“Reading, reading, reading.” My whole life I’ve been someone occupied with books: the words, the covers, the authors, the locations, and on. In 2022, I read fewer than 50 books, though, which makes for a short list for me. Still, some jewels shone. I have a theory I always manage to read some great ones because I’ve gotten pretty OK with quitting books that aren’t quite right for me. How many did I put down last year? Dozens, I’m sure, but I don’t keep track of those. What I do have is a shortlist of some great titles I finished.
Recommended books read in 2022:
“I want something about a magic school without it really being very magic school-ish. And it should be for adults.”
Vita Nostra by Marina and Sergey Dyachenko.
“How about something ghost-y but for late elementary?”
Too Bright to See by Kyle Lukoff.
“Give me a nicely hopeful story focused on a character’s journey.”
The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle by Matt Cain.
“I wish E. M. Forster had something new out.”
Alec by William di Canzio.
“Give me dystopian. But make it good, please.”
Roadside Picnic by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky (translated by Olena Bormashenko).
“I want anime-inspired sci-fi.”
August Kitko and the Mechas from Space by Alex White.
“Something that deals in tragedy.”
Bolla by Pajtim Statovci (translated by David Hackston).
“A book to meditate with.”
Long Way Round by John Hildebrand.
“I’m looking for one of those literary books in which characters age and deal with relationships that evolve.”
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin.
Find books at your local store listed at Indiebound.org, or shop online through Bookshop.org or Libro.fm. (Links may provide a benefit to the referrer.)
Read more about my fiction writing here.
Todd Wellman 