Books Read In 2022

Every year I set a reading goal. This year it is to read 36 books –three each month. This will stretch me a bit as I read 29 books in 2021 and a mere 13 books in 2020. Every time I finish a book, I like to take a few minutes to write down my thoughts about it here–I guess you could call it my online book journal.

Along with a few thoughts on the book, I also share where I got it for free or close to free (because I am super thrifty and rarely pay for books) and if I liked it, loved it, or was inspired by it. You will not find a book on this list that I don’t particularly appreciate because I don’t finish books I don’t like– time is too precious to give to bad books.

Liked It, Loved It, Inspired By It: Books I Have Read In 2022

1. Run the Mile You’re In Finding God In Every Step by Ryan Hall

(listened to for free using the Hoopla app)

INSPIRED BY IT

Wow! What an athlete of faith! Ryan Hall was an Olympic Marathoner (now retired). He ran the fastest American half marathon time to date. Run the Mile You’re In is his story of how God guided him through his running career. Through listening to this book, I found my words for 2020 Be Consistent.

2. If: Trading Your If Only Regrets for God’s What If Possibilities by Mark Batterson

Liked It

(purchased at a yard sale)

Usually, I devour Mark Patterson books, but it took me forever to get through If. In fact, I almost gave up on this one, but since I enjoyed the other books of his that I have read so much, I kept reading until the end. I guess I just wasn’t the intended audience for this book.

3. The Long Journey To Jake Palmer by James L. Rubart

(received for free from a friend)

Liked It

This book reminded me of parts of The Shack. It was a good book with good characters and story development, but it didn’t keep me up all night, so it doesn’t receive a loved it rating.

4. Operation Bonnet by Kimberly Stuart

(received for free from a friend)

Liked It

This book was funny! A true feel-good story with a few heart-tugging moments.

5. Motherless by Erin Healy

Liked It

This is one of those books that keep you guessing. The book has plenty of unexpected twists and a very unpredictable ending. I liked it enough to look up the author to see what else she has written. I didn’t give it the love it rating as it didn’t leave me wondering what the characters are up to now that the story is done.

(received for free from a friend)

6. Someone Like You by Karen Kingsbury

Liked It

I have never read a book by Karen Kingsbury that I didn’t like. So when I saw this book in a pile of books my friend invited me to choose from, I immediately put it in my “taking it” pile. I didn’t know before opening its pages that my beloved Baxter family was wrapped up in its pages. That was a pleasant surprise as I can’t get enough of my fellow Hoosier characters. Every time I visit the Bloomington, Indiana, area, I think of them.

The story itself tugged at my heartstrings. And like all other Karen Kingsbury books, I read it in just two sittings as I didn’t want to put it down. So why didn’t I give it a LOVED it rating? Because after reading so many of the author’s books, I guessed the ending around 2/3rds of the way through. Still, I would recommend it to anyone who loves Christian fiction.

(received for free from a friend)

7. Proof Of Heaven by Mary Curran Hackett

Liked It

This book is well written with well-developed characters. However, the ending fell flat for me –so much so that I felt I wanted the time I spent reading it back.

(received for free from a friend)

8. The Heart Between Us by Lindsay Harrel

Loved It

Such a well-written story. A story that is full of adventure and personal growth.

(received for free from a friend)

9. Miracle At The Higher Grounds Cafe by Max Lucado

A story about the power and necessity of forgiveness.

Liked It

(received for free from a friend)

10. The Secrets Of Paper And Ink by Lindsay Harrel

Just as well written as #8 on this list by the same author. This book weaves the past with the future. The characters are well-developed. It is one of those types of books that, when you finish it; you will find yourselves wondering for days what the characters are up to now.

Loved It

(received it for free from a friend)

11. The Rosie Project by Don Tilman

Loved It

I found a copy of The Rosie Effect in a Little Library box and was disappointed to find that it was book two in the series. So when I saw that it was part of the Kindle Unlimited library and I had a free trial, I downloaded it and started reading it. It is about a high-functioning autistic falling in love. I found it inspiring, uplifting, and hilarious.

(read through a free trial of Kindle Unlimited)

12. If for Any Reason (Nantucket Love Story Book One) by Courtney Walsh

Loved It

Another good read by Courtney Walsh. I figured out the mystery before the main character did, but I think it is fun when you do. Sometimes, including with this book, I end up shouting “he is your…” at the pages of the book like somehow the characters can hear me that way. Ya, I have book issues!

(read through a free trial of Kindle Unlimited)

13. Is It Any Wonder (Nantucket Love Story Book Two) by Courtney Walsh

Loved It

Besides being set in the same town, I didn’t see much overlap between these two books, if any. I am not sure why they are considered a series. Besides that mystery, this book was as good as the first.

(read through a free trial of Kindle Unlimited)

14. The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katrina Bivald

Loved It

This story will make you fall in love with small-town life. Full of quirky characters and heartwarming plot lines.

(found in a Little Library box)

15. The Doctor’s Diet by Dr. Travis Stork

Loved It

Good sound nutritional eating advice. Simple to understand and apply if you are willing to be disciplined. I am not. But I have used the book to make a few changes, and when I stick to those changes, I feel better.

(received for free from a friend)

16. A Thing Of Beauty by Lisa Samson

Loved It

This isn’t your ordinary Christian Fiction book. You won’t find scripture quoted in it. You won’t even hear much about God, but He is woven into the book’s message. A message of forgiveness, grace, and light in the darkness.

(received for free from a friend)

17. Women Are Scary: The Totally Awkward Adventures Of Finding Mom Friends by Melanie Dale

Loved It

Prepare to laugh! And learn some valuable lessons about what it takes to make mom friends. This book is written for moms of little ones. With my children all 20 and up, I wasn’t the intended audience, but I kept on reading it because it was so entertaining and had me reflecting on my young mom adventures in friendship-making.

(received for free from a friend)

18. The Sunday Potluck Club by Mellisa Storm (book one of the Sunday Potluck Club series)

Loved It

This is the first fiction book I have bought from Dollar Tree. I honestly didn’t have high hopes for it being all that great, considering it was in a dollar store. Now that I have read and loved it, I will take more time to see what other books Dollar Tree offers. I loved it so much that after reading it, I went straight to Amazon and put the other two books in the series on my to-read list. Well-developed characters, a believable storyline, and a happy ending. Now that is my kind of book!

(Purchased from the Dollar Tree)

19. Whatever It Takes by Jessica Pack

Loved It

When I read the back of the book, I expected one type of read and got a completely different one, but I wasn’t disappointed. Her other book is now on my to-read list–which means this book is a winner!

(Purchased from the Dollar Tree)

20. ‘Til I Want No More by Robin W. Pearson

Liked It

A redemption story with a feel-good ending and a few surprises thrown in here and there. All in all a good read.

(Received it for free from Myreaderrewards.com thanks to points earned through answering quick surveys and more)

21. The Secrets We Bury by Stacie Ramey

Almost Loved it

With well-developed characters and a storyline that kept me up late to finish it, The Secrets We Bury almost got a LOVED-it rating from me. However, I felt like a few of the characters’ problems was too wrapped up in the end, making it an unbelievable ending. I would happily read another book by Stacie Ramey again! so I would say the book is close to loved than liked. (warning, there is some swearing in this book)

(Purchased from the Dollar Tree)

22. RVing across America: A Quest To Visit All 50 States by Alyssa Padgett

LOVED it

I laughed so hard so many times while reading this book! What an adventure Alyssa and Heath undertook as newlyweds. Well worth the read.

(Received free through during their book launch promotion)

23. After the Boxes Are Unpacked: Moving On After Moving In by Susan Miller

If you are facing a long-distance move, you need to grab this book! When I picked it up to read, I wasn’t sure if much of it would apply to my situation as a spouse of a travel nurse traveling after our kids are grown. After all, we move as often as once every 13 weeks. I was surprised to find that a lot of it did apply and helped me feel more rooted in the following travel assignment after reading it, and I believe it will help me with each assignment to follow.

(received for free from a friend)

24. The Color Of Hope by Kim Cash Tate

Almost loved it

I read Kim’s earlier book Hope Springs, and enjoyed it. So when I saw The Color Of Hope available at my favorite Christmas Warehouse for a bargain price, I bought it. I found the characters to be well-developed and enjoyed the story, but there were a few things in it that seemed just a bit over the top. Those things make the story a tad unbelievable for me and knocked my rating down from loved it to almost loved it.

(bought for less than $2 at a Christmas Warehouse store)

25. Return Policy by Micael Snyder

Almost loved it

Return Policy tugged at all my emotions; I laughed, I cried, and I got scared. It did, however, take me a while to get into the story, and for that, I give it an “almost loved it.”

(received for free from a friend)

26. Love Your Life by Sophie Kinsella

Loved it

Warning, this author does use a bit of swearing. I have read quite a few Sophie Kinsella books and love her sense of humor and wit. Love Your Life didn’t disappoint; it was classic Kinsella from the first page to the last page.

(Bought at a yard sale)

27. My Husband’s Wives by Faith Hogan

Loved It

It is a story of a man that passed away, leaving behind three widows. Those widows choose to build each other up instead of tearing each other apart.

(Bought at Dollar Tree)

28. Looking Into You by Chris Fabry

Loved It

This book is a sequel to one of my absolute favorite books by Christ Fabry; Every Waking Moment. Its pages will draw you in and keep you wanting to read just one more chapter.

(Bought on sale and paid for with digital content credits that Amazon often gives you if you pick a later shipping date)