2022 in Reading
/— Y E A R I N R E V I E W —
I am barely alive.
Classic and Lovely: The Bear and the Nightingale
Subtle, Scary, Satisfying: Dark Matter
The Main Character did WHAT: We Sold Our Souls
Plot Twist Party: The Chestnut Man
Stranger Than Fiction: Dark Histories: Season Four
Fuck Yeah Feminism: A Certain Hunger
Biggest Disappointment: Dead Silence (it wasn’t that bad, but it wasn’t as good as I was hoping)
Best Discovery: Six Stories
Biggest Mindfuck: Cunning Folk
Most Satisfying Reread: Harriet the Spy
Tried Too Hard: Wild Fell
Quintessentially Kelly: Danse Macabre
No Regrets: Nothing But Blackened Teeth
TOP 5:
5) Slewfoot by Brom. The year I discovered Brom! I inhaled this fun, creative, vivid story and immediately bought a book of his art. Couldn’t be more thrilled to say I received the hardcover for Christmas.
4) The Necromancer’s House by Christopher Buehlman is swinging in at fourth because I was totally caught off guard by it. I had no idea what to expect and it left me breathless. This book beautifully explores deeply human themes (addiction, love, sacrifice, loss) in weird and imaginative ways. Highly recommend.
3) Boy Parts by Eliza Clark absolutely slayed. A lesson in perfect pacing, plotting and editing. Just a vibe all around. Obsession, art, and an unreliable narrator? *Chef’s kiss* This author is one to watch…
2) Bone White by Ronald Malfi made me really happy. I just adore horror like this - full of the tropes I love utilized in bone-chilling ways. From my review: “Wintery supernatural small town horror is such a huge turn-on for me and this one checks all the boxes.”
1) Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman OMG one author has 2 books in my top 5? Obviously he’s some sort of superhuman who deserves it. This book is so, so, so big on Reddit as it should be. I finished it in the first week of 2022 and I knew immediately it would take the top spot on this list. I’m circling a re-read TBH. This book is everything. It makes everything okay.
I read a lot less this year than… well, maybe ever. I made a professional change that sucked up all of my energy and I… lost my way. It happens, and I forgive myself. I’ve learned a lot. I don’t know what 2023 will bring, but I need it to be better. It will be. As for reading, I’d like to branch out of my usual genres, read more nonfiction, and read more books I loved as a kid. Re-reading Harriet the Spy was really invigorating and enjoyable and kicked my mood up a notch. I can happily trust Little Kelly’s taste. So, more of that to come.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!