Starry Says – Episode #66 — ’22 Book Year in Review

Manuscript Word Count (MWC) – 74,545

2023 Reading Goal to Date – 0/124

In 2022, I spent much time thinking about books and reading. Not only did I exceed my Goodreads goal of reading 100 books, I also continued to regularly post Starlight Book Reviews (SBR). As mentioned in Episode #65, I completed 3 out of 5 Stellar Reading Challenges (SRC) by the afternoon of December 30. The next day, I also finished the 2022 Sacred Text SRC. Click here to read about last year’s SRC. I officially kick off the 2023 SRC on Sunday, January 15 so there’s still time to complete last year’s SRC.

Below are what I consider my “Top 9 Reads” in 2022. Some books I read for various SRC, others just happened to be stellar reads for last year. I listed the fiction in alphabetical order by author’s surname, nonfiction in order Dewey Decimal Codes. Books with SBR are linked.

Fiction

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

Curse of Salem (Bishop/ Special Crimes Unit #20) by Kay Hooper

Nothing to Lose (J.P. Beaumont #25) by J.A. Jance

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys

Nonfiction

Bible in 90 Days

Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers by Deborah Heiligman

The Combat Diaries: True Stories from the Frontlines of World War II by Mike Guardia

Skybreak: The 58th Fighter Squadron in Desert Storm by Mike Guardia

Prophetic City: Houston on the Cusp of a Changing America by Stephen L. Klineberg

How about you, Gnomies? How was 2022 in books for you?

First Official Day of 2022 Stellar Reading Challenges

Visual Display of the 2022 Stellar Reading Challenges | © Starry Night Elf

Today’s the day, Gnomies! We’ve the first official day of the 2022 Stellar Reading Challenges (SRC)! Click here to check out the five different SRC.

Are you accepting any of these SRC, Gnomies? If so, say “I’m in!” in the comments. Also, consider using the following:

• #StellarReadingChallenges2022
• #GnomiesReadBackInTheDay
• #GnomiesReadSetInTheDay
• #GnomiesReadLocal
• #GnomiesReadSacredTexts
• #GnomiesFoodieReadingChallenge

2022 Stellar Reading Challenges

Visual Display of the 2022 Stellar Reading Challenges | © Starry Night Elf

There are 5 total Stellar Reading Challenges (SRC) and I encourage Gnomies to do 1 or more to earn digital badges.

100 Years SRCs (1920s – 2019)

1. Back in the Day: Read 1 book written in each decade from the 1920s — 2010s for a total of 10 books read
2. Set in the Day: Read 1 book set in each decade from the 1920s — 2010s for a total of 10 books read

Returning SRCs

1. Read Local: Read books set in your hometown/region, your current place and/or read something by a local author
2. Sacred Texts: Read a written work related to a religious tradition
3. Foodie: Taste a food mentioned in a book you read in 2022 or a food from the setting of the book

These Challenges go from January 15, 2022 – January 14, 2023. 

Please stay tuned for more details on each challenge, Gnomies!

Coming Soon, Gnomies! — 2022 Stellar Reading Challenges

Gnomies, we’re a week away from the big announcement of the 2022 Stellar Reading Challenges (SRC)! Please stay tuned to my humble blog and check it out on Wednesday, December 15! Guesses are welcome; you may derive some clues from this “Coming Soon” graphic! I’ll drop two more hints:

• There’s more than 1 SRC your gnomie hostess is offering.
• A couple of SRCs may look familiar.