02. A book by an author you read in 2022

[Ashley✨]

I read the Romancing the Rake Series by Tammy Andresen last year. I will read a book or another series I have on my Kindle from her.

[Dana]

I initially wanted to read 4:50 from Paddington by Agatha Christie, but eventually finished A boy called Christmas by Matt Haig.

Last year I read The Comfort Book in March (and was my first 5 star read) and Reasons to stay alive, in July (but didn't like it as much).

But this story of Santa Claus is one of the best books out there and I can't wait to continue with the series.

[Rose]

I used Hell Bent for this one. I choose it because I'm trying to read in order and I just happened to finish Hell Bent at the right timing, honestly. I read some of Leigh Bardugo's short stories last year, although I read the majority of her backlist in 2021. Hell Bent was absolutely spectacular, I can't wait for book three!

[Samantha]

I ended up reading Gleanings: Stories from the Arc of a Scythe for this one. It was an enjoyable jump back in to the Scythedom.

[Anastasia]

Like many others here I have a long list of authors that I could have chosen from. I really wanted to fit this book into my list this year so slotted it in here.
The Fated Sky it is the second installment in an alternate universe that explores the space race from a different perspective. In this one women and people of colour are part of the space program. It does not change the problems of the times, or the societal norms, she just transposes them into a different timeline.

[LeahS]

Last year The Shadow King by Maaza Mengiste made a big impression on me, so I chose to read Beneath the Lion's Gaze, her previous novel. It is set in the years following the Ethiopian revolution in the 1970s, and was a different style of writing to The Shadow King . The reign of terror that followed the revolution is told simply and compassionately through the eyes of one family and their friends. Not an easy read, but beautifully written.

It would suit the following prompts:
Prompt 1 - it's set mainly in Addis Ababa.
Prompt 8 - it's a debut novel
Prompt 24 - there are a number of soldiers in the book including one important character.
Prompt 28 - the subject matter is dark.

My edition has four colours on it, and a faceless person.

[Maple]

I read Adulthood Rites by Octavia E. Butler

[Aimee]

LeahS wrote: "Last year The Shadow King by Maaza Mengiste made a big impression on me, so I chose to read Beneath the Lion's Gaze, her previous novel. It is set i..."

I really enjoyed The Shadow King, I read it for the "set on or below the Tropic of Cancer" prompt in 2021. Great to hear her other books are just as good, I'll definitely pick up Beneath the Lion's Gaze now.
Another book you might enjoy is The Devil That Danced on the Water: A Daughter's Quest, which is non-fiction but similarly to The Shadow King, it focuses on parts of African history that are seldom taught in the west. It is also beautifully written and very intimate, which is why it reminded me of The Shadow King in terms of the depth of characters and their internal struggles.

[Rebecca]

I read This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger. I had read "Ordinary Grace" last year and wanted more by this author. So, this was an easy prompt for me.

[Evelyn]

I read Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead I chose this book because I started the series last year.

[Misty]

I ended up not using any of the ones I had planned for this category and used The Silent Ones by K. L. Slater instead.

[Dana]

Evelyn wrote: "I read Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead I chose this book because I started the series last year."

One of my favourite series ever!

Enjoy. ;)

[Marie (UK)]

I read Abandoned in Death I have loved this series of books I hope she keeps writing as I am very nearly at the end of the series

[Tracy]

I chose to read a book by Fredrik Backman this year, since I read his My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry last year and really enjoyed it. I've also read his Anxious People, and seen the screen versions of both Anxious People and A Man Called Ove. Backman has an incredible talent to deeply understand and express his characters.

This year I read Beartown. At first I wasn't sure. Do I really want to read a book centered on ice hockey? And for the first 25% I wasn't super compelled to read every chance I got. But I trust Fredrik Backman, so I continued. It took 25% to get into the story because during that time he introduces the characters, in depth, and there are many important characters. Once the story got going, WOW — this is once great book, and I'm so glad that there are 2 more to complete the story of this community!

I would follow Fredrik Backman anywhere.

[Severina]

I read Cast Away by Annabel Chase, part of the Spellbound series that I started last year.

[Anne]

I have just read The Good Husband of Zebra Drive by Alexander McCall Smith. I chose this book as it is part of the series No 1 Ladies Detective Agency.

[Joan]

For this one I read Elevation. I'm trying to read more Stephen King books so I'm trying to slip him in where I can. Last year was the first year in a long time that I read some of his books. It felt good to read some of his work again. This book was a departure from his normal books so it was kind of nice and it was a quick read.

[Ana O. ⭐]

Kingdom of the Feared 3 stars.

[Jill]

What are you reading? I read Possession by Celia Fremlin
How did you choose the author you chose? I enjoyed one of the author's book so much in 2022 that I wanted to read another

[Sherri]

I read The White Lady. 4 stars

[Denise]

I read The Secret Keeper of Jaipur by Alka Joshi. I read The Henna Artist last year and really enjoyed it, and I won a copy of the ARC of The Perfumer of Paris so of course I needed to read the middle book of the series

[LeahS]

I read The Architect’s Apprentice by Elif Shafak, having read her later book, The Island of Missing Trees last year.

It was a good historical novel set mainly in sixteenth century Istanbul. My inner geek was pleased by the fact that a Grand Vizier who appears in the story seems to have been the man who ordered the building of the bridge in one of my favourite books of this year The Bridge over the Drina!

[Book Concierge]

He has so many series that I seem to read one or two of his every year ...


The Second-Worst Restaurant in France – Alexander McCall Smith – 3***
This is the second book featuring Paul Stuart, the “renowned Scottish cookbook writer.” He’s struggling with his latest book so jumps at the chance to accompany his cousin, Chloe, to France, where he hopes to find his muse, or at least a few great meals. There is not much plot to move the story along. Rather, Paul just stumbles into situations in the village as he meets new and interesting people. What I like about this book and several of McCall Smith’s other works are the characters. I enjoy peeping into their lives for a bit and watching the goings on from afar.
LINK to my full review