How many books did you read in 2022? I set myself a modest goal of 40 and ended up reading 44. I have an eclectic taste in reading and read a mix of romance, self-help, and spiritual books. I love supporting indie and local authors, and some of the books I enjoyed most were by South African authors. Local is lekker!
Here's what I liked about the ones pictured above:
'N Man Soos Pierre: What do the macho sport of rugby and ballet have in common? I enjoyed finding out in Francine Beaton's book; it was also the only Afrikaans book I read. Truly, there are some rich idioms that are best said only in Afrikaans.
Love at the Garden Tomb: This story by RF Whong highlights how our culture shapes who we become, and the pressure it can exert on our life choices.
Return to Amanda: What happens when a pastor's wife finds the weight of her responsibilities too much to bear? Shirley Corder explored how a woman went in search of herself and the talent she neglected for the sake of others.
Under Construction: Cosy mysteries are quite popular right now, and I enjoyed Allyson Koekhoven's debut novel about a middle-aged, "fluffy" engineer who has to stand her ground in the male-dominated construction industry.
Secret Lives: In author Anna Jensen's historical novel, she shows how a young woman's love for crossword puzzles got her involved in decoding secret messages during World War II. This split-generation story was cleverly done.
Delivered by a Queen: I"m not a big fan of poetry, but loved Cynethea Cunningham's take on a familiar story—how the young Jewess Esther saved her people from annihilation. The author provides background and an easy-to-understand explanation of the Feast of Purim in a way that can be understood by young and old.
Naaman's Faith: I appreciated how Mary Jane Humes weaved in a fictional account of the young slave girl's responses to how the army commander, Naaman, received healing from leprosy. Her book provides a spiritual lesson, practical application, and prayer.
Whispers To My Mother: Single mothers are the backbone of societies around the world. LIndiwe Ramokgadi's poignant memoir recounts a daughter's memories of her mother who made "single life look simple" in a post-Apartheid setting.
Finally, in Misnamed, Misdiagnosed, Misunderstood, I learned from former special educator, Linda Karanzalis, about non-verbal learning disorder that's often mistaken for ADHD or Autism. It was an eye-opener to the suffering of learners who need understanding and patience to thrive in society.
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