Daniel’s Top 10 of 2022
Read bookseller Daniel’s Top 10 reads of 2022!
I’ve had a wonderfully eclectic reading year. My Top 10 is a mixture of fiction and non-fiction, old favourites, and new releases. As the old adage goes; variety is the spice of life!
10. Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection & the Language of Human Experience by Brené Brown
I've read the book, watched the HBO series, listened to the audiobook, and I still want more. I think I'm addicted to Brené Brown!
In Atlas of the Heart, Brené guides us through 87 of the emotions and experiences that make us human. By providing the right language and tools, she has created the ultimate road map for cultivating meaningful connections while navigating this crazy thing called life. I highly recommend this to everyone that wants to better understand themselves and the people around them.
9. High School by Tegan & Sara
High School is a captivating coming-of-age story that really captures what it was like growing up queer in the 90s. It's unique in that it's a joint memoir. I don't think there are too many of those floating around. I love how the chapters alternate between the two sisters. I've been a fan of their music ever since they released "The Con" in 2007, and it's cool having a better sense of their individual personalities. Their best-selling memoir explores sexual identity, sibling rivalry, heartbreak, sex, drugs & Rock 'n' Roll, and everything in between. It was also voted one of Rolling Stone's 50 greatest rock memoirs of all time. And I concur! Now I can finally watch the new TV series on Prime.
8. Four Thousand Weeks: Time and How to Use It by Oliver Burkeman
So much to do, so little time... the age-old struggle! Our increasingly busy lives and never-ending to-do lists are turning us into productivity fiends, but perhaps embracing our limitations holds the key to living calmer, happier, more meaningful lives. Sometimes less is more. A surprisingly uplifting wake-up call. Insightful. Beautiful. Funny
7. All That’s Left in the World by Erik J. Brown
Does a dystopian about a deadly pathogen that wipes out most of the population qualify as horror? After the past few years, I went with yes and added it to my Halloween TBR. Despite the grim concept and nightmarish circumstances that the characters are thrust into, this one's surprisingly funny. It also features a cute queer love story that feels authentic and earned. The romance and suspense are paced and balanced perfectly. This author has my attention. "All That's Left in the World" is easily the most engrossing YA novel I've read in yonks.
6. Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
This haunting yet hopeful tale is set in a small town in 1980s Ireland during the holiday season. This was a harsh period in Irish history in which communities were still very much under the church’s control. Keegan cleverly weaves a compassionate and heartfelt story while giving a feminist middle finger to the church for its many sins against women and society at large. Thanks for the recommendation, Demi Cox. This is such a beautiful book, and perfect for Christmas.
5. Phosphorescence: On Awe, Wonder and Things That Sustain You When the World Goes Dark by Julia Baird
I like to start each year with a bit of personal development, and this was such a beautiful and inspiring way to kick off 2022. Books like this have given me such an incredible boost throughout the pandemic. Phosphorescence is a deeply personal exploration of wonder that provides valuable tips on how to retain your light in the darkest of times. It also won the Australian Book Of The Year Award in 2021. The perfect book for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the past few years.
4. Mean Baby: A Memoir of Growing Up by Selma Blair
I couldn't get enough of this book. I fell in love with Selma's painful self-awareness and dark humor. She's vulnerable, quick-witted, and delightfully dramatic as she talks about growing up, motherhood (and her very complicated relationship with her own mother), the entertainment industry, addiction, and being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. It was like she became my best friend for a while. I took her everywhere: on buses, trains, walks, coffee shops, and even to the gym. I became completely engrossed in her life, and now that I'm finished the book - I miss her! I guess I'll just have to rewatch Cruel Intentions or Legally Blonde for the millionth time, so I can keep pretending we're best friends. This is by no means an easy read - This woman has lived a life! But she's made every bit of it count. There's so much wisdom, strength, and comfort to be found in her brutally honest words. A real class act.
3. My Policeman by Bethan Roberts
I’ve been raving about this one all year! It's a heartbreaking tale in which three lives are ruined by the barbaric laws and homophobic beliefs of the 1950s. The story is set in Brighton and told from the perspective of Marion and Patrick; the wife and lover of a handsome working-class policeman named Tom. I love that there are no villains in this story. Instead, the author explores how good people are pressured into making poor decisions in order to conform to the harsh societal norms of their time. It's beautifully written and I love the clever way the narration is split. This one will stay with you.
2. Misery by Stephen King
My number one spot was a toss-up between two Stephen King classics. Because, for me, King will always be the King! ‘Misery’ has to be one of the best psychological horror stories ever written! I first read Misery when I was 16 because I was obsessed with Kathy Bates' portrayal of Annie Wilkes in the movie adaption. I must've watched that movie at least 20 times and Kathy Bates never fails to terrify and delight with her Oscar-winning performance. What's more terrifying is that 20 years have passed since I first read the book!!! So, I figured it was time to revisit my old friend, Annie. And man, am I glad I did. This book is a masterclass in suspense! Annie Wilkes is one of those characters that will haunt you forever! But she'll also make you laugh with her wicked one-liners.
1. The Body by Stephen King
I don't know why it's taken me until now to read this book. Maybe, it's because Stand By Me is one of my all-time favorite movies. Naturally, the book is just as good. I wouldn't say better, because Stand By Me is one of those rare adaptions that just gets everything right - from the casting and directing to the epic soundtrack - it's pitch-perfect and really encapsulates the essence of the book. It even got King's seal of approval, moving him to tears. These were his words to the director after a private screening, "That's the best film ever made out of anything I've written, which isn't saying much. But you've really captured my story."
This 80s classic about a group of young friends who go on a quest to find the body of a missing kid will always have a place in my heart. It's a story about the loss of childhood innocence, friendship, fear of change, and coming-of-age in a small town - And no one captures these themes better than Stephen King.