Tag: Marty Kelley

2022 Top Book Picks

Favorites of 2022

Econogal’s 2022 Top Book Picks offer personal favorites from the past year. Just in time for the last minute holiday gift shopping. Most are recent releases but a few have releases as far back as 2000. I have divided the lists into three categories this year, fiction, non-fiction and children’s books.

It is always a tough decision on which books make the list. So, the 2022 Top Book Picks include nine in each section of adult reading material with a slightly shorter list of children’s books.

The genres range from futuristic to crime for the novels. And the non-fiction is just as eclectic with entries from self-help to economic thought. My new list of children’s books includes board books.

2022 Top Book Picks of Non-Fiction

I misremembered reading more non-fiction as one of my New Year’s Resolutions. Must have been from a prior year. Nonetheless, more of my reading in 2022 was non-fiction. Many of the books centered on home organization but the top three were critiques or reflections on the world around us. You can click on each title to link to my reviews.

  1. Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell
  2. Keeping At It by Paul Volcker and Christine Harper
  3. Reflections on a Life in Exile by J.F. Riordan
  4. Lose The Clutter Lose The Weight by Peter Walsh
  5. Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience and Finding Joy by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant
  6. Understandable Economics: Because Understanding Our Economy is Easier Than You Think and More Important Than You Know by Howard Yaruss
  7. Freeze Fresh: The Ultimate Guide to Preserving 55 Fruits and Vegetables by Crystal Schmidt
  8. Hobby Farm- Living Your Rural Dream for Pleasure and Profit by Carol Ekarius
  9. Vail-Triumph of a Dream by Peter W. Seibert with William Oscar Johnson

Fiction: 2022 Top Book Picks

The fictional entries are always hard to pare down and this year is no exception. In fact, several of my favorite authors have been left off. But I think it is important to keep the list manageable.

  1. We Begin At The End by Chris Whitaker
  2. Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
  3. The Displacements by Bruce Holsinger
  4. The Fields by Erin Young
  5. You Have To Make Your Own Fun Around Here by Frances Macken
  6. Upgrade by Blake Crouch
  7. Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
  8. The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
  9. Daylight by David Baldacci

New List in 2022: Children’s Books

The 2022 Top Book Picks includes a listing of this year’s favorite children’s books. With three grandkids, more time will be spent reading storybooks.

  1. How To Babysit A Grandma by Jean Reagan with illustrations by Lee Wildesh
  2. Winter’s Gift by Jane Monroe Donovan
  3. Chairs on Strike by Jennifer Jones
  4. Skippyjon Jones in the Doghouse by Judy Schachner
  5. If a Horse Had Words by Kelly Cooper
  6. Santa’s Underwear by Marty Rhodes Figley with illustrations by Marty Kelley
  7. If Animals Trick-or-Treated by Ann Whitford Paul with Illustrations by David Walker
  8. Snowmen at Halloween by Carolyn M. Buehner with illustrations by Mark Buehner

Books as Gifts

Since books make great gifts, the end of the year compilation is handy. 2022 Top Book Picks is an eclectic mix of books. Just fitting for readers of the Econogal blog. Remember you can link to each review by clicking on the highlighted title. Happy shopping!

Another Trio of Children’s Books

Three Great Books make Another Trio of Children’s Books

Another trio of children’s books is highly recommended for the youngsters in your life. Two of the offerings are by Jane Monroe Donovan: Winter’s Gift and Small Medium & Large. The third entry is the funny Santa’s Underwear written by Marty Rhodes Figley and illustrated by Marty Kelley.

Jane Monroe Donovan

If I could choose an illustrator for my own children’s stories, Jane Monroe Donovan would be at the top of my list. I love her artwork. Small Medium & Large is a prime example. The picture book has little writing, but the illustrations paint a wonderful tale. I can envision my middle grandchild weaving a story as the pages are turned.

Donovan’s 2004 release Winter’s Gift is a classic. In addition to the beautiful drawings, the illustrator-turned-author pens one of the most heartwarming stories of hope I have ever read geared toward young children.

The plot of Winter’s Gift is of an elderly man facing his first Christmas without his wife. Simultaneously, a mare loses her herd in the middle of a storm and is found just outside of the man’s cabin. Fortunately, the man discovers the mare in time to move her to the safety of a barn. Then a Christmas miracle occurs. My heart tugged. Winter’s Gift is the most moving of yet another trio of children’s books reviewed.

Santa’s Underwear

The third book to share is Santa’s Underwear. Figley’s hilarious tale is perfectly illustrated by Kelley. Even though Santa is in charge of Christmas, he celebrates all the holidays-with appropriately matched underwear. I am torn on which of the grandkids will receive this charming tale. The delightful story is one destined to be a “read it again” addition to the home library.

Another Trio of Children’s Books

Multiple books are included in many of my children’s book reviews. Maybe it is a need to share my love of books with all. Or maybe an effort to be fair with the trio of grandkids. But it is hard to just buy one book geared to the youngest generation. The holidays are upon us and these three children’s books are great for giving. And I am certain there will be yet another trio of children’s books reviewed in the future.

Another Trio of Children's Books includes the three pictured story books: Winter's Gift, Small Medium & Large, and Santa's Underwear.