Top 5 books of 2022

[Anonymous]

Secret Identity, Alex Segura
Ghosts, Dolly Alderton
Tell the machine goodnight, Katie Williams
The hike, drew magary
This thing between us, Gus Moreno

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone read Demon Copperhead? Thinking of getting myself a Christmas present.

Yes, and it was definitely in my top 5 for the year.

My list, in no particular order (some new, some not):

Demon Copperhead, Barbara Kingsolver
An often grim but also darkly funny retelling of David Copperfield set in Appalachia.

The Saddest Words, Michael Gorra
A stunning examination of William Faulkner's life and work in the context of his writing about the Civil War.

The Investigator, John Sandford
John Sandford doing what he does best: hard-nosed investigators on the trail of criminals. I love Letty Davenport as a lead character (which is a good thing because Lucas Davenport is getting too old for this sort of thing).

The Transcendentalists and their World, Robert Gross
A deep dive into the historical context that helped create the Transcendentalists. This is a big, slow book, but so good.

The Sentence, Louise Erdrich
A damaged and complex woman deals with the pandemic, the aftermath of George Floyd's murder, family upheaval, and a haunting. Like all of Erdrich's work, it's hilarious and heartbreaking.

I really enjoyed The Sentence, too.

I guess I am more lowbrow than all the rest of you - also terrible at remembering everything I've read. But here are a few that stuck with me:

The Lies I Tell - Julie Clark. Found this one recommended here - a well written thriller with interesting women at the heart of it.

Killers of a Certain Age - Deanna Raybourn. A bunch of aging female assassins have to band together to try to figure out who's trying to kill them.

The Change: A Novel - Kirsten Miller. I think I got this one off DCUM, too? It's about a group of middle aged women with some spooky powers who solve a bunch of murders in their wealthy suburban community.

Sea of Tranquility - Emily St. John Mandel. The new book by the author of Station 11. It's long and I expected it'd take me a while to get through it - I loved the tv show Station 11 but found the book a slog. I TORE through this one. I loved it so much.

Remarkably Bright Creatures - Shelby Van Pelt. I listened to the audiobook and loved it. The human characters were fine but the treat was Marcellus the octopus.

I liked Lessons in Chemistry because I am a human person - but I found the main character just a little too perfect. I guess I'm more of a Harper than a Daphne, but I would have liked to know what this story would be like if she weren't SOOO gorgeous. I know; whatever. It'll be a great movie some day.

I think we have similar taste (I call myself lowbrow too, and I’m definitely a Harper), so appreciate the recommendations! The Sentence is the only one I’ve read, and most I’ve never even heard of. By coincidence, I’ve got Sea of Tranquility from the library right now, and I was feeling torn about starting it because I was also bored by Station Eleven (but also loved the show). Fingers crossed that I’ll prefer this one like you did.

I hope you like it! What else have you read that you like? I'm looking for some more recs!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's hard to pick only five! I've read 78 books so far this year.

My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Otessa Mosfegh - oh so bleak and funny about modern life

Empire of Pain by Patrick Radde Keefe - nonfiction about the family whose business basically started the opioid crisis, reads like long form journalism

Companion Piece by Ali Smith - a bit experimental but still packs an emotional punch

The Colony by Audrey Magee - set on a remote island during The Troubles in Ireland - looks at what happens when outsiders begin to infiltrate the island

The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope - one of this Victorian author's best stand alone novels

I *loved* MYORAR - what a weird and compelling book. Have you read her others? I don't know why I haven't picked any of them up, I liked that one so much. I found it surprisingly uplifting, which I think means I am an incorrigible optimist. A dark, deressive optimist - c'est me.

Not PP, but I read Irene this year. I found it creepy. I didn't love MYORAR, though, but I liked it enough to read Irene.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's hard to pick only five! I've read 78 books so far this year.

My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Otessa Mosfegh - oh so bleak and funny about modern life

Empire of Pain by Patrick Radde Keefe - nonfiction about the family whose business basically started the opioid crisis, reads like long form journalism

Companion Piece by Ali Smith - a bit experimental but still packs an emotional punch

The Colony by Audrey Magee - set on a remote island during The Troubles in Ireland - looks at what happens when outsiders begin to infiltrate the island

The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope - one of this Victorian author's best stand alone novels

I *loved* MYORAR - what a weird and compelling book. Have you read her others? I don't know why I haven't picked any of them up, I liked that one so much. I found it surprisingly uplifting, which I think means I am an incorrigible optimist. A dark, deressive optimist - c'est me.

Not PP, but I read Irene this year. I found it creepy. I didn't love MYORAR, though, but I liked it enough to read Irene.

Eileen, not Irene.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone read Demon Copperhead? Thinking of getting myself a Christmas present.

Yes, and it was definitely in my top 5 for the year.

My list, in no particular order (some new, some not):

Demon Copperhead, Barbara Kingsolver
An often grim but also darkly funny retelling of David Copperfield set in Appalachia.

The Saddest Words, Michael Gorra
A stunning examination of William Faulkner's life and work in the context of his writing about the Civil War.

The Investigator, John Sandford
John Sandford doing what he does best: hard-nosed investigators on the trail of criminals. I love Letty Davenport as a lead character (which is a good thing because Lucas Davenport is getting too old for this sort of thing).

The Transcendentalists and their World, Robert Gross
A deep dive into the historical context that helped create the Transcendentalists. This is a big, slow book, but so good.

The Sentence, Louise Erdrich
A damaged and complex woman deals with the pandemic, the aftermath of George Floyd's murder, family upheaval, and a haunting. Like all of Erdrich's work, it's hilarious and heartbreaking.

I really enjoyed The Sentence, too.

I guess I am more lowbrow than all the rest of you - also terrible at remembering everything I've read. But here are a few that stuck with me:

The Lies I Tell - Julie Clark. Found this one recommended here - a well written thriller with interesting women at the heart of it.

Killers of a Certain Age - Deanna Raybourn. A bunch of aging female assassins have to band together to try to figure out who's trying to kill them.

The Change: A Novel - Kirsten Miller. I think I got this one off DCUM, too? It's about a group of middle aged women with some spooky powers who solve a bunch of murders in their wealthy suburban community.

Sea of Tranquility - Emily St. John Mandel. The new book by the author of Station 11. It's long and I expected it'd take me a while to get through it - I loved the tv show Station 11 but found the book a slog. I TORE through this one. I loved it so much.

Remarkably Bright Creatures - Shelby Van Pelt. I listened to the audiobook and loved it. The human characters were fine but the treat was Marcellus the octopus.

I liked Lessons in Chemistry because I am a human person - but I found the main character just a little too perfect. I guess I'm more of a Harper than a Daphne, but I would have liked to know what this story would be like if she weren't SOOO gorgeous. I know; whatever. It'll be a great movie some day.

I would give ANYTHING to get the time and money investment back from Remarkably Bright Creatures. It's a cute story but good grief is it BORING. I'm listening to it and have found myself using the FFW button most of the time. Far too much filler non value added filler. UGH I hate this book.

[Anonymous]

The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue
Set in an Irish maternity ward during WW1 and the Spanish flu epidemic. Remember when you were a new mom and felt connected to every other mom in the universe? It evokes that feeling.

Allow Me to Retort: A Black Guy's Guide to the Constitution by Elie Mystal
Title says it all. Thought-provoking and laugh-out-loud funny.

Single, Carefree, Mellow: Stories by Katherine Heiny
Like most story collections, some are better than others. All from a woman's perspective. A mirror-book, as opposed to a window-book. Heiny's written a couple of novels, too, of which Early Morning Riser was a favorite.

Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and the Health of Our Nation by Linda Villarosa
I was particularly struck by the fact that, even when the health care disparities are recognized and attempts are made to address them, white people benefit more than black people.

The 9.9%: The New Aristocracy that is Entrenching Inequality and Warping Our Culture by Matthew Stewart
This is a must-read. Hammers home that it will take the collective will of the people to fix our income inequality problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone read Demon Copperhead? Thinking of getting myself a Christmas present.

Yes, and it was definitely in my top 5 for the year.

My list, in no particular order (some new, some not):

Demon Copperhead, Barbara Kingsolver
An often grim but also darkly funny retelling of David Copperfield set in Appalachia.

The Saddest Words, Michael Gorra
A stunning examination of William Faulkner's life and work in the context of his writing about the Civil War.

The Investigator, John Sandford
John Sandford doing what he does best: hard-nosed investigators on the trail of criminals. I love Letty Davenport as a lead character (which is a good thing because Lucas Davenport is getting too old for this sort of thing).

The Transcendentalists and their World, Robert Gross
A deep dive into the historical context that helped create the Transcendentalists. This is a big, slow book, but so good.

The Sentence, Louise Erdrich
A damaged and complex woman deals with the pandemic, the aftermath of George Floyd's murder, family upheaval, and a haunting. Like all of Erdrich's work, it's hilarious and heartbreaking.

I really enjoyed The Sentence, too.

I guess I am more lowbrow than all the rest of you - also terrible at remembering everything I've read. But here are a few that stuck with me:

The Lies I Tell - Julie Clark. Found this one recommended here - a well written thriller with interesting women at the heart of it.

Killers of a Certain Age - Deanna Raybourn. A bunch of aging female assassins have to band together to try to figure out who's trying to kill them.

The Change: A Novel - Kirsten Miller. I think I got this one off DCUM, too? It's about a group of middle aged women with some spooky powers who solve a bunch of murders in their wealthy suburban community.

Sea of Tranquility - Emily St. John Mandel. The new book by the author of Station 11. It's long and I expected it'd take me a while to get through it - I loved the tv show Station 11 but found the book a slog. I TORE through this one. I loved it so much.

Remarkably Bright Creatures - Shelby Van Pelt. I listened to the audiobook and loved it. The human characters were fine but the treat was Marcellus the octopus.

I liked Lessons in Chemistry because I am a human person - but I found the main character just a little too perfect. I guess I'm more of a Harper than a Daphne, but I would have liked to know what this story would be like if she weren't SOOO gorgeous. I know; whatever. It'll be a great movie some day.

I would give ANYTHING to get the time and money investment back from Remarkably Bright Creatures. It's a cute story but good grief is it BORING. I'm listening to it and have found myself using the FFW button most of the time. Far too much filler non value added filler. UGH I hate this book.

Confession: I sometimes listen on 2.25 or even 2.5 speed if a book is dragging. I've been thinking about reading Remarkably Bright Creatures because it's been mentioned so many times. Maybe I'll find the audiobook.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's hard to pick only five! I've read 78 books so far this year.

My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Otessa Mosfegh - oh so bleak and funny about modern life

Empire of Pain by Patrick Radde Keefe - nonfiction about the family whose business basically started the opioid crisis, reads like long form journalism

Companion Piece by Ali Smith - a bit experimental but still packs an emotional punch

The Colony by Audrey Magee - set on a remote island during The Troubles in Ireland - looks at what happens when outsiders begin to infiltrate the island

The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope - one of this Victorian author's best stand alone novels

Wow….I’d like to pick your brain…how do you make so much time for reading? How long do you read each day? Do you use the library or buy books? I’m mostly just envious of your dedication and commitment. I’d like to step up my reading in 2023. Sorry for going off topic…

Not the PP you were asking, but as someone else who reads several books a week:

First and most important, I’m sick in bed a lot. Reading books takes big stretches of time, so don’t beat yourself up too much if your schedule is getting in the way of reading!

That’s said, my best tips: I read lots and lots of e-books from the library. When I hear about a book I might like, I add it to an Amazon wishlist. Then, once every few months, I search those titles in the DCPL database and anything they have as an e-book gets added to my wish list in Overdrive. (They also have Libby, an app-based management system, but I prefer the set-up in Overdrive, which is Web-based.) Any popular book has a queue, and you can have up to 15 holds active at a time, so I usually have 10-15 in the queue at any given time. They come up for checkout once or twice a week, so that’s mostly enough to keep me reading, but there are also hundreds of books available for immediate download if I need more. It’s all been life-changing, to have books come and go without ever leaving my house!

In terms of time to read, I’ve found that all screens other than my Kindle Paperwhite mess with my sleep, so I try to put everything away an hour before lights-out and use that time to read. I also carry the kindle in my purse, so there are short periods of downtime when I’m in a doctor’s waiting room or early for carpool or whatever. Plus middle-of-the-night insomnia and woke-too-early mornings are reading time because it’s “me time” with no demands and I don’t want to do anything too stimulating out of Hope I’ll be able to get back to sleep.

Thanks for responding! I do like hearing about others’ reading habits, especially if you pack a lot in!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue
Set in an Irish maternity ward during WW1 and the Spanish flu epidemic. Remember when you were a new mom and felt connected to every other mom in the universe? It evokes that feeling.

Allow Me to Retort: A Black Guy's Guide to the Constitution by Elie Mystal
Title says it all. Thought-provoking and laugh-out-loud funny.

Single, Carefree, Mellow: Stories by Katherine Heiny
Like most story collections, some are better than others. All from a woman's perspective. A mirror-book, as opposed to a window-book. Heiny's written a couple of novels, too, of which Early Morning Riser was a favorite.

Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and the Health of Our Nation by Linda Villarosa
I was particularly struck by the fact that, even when the health care disparities are recognized and attempts are made to address them, white people benefit more than black people.

The 9.9%: The New Aristocracy that is Entrenching Inequality and Warping Our Culture by Matthew Stewart
This is a must-read. Hammers home that it will take the collective will of the people to fix our income inequality problem.

I've liked Katherine Heiny's novels - I didn't realize she had a story collection out

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue
Set in an Irish maternity ward during WW1 and the Spanish flu epidemic. Remember when you were a new mom and felt connected to every other mom in the universe? It evokes that feeling.

Allow Me to Retort: A Black Guy's Guide to the Constitution by Elie Mystal
Title says it all. Thought-provoking and laugh-out-loud funny.

Single, Carefree, Mellow: Stories by Katherine Heiny
Like most story collections, some are better than others. All from a woman's perspective. A mirror-book, as opposed to a window-book. Heiny's written a couple of novels, too, of which Early Morning Riser was a favorite.

Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and the Health of Our Nation by Linda Villarosa
I was particularly struck by the fact that, even when the health care disparities are recognized and attempts are made to address them, white people benefit more than black people.

The 9.9%: The New Aristocracy that is Entrenching Inequality and Warping Our Culture by Matthew Stewart
This is a must-read. Hammers home that it will take the collective will of the people to fix our income inequality problem.

Think I might like your taste! Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's hard to pick only five! I've read 78 books so far this year.

My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Otessa Mosfegh - oh so bleak and funny about modern life

Empire of Pain by Patrick Radde Keefe - nonfiction about the family whose business basically started the opioid crisis, reads like long form journalism

Companion Piece by Ali Smith - a bit experimental but still packs an emotional punch

The Colony by Audrey Magee - set on a remote island during The Troubles in Ireland - looks at what happens when outsiders begin to infiltrate the island

The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope - one of this Victorian author's best stand alone novels

Wow….I’d like to pick your brain…how do you make so much time for reading? How long do you read each day? Do you use the library or buy books? I’m mostly just envious of your dedication and commitment. I’d like to step up my reading in 2023. Sorry for going off topic…

I have always been a reader. I don't really watch TV except for some sports. I'd say I read about an hour a day, usually in the evening, but I also have a job that sometimes has downtime where I can read. I don't do audio books, but I do have a paperwhite kindle that makes it convenient to always have a book. I think I really started reading more when I began reading more than one book at once. I find if I have two books going, I'm always in the mood to read one of them. I just have learned that they need to be different - so I usually pair something contemporary with nonfiction or a long classic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s technically from 2021 (September I think?), but I read “Cloud Cuckoo Land” in 2022 and it’s by far my favorite book this year. Had high hopes for “Sea of Tranquility” because I loved Station Eleven but it was very disappointing.

Cloud cuckoo land is also my favorite from my reading this year!

[Anonymous]

Trying to keep the thread going. . .
I'm always a little late reading books, but here's my top 5 for 2022:

Something New Under the Sun - Alexandra Kleeman
Appleseed - Matt Bell (both this one and the above one are climate disaster sci fi, but both authors are really innovative in how they approach novels)
Fellowship Point - Alice Elliott Dark - She is the same woman who wrote The Gloaming a long time ago. Great novel. Totally overlooked by the critics.
The Infinite Plan by Isabel Allende - Allende's California epic - The characters are interesting and the setting receives more depth than California often does
Malibu Rising - Taylor Jenkins Reid - I love her depiction of female characters in a time and place that was hostile to them - it is hard to get that across in a way that doesn't feel like a hammer.

[Anonymous]

I loved:

Babel by R. F. Kuang a novel grapples with student revolutions, colonial resistance, and the use of language and translation as the dominating tool of the British empire.

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center

The Boys by Katie Hafner

I read many more, but these are what's coming to mind now.

[Anonymous]

adding

Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

The Blitz by Daniel O'Malley - a novel of the Checquy