Tag Archives: 2022

Picks from 2022

Graphics credit: Goodreads

My top picks from 2022:

Book of the year, fiction: The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold

Book of the year, nonfiction: Grace Over Grind by Shae Bynes. I listened to the audiobook for free through Hoopla, then bought the print book with workbook and went back through it again. Highly recommended for Christian entrepreneurs or Christians in the workplace, period.

Christmas fiction: The Christmas Hummingbird by Davis Bunn

Fantasy: The Contest by K.E. Ganshert

Favourite re-read (fiction): Cascade Point by Timothy Zahn (science fiction novella)

Favourite re-read (non-fiction): My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers, Edited by James Reimann

Feel-good reads: My respite goal this year was to read one of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld books each month. I fell behind but did enjoy a total of 6 this year. Our theology is light-years apart, but this is pretty clean fantasy that makes me laugh out loud like few things do. Anyone sitting near me is in danger of having chunks of the best passages read aloud to them, like it or not. Brilliant writing, clever turns of phrase, nods to real-life things that I mostly miss catching, some mysteries that keep me guessing, and often an “awww” moment near the end.

Mystery/suspense novel: The Shadow of Memory, by Connie Berry, and The Madness of Crowds by Louise Penny.

Science fiction novel: Warhorse by Timothy Zahn, and A Stainless Steel Rat is Born by Harry Harrison (both rereads)

Speculative thriller: Island of Time by Davis Bunn. This is an international thriller with fantasy/magic elements. Lots of fun.

These are the books I’ve most enjoyed last year. Some were produced in 2022, some previously. Pop a note into the comments with your own favourites?

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The Comfort of Consistency (Guest Post)

The Comfort of Consistency

by Steph Beth Nickel

I’ve become one of those people.

Seven years ago, my then future daughter-in-law first came to visit from across the Pond.

Because our home is well over 100 years old, it looks best when it’s decorated for Christmas. So, that year, we decorated mid-November.

And that’s when it all began.

Dickensian Christmas display
Photo credit: Steph Beth Nickel

We’ve been decorating “early” ever since. My hubby set up his extensive Dicken’s Village from Department 56 on November 12 this year. The following Sunday, I set up my smaller (but more fun) Whoville Village on the mantel.

Christmas Who-ville scene
Photo credit: Steph Beth Nickel

The trees went up last week. Yes, trees—plural.

At this time of year, I can count on my hubby’s inner child surfacing. Christmas is his favourite time of year. After decades of marriage, his love for the season has finally rubbed off on me.

And don’t we all need a little enthusiasm, positivity, and just plain ole fun?

The past couple of years have weighed us all down with challenges we never anticipated—and some we saw coming but would rather have avoided.

Unprecedented. Pivot. New normal. We’ve all heard these words Far. Too. Often.

But in the midst of it all … consistency.

Christmas comes round every year. Hopefully, the season brings you far more joy than anything else. (While I do love my hubby’s enthusiasm and a laidback approach to the twenty-fifth—something we started even before 2020—I do miss visiting my extended family and celebrating in person with my sons and their wives. But let’s not dwell on that. Thank You, Lord, for Zoom!)

And hard on the heels of Christmas … a brand new year. Twenty-twenty-two. Can you believe it?

This time of year means more than coloured lights, Christmas villages, and a catered turkey dinner. (Hey, don’t judge!) It also means goal-setting time, which I love.

What do we want to accomplish in the next 13 months? What small steps can we take to get closer to our dreams and aspirations? How can we do our part to fulfill our responsibilities—both paid and volunteer?

I love a fresh new year … or month … or week. These are constants in my life, consistency that gives me an anchor as I get tossed around on the sea that is the world in the 21st century.

But the Real Anchor is not routine—although it’s comforting. It’s not even my hubby’s tangible joy as December 25 approaches. No matter what’s going on, no matter what time of year, the truth of Hebrews 13:8 keeps me from drifting when the seas are calm. And it keeps me from sinking in the midst of crashing waves. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (ESV).

He is my Anchor, my Constant, my Security.

As you look ahead to the holiday season with its joys and challenges … As you approach the new year with expectation or hesitation … As you seek to make it through just one more day … I trust you will find your comfort and security in the truth of the unchanging Jesus Christ.


Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

Steph Beth Nickel is a freelance editor and writer and an author. If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

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