On New Year’s Eve I ran into an old friend that reminded me that I have both a blog and a tradition of posting the books I read during the previous year. I post this year’s list with sadness, not for myself and how few books I finished, but for the loss of Connie Nielsen, an avid reader (a librarian! a professional reader!) who would always reach out when I posted these in the past with recommendations and reflections based on my list. She was a thoughtful and generous audience to everything I posted, just the sort of person you want to envision reading your work when in the process of writing it, knowing that there is a kind soul out there who will only lift and celebrate and inspire. I will miss her.
I realized while writing my list this year that I had read much less than usual. Maybe this is due to a shortening attention span what with the internet and social media and algorithms and all the things we love to blame, but maybe also due to shifting interests. I’ve been making more video content since the pandemic, even doing it professionally, and accordingly, have been consuming more of that rather than reading and writing. I also abandoned more books that I didn’t enjoy rather than pushing on for the vain sake of adding numbers to my list. Those half books and audiobooks that went unfinished don’t show up here. They stay next to my bed in an ever-growing pile, casting accusatory shadows on me as I sleep.
The good news is that while I haven’t blogged at all this year, I also haven’t abandoned writing. To the contrary! Since the pandemic I’ve been working on a book of my own with the goal to help those in the performing arts field who wish to make their own show. I’ve been working with an editor for the past year and as of a few days now have also acquired a publisher. Exciting! While I’m not officially onto the marketing side of things yet, I will share it with my small audience here. Approaching the completion of that project gives me a great swell of pride, and the hope that it will help other budding creators bring their work into the world with a little less kicking and screaming. Stay tuned here or on any of my other social media channels for news about that coming out.
A final thought. Someone, probably Greylin, had mentioned that it’s worth looking at not only what you read but who you read. How much of your reading diet is made up of writers like yourself? In my case, white men? While I didn’t make an exceptional effort to read more authors of other genders or ethnicities this year, it did cross my mind every time I bought a book and am happy to notice that many of my favorite books of the year (in bold, below) were by people that look different from myself. Maybe not a coincidence.
Books Read 2022
1. How to Change- Katy Milkman
“The Science of Getting from Where you Are to Where you Want to Be.” Decent read, classic January sort of book. I think Atomic Habits was a bigger kick in the butt, and while this book didn’t feel redundant, most books of this sort are interchangeable. Maybe if you already are feeling motivated at the start of the year a book like this is just what you need, personally I’m in a place where I wasn’t looking to create any new goals or find better ways to tackle them so it felt more like casual perusing than putting anything into action.
2. Open- Andre Agassi
Agassi’s autobio. My favorite parts were about his transition to being the oldest player at the high ranks, and glimpses into what it feels like to play at that level. Probably more interesting if you follow tennis, and especially that generation of tennis. Decent. (listened as an audiobook)
3. High Tide- Chris Burkard
A photo book featuring surfing in remote locations. Gorgeous, but I wish there was more information about where the photos were taken- no captions anywhere, not even dates. Just the occasional article. Nonetheless, a good read and beautiful pictures; surely wave porn if you were a surfer.
***4. Stories That Stick- Kindra Hall
Storytelling as a business tool. Really good. Normal-Explosion-New Normal. Definitely worth a read.
4.5 Liar’s Poker
Audiobook.
***5. These Precious Days- Ann Patchett
Sometimes a book speaks to you. Maybe not a whole book, but in this case I came upon the last two stories, the first about an acquaintance turned dear friend who went through cancer treatment staying in Patchett’s house, at the same time as I learned my father was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. The following story was about her experience as an artist before and after her father died. In a time when I felt (and continue to feel) lost in the woods, any semblance of a path is welcome. These stories spoke to me. I don’t remember the other essays, per se, but I’m sure to the right person at the right moment, they will feel equally miraculous. Highly recommended.
6. The Youtube Formula- Derral Eves
Interesting information as a youtube creator. Probably interesting if you want to make youtube videos that reach a wider audience, and completely uninteresting if not.
7. How to Tell a Story (The Essential Guide to Memorable Storytelling from The Moth)- multiple authors
Good read, lots of little anecdotes/ examples from stories they’ve had on their show.
**8. We Are the Luckiest- Laura McKowen
Alcoholic woman shares her story of getting sober. Well written, good. An interesting look at the messy journey to sobriety, the areas of grey between “alcoholic” and “normal” and dealing with addiction in a society where drinking is normalized. Worth a read, even if you don’t often think about your relationship to alcohol or other substances.
**9. Heavy: An American Memoir- Kiese Laymon
Heavy. Sexually abused black boy grows up into a tenured college professor, all the way facing problems with weight, systematic racism, gambling, etc… It’s heavy. Good, but heavy. Worth the read, great writing.
10. Can’t Hurt Me- David Goggins
Abused childhood, navy seal, ultra mans, pull-up world records. Wild life styled as motivation book, although not necessarily a very happy one. Quick read.
11. Tandia- Bryce Courtenay
Reread of a classic. Love this book. Sequel to The Power of One. Maybe I also read that this year? I don’t remember.
12. Van Life- Your Home on the Road- Foster Huntington
Read in one sitting pretty much. Coffee table type book, but fun and inspirational.
13. Greenlights- Matthew McConaughey
Reread. Good kick in the butt. I like this book.