prize for Best Fiction. It is one of those books that I felt like I could read forever, and it has received so much attention since its publication. It is a good feeling when a DSN I voted for has taken the first category. 

And while I may not have voted for the winner for Best Historical Fiction, it is again no surprise that this book has been voted the reader favorite. Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid has won it, which means it joins Reid's two previous books as winners of this category for the Goodreads Choice Awards. 

It seems that Emily St. John Mandel has still managed to entertain science fiction lovers and her Sea of Tranquility has won it for Best Science Fiction. Personally, I loved the tie-ins to her previous book and another Goodreads Choice winner, Station Eleven. 

And finally, I am pleased to see that The Office BFFs by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey has won for the Best Humor category, and given that the show The Office was popular during its initial run, and has now been rediscovered by a new generation, this is not at all surprising. Add to this the incredibly popular and award-winning podcast, The Office Ladies, and this book was certainly going to have its supporters. 

Four DSNs, three of which I voted for, have won in their categories, along with a couple books that I read but did not cover on this blog (more on that later this month). All there is to do now is discover more new books and get ready for 2023. My only hope is that next year will provide just as many delightful selections as this one did. 

Young Adult Fiction: The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson

Author Tiffany D. Jackson is known for her mysteries and thrillers geared towards young readers, and her latest offering, The Weight of Blood, was absolutely perfect reading during the Halloween season when I first picked it up. A re-imagining of the story of Carrie, by Stephen King, Jackson takes the classic and places it in 2014 in small-town Georgia.

The Situation: It was a fairly usual day at Springville High School. No one may have expected the rain that came down during first period, especially Maddy Washington, who made it a point to check the weather at least three times before leaving her house. The surprise downpour has wreaked havoc on her hair, leading to two reactions from her fellow students in her next class. The popular girls in the back cannot hold back their laughter...they even begin to throw things into Maddy's afro. But this also makes everyone realize something no one knew, even the teacher - Maddy Washington is black. When a video of the teasing makes it onto social media, Springville must do serious damage control, while also confronting its racist history.

The Problem: One solution to help both the school and the town's image is to hold the first integrated prom at the end of the month. Of course, there is significant resistance. Many believe things are fine the way they are, that this integration of one of the high school's most sacred and long-held traditions is not necessary, maybe even a little extreme. But popular class president and head of the prom committee Wendy is determined to save the day, and even has a plan to get Maddy to attend the event. When everything seems to be going well, even better than perfect, some of Maddy's classmates decide enough is enough, and ruin an evening where the poor girl started to feel almost normal. Unbeknownst to them, this is just the thing to cause this night to truly be one no one will ever forget...well, the ones that live anyway.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction book that takes place mostly during May of 2014, which is the height of prom season for many high schools in the U.S. The book also contains segments from episodes of Maddy Did It, a fictional show on NPR that is exploring the event, interviewing witnesses and experts, and going through old records in an attempt to piece together what exactly happened the night of the prom. Of course, those that are familiar with Stephen King's Carrie more or less know what happens, but Jackson brings the horror story into the 21st century by introducing a plot with themes of institutional racism, privilege, and how the act of protecting history and tradition can quickly reveal how people really feel about progress and reconciliation, while also indicting those who stand by and do nothing. 

My Verdict: I knew this was going to be a tough one - books that deal with racism usually are on some level - but I let my apprehension allow me to forget how fun Jackson's books can be. Poor Maddy is a complex character, raised in a household by a man who was determined that she would not be exactly who she is. Add in a town that is desperately trying to hold onto its racist roots, and a significant event is bound to happen. Not only is the situation incredibly tense, but each chapter brings new discoveries of different characters, and different pieces of the story. My only issue would be the ending. While I understand that not every mystery needs to be solved, there were some loose ends that bothered me. But whatever. I still say lovers of horror will have fun with this one.

Favorite Moment: As someone who works at a large university, I know that it is possible to rescind a student's admission. I will just say that it happens in this book, and it is glorious. 

Favorite Character: Mrs. Morgan does her best to help Maddy, as well as be of assistance to the other black students at Springville High School. She does what she knows the principal cannot (or will not), and has no issue standing up against popular students and their powerful parents. 

Recommended Reading: Monday's Not Coming still remains my favorite of all of Jackson's books that I have read.