It’s time for another Top Ten list from That Artsy Reader Girl, which I haven’t done in a while now. The topic today is a look back at our favorite books from the past year. Since I already pick out my favorite book at the end of each month of reading, it wasn’t too hard to narrow the books from the year down to 10. Here they are, listed in the order in which I read them throughout the year.
1. Until Leaves Fall in Paris by Sarah Sundin
A beautiful story written by an author who is becoming one of my favorites. See my full review here.
2. I Can Only Imagine by Bart Millard with Robert Noland
I have recently discovered that I like listening to autobiographies or memoirs read by the author, especially when the author is someone of whom I am a fan already. This did not disappoint. See my full review here.
3. The Giver by Lois Lowry
I didn’t like the rest of the series as much, but the first book was great! See my full review here.
4. Mr. Lemoncello’s Very First Game by Chris Grabenstein
I didn’t expect to like this book all that much, but I gave it a chance because I’ve overall enjoyed the series for which it is a prequel. I ended up loving it! See my full review here.
5. The Debutante’s Code by Erica Vetsch
The beginning of a mystery series that I have fully enjoyed so far. It helps that it is set in the same world as another trilogy that I loved! See my full review here.
6. The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
I haven’t finished the series yet, though I’m actually currently reading the that is technically #4, but #3 in the sequence of the actual story. I’m enjoying this one more than I did the 2nd, but I loved the first one. See my full review here.
7. Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
Jurassic Park is one of my top 3 favorite movie franchises, if not the top, even though I can certainly admit that there are some duds in there. I just don’t care; I love them anyway. I did read this book once, back in high school, most likely because of how much I already liked the first couple of movies then. This is the first time I’ve read it in 20+ years, and I loved it all over again. See my full review here.
8. Lightning by Dean Koontz
I also read this book back when I was in high school, or maybe just after. It took me a long time to re-read it, but I’m so glad I did! See my full review here.
9. Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Just one in a long list of books or series that are classics or at least have been around a long time, but I’ve never read them. I’ve only read 3 of this series yet, but I’ve enjoyed them all. This one was my favorite. See my full review here.
10. Ruth by Ellen Gunderson Traylor
Ruth is my favorite book in the Bible, and the account of Ruth and Boaz has long held a kind of romance for me, so I have been picky about fictionalized versions of it. I’d almost given up on reading any more and finding one that I really liked, but this one was just what I was looking for! See my full review here.
Have you read any of these? What were some of your favorite reads this year?
A Journey of Words 
I felt the same way about The Giver.
My post: https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-favorite-books-of-2022/
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m just sad it took me so long to get around to reading it!
LikeLike
I haven’t read any of these. My daughter loved The Giver.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So did mine. She read it after I did, and then we watched the movie together and pointed out inconsistencies to each other. So much fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I only read the Giver and agree, the first book is the best
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish I’d liked the rest of the series more, but at least they don’t diminish how great the first book is.
LikeLike
It looks like you’ve read some fantastic books in 2022. I hope this continues through 2023.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/my-ten-favorite-books-of-2022/
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was a good year of reading. I’m looking forward to the next!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really need to read the LEMONCELLO books – looks like a series I’d love!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a fun series. Each book started to be a little formulaic after the first one, until the 5th book, which was great. I definitely recommend trying it out if it looks interesting to you!
LikeLike
I’ve not read any of these, but glad to see you enjoyed them.
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2023/01/03/top-ten-tuesday-401/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! It was a fun year!
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a diverse selection of books you have this year! Some old, some new – that’s a good reading list!
The kids at school love Mr. Lemoncello, but they’ve only read the first one. Need to get the rest of the series too!
Thanks for the earlier visit and happy new year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t really notice, but there’s definitely a sampling of age in this list.
If they liked the first Lemoncello, they’ll likely enjoy all the rest. My daughter loves them all.
Happy new year to you as well!
LikeLike
Sarah Sundin’s books are always great reads, so I’m hopeful I’ll enjoy this one as well as her 2023 release. Here’s hoping. I also read The Giver years ago, but I kind of read it in a “speed reading” scenario so someday I may want to give it a chance again. 🙂 Thanks so much for visiting my website this week! I appreciate this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I plan to read her newest book soon too. I’ve enjoyed the (not really a) series so far and look forward to the third. I didn’t really know what to expect from The Giver, but I quite enjoyed it. I’m sure I’ll read it again someday too, though I’ll probably skip the rest of the series.
LikeLike
Nice list. Did you know that the Give is part of a series of four books.
Have a great week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did! I read the rest of the series after reading the series, but I didn’t like the rest as much as The Giver. Thanks for stopping by!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Giver was a childhood favorite! I agree about the rest of the series. From what I remember, the third and fourth books were especially rough. I didn’t like them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, the 2nd book wasn’t as good as the first, but I hung in there. But I was really not a fan of the 3rd and 4th books. The first one, as a standalone, is really good though.
LikeLike