My inner child is fulfilled when starting, finishing, or finding interest in a new novel and, last year is what reminded me of that. Now talk about nostalgia. The "new toy" feeling. Every time I start and finish a book, I have this new growing buzz that makes me want to read again. That’s the whole purpose of setting my (unmet goal) of reading 25 books in 2022. Hitting 22 books, I didn't meet my goal, but I was able to lock into my favorite genre, literary voice, and the continuing excitement of exploring the world of words. And, that was my favorite part of restarting my tbr (to be read) journey.

Anyways, you’re here because you want to know my favorites, so I’ll tell ya.

But first, I think you should know why they’re my favorite. What makes a good book a favorite? I mean, I did say A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson was a 5-star-er yet, I didn’t put it on my list…and why is that?

Favorites "Criteria"

Well here’s my personal, I’m-not-a-professional-critic-with-merit (for now) but-only-an-imaginative-soul-who-loves-writing-reading-semantics-all-things-language, criteria. 1. The storyline is impenetrable: The narrative may not have played out exactly as one would want or expect, but the readers wouldn't have wanted it any other way. The book is enigmatic, it is what it is because it’s wonderfully written.

The way in which the author writes and allows things to unfold, is unbending, sturdy. It’s a story you'd read over and over and over again.

2. The imagery is simple to fabricate: I keep coming back to this concept but I want the author to take me on a vivid ride of the tales they're telling.

Describe to us readers who we're reading about, what world are we entering? Character development is the piece to creating a "great book puzzle."

What does the atmosphere smell and feel like; draw us in with our senses. Take us out of our chairs and our minds, place us into your words.

3. There’s something to be taken away: I feel good stories whether they be from a book or even a person’s mouth who's just sharing about their day, are gifts. They can be. There's always something to take out of what someone is sharing. So, what did this book gift it's readers?

It doesn’t always have to be a moral lesson, or something profound, but after and while reading what does this book provoke? What feelings can arise and how could it make people feel? Does it connect to the readers heart strings, emotions, or feelings in any way?

Some of my favorite books leave me grieving to have ended a connection with the main character. And ah, what a great feeling to have loved something, a literal thing, so much that it leaves you searching for more.

Now you know my criteria and a bit more insight into why I chose the books I did. We're going from my top rated to lowest rated of favorites.

So my favorites. Ready? First up, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab I don’t even know where to begin. I can’t spoil this for anyone so, I will share a general invitation to stop what you're doing and by the book; to spark your mind with fantasy and originality. I find myself after having read it months ago, thinking of Addie LaRue. The way the author shares her story, lets you stand in her worlds (yes plural), watching firsthand, Addie's ebbs and flows through mystery and literary elegance. It feels as though the perfect story was written and I got to be part of a grand unfolding. If I could erase my mind's memory of this book to read it over and over again, I would. Knowing the details of all the twists and turns, I’d still read this book over again...and again. It’s not just the literary voice, it’s the character development, it’s the way Addie’s connections grow, it’s the raw reality of how one would feel living, moving in and out of her life. Although a fantasy, V.E. Schwab makes you finish the book wondering if there’s a possibility that Addie LaRue's story is part of the real world, that this isn't just fiction. Truly a favorite of all books I’ve read so far, not just for 2022!

Riley Thorn and the Dead Guy Next Door (Book #1) by Lucy Score Totally a different type of book than my first favorite. Even so, as this mystery opens up, Lucy adds humor, romance, quick wit, and all the good things in between as Riley pushes for justice. I found myself grabbing this book whenever I had just a second to myself. I was addicted to know more about what would unwind in Riley's world. What added a special cherry on top was the unique views of all the characters Lucy stirs into the pot. Each one fits flawlessly into the playful mystery. There’s a building bond to more than the main character. You get fixed to all the other personas, like you would a great show. Each of them matters in their own way, adding to the narrative like special secret ingredients.

So, Lucy ensures you get your juicy murder mystery but with light-hearted twists, with passion, with relatable life moments, and a family-like feel. This book didn’t leave me grieving because I found out it’s a series, (thank GAWD) so on to book #2!

The Girl Below by Bianca Zander

Now this book was rated low on Goodreads, with a 3.01. But I gave it 5 stars and marked it as a favorite. The reason behind this is because of the sheer reality of how long it can take a person to make peace with the past, to do the inner work—to do better. While there are fantastical elements, the author wholesomely wraps up the main character's life in a full circle. This narrative impacted me and left a weight in my world on the importance of family, using your voice, finding yourself within your personal journey, and standing strong in who you currently are and who you are working to become. I wished for the story to go a different way because I was consistently rooting for the main character, Suki to live the life she always imagined. I wanted a fairytale, but I loved that she works through her life in a realistic, matter-of-fact, and raw way, maybe not at first but eventually.

I feel this is a book that takes patience. It's so similar to what real life, time, and experience can be like. It shares what it feels like when the universe persistently pushes and repeats life lessons for a person to grasp it and evolve.

The tenderness and heaviness life can bring are present in this novel. It may not be a book to read for comfort, but a reminder, an "encourager" to be cognizant of how your reactions to life circumstances, finding time for passion in life, is what can shift your way of living a life feeling numb, to the one where you feel alive and feel it's a life you love.

Until next time,