I read about 75 books this year, and here are my favorites (in no particular order).
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
Genre: Historical Fiction
This novel is about the dust bowl in the US in the 1930s, and a family who becomes “Oakies” trying to survive by going west to California. Kristin Hannah always writes excellent books, and this one was particularly poignant for me, since my grandmother was an Oakie herself. This book had a great plot, good characters and a surprising, but very fitting, ending.
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë
Genre: Literary Classics
I’ve always been a fan of 19th century European literature, and especially of the Brontë sisters. With the exception of Wuthering Heights (which I hated; don’t even get me started), the Brontë sisters have collectively written some of my all-time favorite books (hello, Jane Eyre).
So you can imagine my surprise when I learned this year that Anne had written another novel I’d never heard of before! I read it right away, and loved it. It’s a good winter read, with some dark themes, including an abusive marriage and society’s response to it during the 19th century. Definitely worth the read…and way better than Wuthering Heights, in my opinion.
The 5 Choices: Achieving Extraordinary Productivity Without Getting Buried Alive by Kory Kogon, Adam Merrill, and Leigh Stevens
Genre: Professional Development
I read this book through my work, and it was super helpful. It has a lot of very practical tips on time management, email management and using delegation to keep from getting bogged down in what other people should be doing instead of you. It was also helpful that many of my coworkers read it at the same time I did—it gave us a universal language to use as we all worked to implement the principles into our daily routines and team best practices.
Piranisi by Susanna Clarke
Genre: Fantasy
This delightful little fantasy book is about a parallel world to our own, which consists of endless rooms with statues, and a man called Piranisi who lives there. It has great world building and some whimsical qualities to it, so even though I would consider it fantasy, it reads more like magical realism. I really enjoyed Susanna Clarke’s other hit book, Doctor Strange and Mr. Norrell, and this is equally intriguing. The characters have a lot of depth, the plot is fun and the conclusion of the book is very satisfying.
Saving My Assassin by Virginia Prodan
Genre: Autobiography
This book is by a Romanian attorney who lived under the Communist regime of the late 20th century. An amazing story, this is a book to learn about Christian persecution, Communism, and God’s acts of mercy and protection. Virginia was persecuted for her Christian faith, and her story serves as a witness to both Communism’s atrocities and the courage of the Christian community.
The Scholomance trilogy by Naomi Novik
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
This trilogy follows the schooling of a magically-gifted student, who has a penchant for curses and lives in a school where children-eating monsters are constantly trying to get in and devour all the students.
I’ve enjoyed every book I’ve read by Naomi Novik, from her excellent Temeraire series (probably my favorite of hers) to her Uprooted duology. If you like fantasy, Naomi Novik is a good author to follow.
The Scholomance series (A Deadly Education, The Last Graduate and The Golden Enclaves) is more “typical” for YA fantasy (as opposed to a book like Piranisi, which has several genres mixed in). But it was still very compelling, with good action, fun characters and a good plot. I loved the world building of the scholomance and how naturally dangerous it is.
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
Genre: Christian Spiritual Development
The subtitle of this book is “How to stay emotionally healthy and spiritually alive in the chaos of the modern world.” The book covers the state of our culture in technology and pace, followed by Christ’s answer to hurry, and several spiritual disciplines that can help the reader slow down and focus on God and family.
This book was convicting, enlightening, encouraging, and so needed in my life. I am definitely guilty of being in a perpetual hurry, and it’s one I will return to again in the future.
The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan
Genre: Fantasy
This is a classic high fantasy book series, with in-depth world building, a boy who finds out he’s special, and global prophesies fulfilled as he and his friends discover their place in the larger scheme of things. “The pattern weaves as the patterns wills,” as the characters would say.
Caveat: I’m not done with this series yet. But I read the first four books this year (which, at around 1,000 pages each, makes them a significant chunk of time), and have really enjoyed them. The author died before he finished the last three books (there are 14 total) and another acclaimed fantasy author stepped in to finish the series. I look forward to reading the rest.
Comfort and Joy by Kristin Hannah
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
This is a sweet little Christmas novel that combines chick flick vibes with some Christmas magic. I was surprised to like it so much. But then again, Kristin Hannah is a great storyteller and it’s doesn’t surprise me that I liked another of her books. It was one of my last reads this year, and a good one for the Christmas season.
Deeper: Real Change for Real Sinners by Dane Ortlund
Genre: Theology
This book is a combination of theology and practical Christian spiritual development. The author takes his readers through how it is that we change as Christians, and come out of the darkness of specific sins. He answers questions like, “Can I really change?” “How do I overcome my habitual sins?” “How does belief in Jesus have lasting change and continuing impact in my life?” A good read with eternal principles.
Honorable Mention: Making the Terrible Twos Terrific by John Rosemond
Genre: Self Help
A very specific book for a very specific time of life: parenting a two-year old. This one didn’t make it into my top 10 because it’s so very specific, but it was helpful enough to my husband and I that I wanted to include it here. Very practical, with explanations of where two-year-olds are at in their mental development, and how you can help them become more independent and realize the world doesn’t revolve around them. I’m really glad we read this before our daughter turned two.
That’s it! Here’s to reading in 2023.
Victoria Van Vlear 
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