2022 in Review
2022 in Review: 101 Book Breakdown
By: Brittany Shields
2022 is in the books!
I hit another career high in books read— one I’m not sure I can do again. Only time will tell.
This year I read 101 books and 29,800+ pages.
We still don’t know how I am able to read so much considering I’m a stay-at-home mom with four crazy kids. But I’m not complaining!
Check out what I read this year. I’ve conveniently divided them by genre for you! Plus I added some ‘superlatives’ to some of them.
I read the first book in 8 different series… not sure how I am going to finish all of them!
Comment below your favorite books of 2022.
Looking Ahead (*Updated: Links Added)
Check back in the next few weeks as I launch two new reading challenges. One specifically designed by Shelf Reflection (similar to PopSugar’s) and since I enjoyed my Goodreads Choice Awards Reading Challenge, I’m going to do that again!
I’ll also be posting:
and
The Most Anticipated Books of 2023
so stay tuned. Lots of fun things ahead on Shelf Reflection!
Follow me on Facebook for all the latest reviews, book giveaways, announcements, bookish memes, and more!
I’ll also continue to add new and fun designs to my SHOP where you’ll find unique bookish shirts, hats, blankets, etc perfect for book lovers. Some designs are even hand drawn!
Lastly,
If you’re interested in any of my past reading challenges, you can browse below:
2022 Books by Genre
[To see all of these books in chronological order and see images of their book covers, browse this link: 2022 Books]
Cultural
The Gathering Storm: Secularism, Culture, and the Church by R. Albert Mohler Jr.
Before You Lose Your Faith: Deconstructing Doubt in the Church Edited by Ivan Mesa
Is God Anti-Gay?: And Other Questions about Homosexuality, the Bible, and Same-Sex Attraction by Sam Allberry
Discrimination and Disparities by Thomas Sowell
Talking Back to Purity Culture: Rediscovering Faithful Christian Sexuality by Rachel Joy Welcher
Most Polarizing/Controversial:
A Biblical Case Against Theistic Evolution: Is it Compatible with the Bible? by Wayne Grudem
Why God Makes Sense in a World that Doesn’t: The Beauty of Christian Theism by Gavin Ortlund
The Shortest Book:
The Porn Problem by Vaughan Roberts
Talking About Race: Gospel Hope for Hard Conversations by Isaac Adams
Jesus Through the Eyes of Women: How the First Female Disciples Help Us Know and Love the Lord by Rebecca McLaughlin
Live Your Truth (and Other Lies): Exposing Popular Deceptions That Make Us Anxious, Exhausted, and Self-Obsessed by Alisa Childers
Historical Fiction
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
The Lady’s Mine by Francine Rivers
The Bletchley Women by Patricia Adrian
All the Lights Above Us by M.B. Henry
The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn
The Whalebone Theatre by Joanna Quinn
Mastering the Art of French Murder (An American in Paris #1) by Colleen Cambridge
Die Around Sundown (Inspector Henri Lefort #1) by Mark Pryor
Suspense/Thriller
The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware
Damaged Intentions (Abby Mullen Thriller #2) by Mike Omer
The Match (Wilde #2) by Harlan Coben
The Night Shift by Alex Finlay
Most Popular Book Review:
The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
The Falcon (Nina Guerrera #3) by Isabella Maldonado
Watch Out for Her by Samantha M. Bailey
Stay Awake by Megan Goldin
Least Recommended:
Two Nights in Lisbon by Chris Pavone
Breathless by Amy McCulloch
The It Girl by Ruth Ware
Most Disappointing:
Verity by Colleen Hoover
I Remember You by Brian Freeman
Please Join Us by Catherine McKenzie
Mr. Mercedes (Bill Hodges Trilogy #1) by Stephen King
The Boy from the Woods (Wilde #1) by Harlan Coben
The Prisoner by B.A. Paris
A Burning Obsession (Abby Mullen Thriller #3) by Mike Omer
Box 88 (Kite Lachlan #1) by Charles Cumming
Alter Ego (Jonathan Stride #9) by Brian Freeman
Non-Fiction
Freed & Fierce: The 7 Untapped Essentials for Life-Long Eating Disorder Recovery by Kara Holmes
Most Boring:
Redeeming Our Thinking about History: A God-Centered Approach by Vern S. Poythress
Why We Argue and How to Stop: A Therapist’s Guide to Navigating Disagreements, Managing Emotions, and Creating Healthier Relationships by Jerry Manney
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell
The Bomber Mafia: A Dream, A Temptation, and the Longest Night of the Second World War by: Malcolm Gladwell
On the Road with Saint Augustine: A Real-World Spirituality for Restless Hearts by James K. A. Smith
Why Believe?: A Reasoned Approach to Christianity by Neil Shenvi
Undistracted: Capture Your Purpose. Rediscover Your Joy. by Bob Goff
Second Most Boring:
The Nineties by Chuck Klosterman
Memoir
Just As I Am by Cicely Tyson
Grossest:
This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Medical Resident by Adam Kay
Mothertrucker: Finding Joy on the Loneliest Road in America by Amy Butcher
We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story by Simu Liu
Trauma Bonds: How a Woman's Insight Into Escaping Her Invisible Prisons Sets Her Free: An Informed Memoir by Alexis Taiwo
YA
P.S. I Still Love You (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before #2) by Jenny Han
Cutest:
Always and Forever, Lara Jean (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before #3) by Jenny Han
The Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
Fiction
The Longest Book:
Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr
Most Popular on Goodreads:
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Mystery
The Push by Ashley Audrain [Psychological Thriller]
Everything We Didn’t Say by Nicole Baart
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
What She Found (Tracy Crosswhite #9) by Robert Dugoni
The Survivors by Jane Harper
Invisible Girl by Lisa Jewell
Death and the Conjuror (Joseph Spector #1) by Tom Mead
The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
Humor (Ironically, I didn’t think either of these was very funny…)
Where the Deer and the Antelope Play: The Pastoral Observations of One Ignorant American Who Loves to Walk Outside by Nick Offerman
Start Without Me (I’ll Be There in a Minute) by Gary Janetti
Fantasy
Star Mother (Star Mother #1) by Charles N. Holmberg
Star Father (Star Mother #2) by Charles N. Holmberg
Prettiest Book Cover:
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
A Forgery of Roses by Jessica S. Olson
House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland
Heir of Blood and Secrets by Linda Xia
Best New Series I Started:
A Deadly Education (The Scholomance #1) by Naomi Novik
The Last Graduate (The Scholomance #2) by Naomi Novik
Science Fiction
Frank Herbert’s Dune: The Graphic Novel Adapted By: Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson
Most Entertaining and Endearing:
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Dune: The Graphic Novel, Book 2: Muad’Dib by Brian Herbert (Adaptor), Kevin J. Anderson (Adaptor)
Christian Living
A Gentle Answer: Our 'Secret Weapon' in an Age of Us Against Them by Scott Sauls
Most Comforting:
Suffering Wisely and Well: The Grief of Job and the Grace of God by Eric Ortlund
When Words Matter Most: Speaking Truth with Grace to Those You Love by Cheryl Marshall & Caroline Newheiser
When Strivings Cease: Replacing the Gospel of Self-Improvement with the Gospel of Life-Transforming Grace by Ruth Chou Simons
Most Encouraging:
Humble Moms: How the Work of Christ Sustains the Work of Motherhood by Kristen Wetherell
Sis, Take a Breath: Encouragement for the Woman Who's Trying to Live and Love Well (but Secretly Just Wants to Take a Nap) by Kirsten Watson
The Fruitful Life: The Overflow of God’s Love Through You by Jerry Bridges
God, Technology, and the Christian Life by Tony Reinke
The Books I’ve Recommended the Most:
Mama Bear Apologetics: Empowering Your Kids to Challenge Cultural Lies by Hillary Morgan Ferrer
Mama Bear Apologetics Guide to Sexuality: Empowering Your Kids to Understand and Live Out God’s Design by Hillary Morgan Ferrer
A Spacious Life: Trading Hustle and Hurry for the Goodness of Limits by Ashley Hales
Resisting Gossip: Winning the War of the Wagging Tongue by Matthew C. Mitchell
Theology
Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God by J.I. Packer
Gospel People: A Call for Evangelical Integrity by Michael Reeves
The Lord’s Prayer: Learning from Jesus on What, Why, and How to Pray by Kevin DeYoung
Devotional
Gospel-Centered Motherhood by Stefanie Boyles (The Daily Grace Co.)
Even If: A Study of Habakkuk by Kristin Schmucker (The Daily Grace Co.)
The Fruit of the Spirit: Walk by the Spirit, Bear His Fruit by Sarah Morrison, The Daily Grace Co.
Romance
Funniest:
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
The Rom-Com Agenda by Jayne Denker