I managed to hit my personal goal of 46 books in 2022, coming in under the New Year's Eve deadline with my final book of the year. In all, I read 13,962 pages, tackling a host of genres and lived experiences along the way.
For the 16th straight year (!!!), I've sought to rank these books and pinpoint the best books I read in 2022.
Without further ado ...
#1: "War with the Newts," by Karel Copek
An allegorical tale with frightening insights into contemporary society despite being 85 years old, "War with the Newts" is a masterful mix of satire, humor, allegory, and apocalyptic fiction. Karel Capek wades in on a staggering number of weighty issues, unafraid to blend scientific classification with political theory, pulling no punches on his way to creating a truly stunning novel that feels way before its time.
Passages to Remember:
"Sir, if in the whole of the damned tropics there was anything left worth a brass farthing, three agents would be trying to get something out of it and signal with dirty handkerchiefs to boats of seven nationalities to stop."
"And so on; the sea is big, and the ocean of time has no limits; spit into it, man, and it won't give; curse your fate, and you won't move it."
#2: "Liberation Day," by George Saunders
The author of the memorable "Lincoln in the Bardo" extends his oeuvre with nine short stories that comprise a vivid depiction of post-democratic, post-truth America. George Saunders takes on nihilism, guilt, and imprisonment, sketching unforgettable characters who carve out compromised existences. "Liberation Day" serves as a master class in the short story form, cementing Saunders as one of our most versatile writers.
Passages to Remember:
"The world in which I have received a biting kiss from the beautiful Mrs. U. is a better world than the one in which I have not. I refuse -- or, rather, decline -- to act in such a way as to preclude further such biting kisses ..."
"For as long as world is shiny new there is no death and what lovely may I not yet do?"
"Those things were real. That is what (that is all) one gets. All this other stuff is real only to the extent that it interferes with those moments."
#3: "Fiskadoro," by Denis Johnson
"What might survivors build their faiths on in a post-apocalyptic world?" This is the existential question posed -- and answered -- by Denis Johnson in his deeply realized novel, "Fiskadoro." The author portrays a society of outcasts adapting to nuclear fallout in a variety of ways, not shying away from such weighty topics as attachment, maturity, and dignity in constructing an underrated work worthy of closer examination.
Passages to Remember:
"I don't wish to discuss these things with you because you seem to be made of porcelain."
"If she grew the tumors of pain until they held her down to the bed, a hundred kilos of tumors of fire, and she begged in a tiny voice to be killed, it wouldn't happen today. And today was a big place that held everything inside of it -- the Keys, the sea, the sky, and the outer space of stars. Today didn't close around her throat like all the other days."
"'It isn't sleeping under the moon that makes a crazy person. It's waking up and remembering the past and thinking it's real.'"
#4: "How High We Go in the Dark," by Sequoia Nagamatsu
What I Say Now:A timely foray into the effects of plague and climate change on our society and world, "How High We Go in the Dark" is devastating in its emotional presentation. Sequoia Nagamatsu blends a number of vignettes to create a compelling vision that isn't bound by time, gender, galaxy, or even species. The result is an irresistible work that rewards the careful and compassionate reader with real emotion and deep insights at every turn.
Passages to Remember:
"'For a scientist, she dreamed more like a poet or a philosopher.'"
"'But the odds of us finding some completely foreign runaway pathogen that we don't already know about are incredible small.'"
"Sometimes, long after Fitch had fallen asleep, I'd stay in his room and watch the stars from his toy planetarium shoot across the ceiling, a grown man making wishes on a sixty-watt light."
#5: "White Noise," by Don DeLillo
What I Say Now:An entry with necessary and all-too-rare humor, "White Noise" joins a line of Scooties contenders that put contemporary society in the crosshairs. Don DeLillo's scathing satire takes on consumerism and American exceptionalism without regard for convention. I completed the novel not long before hearing of a Netflix movie based on the book, and I can't wait to immerse myself in DeLillo's wit and prose on the small screen.
Passages to Remember:
"We decided to eat in the car. The car was sufficient for our needs. We wanted to eat, not look around at other people. We wanted to fill our stomachs and get it over with. We didn't need light and space. We certainly didn't need to face each other across a table as we ate, building a subtle and complex cross-network of signals and codes."
"In a crisis the true facts are whatever other people say they are. No one's knowledge is less secure than your own."
"He asks me why the strongest family units exist in the least developed societies. Not to know is a weapon of survival, he says. Magic and superstition become entrenched as the powerful orthodoxy of the clan. The family is strongest where objective reality is most likely to be misinterpreted."
Narrow Misses (in 15 words or less):
"Under the Volcano," by Malcolm Lowry: Fever-dream quality peppers Mexican adventures of epic alcoholic unable to act on his love.
"Sea of Tranquility," by Emily St. John Mandel: Melancholy melange of time travel, pandemics, and simulation theory blends frantic pace with surprising emotion.
"Cloud Cuckoo Land," by Anthony Doerr: Vividly imagined clash of existences brings intensity and suspense to a fascinating, time-traveling read
"It Can't Happen Here," by Sincair Lewis: Steady creep of fascism unveiled in powerful book that transitions from satire to contemporary observation.
"Hamnet," by Maggie O'Farrell: Beautiful imagining of the family dynamics, grief, and pain that inspired creation of Shakespeare's "Hamlet."
“Men We Reaped,” by Jesmyn Ward: Devastating, emotional memoir describing the effects of loss, poverty, and racism adrift in American South.
"The Office of Historical Corrections," by Danielle Evans: A stellar collection of accessible tales that tackles racism, cancel culture, misogyny, and other issues.
"Darkness at Noon," by Arthur Koestler: Claustrophobic tale of accused revolutionary's linguistic battle with his torturers offers vivid Cold War portrait.
"Ragtime," by E.L. Doctorow: Dizzying series of connections, events, and celebrities comprise humorous, harsh look at patriotism in America.
Honorable Mention (in 10 words or less):
"Daisy Jones and the Six," by Taylor Jenkins Reid: Emotional oral history documents rise, fall of mercurial '70s band.
"If Beale Street Could Talk," by James Baldwin: Frantic pace, gutting emotion drive eloquent look at marginalized experience.
"The Employees," by Olga Ravn: Sterile environment lends claustrophobic feel to atmospheric outer space novel.
"The Water Dancer," by Ta-Nehisi Coates: The surreal and historical fights themselves, but result is powerful.
"Evil Geniuses: The Unmaking of America," by Kurt Andersen: Difficult exploration of social disparity, financial cronyism lends important context.
"Fairy Tale," by Stephen King: Whimsical escapism, heroism mark worthy entry into formidable King canon.
"Not Without Laughter," by Langston Hughes: Harlem Renaissance comes alive in travails of Midwestern Black family.
"Harlem Shuffle," by Colson Whitehead: Rhythmic tale of 1960s Harlem dissects double lives, racism, corruption.
"The Elements of User Experience," by Jesse James Garrett: Definitive UX playbook, as relevant and timely 20 years later.
Notable (in 7 words or less):
"Less is Lost," Andrew Sean Greer: Manic sequel mitigated by avoiding difficult topics.
"The Furrows," by Namwali Serpell: Grief meditation struggles with unreliable realities, narrators.
"Deep Work," by Cal Newport: Thoughtful, painstaking look at protecting workplace attention.
"Travels with Charley," by John Steinbeck: Rediscovery of country undermined by depressing findings.
"Anthem," by Noah Hawley: Dark revelation of what awaits next generation.
"Sundial," by Catriona Ward: Harrowing, eerie psychological thriller meets ghost story.
"Call Us What We Carry," by Amanda Gorman: Gutting poems make COVID and inequality accessible.
"Fox 8," by George Saunders: Modern-day parable cemented by charming illustrations.
"We Came We Saw We Left," by Charles Wheelan: Global family trip both endearing and annoying.
"The Top Ten: Writers Pick Their Favorite Books," edited by J. Peder Zane: Noteworthy authors build resource for stellar recommendations.
"A Visit from the Goon Squad," by Jennifer Egan: Off-putting structure features memorable characters, commentary.
"Permanent Record," by Edward Snowden: Self-deprecating style belies privacy, governmental lies.
"Snow Child," by Eowyn Ivey: Foreboding Alaska propels heart-rending fairy tale.
"Culture Code," by Daniel Coyle: Handy primer on building trust, safety, teams.
"Midnight Library," by Matt Haig: Regret and unlived lives undermined by treacle.
"From Solo to Scaled," by Natalie Marie Dunbar: Prescriptive punchlist for content strategists selling value.
The Rest (in 5 words or less):
"Good Trouble," by Joseph O'Neill: Overwrought short stories about ennui.
"I Heard You Paint Houses," by Charles Brandt: Hyperbole, reality battle in memoir.
"Gwendy's Final Task," by Stephen King and Richard Chizmar: Trilogy finale has little King.
"Raising Worry-Free Girls," by Sissy Goff: Faith focus undermines valuable discussion.
"The Traveler's Guide to Batuu," by Cole Horton: Black Spire Outpost! Go! Now!
"The Final Girl Support Group," by Grady Hendrix: Self-deprecation limits horror tale.
"Head On," by Larry Csonka: Dolphin legend shares rushed autobiography.
No comments:
Post a Comment