2022 By The Numbers

I always like to look back at the books I’ve read over the year and see where my stats end up. It doesn’t really matter- I read a lot and I’m not going to push myself to read any more or any less. I do find it interesting to see where my time goes though.

In 2022 I read 209 books.

That’s 26 less than last year, and one more than the year before that.

I read more audiobooks than usual

(I blame my denial of needing reading glasses through most of the year. This stat took a deep dive once I gave in.)

In 2022 50% of my reads were via audio. That’s up from 45% in 2021.

Beverly Cleary and Louise Penny are authors I read a lot of

Usually Stephen King would appear on that list too, but this year I only read one of his books. (Under The Dome- it was okay.) We’ll see if he makes a comeback in 2023.

I’ve already read 3 books in 2023, so we’ll see where my stats are this time next year! My goals are to finish up the Reading Africa and Reading Asia challenges I’ve been working on as well as to read some of the chunky books taking up space on my shelves.

Happy New Year!

September 2021 Show Us Your Books

August was a really good reading month. It helped that I had a week off, and that my family likes to listen to audiobooks in the car.

The other thing that helped? Both of my kids went back to in person school 5 days a week. They went two days each (not the same two days) for about 3 months last year, but now they’re both back at the same time. I have so many mixed feelings about this whole thing, but am also feeling pieces of my brain shift back together that haven’t been fully functional since March 2020. Fingers crossed they stay safe, and they have a semi-normal year. Luckily we live in a city that embraces vaccinations, mask wearing, and social distancing. That’s not a silver bullet I know, but it does make me feel a little less guilty about being happy about completing thoughts, reading on the train, and being able to finish a cup of coffee before it gets cold. Let’s just say I can’t wait to read the book about how caregivers (mostly women) were abandoned and forced to figure things out on their own during the pandemic.

Anyway, back to August reading.

Five Stars

Ramona and Her Mother by Beverly Cleary - These books are just wonderful, and the perfect length for audiobooking in the car. Somehow this is the first time my whole family has listened to one together and we all loved it. These are read by Stockard Channing aka Mrs. Bartlett from West Wing.

Four Stars

Chasing The Thrill by Daniel Barbarisi - Right book at the right time- I picked a book about a modern day treasure hunt that took place in some of the same areas we drove through on our trip last month. It would have been good anyway, but that was the icing on the cake. My 13 year old, my husband, and I all recommend this.

The Arsonists' City by Hala Alyan - This was a good family drama set at various times in Syria, Lebanon, and America. It would have been great if not for all the backstory.

Already Toast by Kate Washington - I thought this book was excellent. It was brutally honest and relatable. A really important read. (See rant above. This isn’t quite what I was looking for, but it was close.)

Long Bright River by Liz Moore - An tale of the opioid crisis with elements of a mystery and thriller thrown in. This book was fabulous.

Three Stars

The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth - Even though I kind of knew what was going on in this twisty book I was excited to keep reading to see just how it would happen.

Girls With Bright Futures by Tracy Dobmeier and Wendy Katzman - A dark but entertaining book about college admissions from the point of view of parents with kids in an elite Washington high school. I read this for a work book club, and we had plenty to discuss!

The Last Time I Saw Paris by Lynn Sheene - Another World War Two book, not that there’s anything wrong with that. I never connected with the main character, but I liked the story.

This post is linked to Show Us Your Books and Quick Lit.

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Road Trip Audiobooks For Kids 8-12 and the Grownups Driving The Car

I brought my two kids on an epic East Coast road trip last week, and as the only driver I really wouldn’t have survived if it weren’t for audiobooks. The problem with family road trips though is you have to be selective about the books you pick. Here are several that have been acceptable for all the kids ages 8-42 in my family.

Leave recommendations for our next trip in the comments section!

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