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?

Starlight Book Review – Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers

Cover of Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers by Deborah Heiligman on light yellow background | Cover Image Source: Goodreads

4/5 As an avid fan of the works of Vincent van Gogh, I admit to a passing knowledge of the late 19^th Century artist. Also, I learned two individuals instrumental in his posthumous fame — his sister in-law Johanna Bonger and his brother, Theo van Gogh. Over the years, I sought a biography of Vincent and noticed Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers by Deborah Heiligman on the shelf. Speaking of shelves, I mentally placed it on my To Be Read (TBR) Shelf. Late this summer, I finally moved this book to my “Read” Shelf.

“The deep and enduring friendship between Vincent and Theo Van Gogh shaped both brothers’ lives. Confidant, champion, sympathizer, friend, Theo supported Vincent as he struggled to find his path in life. They shared everything, swapping stories of lovers and friends, successes and disappointments, dreams and ambitions. Meticulously researched, drawing on the 658 letters Vincent wrote to Theo during his lifetime, Deborah Heiligman weaves a tale of two lives intertwined and the love of the Van Gogh brothers.”

I read this book in two formats — audio and print. While the print shared beautiful depictions, some by Vincent and some à la Vincent. I also liked seeing the spellings of names of people and places. The audio provided me with ideas of how to pronounce these names. Heiligman wrote for a Young Adult audience and she executed this well. She provided enough information in a narrative way without being condescending nor evasive on harsh facts of the lives of the Van Gogh Brothers. I felt Heiligman let the people in Vincent and Theo… tell the story and she curated. I recommend Vincent and Theo… to those wanting to learn more about the lives of these two.

Quotes come from book flaps/cover and are featured on color blocks.