Best books of 2022

12/9/2022

By Kate Pritchard, Interim Library Director & Sierra Smith, Communications Specialist

Did you know that December is Read a New Book Month? Seriously, we're not making this up. Celebrate by stopping by Hassenfeld Library to check out a title new to you and by gifting your friends and family members something to read this holiday season.

When faced with endless titles, making a decision on what to read next can be quite difficult. To help, we’ve rounded up some University School of Nashville faculty and staff favorites read throughout 2022. Below you'll find a wide variety of titles that made the tops of teachers' lists along with why they loved them. Please note that most books listed were published for adults; books suitable for children and young adults are denoted as such.

Interim Library Director Kate Pritchard recommends:

“Himawari House” by Harmony Becker (YA)

Her review: This graphic novel is a lovely, heartfelt, somewhat meandering slice-of-life story about three young women who have come from different countries to a shared house in Japan. They are there to learn Japanese, to figure out who they are, and to decide what comes next in their lives. In the process, they become, at least for a while, a chosen family.

“Sea of Tranquility” by Emily St. John Mandel

Her review: The plot is difficult to summarize, but it involves four interlocking stories set in four different times, separated by hundreds of years, but all connected by a strange auditory phenomenon: a young man exiled from his upper-crust British family to Vancouver Island in 1912; a brother and sister who grew up on that same island in the late twentieth century; a writer on a book tour in 2203; and a time traveler trying to discern the connections between them. If you liked Mandel's earlier book "Station Eleven," I think you'll like this too. In some ways they're very different books, but both touch on similar themes of humanity and love in the face of hard times and hard choices.

Sixth Grade English Teacher Katie Sandidge recommends:

“Jesus and John Wayne” by Kristin Kobes Du Mez

Her review: This book changed my worldview. It helped me to see the history and evolution of some Christian belief systems and how they are influencing society today. Mind blowing.

English Department Chair Freya Sachs '00 recommends:

“Unlikely Animals” by Annie Hartnett

Her review: This novel is striking and richly imagined, with quirky narration, keenly observed details, and moments of surprise, sadness, delight. A New Hampshire town's cemetery narrates the story of Emma's return home in a messy family moment, with an ailing father, after she's lost her ability to heal. Months after I read this, I still think about the joy of the story, the engaging characters, the ways that Hartnett embraces the mess of our days, of what makes us human.

Fourth Grade Teacher Skyler Moots ’07 recommends:

“Inverting the Pyramid” by Jonathan Wilson

His review: It's an in-depth history of soccer tactics and how the game has changed. It’s probably too complex for anyone brand new to the sport or for younger readers, but in general, it’s perfect for a World Cup year.

Operations Coordinator Lindsay Barrera recommends:

“I’m Glad My Mom Died” by Jennette McCurdy

Her review: Absolute trip. Read in three days. Couldn't put it down. Wild.

Lower School Librarian Emily Theobald recommends:

“The Huntress” by Kate Quinn

Her review: I love historical fiction and Kate Quinn is a master of this genre!

Math Department Chair Cindy Crenshaw recommends:

“Before We Were Yours” by Lisa Wingate

Her review: The adventures, family bonds, history, and sadness in this novel spoke volumes to me. Set in Memphis, it felt close to home while also sharing an experience very different from my own. A bit of a Tom Sawyer feel too.

High School Latin Teacher Julianna Lewis '14 recommends:

“The Eye of the World” by Robert Jordan

Her review: This is the first book in an epic fantasy series called the Wheel of Time, which I would put on par with Lord of the Rings. Jordan does an amazing job building a convincing and intriguing world — this is the type of book that takes an investment on the reader's part, but it is so well written and so fascinating that it'll draw you right in! I'm normally not a fan of high fantasy, but Jordan writes an incredibly compelling narrative with great characters. My only advice is read it in print, so you can use the glossary at the back.

Seventh Grade English Teacher Syd Lindblom recommends:

“Olga Dies Dreaming” by Xochitl Gonzales

Her review: I enjoyed "Olga" while reading it, but I know it was a great book because I am still thinking about it six months later. Olga and her brother Prieto are incredibly complex characters — even when I did not agree with their decisions, I understood why they made them. The first chapter is a masterclass in how to introduce a character: "The telltale sign that you are at the wedding of a rich person is the napkins ..."

"Ain't Burned All the Bright" by Jason Reynolds (YA)

"The Atlas Six" by Olivie Blake

"Dating Dr. Dil" by Nisha Sharma

"Crying in H Mart" by Michelle Zauner

"Heartstopper" by Alice Oseman (YA)

"In the Wild Light" by Jeff Zentner (YA)

"Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow" by Gabrielle Zevin

Library Assistant Catherine Lemaire Lozier recommends:

“Mexican Gothic” by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Her review: “Mexican Gothic” is a delightful horror story. Set in the 1950s in a haunted house in Mexico, this novel is spooky, romantic, and feminist. It's a really fun read.

Head Swimming Coach Emily Khan recommends:

“Tomboy: The Surprising History and Future of Girls Who Dare to Be Different” by Lisa Selin Davis

Her review: I identified as a "tomboy" as a child growing up in the 80s and 90s because I enjoyed physical play, competitive sports, and following professional sports teams. It was fascinating to learn the history of the label.

Middle School Spanish Teacher Sibley Kelly ’91 recommends:

“The Marriage Portrait” by Maggie O’Farrell

Her review: So, so good. Lucrezia di Cosimo de’Medici was betrothed at 13 and died only one year after marrying. This is beautiful and connected with art and her actual portraits. Loved it.

“Crying in H Mart” by Michelle Zauner

Her review: Beautifully written, perfectly organized and edited, a book about losing one’s mother and the complications of losing half your identity as a biracial person, and the power of memory, particularly with cooking and eating.

“Book Lovers” by Emily Henry

“What We Wish Were True” by Tallu Schuyler Quinn

Fifth Grade English Teacher Lauren Gage recommends:

“Ground Zero” by Alan Gratz (Middle Grades)

Her review: Gratz published this book on the 20-year anniversary of 9/11. It is a dual perspective book, one being from a boy who was in the North tower with his father on September 11, 2001 and one of a girl living in Afghanistan in 2019. It is a brilliantly written book, leaving the reader on a cliffhanger at each chapter and perspective change. The reader also learns so much about that devastating day and terrorism. I recommend this book to middle grades and up. I couldn't put it down.

Assistant Head of High School for Academics Jeff Edmonds recommends:

“The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing and the Future of the Human Race” by Walter Isaacson

His review: If you want to understand how science works today this is a fascinating book that lifts the veil on gene editing, biochemistry, the creative tension between collaboration and competition, and the intersection of science and capitalism. If you are interested in science education, this book shows clearly that science has transformed and gives insight into how to meet the challenge of educating future scientists.

Library Assistant Kristin Frank recommends:

“When Two Feathers Fell From The Sky” by Margaret Verble

Her review: Fascinating historical fiction about a Cherokee horse diver set in the real life Glendale Park Zoo, which operated in Green Hills from 1912-1932. Author Margaret Verble is a member of the Cherokee Nation and grew up in Nashville.

Annual Fund Director Claudia Huskey recommends:

“Aaron Slater, Illustrator” by Andrea Beaty (Picture Book)

Her review: It is a fun book to read with your children about learning differences and being proud of everyone's strengths. The illustrations are beautiful and it always makes my eyes a little misty.

Eighth Grade English Teacher Christine Park recommends:

“A More Just Future: Psychological Tools for Reckoning with Our Past and Driving Social Change” by Dolly Chugh

Her review: Our country continues to be in divisive turmoil, and I have been struggling to find joy and optimism. Chugh's book reminded me that dualities exist: one can feel shame about one's country and love it fiercely.

Eighth Grade Science Teacher Pamela Malinowski recommends:

“A Very Punchable Face” by Colin Jost

Her review: It made me laugh, the hard belly laughs, which have been noticeably absent for a few years. It was an easy read that distracted me and lifted my spirits. This is an adult book, so I recommend it to parents only.

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