Congrats on Reading a Book America! Brenda’s Reading List for 2022

 In Books and Resources

I was glad to read that a recent Pew Research Center study found that about 64% of American adults say they have read a book in the past 12 months. That’s wonderful. Afterall studies show that reading books lowers our stress level, increases our vocabulary, helps our memory recall, focus, and concentration–need I go on? And sorry “reading” posts on social and watching videos on Tik Tok don’t count.

There is just so much good stuff out there these days. Fiction books transport you to other worlds and lives and non-fiction books not only help you improve your life and career, but stimulate your brain in a way that really nothing else can. If you decide to try a non-fiction book this next year, start with something really short that grabs you in the first chapter. Finishing a non-fiction book puts you in a rare category since most readers read fiction books.

Here’s my 2022 Reading list.

I am reading more fiction than I ever have before thanks to COVID and more vacations at this phase in life. Plus I read fiction faster–those pageturners get me every time. Here are my books and a short review. My ratings are as always: loved it, liked it or meh!

NON FICTION AND MEMOIR

Life Is in the Transitions: Mastering Change at Any Age by Bruce Feiler

Brilliant book on life. Loved it.

Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker 

Excellent. Loved it!

Designing Your New Work Life: How to Thrive and Change and Find Happiness by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans 

I liked their original Designing Your Life Book much better. Meh!

Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence by Anna Lembke

Mind-blowing. Excellent. Loved it!

Conversations Worth Having, Second Edition: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement by Jackie Stavros and Cheri Torres

Loved it so much I am getting certified to teach it. Loved it!

Conversations Worth Having for Clinicians, Case Workers, and Coaches: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Foster Wellbeing

Liked it!

WILL: A memoir by Will Smith

Before the violent public gaff at the Oscars, I would have said it was the best memoir I had ever read/listened to.

Let That Shit Go: Find Peace of Mind and Happiness in Your Everyday by Nina Purewell and Kate Petriw

Excellent! Loved it!

Rich as Fuck: More Money than You Know What to Do With by Amanda Frances

Excellent! Buy a journal to do the exercises. Loved it!

The Thin Book of Appreciative Inquiry by Sue Annis Hammond

Meh! I preferred Conversations Worth Having (above)

Self-Help on the Go: Because You Are Not Broken, but Life Gets Tricky Sometimes by Carrie Johannsson

Excellent! A handbook for life. Loved it!

Spark Brilliance: How the Science of Positive Psychology Will Ignite, Engage, and Transform Your Team by Jackie Insinger

Excellent ideas for leaders. Loved it!

SOAR!: Build Your Vision from the Ground Up by T.D. Jakes

Liked it!

From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life by Arthur C. Brooks

Liked it!

Life Force: How New Breakthroughs in Precision Medicine Can Transform the Quality of Your Life and Those You Love by  Anthony robbins

I mean–it’s 600+ pages of medical breakthroughs and hope. Loved it!

 

Fiction

The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro

Gripping/excellent! Loved It!

How to Bake a Perfect Life: A Novel by Barbara O’Neal

Nice! Liked it!

The Good Goodbye by Carla Buckley

Whoa, excellent suspense! Loved it!

How the Penguins Saved Veronica by Hazel Prior

Adorable! Loved it!

The Queen’s Fool: A Novel by Philippa Gregory good hist fiction

If you are into historical fiction and England you will love it. Loved it!

It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

Whoa–not what you think! Loved it!

While We Were Dating by Jasmine Guillory

Love all of her stuff! Loved it!

The Idea of You by Robinne Lee

Ah hem–this is one HOT read! Loved it!

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle

Brilliant piece of fiction. Loved it!

Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan

Very good. Loved it!

All You Can Ever Know: A Memoir by Nicole Chung

I could not relate really. Liked it!

Everything I Never Told you by Celeste Ng

Tough story. Liked it!

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Might be my favorite fiction of the year. Loved it!

State of Terror by Louise Penny and Hillary Clinton

Riveting! Loved it!

The Villa by Nora Roberts

Wine, romance and murder. What’s not to love? Loved it!

The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller

Whoa-so good! Loved it!

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

Sue me! I found this Pulitzer Prize winner annoying. Meh!

Malibu Rising by Julia Whelan

Very good read. Loved it!

Celine by Peter Heller

Excellent read. Loved it!

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

Very good! Loved it!

A Double Life by Flynn berry

A gruesome murder–but so good! Loved it!

The Dark Witch Series (3 Books) by Nora Roberts

Devoured all three very quickly. Loved it!

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