December 2022 Novel Ideas: 15 Quick Reviews
December 2022 Novel Ideas features tons of quick book reviews for some of the most popular new book releases. Read on for suggestions on your next great read!
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Meredith, Alone by Claire Alexander
For my Winter Reading Challenge Isolation Book, I decided to read Meredith, Alone.
This story about a woman trying to overcome her fear of leaving her house was one of the most heartfelt, unique stories I’ve ever read.
As Meredith’s story unfolds and she tries to overcome the trauma and abuse that has caused her to isolate herself, I couldn’t help but cheer for her. I loved all the secondary characters too and how they tried to be good friends by meeting her where she was – often quite literary.
This would be an excellent book to discuss with your book club. I highly recommend it for your TBR list.
Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for my review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Tell Me Lies by Carola Lovering
After hearing about the book adaptation of this, I knew I had to read it. I was captivated by this book so much that I read it in one sitting.
Stephen and Lucy have the epitome of a toxic relationship and getting to see inside Stephen’s head as he toyed with Lucy, was equally fascinating and disturbing.
I immediately watched the series too and then had a chance to interview Carola and Dr. Z about narcissistic characters in books.
The Man I Never Met by Elle Cook
This is a romance book unlike anything I’ve ever read. When Will accidentally calls Hannah while applying for a job in London, they become fast friends. But soon, they are making plans to meet up when he moves to England.
When the fateful day comes, Will stands Hannah up. When Hannah learns the reason why, Will ends their blossoming love and friendship.
As we see their life paths split, we see them constantly thinking about one another. You will be cheering by the end of this second-chance romance!
Thanks to Penguin Random House Audio for my review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross
Rebecca Ross’s fantasy books are sweeping magical stories. This particular one is about the island of Cadence and its warring inhabitants. It’s also a love story between Jack, a bard who can sing to the elements, and Adaira, the heiress of the East.
The story slowly builds but ends on a cliffhanger, which concludes in the second book of the duology. The story is perfect for fans of books like Outlander because it’s inspired by Scotland.
When We Were Bright and Beautiful by Jillian Medoff
This book is a DOOZY. It deserves a spot on our best family drama book list, but it’s not for the faint of heart.
Cassie Quinn comes from a wealthy New York family that appears picturesque from the outside. But her brother is now standing trial for the rape of his on-again, off-again girlfriend. Cassie heads home to support her brother, but during the trial, family secrets come out that threaten to ruin them all.
This story has a ton of very difficult topics within it’s pages, so check for trigger warnings before reading.
The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart
Coyote Sunrise lives with her Dad, Rodeo on an old school bus, riding around the country but never returning to the place her mother and sisters died.
Until Coyote gets a call from her grandma that the park she hid a memory box in is scheduled to be torn down. Soon Coyote needs to figure out a plan to get her dad back to Washington before she loses that box.
Filled with life lessons and charming strangers they meet and transport along the way, I adored coyote and her unique life. My kids listened along to this one with me too and they felt the same way.
The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton
December 2022 GMA Book Club Pick
Set in the not-so-distant future, this dystopian story describes a world where climate change is wreaking havoc on our planet.
Wanda is born during her namesake hurricane, to a mother who dies on the same night. As Wanda grows, she has to deal with the worsening landscape of a world dying around her.
As she tries to survive, she also has to navigate relationships with loved ones and the surrounding community. This thought-provoking book is perfect for book clubs.
Thanks to Libro.fm for my review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Jackie’s 2022 Novel Ideas Stack
The Obsession by Jesse Q Sutanto
From the minute Logan lays eyes on Delilah, he thinks they are meant to be. He is certain that they are perfect for each other even though Delilah has no idea who Logan is. He plants a camera to learn everything he can about her because it is romantic, right?
This is one stalker book that is off the charts with its creep-factor. There are so many twists and turns as Delilah tries to hold onto her secrets and make Logan let go of his obsession.
Thanks to Libro.fm for my review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jeannette Mccurdy
Jeanette Mccurdy, star of the show iCarly and Sam and Cat, has written her heartbreaking memoir. Forced into acting at 6 years old by a mentally ill and unstable mother, Jeanette lived her life trying to make her mother happy. The result was an eating disorder, addiction, and abuse. This is a profound pick in our list of books about mental illness.
I listened to this book and found it hard to put down while also finding it extremely difficult to listen to at times because it is such a sad book. This is an amazing pick from our books about mothers.
Back in a Spell (The Witches of Thistle Gove Book 3) by Lana Harper
Nina Blackmore has been trying and failing to get over her broken heart for a year. Now, her best friend convinces her that she needs to attempt to date by dating someone who is the opposite of her usual.
Nina goes out with Morty and it does not go well but suddenly, Morty starts developing magical powers and Nina’s powers become off the charts. These two must learn to navigate the magic.
This was such a cute romance and a perfect next book in the Thistle Grove series.
Thanks to PRH Audio for my review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan
Picoult’s books are always so readable and this one is no exception. Olivia McAfee has had to start over and raise her son alone after leaving her abusive cardiothoracic surgeon husband.
She is raising her son Asher alone and always hoping that she left in time- before her son would remember the abuse. Now, Asher’s girlfriend, Lily, is dead and Asher is the prime suspect.
There were so many things about this book that made is so readable, I can see why it was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award for 2022. However, there were a lot of parts of the book that left me with questions.
Thanks to Libro.fm for my review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Every Note Ever Played by Lisa Genova
Richard is a concert pianist who lives to hear the standing ovations from his audiences and thrives on being perfect. When he loses control of his pinky finger, and slowly the muscles in his hands and body, his life comes crashing down.
Now, Richard has ALS and nobody to turn to except his ex-wife. This novel about music will have you questioning life, forgiveness and what it means to find peace.
The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley
Clare Pooley did an amazing job of taking numerous characters with almost nothing in common and pulling them together in the most unexpected ways. Each character grows and changes and finds a second chance.
Julian Jessop is a lonely artist in his late 70s who is sick of people lying to each other. He writes his story in a notebook that he calls the authenticity project and leaves it in his local cafe. The cafe owner finds it, writes down her story and… you get the idea. This is a completely original book that I loved and is a perfect pick for a list of books like A Man Called Ove.
My First Popsicle: An Anthology of Food and Feelings by Zosia Mamet
This Anthology of stories is all centered around memories associated with food. Some of these stories are funny and some are quite poignant as they highlight how central food is to our culture, lives, and memories.
This book is different from any of the full cast audiobooks that I have listened to because each story is written and read by a different narrator.
Thanks to PRH Audio for my review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James
The Lady Killer murders have haunted Clare Lake Oregon since 1977 when two men with no connection to each other were murdered. They had no enemies, were murdered with the same gun, and the only witness saw a woman’s hair under the cloak. Beth Greer seemed to fit the bill- rich and beautiful- but she was acquitted.
Years later, Shea Collins, a survivor of an attempted abduction as a child spends her days as a receptionist and her nights running a website called the Book of Cold Cases. When she meets Beth and asks for an interview, everything changes.
There is so much to this story- it is unexpected, scary and unputdownable.
