I read 106 books in 2022, so narrowing it down to my very favorites was a challenge. The list below comprises my crème de la crème in a great year of reading. You’ll find a variety of genres set in the United States, Mexico, Ghana, Ukraine, China, England, Poland, Austria, Germany, France, Czechoslovakia, and Vietnam. Most of these were 5-star reads for me, but one was a 4.5 rounded up to 5. I hope you find something you love! Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid “We live in a world where exceptional women have to sit around waiting for mediocre men.”—Taylor Jenkins Reid, Carrie Soto is Back. […]
Read more...Tag Archives: Amy Hammond Hagberg
Amy’s December 2022 Picks and Pans
One December not that long ago, I read some terrific books. They were different genres set in different places—Florida, England, Colorado, Maine, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Mexico, Connecticut, and Texas—but most had one thing in common: great writing. Enjoy my reviews; I hope you find something to add to your TBR list! Once Upon a Wardrobe Patti Callahan “No matter your age, may you never, ever grow too old for fairy tales.”—Pattie Callahan, Once Upon a Wardrobe. I couldn’t have loved this book more. It started and ended with a flourish in moving, heartwarming, and magical prose. I loved learning about Jack Lewis’s life (you probably know him as […]
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Run, Rose, Run – Book Review
Written collaboratively by the bestselling author in the world and one of music most beloved entertainers, Run Rose Run is a contemporary thriller about a singer-songwriter, AnnieLee, on the rise and on the run and determined to do whatever it takes to survive. Nashville is where she’s come to claim her destiny. It’s also where the darkness she’s fled might find her. There, she encounters ruthless, predatory agents and managers, but she is also taken under the wing of one of the successful artists in country music. Dolly Parton wrote and recorded twelve songs to complement the book. You have to say one thing about James Patterson. He is prolific! According […]
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THE BROKEN TREE
On my way into town I often take a shortcut through the countryside. On the south side of the road stood three trees, strong and proud, and oh so beautiful. The other day I drove past the property again and found this heartbreaking sight. I had to pull over to the side of the road because my tears were obstructing my vision. This fallen tree reminded me of my own brokenness. It also reminded me that I am not alone in my pain. In Psalm 34:18, David wrote these words: The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. I felt closer to God that day […]
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Still in the Miracle Business
In 2006 I interviewed Tricia and Melissa Brock, the sister team behind the Christian pop band, Superchic[k] for my book, God Unplugged. I was astonished by the way God showed up in their young lives. Melissa One day, my mom and I were driving to my grandpa’s house to celebrate his birthday. She needed to stop at her seamstress’ house on the way. When we arrived, my mom parked the car in the driveway that was at an upward incline. She said she’d be just a second and told me to sit there and wait. Well, being four years old, I didn’t “just wait.” I decided to mess with things in […]
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TODAY’S QUOTE: The Open Door
This morning I woke up in my usual fibromyalgia fog and stumbled down the stairs to brew some java and get ready for a long day of writing. My first task is always to let out Fitzy for his morning tinkle. Imagine my surprise when I walked into the entryway and the front door was WIDE open. I was pretty freaked out. We moved out to the country for the peaceful wooded setting which means we have a plethora of wildlife, some we enjoy and some we don’t. Actually, we delight in it all (except for bats) if said critters stay in their own zone outside. All morning I have […]
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Thank You Note From Charlie Daniels
I had the privilege of interviewing country music legend, Charlie Daniels, for my first book, How Do You Know He’s Real? He was so sweet and humble that I felt like I’d known him all my life. Even though we aren’t related by blood, Charlie and I are still in the same family, the family of God, and I can rightfully call him my brother. During our interview, Charlie shared some powerful insight into his faith: One of the hardest things for people to understand about the gospel message is that it is so simple; it’s not the very complicated thing we tend to try and make it. There is nothing you […]
Read more...The Tick Magnet
We adopted our little Fitzgerald a few months ago from Underdog Rescue, a nonprofit pet rescue, rehabilitation, and placement organization. He is one of the best things that ever happened to me (more on that in a subsequent post). We are together pretty much 24×7. I don’t know what it is about him, but he is a real tick magnet – even with preventative meds from our vet. Maybe it has something to do with him being a stud at a puppy mill for two years… get it… chick magnet… Anyhoo, last night I was innocently watching “Shark Tank” and petting Mr. Fitz when lo and behold I found a tick stubbornly […]
Read more...Remember My Voice
The human voice is the organ of the soul~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow On my six-hour drive down to visit my daughter and her family, I listened to a wonderful documentary on Minnesota Public Radio: The Vietnam Tapes: Letters from a Willmar Soldier (http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/04/30/mpr_news_presents). Dan Kleven and his family from Willmar, Minnesota sent cassette tapes back and forth while he was deployed during the war. He drew vivid word pictures about life in combat and they kept him tuned into daily life on the farm. One of Dan’s best friends also sent him audio letters to stay connected. The documentary was fascinating. Not only did the tapes keep a family sane and connected […]
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