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Forty-ninth book in 2022 - The Grand Tour by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer. While I appreciated being reunited with these characters, the snappy dialogue and magic contained in the first book lost some of its sparkle in the second. It felt long and drawn out. And because the story was told in overlapping writings, there was quite a bit of rehashing. I wish the authors had kept the epistolary style from the first book. I’m still going to finish the series. 3 stars

Challenges: CTS

Personal challenges: Personal serial

Fiftieth book in 2022 - The Far Traveler: Voyages of a Viking Woman by Nancy Marie Brown. This book is nonfiction! Do not be fooled by the lack of subtitle, and it’s novel-like appearance. Once I got over that initial shock, I found the history interesting. Unfortunately, it was a bit-muddled and confusingly laid out. Having a knowledge of the Icelandic sagas might be helpful. But I learned a lot and want to read more about the subject in the future! Worth reading with the above caveats. 3.5 stars

Challenges: Celebrating

Fifty-first book in 2022 - The Hacienda by Isabel Canas. This book was creepy and scary and yet taught me - perfect combo! Clearly written with a deep understanding of Mexican history, the plot moved swiftly back and forth with the hacienda at the center of the storm. Loved the characters too! Really excited to see what this author writes next! I received this book as a free giveaway in exchange for my honest review. Definitely worth reading! 5 stars

Challenges: PopSugar, Diversity, Celebrating, Creative

Personal challenges: 2022 GR Choice

Fifty-second book in 2022 - True Pretenses by Rose Lerner. I was uncertain of this book at first, and then a comment halfway through made me pause and ponder, but by the end I was thoroughly in love with both mains and this book! I loved that they were honestly dishonest, I loved that the author peeled back the civility of the genteel, and I loved that she introduced Jewish characters into the regency (they were there in history, but are almost never on the page in these historicals). Charming and delightful and thoughtful. Definitely worth reading! 5 stars

Challenges: PopSugar, Diversity, Celebrating

Personal challenges: Personal serial

Fifty-third book in 2022 - The Highland Fling by Meghan Quinn. Fun, escapist, with lovely flashes of real conversations that helped make it more enjoyable. I liked the main characters, though I felt like sending them both to therapy multiple times. There were some great comic scenes and also some emotional ones. And now Scotland has been bumped up on my travel list. Definitely worth reading! 4.5 stars

Challenges: Diversity, Celebrating, Creative

Personal challenges: WPB Womens book club

Fifty-fourth book in 2022 - Portrait of a Thief by Grace D. Li. This was such an incredible debut! I loved the writing, the interchanging perspectives was done very well, and the plot was great! “For so long, the past had been a wound still open. Now he could run his finger along the mark those years had left. Scars were nothing but tissue, keratin, a reminder of what the body could endure.�� It was just a touch repetitive, but it was a really enjoyable read. Definitely worth reading! 4.5 stars

Challenges: PopSugar, Diversity, Celebrating

Personal challenges: 2022 Book Adaptations, 2022 GR Choice

Fifty-fifth book in 2022 - The Lost Man by Jane Harper. This was an expertly crafted mystery! The setting was its own character. I loved the complexity of the characters and the slow build to the reveal. Perfection and this won’t be my last Jane Harper novel. Definitely worth reading! 5 stars

Challenges: CTS, TBR, Diversity, Celebrating

Fifty-sixth book in 2022 - Just Like Mother by Anne Heltzel. There were truly interesting moments in this book. But there was a lack of cohesion in the plot and some of the scenes did not seem in line with the main character. While it’s an interesting concept, it was not enough to overlook some of the other issues. I look forward to her next book to see if the issues have been adjusted. I received this book as a free giveaway in exchange for my honest review. 2.5 stars

Challenges: PopSugar

Personal challenges: 2022 GR Choice

Fifty-seventh book in 2022 - All the Crooked Saints by Maggie Stiefvater. Ultimately, I really enjoyed this book, particularly how it wrapped up. Writing was good! “By relegating the things we fear and don’t understand to religion, and the things we understand and control to science, we rob science of its artistry and religion of its mutability.�� “This is the way of our work: we cannot help but color it with the paint of our feelings, both good and bad.�� “She found it depressing, how fast memories were replaced by rumors. Tragedy left behind such subtle artifacts.�� My only critique is that the author was trying to present the tale as a fairy or folk tale, but in the process, it created distance from the characters and story. By the end, the distance had decreased and everything resolved. Worth reading! 4 stars

Challenges: Celebrating, Meme

Fifty-eighth book in 2022 - Horrific Sufferings of the Mind-Reading Monster Hercules Barefoot: His Wonderful Love and His Terrible Hatred by Carl-Johan Vallgren, translated by Veronica and Paul Britton-Austin. This is an odd book but without some of the flashes of brilliance that could turn it into a treasure. There were parts I enjoyed. But there were parts I hated. The love interest was only ever described as physically attractive with no other qualities because why give a girl a personality - annoying. At times it was gratuitously gory. And the lapses in the plot were just a bit lazy. Glad to have this one done. 2 stars

Challenges: CTS, Diversity, Celebrating

Fifty-ninth book in 2022 - Book Lovers by Emily Henry. This book is quite close to perfect! Brilliant writing, love of books, love of NYC, family dynamics, so good! “Is there anything better than iced coffee and a bookstore on a sunny day?�� My favorite book of the year thus far, and I’m definitely buying a copy for my bookshelf at home. My only critique is that there is not much diversity. Definitely worth reading! 5 stars

Personal challenges: 2022 GR Choice

Sixtieth book in 2022 - Where the Drowned Girls Go by Seanan McGuire. Excellent installment in this series! I have no idea how the author manages to contain and convey so much in these slim volumes, but it is magic! “it took most of Sumi‘s attention to keep herself from interrupting, pointing out how it was funny how ‘real�� history seemed to be all about white men doing important things while everyone else barely existed except when they needed to be shown the error of their ways. It made sense that the self-made heroes would have written history to make them look as good as possible. It didn’t make sense for everyone else to be expected to believe it. It was like saying water was dry and the sky was red, and somehow making that the law of the land.�� Cora has become my favorite in this series, and I cannot wait to see what happens next in her story! Definitely worth reading! 4.5 stars

Challenges: Diversity, Meme

Personal challenges: 2022 GR Choice, personal serial

Sixty-first book in 2022 - House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas. Wow, that ending! I anxiously await the next installment. That being said, this book could have been a lot shorter. I felt that most of the book was the main character being fawned over by a group of guys. There were more interesting stories that could have been highlighted. It was still enjoyable escapism. Worth reading. 4 stars

Challenges: PopSugar

Personal challenges: 2022 GR Choice, Personal serial

Sixty-second book in 2022 - The Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams. This had all the flash and tarnish of a Star-studded 60s melodrama film. I did enjoy the details of the Portuguese immigrant community that supported the island. But it all felt tawdry with not a lot of purpose. I received this book as a free giveaway in exchange for my honest review. 3 stars

Challenges: CTS, TBR, Celebrating, Meme

Sixty-third book in 2022 - Marry Me, If You Dare by Alyssa Clarke. Overall, I was highly entertained by this book! I loved the setting, the plot, and the chemistry between the two characters. What I found annoying was the main character's rather selfish behavior - even beyond her initial circumstances, which I had sympathy for, her reactions were rather bratty. Worth reading and I'll be continuing with the next book! 4 stars

Challenges: Celebrating, Meme

Personal challenges: Personal serial

Sixty-fourth book in 2022 - Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson. This was a well-written exploration of one woman’s story of enslavement. I appreciated the characters and the way the information was presented. The ending was rather abrupt, and while I appreciated the epilogue, I still felt like the story was missing an ending. Did Pheby cease to exist upon assisting others? The epilogue seems to suggest otherwise. Looking forward to discussing with my book club! Definitely check out the author’s note! Worth reading! 4.5 stars

Challenges: Diversity, Celebrating, Meme

Personal challenges: WPB Womens Bookclub

Sixty-fifth book in 2022 - The Book of Fatal Errors: First Book in the Feylawn Chronicles by Dashka Slater. A great middle-grade fantasy about being yourself and learning to advocate for yourself. Loved the world the author created! “Rufus did not hate school, he just hated who he was when he was there.�� There were a few ugly truths presented that were not shied away from, which I really appreciated. But nothing that a 12 or 13 year old wouldn’t be able to handle. I received this book as a free giveaway in exchange for my honest review. Definitely worth reading! 4 stars

Challenges: CTS, Meme

Personal challenges: Personal serial

Sixty-sixth book in 2022 - The Ballad of Perilous Graves by Alex Jennings. I really wanted to like this book but in the end it was too disjointed and strange for me. It has an interesting concept, I loved all the New Orleans references, and the music references were fascinating. But I was left confused about what was happening for most of the book. And I felt like the writing had holes in it. Ultimately this was not an enjoyable read for me. I received this book as a free giveaway in exchange for my honest review. 2 stars

Challenges: PopSugar, Diversity, Celebrating

Personal challenges: 2022 GR Choice

Sixty-seventh book in 2022 - Through the Storm by Beverly Jenkins. One of my favorite historical romances from this author so far! I loved all the characters (except the villains and racists of course)! I always appreciate how this author brings in historical events and people, so you learn something next to steamy scenes. Definitely worth reading! 4.5 stars

Challenges: Diversity, Celebrating

Personal challenges: Personal serial

Sixty-eighth book in 2022 - The Lady of the Lake by Andrzej Sapkowski, translated by David French. There were parts of this conclusion to the series that I loved. And other parts that were unnecessary and just seemed to lengthen the already long story. I appreciated how the characters progressed, and the ending for Ciri was satisfying. Glad I read the series! Worth reading. 4 stars

Challenges: Diversity, French

Personal challenges: Personal serial, PBC Library summer bingo

Sixty-ninth book in 2022 - The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb. There were times I thought this was a good story and other times I was crying for an editor. The author tried to accomplish too much in one volume. It was disjointed at points. And a lot of it felt like an emotionally out of touch white guy whining. But there were moments of poignancy that I’ll remember. “That’s the funny thing about mazes: what’s baffling on the ground begins to make sense when you can begin to rise above it, the better to understand your history and fix yourself.�� Not sure if this one has stood the test of time. 3.5 stars

Challenges: CTS, French

Personal challenges: PBC Library summer bingo

Seventieth book in 2022 - Elsewhere by Alexis Schiatkin. This reminds me of an adult Giver. Writing is excellent. The entire book is dreamy and eerie. My only criticism is I wish a few more loose ends were wrapped up, but a really interesting read! I received this book as a free giveaway in exchange for my honest review. Worth reading! 4.5 stars

Challenges: French

Personal challenges: PBC library summer bingo, 2022 GR Choice

Seventy-first book in 2022 - Hang the Moon by Alexandria Bellefleur. Super cute and full of cute little scenes! Loved the characters and the continuation of the first book. My only critique is that at times I felt like a sentence was skipped. Worth reading! 4 stars

Challenges: Diversity, Celebrating, French

Personal challenges: PBC Library summer bingo, Ripped bodice bingo, personal serial

Seventy-second book in 2022 - The Vintage Book of American Women Writers edited by Elaine Showalter. This is an impressive anthology! I truly appreciated the author’s concerted efforts at inclusivity. And I loved the bios at the start of each chapter - so many amazing authors added to my tbr! Definitely worth reading! 5 stars

Challenges: Diversity, Celebrating

Personal challenges: PBC library summer bingo

Seventy-third book in 2022 - Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey. While I appreciate the history made with this book and the author’s contribution to the sci-fi canon and her breaking glass ceilings, this book has not aged well. There is sexual battery and domestic violence accepted within the society the author created. Even her main character participates and that is something I cannot continue to engage with. The writing is also rather clunky. Good for historical perspective but not one I recommend or a series I will continue. 2.5 stars

Challenges: CTS

Personal challenges: PBC library summer bingo, personal serial

Seventy-fourth book in 2022 - All the Tides of Fate by Adalyn Grace. Nice ending to this duology, but I hope there might be spin-offs in the future, particularly with Vataea. Really good exploration of grief. And lots of fun fantasy elements. Little slow but overall worth reading! 4 stars

Challenges: French

Personal challenges: PBC library summer bingo, personal serial

Seventy-fifth book in 2022 - The Taming of Jessi Rose by Beverly Jenkins. Really enjoyed this story, from the tidbits about train robberies, to the historical accounts of Comanches, black seminoles scouts, and more. Love this author’s blend of history and romance! Definitely worth reading! 4.5 stars

Challenges: Diversity, Celebrating, French

Personal challenges: Ripped bodice summer bingo

Seventy-sixth book in 2022 - Circus of Wonders by Elizabeth Macneal. I have mixed feelings about this book. I appreciated the history and some of the characters. Others seemed to be not fully realized. There were a few times that words were left out of the action sequences. Interesting overall. I received this book as a free giveaway in exchange for my honest review. 3.5 stars

Challenges: Diversity

Personal challenges: 2022 GR Choice

Seventy-seventh book in 2022 - The Conjurer by Luanne G. Smith. Good conclusion to the trilogy! A little slow in parts but overall entertaining. I liked the development of the main characters. Worth reading! 3.5 stars

Challenges: PopSugar

Personal challenges: Personal serial

Seventy-eighth book in 2022 - No One Tells You This by Glynnis MacNicol. I loved this book! Feel like it was written for me, but like a slightly younger version of me. “It sometimes felt like my 30s were an updated version of the old children’s game 10 little Indians (which no doubt goes by a different name these days ); every year someone exited to marriage or babies, until now at age 40, there were none.�� But there were parts that felt like she was trolling my inner thoughts. “It was hard work to root yourself so deeply in life that you could still love people and rely on them, knowing at any point they can make decisions that would leave you scrambling to find solid ground again. This was the better or worse of friendship, undeclared.��

Like most things in life, this is not for everyone. �� for the first time it crossed my mind that being alone could be a good thing, and not evidence that I was defective.��

“The problem was the encroaching sense that I had somehow stepped outside of ritual and was always going to be a guest star, forever celebrating the milestones of others without ever starring in my own. What cultural markers were there for women other than weddings and babies? How else do women mark the progression of their lives?��

““Don’t forsake those duties which keep you out of the nuthouse,�� Katherine Hepburn once wrote. I thought about that line a lot over the past few years: the importance of knowing your limits, what keeps you from stepping dangerously over them, and how to pull yourself back when you had gone too far.��

�� every woman I knew seem to think she was failing in someway, have been raised to believe she was lacking, and was certain someone else was doing it better. Had been told never to trust her own instincts. Taught to think of life as a solution when “done right,�� when in reality we existed in a kaleidoscope made of shades of gray, able to be very happy and very sad all at the same time.�� For these reasons and the entire, comforting memoir she wrote, I am grateful to this author. Definitely worth reading! 5 stars

Personal challenges: PBC library summer bingo

Seventy-ninth book in 2022 - Sugar and Salt by Susan Wiggs. This was an engaging, hard-to-put-down read! There was some repetitious language, which took me out of the story. I enjoyed the plot, characters, and the discussion surrounding relevant topics. I received this book as a free giveaway in exchange for my honest review. Worth reading! 4 stars

Personal challenges: 2022 GR Choice

Eightieth book in 2022 - At the End of the Matinee by Keiichiro Hirano, translated by Juliet Winters Carpenter. This is a very introspective book. A lot of the plot is reflected through the internal reactions and thoughts of the characters. I had difficulty getting interested in this book. It picked up a bit towards the end. I liked the discussions surrounding refugees and music, but it was a bit too quiet for my tastes. 3 stars

Challenges: PopSugar, CTS, Diversity, Haunted

Personal challenges: PBC library summer bingo, 2022 book adaptations

Eighty-first book in 2022 - The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles. Loved this book from the first page. I would trust this author to write the dictionary and make it compelling! “The willingness to take a beating: that’s how you can tell you’re dealing with a man of substance. A man like that doesn’t linger on the sidelines throwing gasoline on someone else’s fire; and he doesn’t go home unscathed. He presents himself front and center, undaunted, prepared to stand his ground until he can’t stand at all.�� Loved the complex characters, the morals and epics discussed and wound throughout, just so good! Definitely worth reading! 5 stars

Personal challenges: WPB Women's Book Club

Eighty-second book in 2022 - The Beast by Katee Robert. I was not really in the headspace for an erotic romance when I started this book, especially when everything gets started from the first few pages. However, the author did a good job of establishing the relationship and having the characters communicate. Not sure if I’ll continue with this series, but it was interesting. 3.5 stars

Personal challenges: Ripped Bodice summer bingo, Personal serial

Eighty-third book in 2022 - Noir by Christopher Moore. This book just wasn’t for me. I appreciate the author providing a trigger-warning about the period language being used. However, I felt that the use of slurs was overdone. I DNF’d at a quarter of the book - I couldn’t enjoy that language. I received this book as a free giveaway in exchange for my honest review. Not one I recommend.

Challenges: Red

Special challenges: Personal serial

Eighty-fourth book in 2022 - Deep Creek: Finding Hope in the High Country by Pam Houston. Loved this book! I bought it years ago at a signing, but it was perfect to read while in Colorado. Excellent writing, and I loved learning about her life and the ranch. “In both writing and teaching, nothing is ever finished, only finished enough to let go.�� Definitely worth reading! 5 stars

Challenges: CTS, Haunted

Personal challenges: PBC library summer bingo

Eighty-fifth read in 2022 - Count Your Lucky Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur. At the beginning, I got a bit irritated because the characters weren’t talking to each other. It’s one of my pet peeves when reading about adults - use your words! But it was acknowledged and used as part of the plot, so it got much better after that. Nice conclusion to the trilogy. 4 stars

Challenges: Diversity

Personal challenges: 2022 GR Choice, Personal serial

Eighty-sixth read in 2022 - The Tiger Came to the Mountains by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Wonderful short story loosely based on her great-grandmother. “And some men end up on coins and bills after a war, but that doesn’t make them saints.�� Definitely worth reading! 5 stars

Challenges: PopSugar, Diversity, Red

Personal challenges: 2022 GR Choice, Personal serial

Eighty-seventh book in 2022 - Prisoner of Time by Caroline B. Cooney. Sweet story that follows the two previous books. It’s a split story, and I vastly preferred one over another. Good, quick read. 3 stars

Challenges: Haunted

Personal challenges: Personal serial

Eighty-eighth book in 2022 - For All Time by Caroline B. Cooney. Good conclusion to the series! I enjoyed the character development and the ending. Dared but worth reading. 3.5 stars

Challenges: Haunted

Personal challenges: Personal serial

Eighty-ninth book in 2022 - The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill. This held so much promise. I found the story within a story fascinating. It was delightfully creepy. But the ending was just meh. It didn’t quite land. However the story was interesting. 3.5 stars

Challenges: Diversity, Haunted

Personal challenges: 2022 GR Choice

Ninetieth book in 2022 - For the Throne by Hannah F. Whitten. Really enjoyed the conclusion to this duology. The beginning was slow and likely could have been edited a bit. But it sped up , and the last quarter flew! “saving someone else was a wall you couldn’t scale unless they threw you a rope.�� Definitely worth reading! 4.5 stars

Challenges: Red

Personal challenges: 2022 GR Choice, Personal serial

Ninety-first book in 2022 - The Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson. This one grabbed me from the first page and didn’t let me go. I loved the writing, the characters, the plot, everything! Just when it seemed too much, she reeled it back in perfectly! Definitely worth reading! 5 stars

Challenges: TBR, Red

Ninety-second book in 2022 - Read Between the Lines by Rachel Lacey. Fun and interesting retelling of You’ve Got Mail. I enjoyed one of the mains, but the other irritated me quite a bit at times. However, I loved all the bookish talk! Worth reading! 3.5 stars

Challenges: CTS, Diversity, Red

Personal challenges: Personal serial

Ninety-third book in 2022 - Listen to the Moon by Rose Lerner. I needed something light and fluffy, and this fit, with the added bonus of teaching me more about downstairs life in England. Loved the character development! Worth reading! 4 stars

Challenges: Diversity, Haunted

Personal challenges: Ripped Bodice summer bingo, Personal serial

Ninety-fourth book in 2022 - A Taste of Honey by Rose Lerner. Sweet, sexy novella to end this series. I really like how the author incorporates relationship issues into the character development! Worth reading! 3.5 stars

Challenges: Diversity, Sky

Personal challenges: Personal serial

Ninety-fifth book in 2022 - Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang. A heart-wrenching, necessary story to tell! I give the author a lot of credit for this being her first published book. There are indications of debut authorship - gaping holes in the ending and not quite knowing how to land the tale. The imagery surrounding food is useful but a touch overdone. Definitely worth reading! 4 stars

Challenges: Diversity, Sky

Personal challenges: WPB Women’s Bookclub

Ninety-sixth book in 2022 - The Witchery by S. Isabelle. This is a fantastic ride! For this Florida nerd who always wanted a witch school to seem more accessible, this book contains all that plus great diversity. The author creates a world that isn’t perfect and contains heartache but also equal measures of joy. “History was always labeling women as mad, whether they were witchy or not.�� Love the characters, and I really hope this is the start of a series. It’s a debut, so I’m excited to see what the author does next. The creativity and enjoyability are off the charts! Definitely worth reading! 5 stars

Challenges: Diversity, Haunted

Personal challenges: 2022 GR Choice

Ninety-seventh book in 2022 - The It Girl by Ruth Ware. I really enjoyed this murder mystery. The storytelling method was done well. The author did the setting justice and perfectly captured her characters. Definitely worth reading! 4.5 stars

Challenges: Diversity, Sky

Personal challenges: 2022 GR Choice

Ninety-eighth book in 2022 - Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeline Thien. DNF at 50%. I very rarely DNF a book, but this one was not working for me and started to actively discourage me from reading. It was very confusing, constantly going back and forth in time without separation. The characters were almost presented as set pieces. When I did finally latch on to a character, there was almost an immediate distancing in the story. I find this time period of China during the revolutions fascinating and love classical music, and yet, I still could not find enthusiasm for even learning in this story. Not one I recommend.

Challenges: TBR, Diversity, Sky