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Tuesday, December 06, 2022

Top Ten Tuesday: 200 Books in 2022

I really can't believe it, but there are only 25 days left in 2022! Where has the time gone? Interestingly enough, I have exactly 25 more books to go until I meet my goal of reading 200 books this year. Will I make it? I don't know. I could read a book a day until January 1st, but I've also got a lot of other things that need to be done. I'd like to at least meet my goal, if not surpass it. We'll see how things go. Since today's Top Ten Tuesday topic is a freebie and next week's is Top Ten Books On My Winter 2022-2023 TBR List, I'm going to combine them and do two posts about the 25 books I plan to read before the year ends. 

Before I get to that, though, two things: (1) If you're not aware, TTT is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl. Click on over for all the deets on this fun meme and to give her some love. (2) If you're a reading challenge fiend like me, please check out my other blog, Ready for a Reading Challenge? It's a database of current reading challenges being hosted all over the Internet. If you're hosting a reading challenge this year, let me know. I'm happy to add it to my database to help spread the word. 

Top Twenty-Five Books I'm Going to Read to Meet My 2022 Reading Goal, Part One

This list is a combination of books I still need to read for reading challenges, a couple book awards I'm helping to judge, a review I'm writing for a genealogical magazine next year, and just fun reads that I've been meaning to get to. I've mentioned most of them before, so bear with me.


1. Roll for Initiative by Jaime Formato—This Cybils nominee has a strong Dungeons and Dragons theme, which made it a little hard to get into for me with my total lack of D&D knowledge or interest. Once you get past that, though, it becomes an engaging story about finding your tribe. I've only got about 100 pages left in the book. Overall, I've enjoyed it.


2. Oh My Stars by Lorna Landvik—I'm listening to this lively story on audio. It's set in small-town North Dakota (a very difficult state to find if you, like me, are doing a read-a-book-set-in-every-state challenge), where a suicidal Southern woman lands unexpectedly after a bus breakdown. Violet has never belonged anywhere, so she's shocked when tiny Pearl starts to feel like home. 


3. The Kind to Kill by Tessa Wegert—This mystery, the fourth in the Shana Merchant series, just came out today. When a tourist goes missing during a Thousand Islands community festival, our fearless detective takes the case amidst outcries that she attracts trouble to the otherwise peaceful community. Shana can't help her familial connection to a serial killer, but will his dirty deeds lead to the end of her career?


4. Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly—I need an Anisfield-Wolf Book Award winner for the POPSUGAR reading challenge and I've been meaning to read this one anyway. If you're not familiar with it, it tells the true story of five Black female mathematicians who worked for NASA starting in the early 1940s. Although their work was essential to the success of the American space program, they had to fight against blatant racism and sexism in the workplace just to perform their jobs.


5. The Hope of Elephants by Amanda Rawson Hill—Who doesn't love elephants? This middle-grade verse novel is about a young girl who's coping with her dad's cancer diagnosis as well as the terrifying possibility that she may have inherited his genetic mutation. I'm interested to see how pachiderms come into play...


6. The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green—I really enjoyed Green's last historical novel, so I'm looking forward to this one, her newest. It's about a woman who becomes the unlikely head of a small library in Maine during World War II. When the library's future is threatened, she invents a book club to save it from closure, a move that just might save herself as well.


7. Nine Liars by Maureen Johnson—I love the Truly Devious YA mystery series so I'm excited to read this newest installment, the fifth. This time around, Stevie Bell is studying abroad in England when she's introduced to a notorious cold case in which two Cambridge students were murdered after a game of hide-and-seek got out of hand. Can the intrepid amateur sleuth figure out whodunit?


8. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones by James Clear—With New Year's resolution-making time right around the corner, this will be a good, motivational book to re-read. It's a quick read, but one that has some great ideas to impart.


9. Flip Turns by Catherine Arguelles—Another Cybils contender, this novel features a girl whose family owns a town swimming pool. When a series of pranks is launched at the pool, she must channel her inner Nancy Drew to figure out who's pulling the tricks and why.


10. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens—I mentioned in my last list that I re-read this classic every year. I'm feeling super Grinch-y this year, so it should be just the thing to reset my frame of mind.


11. Doing Life With Your Adult Children: Keep Your Mouth Shut and the Welcome Mat Out by Jim Burns—On a related note ("Adult" children, man, they're rough!), this book is about how to successfully navigate those tricky and changing relationships between parents and their growing-up children. I feel like I'm completely failing at this, so hopefully this book will be helpful.


12. Death On the Nile by Agatha Christie—I need something for a "Book Turned Into a Movie in 2022" reading challenge prompt, so I chose this classic mystery, which I've never read before. Normally, I don't watch a movie before I read the book it's based on, but I did already watch (and enjoy) the film.

There you go, 12 (of 25) books I'm planning to read before 2022 disappears forever. Have you read any of them? What did you think? What did you do for your Freebie today? I'd truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.

Happy TTT!

52 comments:

  1. I loved Death on the Nile...but I read it when I was actually in Egypt so that made it even better. I still need/want to read Atomic Habits. And The Blackout Book Club looks lovely. Good luck reaching your goal of 200 books this year, Susan! :D

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Oooh, actually being in Egypt would definitely add to the reading experience. How fun! ATOMIC HABITS is a great one. It's not like it teaches anything radically new or unique, but it presents familiar material in a way that just really works for me. I hope you enjoy it when you read it.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Lark!

      Delete
  2. I smiled when I saw A Christmas Carol on there, I think you're right, I think I need to reread it this year too. I might get an audiobook copy. I watched Disney's Mickey Mouse movie version of it a few nights ago.Its such a good story.

    I haven't read anything else on this list, The Blackout Book Club peaked my interest though.

    You can definitely make your goal. So, you cheat a couple of different ways ;) audiobooks so you can multitask, or shorter books (although these probably won't be on your tbr list), or comic books! Key word = books 🤣😅 if you get desperate closer to new year, go for the short ones for sure.

    Good luck!

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    Replies
    1. A CHRISTMAS CAROL is so great! I listened to it on audio last year and the narrator was okay. I want to get the Tim Curry version. That sounds fun :) Oh, and the Mickey Mouse version of the book might just be my favorite movie version.

      Ha ha! I do always have an audiobook going, so that definitely helps boost my stats. The end of the year is also when I start reading for book award judging. Since I'm doing all middle-grade judging this year, I'm reading a lot of short(er) books, which also helps. I might just grab a picture book or two to get me to my goal, if it comes to that. LOL. Just kidding, I don't actually count books under 50 pages. At any rate, thanks for the vote of confidence!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Amy!

      Delete
  3. I think it’s wonderful that you’re collecting a master list of reading challenges. There are so many of them out there!

    And I reread A Christmas Carol every year, too. :)

    My post: https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-what-books-should-actually-be-about-based-on-their-titles/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are tons. I love having a central place where I can find all of them. Of course, I'm already behind in updated the database...

      I love that you love A CHRISTMAS CAROL as much as I do. I'm going to try listening to the Hugh Grant audio version this year. Have you heard it?

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Lydia!

      Delete
  4. You got this! You could always throw in a few novellas. There are some fun holiday ones out there.

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    Replies
    1. Good point! A CHRISTMAS CAROL is a novella, so it's a good one to listen to at the end of the year for more than one reason :)

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Deanna!

      Delete
  5. #11!! I have my first grandchild coming in March. Probably better'd request this from the library! I'll be interested in your review of The Blackout Book Club. I've read Lorna L's Angry Housewives...mixed review on that one. I'll see what you think of the book by her first.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Congratulations! I hear grandchildren are the best part about having actual children. I guess I'll have to refrain from killing mine then...

      OH MY STARS is okay so far. Kind of boring and blah. Hopefully, it picks up. We'll see.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Lisa!

      Delete
  6. I read the Blackout Book Club and it was really good!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, good! I'm excited to read more by Green.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Danielle!

      Delete
  7. I read A Christmas Carol last year and I read Death on the Nile this year. I also watched the movie first, but that was intentional. I like watching movies first for most books because they give me a framework. Then I read the book and it's so much better with all the details filled in. I enjoyed the book Death on the Nile much more than the movie (which I thought was okay.) :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, interesting! I've never heard of anyone purposely watching the movie first. I just prefer to imagine a book in my head instead of having someone else's interpretation of setting and characters there first. The result, though, is that I rarely like film/t.v. adaptations of books. They just never seem to match up with what's in my head!

      I actually usually like Agatha Christie movies better than her books. We'll see what happens with DEATH ON THE NILE.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Meezan!

      Delete
  8. The one that caught my eye is Blackout Book Club and I thought your blurb sounded familiar so I went to my TBR list, and there it is, recommended by YOU! At least I"m consistent. Fingers crossed you make your goal this year.
    Terrie @ Bookshelf Journeys

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha ha. If it caught your attention twice, I think it means you REALLY need to read it! I'm hoping to get to it very soon. It sounds excellent. I hope we both love it.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Terrie!

      Delete
  9. Good luck making your goal! 200 books is amazing😁

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! We'll see if I make it or not. I'm not really sure which way it's going to go at this point. Ha ha.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Tammy!

      Delete
  10. What a great list. I'm also struggling with the transition of my kids being adults, so I'm fascinated with Doing Life With Your Adult Children: Keep Your Mouth Shut and the Welcome Mat Out .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't know much about it, but the title is definitely eye-catching. It's a weird transition and it's been difficult with each of my kids, just in different ways. *Sigh* Parenting is hard, no matter what the stage, dang it!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Wendy!

      Delete
  11. Wow, Susan, you read about twice as much as I do and everyone tells me I read a lot. Brilliant.

    Thanks for visiting my TTT about Christmas Reads this week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha ha. I might have a *little* reading addiction :) You might read only half as much as I do, but your choices are much more high-brow and literary. Most of my reads are quick, easy-breezy reads.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Marianne!

      Delete
    2. That is nice of you to say, Susan. We all read what we enjoy most and you might be right that my books take a little longer, especially since so many of them are chunky ones.

      Delete
  12. Wait a book set in the Thousand Islands? I need to check that out for sure as my family is from that area.

    Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
    https://readbakecreate.com/ten-favorite-holiday-reads-2022-edition/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, the series is set in Alexandria Bay, which the characters call "A-Bay." If you like crime fiction, it's a good one!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Pam!

      Delete
  13. I listen to A Christmas Carol every year it's such a fab tradition!

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    Replies
    1. Yes, it is! Who's your favorite narrator? I've seen A CHRISTMAS CAROL audiobooks by Hugh Grant and Tim Curry. They both sound fun.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, NickiMags!

      Delete
  14. Wow, very ambitious to have 25 more books planned before the end of the year!! Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right? I don't think I'm going to make it unless they're all picture books! Ha ha.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Lisa!

      Delete
  15. Hidden Figures is such a good book! I hope you reach your goal by the end of the year! Enjoy your reading!

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    Replies
    1. I'm reading THE CALCULATING STARS by Mary Robinette Kowal right now. It's fiction (alternate history), but it reminds me a lot of HIDDEN FIGURES (at least the move since I haven't actually read the book yet). They'd be great companion reads.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Literary Feline!

      Delete
  16. Those YA books look interesting. I have read a enjoyed Hidden Figures, I hope you do as well, Susan. Good luck getting all these read and completing your challenges.

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    Replies
    1. I really liked the Hidden Figures movie, so I think I'll like the book as well. I'm not much for science or math so if it gets too detailed/technical on those fronts, I might be in trouble. Ha ha.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Carla!

      Delete
  17. I can't wait until the CYBILS are done in February so I can hear what you thought of the process and which books you liked best. I will be busy reading the finalists in January and am really looking forward to it.

    I've seen Nine Liars and the Hope of Elephants on two lists each today. I think someone is trying to tell me to read them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's always an interesting process! My shortlist changes a lot throughout the weeks that I read all the books and most times, I'm kind of surprised by my top contenders. They're not always what I think they're going to be. The discussion of the books with the other judges is always fun, too. And, of course, it's always exciting to see which books get picked as the winners.

      It's definitely a sign from the universe that you're supposed to read those books. I haven't gotten to either of them yet. Soon, hopefully.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Helen!

      Delete
  18. I love A Christmas Carol! I want to read more Agatha Christie next year.

    I hope you get these read!

    Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not a huge Christie fan, actually. I love AND THEN YOU WERE NONE, but the two others I've read by her were only so-so. Maybe I'm just reading the wrong ones??

      Thanks for popping in, Emily!

      Delete
  19. I've been meaning to read Hidden Figures for ages. I should have put it on my Christmas list, but instead, will be getting Michelle Obama's 2 books.

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    1. It's so hard to choose between so many great books! I already have a copy of HIDDEN FIGURES, so that's not my problem. I just haven't made the time to read it. Enjoy your Michelle Obama books!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Alex!

      Delete
  20. These all sound like good picks! I've enjoyed both Death on the Nile and Hidden Figures (I listened to the audio for that one). Roll for Initiative sounds like a book I would enjoy, so I'll need to see if my library has it!

    And also, I've been trying to figure out when to do my annual re-read of A Christmas Carol (audiobook this year) too. I'm thinking I want to wait a little closer to Christmas... but I also don't want to wait too late. It's a great way to get into the holiday spirit!

    Thanks for visiting my TTT earleir!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ROLL FOR INITIATIVE is a fun book, especially if you're into D&D or at least understand it a little bit. I hope you enjoy it!

      I've got free access to the A CHRISTMAS CAROL audiobook narrated by Hugh Grant, so that's how I'm going to enjoy it this year. I'm trying to finish my current audiobook (which is dragging) before I start a new one. I agree, though, it's a wonderful way to feel the Christmas spirit, something I very much need this year, frankly.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Nicole!

      Delete
  21. Ooh I hope you meert your goal! Initiative looks good. I would like to read Nile. I liked the movie versions I've seen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I ended up really liking ROLL FOR INITIATIVE, even though it took me a little bit to get into it. I'm hoping to get to DEATH ON THE NILE soon. I liked the movie, so hopefully I'll enjoy the book as well.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Greg!

      Delete
  22. Oh my! You just added books to my TBR... Definitely will be looking for The Hope of Elephants first..

    ReplyDelete
  23. Good luck with your reading goal, and I hope you love all these! I wish I could read 200 books a year. I won't even hit 100 this year. :(

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hidden Figures was a good read. I hope you like it.

    Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thanks for stopping by earlier.

    ReplyDelete
  25. That's quite a list! I really liked Atomic Habits and hope to read it again in the future :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Great list, Susan. I saw several books on the list I want to read. Hidden Figures has been on my mind since the movie came out. The Blackout Book Club sounds fascinating. I own Atomic Habits but haven't read it yet. Non-fiction is on Audible for me lately. I read much more that way. A Christmas Carol is such a great book.

    Thanks for sharing and for visiting my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Good luck on getting to all these before the year is out!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Good luck getting all of these read by the end of the year. Hidden Figures is the only one I've read but I really enjoyed it.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I've been wanting to read Hidden Figures for so long. I still haven't seen the movie because I prefer to read the book first, but it's been years now.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Wow! That's a lot of books to finish! Good luck.

    ReplyDelete

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