It’s time for my annual roundup of the books I read in the previous year. 2022 had two themes: Bible studies and biographies. I read the most Bible study books I’ve ever read in a row. This was one of the busiest years of my life with two children, and I needed some help structuring and simplifying my Bible study time. I usually study on my own and reference commentaries as I go, but I needed to simplify my approach this year. Study books helped with that.
I also got into celebrity autobiographies, with a Jane Austen biography thrown in. There’s something about reading about other people’s lives that puts your own into perspective. You can read their stories and think, “wow, I have a normal life!” or think “wow, I want to reach goals like they did.” I have a few more celebrity autobiographies I’m wanting to check out for 2023. It’s interesting to read about the people we see on TV and in media. I’m okay with a boring life and will just read about other people’s drama!
I didn’t read much fiction this year. I wanted to, but there were a few times I would start a fictional book and not be able to get into it. I don’t have a lot of time to read, so I decided not to force any reads I wasn’t interested in. Even if I was several chapters in, I gave myself permission to stop. I did that to three fictional books this year. I’ve also been on the waiting list at my library for several fictional books.
I read ebooks on my iPad more than ever before, mainly because that was how I could access free books from my library. I still prefer physical books, but I can’t say no to free.
I tried one audio book this year, another autobiography. I liked hearing Bruce Springsteen read about his life, but I just don’t jive with audiobooks. I felt like I could have read the book so much faster than listening to it. My mind also wanders with audiobooks. I gave up and decided to try to hunt down the physical book to finish it that way. I know some of you love your audiobooks, and I wish I could too, but my brain just doesn’t process in that way. I’m a visual learner and need to see words on a page.
I definitely could have read more in 2022, but sometimes I just wasn’t mentally in a place to read. I was too tired or too overwhelmed or working on our home remodel or reading to kids or do countless others things that I chose to do over reading. And that’s okay! That’s life!
I haven’t set any reading goals yet for 2023. I think I’ll just take things as they come, which is what I did in 2022.
What reading goals have you set for the New Year?
Books I Read in 2022:
- Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics— https://amzn.to/3IoK2fH
- Amen: The Story of Scripture from Eden to Eternity— https://tinyurl.com/k3need8y
- Ruth: Fields of Grace— https://tinyurl.com/k3need8y
- The God That Comes Near— https://tinyurl.com/k3need8y
- The Knowledge of the Holy by Tozer— https://amzn.to/3GhkazR
- The Fruit of the Spirit— https://tinyurl.com/k3need8y
- Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology by Leah Remini— https://amzn.to/3GH4rvo
- James: The Steadfast Life— https://tinyurl.com/k3need8y
- Exalting Jesus in James by David Platt— https://amzn.to/3GgXqzY
- The Secular Creed by Rebecca McLaughlin— https://amzn.to/3jGIHqc
- Open Book by Jessica Simpson— https://amzn.to/3QgRrPZ
- Grace in the Wilderness: Study on 1 Peter— https://tinyurl.com/k3need8y
- Be Hopeful (1 Peter) by Warren Wiersbe— https://amzn.to/3CqJr9E
- The Storyteller by Dave Grohl— https://amzn.to/3G9HQG0
- The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce— https://amzn.to/3Z5en97
- The Gospel Comes with a House Key by Rosaria Butterfield— https://amzn.to/3GDn5Ek
- The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher— https://amzn.to/3CnPZ8G
- Holier Than Thou by Jackie Hill Perry— https://amzn.to/3GflPG8
- Even If: A Study of Habakkuk— https://tinyurl.com/k3need8y
- Arise: A Study of Nehemiah— https://tinyurl.com/k3need8y
- Delight: Psalms 1-30— https://tinyurl.com/k3need8y
- Wait: Psalms 31-60— https://tinyurl.com/k3need8y
- Seek: Psalms 61-90— https://tinyurl.com/k3need8y
- Arkansas/Arkansaw: How Bear Hunters, Hillbillies, and Good Ol' Boys Defined a State by Brooks Blevins— https://amzn.to/3GCCiFE
- Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley— https://amzn.to/3GogEUq
- The Office BFFs by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey— https://amzn.to/3QmItRy
- I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy— https://amzn.to/3GEZ9At
- The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah— https://amzn.to/3X3rRjR
- Waiting for Hope: Malachi Study— https://tinyurl.com/k3need8y
- Mercy in the Storm: A Study of Jonah— https://tinyurl.com/k3need8y
- Colossians: Rooted in Him— https://tinyurl.com/k3need8y
