2022 was not my best year for reading. I’m sorry about that, and so are the books.
There were books, though. And because I was so hard to persuade to read, or to continue once begun, to be the best this year is pretty good.
Wished, by Lissa Evans, is the kind of book you wished for as a young reader. Even more perhaps at my age when cynicism sets in.
I’d wish for more stories like Wished, only I don’t have any magic birthday candles. But thank goodness for this one.
Cover illustration by Sarah McIntyre
The Occasional Bookwitch 
Excellent choice, Ann! For me, as was often the case at the marvellous dfb, this was when work was a pleasure.