This month I’ve been looking back over things I’m proud of that I accomplished in 2022. One of the things at the top of that list is getting back into reading. As a author of two published books and working as a librarian, it goes without saying that I love books. However, recent times have caused me to feel like a bit of a fraud when I leaved the phrase “avid reader” in my bio. The truth is that I used to be an avid reader BEFORE I started writing. Now I’m more like a “wannabe” avid reader. Since beginning my writing journey, it seems, I’ve always been in some stage of a writing project. When I would pick up a book, I would soon feel like I should be writing (there’s a podcast that goes by that name, which I wish I chosen as my own!)

Nevertheless, reading is a MUST for me. I need to do it like I need to breathe. And no more matter how tempting it is to come home from work or wake up on a Saturday or Sunday morning to stream the latest popular series on Netflix, I had to make time for reading. It is apart of my writing craft. And I have fond memories of cozying up on the couch with a book. It was something I looked forward to. If you follow my blog, you’ll remember my New Year’s post declaring doing more things in 2023 that bring me joy. If reading didn’t make it list, charge it to my head and not my heart, because it’s there.

Through a combination of physical books and audio books, I completed at least 20 books in 2022. Below are a few of my favorites!

Sis Don’t Settle: How to be Smart in Matters of the Heart by Faith Jenkins

Just As I Am by Cicely Tyson

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Reid

You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Awaeke Emezi

The Other Black Girl by Zakiyah Dallia Harris

Rare Danger by Beverly Jenkins