Since 2011 I’ve been using a section of my website to keep track of the books I finish. Why? People would often ask me for book recommendations, and I couldn’t remember what I liked. Back in those early blog days, I’d send the link around on an email to anyone who wanted it. Year by year the list page grew! But my method stayed the same—VERY SHORT reviews. A sentence or two. I don’t write summaries. My memory is only worse a decade later. Without the reference, I’d be lost. The books below are the ones I read in 2022 in the order I read them. It’s become a newsletter tradition to share this list in chronological order. Rankings make me too anxious, but if you email me for further thoughts, I will share those thoughts in a more personal way. Note: this is my first yearly book list on Substack, but my newsletter is a decade old. Welcome to newer subscribers! The book list used to feature 50 books or more, but that was before I listened to so many podcasts and before TV got so time-consumingly excellent. The 2022 TV review post is HERE. What did you love in your book stack this year? I’m opening the comments to all readers! Here’s the list!
Bomb Shelter by Mary Laura PhilpottI’m a fan of Philpott’s essays when they appear in publications so it’s no surprise that I enjoyed reading her work in memoir form with a longer arc to follow. I can relate to Philpott’s worries as a mom and other topics she addresses. I was lucky to get an early release from Netgalley.com, which made Bomb Shelter my first read of 2022. Listen to Mary Laura on episode 30 of Dear Nina where we talked about loneliness and anxiety despite having close friends. Carnival of Snackery by David SedarisNot my favorite Sedaris audio, but it might be that I didn’t love Tracy Ullman in so many parts instead of Sedaris. I assume the print is a better experience. The Matzah Ball by Jean MeltzerThis was a fun rom-com with lots of Jewish elements. I’ve never read a book quite like this one before. A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World by C.A. FletcherIf you like dystopian novels, this one is for you. I found the population demise premise clever and the writing very good. It had the spirit of Station Eleven, which is a high compliment from me. Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle ZevinAt first I wasn’t sure I could get into a book about video games, but I’ve never been disappointed by Gabrielle Zevin before and this time was no different. The friendship at the center of Zevin’s newest was so original and beautifully portrayed with realistic long breaks in the friendship, too. Thank you to Netgalley.com for the early copy, which allowed me to sink into this novel long before all the rave reviews came out. We Should Get Together by Kat VellosKat is a go-to researcher for practical friendship information, especially how to intentionally go about making friends. She has fun illustrations and really good tips. If you’re moving to a new city or feeling like a shake up to your social life, Kat’s book is a winner. One of the most practical ones I’ve read. Less theory and more action. Kat is my guest on episode 25 of Dear Nina– “Improving Group Texts.” It’s one of my favorite episodes because I vented about the ways I think group texting could improve. I’m Judging You by LuvvieI got a kick out of Luvvie’s unapologetic “this is the best way to do life” take on several issues. I listened to the audio, which was especially fun. No Cure For Being Human by Kate BowlerI read this memoir in one sitting. Bowler, who is Duke Divinity School’s professor of the history of Christianity in North America, writes about getting a devastating cancer diagnosis in her 30s and surviving despite all odds. The book is a quick, poignant read. I wrote a little more about it in this post when I found a passage that reminded me of my favorite passage from The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. Life’s Accessories: A Memoir (And Fashion Guide) by Rachel Levy LesserRachel writes about relatable aspects of growing up (fitting in, overnight camp, etc) and also the difficulty of losing her mother to cancer soon after Rachel had her first baby. And she cleverly ties each essay to a particular accessory. Rachel also hits on friendship a lot, my number one topic. She was my guest for episode 21 of Dear Nina. We had such a good conversation about certain friends becoming the family you choose. And I was a guest on her podcast with Stephanie Goldstein. We talked about my newest favorite accessory, my tennis racket The Girl I Was by Jeneva Rose:This book grew on me as I read it, and I went all the way to the end. It’s a time travel plot, which I normally love. The main character was hard to follow or like at first. I found it amusing that the the time travel was back to 2002. Recent enough to remember, but long enough ago to get a kick out of how things have changed in the past few decades. The Rewind by Allison Winn ScotchA fun rom-com that I can imagine on screen. Thanks to Netgalley.com and Allison Winn Scotch for the advance copy. I was rooting for this couple. Soul Construction: Shape Your Character Using 8 Steps From the Timeless Jewish Practice of Mussar by Ruchi KovalIf you’ve never heard of the Jewish study of Mussar, Ruchi’s book is the perfect resource to learn about some of the core character traits every person can improve. I invited Ruchi on Dear Nina. Our episode is called, “When The Desire For Friendship Is Not Equal.” It was a tough topic and a highly shared episode Bad Vibes Only (And Other Things I Bring To The Table) by Nora McInernyThis was my favorite of Nora McInerny’s books. I could relate to her desire to sit on the couch, even on vacation, and her desire to stop writing about her son. Her writing is also entertaining and thoughtful. Write For Your Life by Anna QuindlenHave a story to tell? Something in the world you want to see changed? Want to pass down family lore to your kids, nieces, or nephews? Write a letter to a friend or family member or partner who has meant so much to you? Ask for forgiveness? It’s all possible with the power of the written word. Good gift for the writer in your life. Happy-Go-Lucky by David SedarisLoved this one. Lots of Hugh stuff, which is always amusing. The parts Sedaris wrote about his dad were definitely the result of a mature, older writer. Bookends by Zibby OwensI read this memoir in a few days. It’s a story of family, career, romantic love, and losing dear friends and family too soon. Listen to Zibby on episode 28 of Dear Nina. We talked about grieving the death of a friend. Jewish Girls Gone Wild by Linda PressmanI enjoyed this memoir about Linda and her six sisters moving to Scottsdale from Skokie, IL, and making new lives there. Lots of family drama and a wonderful coming of age tale. Body Work by Melissa FebosIf you’re interested in writing nonfiction, this is a good book about writing the hard stuff. Makes me wants to read the two memoirs Febos wrote before this. I guess I went out of order. Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make–and Keep–Friends by Dr. Marisa G. FrancoThis was a fantastic friendship book that explains how the way we were raised influences how we attach in relationships. I found the chapter about conflict particularly helpful. But really, it’s all useful and I highlighted many paragraphs. Dr. Franco is the guest on episode 32 of Dear Nina. We based our talk on a chapter of Platonic that stayed with me– “Conflict Can Strengthen a Friendship.” Love & Saffron by Kim FayA sweet friendship novel told in letters. A few years ago I went through a big epistolary novel stage and this one would have fit right in. Hello Molly by Molly ShannonMaybe one of my favorite audios ever. I loved the theatrical reading and the message of a positive attitude and hard work. Molly didn’t have an easy life! I’ll Show Myself Out by Jessi KleinLiked it a lot because I connect with Klein’s writing style, but I did skim some of the chapters. Maybe I’m not feeling it with remembering the younger kid times yet. I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdyI always like to hear memoirists read their work, but I might have preferred this one in print instead so I could have skimmed the parts that were a bit too graphic for me, such as the eating disorder details. This book is a raw account of mental and physical abuse from mother to daughter. It’s not an enjoyable read, but I’m glad I read it myself with all the coverage out there. Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins ReidEntertaining audio. Taylor Jenkins Reid always tells a great story. It’s fun to hear little references to her other work. (Though not necessary to have read those books.) And tennis is a fun story backdrop for me. First We Must Break by Lauren JayneYears ago I read Lauren’s first memoir, Pretty Things Don’t Break and found it compelling. I was happy to see she wrote a sequel. Lauren writes about family and marriage and doesn’t skim over things to make them pretty. Never Simple by Liz ScheierI’ve read a lot of family drama memoirs this year. This one is about an unusual childhood and the search for the author’s father. I found the first 2/3 compelling and had to skim the rest. Sister, Mother, Husband, Dog by Delia EphronReally enjoyed Ephron’s essays and hearing about pieces of her relationship with Nora and with her their mother and father. I’ve read so many of Nora’s essays that hearing about the same characters from Delia’s point-of-view was extra interesting. I enjoyed Delia’s writing style enough to pick her newest memoir for my next reading choice. Left on Tenth by Delia EphronExcellent memoir of Ephron’s cancer and really so much more. I’ve recommended it to many people since finishing. Have I Told You This Already by Lauren GrahamVery typical Lauren Graham, which I mean in a good way. Quick read. Wouldn’t call it a “must” read. Into the Tangle of Friendship by Beth KephartLovely essays on friendship. I enjoy Kephart’s writing style. So many quotes I want to share! I believe it’s out of print, but you can find it around the internet. Consolations by David WhyteThis is a collection of narrative poetry to read in a quick sitting. I’m not sure whether to call it poetry or musings. Nice on a dark, winter day. Thoughtful. Normal Family by Chrysta BiltonExcellent memoir about being the daughter of a sperm donor, but really about so much more. It reminded me a little bit of Never Simple, but I preferred this one. I read it in three days and stayed up until 3:00AM to finish. This Time Tomorrow by Emma StraubAs I’ve said before, I adore a time travel story. I love how this one references so many other time plots as the main character tries to figure out what kind of time travel story she’s in. Stay tuned for the 2022 TV reviews next!You’re a free subscriber to Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship. For juicy anonymous friendship questions each month, the ability to post comments on ALL posts, and the Dear Nina virtual hangouts and free tickets to the virtual book club, become a paying subscriber.
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Friday, 30 December 2022
Quick Reviews of the Books I Read in 2022
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