Congrats on Reading a Book America! Brenda’s Reading List for 2022
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!
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!
Loved it so much I am getting certified to teach it. Loved it!
Liked it!
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!
Excellent ideas for leaders. Loved it!
SOAR!: Build Your Vision from the Ground Up by T.D. Jakes
Liked it!
Liked it!
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!
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!
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!
Very good read. Loved it!
Excellent read. Loved it!
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
Very good! Loved it!
A gruesome murder–but so good! Loved it!
The Dark Witch Series (3 Books) by Nora Roberts
Devoured all three very quickly. Loved it!
