Top Ten Books I Read in 2022

Unfortunately it's been a bit of a "meh" reading year, with the best books being rereads, but I did manage to find some books that deserve a mention :-)

In no particular order...

The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle - Stuart Turton (also published as "7½ deaths..."). I didn't know I needed a time-travelling detective in my Agatha Christie'esque novels, but it totally worked. This became the book I've recommended the most all year. The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Book Club - Sophie Green I came for the title, I stayed for the setting. Those of you who watched "Flying Doctors" back in the 90s will definitely see shades of Cooper's Crossing. The Christmas Bookshop - Jenny Colgan. Such a charming book! And the fact that it was set in Edinburgh didn't hurt at all. Heartstopper - Alice Oseman I liked the TV series a tiiiiny bit more, but the books are super cute too! The Inheritance Games - Jennifer Lynn Barnes I read the first one in a day! Simply couldn't put it down. Right up my aisle with all the riddles along the way. I loved book two as well, and am really hoping book three lives up to it :-D Beach Read - Emily Henry Emily Henry has been a bit hit and miss for me (I did not care for "People We Meet On Vacation" at all), but this one was terrific. Really sweet, and the people actually COMMUNICATED for once! Gasp! One of Us is Lying - Karen M. McManus Surprisingly good YA crime novel. It captured my attention completely, and I immediately went out to find the next book in the series. Midlife Magic - Victoria Danann The shortest 500 page book I've ever read! I loved book 2 as well, but after that lost a bit of interest, unfortunately. I may pick up the series again eventually. No Roses in June - Essie Summers "The Sound of Music"(first half) set in New Zealand? What's not to like! On the Island - Tracey Garvis-Graves Another book I finished in a day. While I can see its flaws, it just worked for me. Robinson Crusoe'esque plots always fascinate me, and this was no exception. I read it as an e-book and immediately added it to my physical library.

Playlist 2022

No songs from the Eurovision Song Contest this year :-( To our great disappointment, none of them had any staying power. Think that's the first time since I started making these playlists. But as usual my list is heavily inspired by Simon and Lars :-D My list is slightly longer than usual, but it was hard enough to boil down as it was - no way I could get it down further!
Link, in case the embedding stops working.

1. Ex-Wives / Get Down - Six
I tried SO hard to chose between these too, but I just couldn't. They're both brilliant and SO different. I went to see the musical together with Isabella and while I loved most of the songs, these two were by far my favourites. "Ex-Wives" is an excellent introduction to the story, and the entire atmosphere of "Get Down" is just fantastic. Love the music, love the lyrics. I mean, getting "tricked ya" to rhyme with "profile picture" - genius!

2. Surface Pressure - Encanto
Encanto had the best songs of any Disney movie I've seen in a LONG time. I love the energy of "The Family Madrigal", but it really works best when you know the movie. This song works on so many different levels, and having "being strong" (whether physically or mentally) as your entire self image is something I think many people can relate to.

3. Crazy People - Casting Crowns
Back in February Lars and I were going on our first post-COVID vacation, and my anxiety was acting up BIG time. Nina sent me this song, and I listened to it on repeat all the way from our house to the airport. It worked wonders, and I grew to love it!
Crazy people trust in Jesus
Following Him wherever He leads us
Kingdom seekers, walk by faith believers
Here's the church, here's the steeple, here's to all God's crazy people

4. W.I.T.C.H - Devon Cole
To the best of my knowledge, this song originated on TikTok as a "sing along to this" challenge, and just exploded from there. I followed its process with interest, partly because I think it's an interesting story, partly because I loved the vibe of the song. Fortunately the final product delivered :-D

5. See Me Through It - Brandon Heath
A random discovery via Spotify. "I know You're gonna see me through it - If anybody can, You can do it"

6. Provider - Cade Thompson
Just as always, Simon has heavily influenced my listening this year - this time with a new-to-me artist. This is another one of those songs that I keep considering removing from the yearly playlist, but then when I go to listen to it "just to be sure", I change my mind all over again X-D

7. Maybe You're the Problem - Ava Max
Ava Max is hit-or-miss for me, but when she's good, she's really good. This isn't actually my usual fare, but I love the progression of "And I think you should take a second just to look at your reflection", so even though I considered removing it from this playlist several times, I just couldn't...

8. Refuge - Skillet
Simon's sent me several Skillet songs this year, and while I've liked them all, this would have to be my favourite.
I can face my darkest night
'Cause I trust You with my life
I'm not afraid, for You are my refuge

9. We Own Tonight - New Kids on the Block
I'm delighted to be able to add a new NKOTB song again! But somehow I'd completely missed that they'd released a new album! (Back in 2013! Embarrassing!). As always there are a ton of good songs on it, but right now this is my favourite, although I had a hard time choosing between this and "The Whisper".

10. 3 O'Clock Things - AJR
One of Brenda's entries last year, and it immediately spoke to me. First of all, it's got that unusual style that just immediately appeals to me (there are a few of these every year, where I can't explain why I love it, but I just do), and secondly ANY overthinker will recognize the fact that 3 o'clock is the worst time for random thoughts...

11. Bible Verses - Blake Shelton
I have NOT been able to get the chorus out of my head since I first heard it.
That I can open up that good book
And Heaven don't look like it's out of reach
When it feels like those apostles are giving me the gospel
And not the third degree
I just want it to read
Like Bible verses and not the Bible versus me
Fortunately I don't really feel that way myself, but even so, it still struck a chord deep within, and I love it.

12. Limousine - Little Sis Nora
Lars first introduced me to AronChupa / Little Sis Nora (a brother/sister pair) with "I'm An Albatraoz" back in 2017 or so. They're the kind of duo I love to hate - or hate to love. I pretty much always have to get used to their songs before I really like them, but since Lars absolutely loves them and plays their music over and over and over... Well - I tend to end up having to add their songs to my playlist after all.

13. Not Finished Yet - Building 429
I discovered Building 429 a few years ago - perhaps from the War Room soundtrack? Anyway, they're definitely a group to keep track of, as their songs tend to speak to me on several levels. The music here is catchy as, and I love the lyrics.
Child, lay down your sorrows,
'Cause I'm not finished yet!

14. A Little Faith - Riley Clemmons
I'm getting total 90s Amy Grant vibes here! But since that when I fell in love with her music, I'm all for it :-D I discovered Riley Clemmons last year, and she's definitely become a singer to look out for.

15. Hot mess - Zoe Clark
I actually think this was a TikTok discovery as well... Telling on myself here ;) But it makes me sit and dance in my chair, so it clearly works for me.

16. Teeth - 5 Seconds of Summer
I've never watched "13 Reasons Why", so I have absolutely no clue how I came across this song. It could pretty much only have been TikTok or a random Spotify weekly discovery. I keep saying I should get better at writing these things down, and I keep absolutely forgetting to do so X-D Again, I can't explain why I like it so much, as it's really not the kind of music I usually listen to, but there always seem to be a few of those. The start has a DEFINITELY ESC vibe, so that might be part of it.

17. Fear No More - The Afters
Another recommendation from Simon. A beautiful reminder that
You're my courage when I worry in the dead of night
You're my strength 'cause I'm not strong enough to win this fight
You are greater than the battle raging in my mind
I will trust You Lord, I will fear no more

18. Build a Boat - Colton Dixon
Colton Dixon is a fairly new discovery, but right up my aisle. I think I'd heard this all of twice before I knew it had to go on this list.

19. Lose My Cool - Faustix w. Klara Hammarström
Lars introduced me to this song earlier in the fall. I love its vibe :-) And he's always so pleased when I add songs here because of him ;-)

20. Happy Day - Tim Hughes
I recently started talking music with another colleague of mine, and he immediately endeared himself to me by sending me links to some of his favourite songs. I already loved this song, as we've been singing it at Hillsong Church, but I'd forgotten to actually add it to my playlist, so I'm very grateful to Yun for reminding me of it :-D

21. End of Time (Taste of Heaven) - Keiino
Keiino was a contestant at Eurovision Song Contest a few years back, and both Lars and I loved their sound. Since then Lars keeps up with any new songs they put out, and with very few exceptions I've liked all of them. Since I won't have an actual ESC entry here this year, I figure this one will have to do ;)

22. How Can You Not - Leanna Crawford
Simon sent me this and it was love at first sight... eh, listen.
I see the sunset and I wonder
If he paints it just for me
Nobody else could make a world so beautiful
How could I question his love when
It's everywhere I go
Wherever I look I find another miracle

Seems like a good song to end this list on :-)

Top 5 Christmas Books and Movies

'Tis the season....

I haven't read enough (good) Christmas books to make a full top ten, so this will be five books, five movies.

Twelve Days of Christmas - Trisha Ashley Trisha Ashley has written a TON of really excellent Christmas books, so I could pretty much have filled this list up with books by her alone! This one is by far my favourite though, as it's heavy on descriptions of Christmas planning, which always serve to put me in a Christmassy mood. ("One More Christmas at the Castle" may end up being a close second, but I haven't finished that one yet, so I'll stick with this one.) The Worst Best Christmas Pageant Ever - Barbara Robinson I first discovered this as a kid, and find myself returning to it on a regular basis. It's a quick read (took me 30 minutes to read) and utterly delightful. (As an aside, this is one of those few situations where I think I like the Danish title better than the English one :-D Directly translated it's "Mary, Joseph and the Herdman Children") In a Holidaze - Christina Lauren Groundhog day meets Christmas chick-lit. It was delightful and adorable and charming. I loved the traditions and I loved the family feel of it. The Christmas Bookshop - Jenny Colgan Christmas in Edinburgh? Don't mind if I do! And add detailed Christmas preparations in a delightful bookshop and cute nieblings to the mix, and I'm sold :-D The Little House in the Big Woods - Laura Ingalls Wilder Most of the Little House books has some form of Christmas described, but I think this first one is my favourite. I love the descriptions of the preparations that take place, and have discovered that Christmas preperations is basically a must in a book to make it a decent Christmas read for me. Single All the Way A new find, but possibly the best Christmas movie I've seen - period! I adored every part about it. The best friends, the family who actually LIKE each other, the love-triangle that never happens, the main couple who just happens to be gay and it's not a big deal. Yes, yes, yes! This will definitely be a regular rewatch! (Netflix) Klaus I wasn't quite sure about this one at first, but it is completely delightful. A really sweet Christmas movie that's perhaps more traditional than some of the others on this list. (Netflix) While You Were Sleeping Not the entire movie, but that one scene where Lucy celebrates Christmas with Peter's family, and she just sits and hugs her present tight - not even opening it - while enjoying all the family shenanigans going on around her? Gets me every single time! (Disney+) The Knight Before Christmas Totally predictable, but SO sweet! I was greatly amused by seeing how Sir Cole got used to the 21st century, and liked that people were just generally NICE. No needless drama. (Netflix) The Christmas Chronicles Most Christmas movies (Klaus being an obvious exception) seem to be rom-coms, but I really liked that the focus here was on siblings instead. Great movie that really managed to capture the right Christmas atmosphere for me. (Netflix)