My Favorite Reads of 2022

Another year has come and gone, which means I am here again to share my favorite books. Does anyone read this? Probably not, but it’s really more for me, which is good because I never post it in a timely manner anyway. As I’m typing this, it’s nearly two in the afternoon on New Year’s Eve, but what day will it be once we reach the end of this post? Only time will tell!

I read 43 books this year. I missed my goal by two, but of that 43 only four were rereads (which is a dramatic improvement from last year when 19 of 46 books were rereads). I read a lot of great books, so without further ado and in no particular order, here are my favorites of the year.

Little by Edward Carey^

Little was the first book my book club read this year and it ended up being everyone’s favorite. The novel tells the incredible story of the tumultuous early life of the little girl who would become Madame Tussaud. It follows her from a small village in Switzerland to Paris and Versailles amidst the French Revolution, and, as you can imagine, shit gets crazy. The author is also a wonderful artist, so there were cool (and creepy) illustrations throughout that I really loved.

“When my breastbone starts to hurt, and my throat tightens, and tears well in my eyes, I want to look away from feeling. I want to deflect with irony, or anything else that will keep me from feeling directly. We all know how loving ends. But I want to fall in love with the world anyway, to let it crack me open. I want to feel what there is to feel while I am here.”

The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green

I fucking love John Green. The essays in this book range in topic from sunsets and “our capacity for wonder” to Diet Dr Pepper and Penguins of Madagascar, all rated on a five-star scale. They are beautiful and so personal, and I’m so grateful to John for sharing so much of himself. I was laughing and crying the whole time.

I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston

Never have I ever read a story with two more unhinged teenage girls. Casey McQuiston has a talent for characterization, and Chloe and Shara were absolutely feral in the best possible way. I also love how they wrote about the complicated relationship you can have with a (small, conservative) hometown that doesn’t always love you back. 

“Not knowing for certain, but refusing to give way to those who claim certainty, was a privilege I had never allowed myself. My life was narrated for me by others. Their voices were forceful, emphatic, absolute. It had never occurred to me that my voice might be as strong as theirs.”

Educated by Tara Westover*^

Word of advice: Do not go into this book uninformed. (I almost said “uneducated,” but I stopped myself.) I only had a vague idea of what this memoir was about, so I was not at all prepared for how dark and gruesome many parts are. It is beautiful, but very heavy so take care when reading.

Forget the Alamo by Jason Stanford, Bryan Burrough, and Chris Tomlinson*

If you grew up in Texas, you took at least one Texas history course in elementary or high school (I’m pretty sure I had two) and you probably think you know your stuff, but I’m here to tell you that you don’t. Forget the Alamo does an incredible job of laying out the before, during, and after of the Battle of the Alamo, and explains all that led to the Alamo myth we know (and are still taught!) today. If you grew up in Texas, this is a must-read. If you didn’t grow up here, this will probably shed some light on why Texans are the way we are about Texas.

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez*^

A beautiful coming-of-age novel that follows a daughter of Mexican immigrants after the death of her “perfect” sister that left my heart feeling tender and raw. There are so many layers in this story—grief, depression, generational trauma—but my favorite was the relationship between Julia and her parents, especially her mom. It’s totally heartbreaking, but clings to hope all the same.

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

An incredibly cute and very heartwarming graphic novel about a prince with a secret life and a dressmaker with big dreams. I loved the art, the sweet story, and aaall of the dresses.

“Sometimes it feels like we are only this: moments of knowing and unknowing one another. A sound that is foreign until it’s familiar. A drill that’s a scream until it’s a drill. Sometimes it’s nothing more than piecing together the ways in which our hearts have all broken over the same moments, but in different places. But that’s romantic. Sometimes it’s realer than that.”

Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls by T. Kira Madden*^

A coming-of-age memoir with a special focus on the author’s relationship with her parents—how parents can love so much, but sometimes still fall short as all humans do. The trauma and pain is balanced well with dark humor and lyrical writing. It was probably my favorite memoir of the year.

The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun^

If you love reality dating shows, you will love this book. If you hate reality dating shows, you will also love this book. It’s a goddamn delight. I loved the humor, the characters (especially Parisa), and the focus on mental health, sexuality, and acceptance.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

I’m typically never drawn to fantasy books and anything with “faeries” specifically has always caused my eyes to roll, but listen—I was #influenced and I loved every goddamn second of it. The story was exciting, fun, and surprisingly dark, and it’s been a very long time since I was so sucked into a world like that. So just give in to it, folks! Read the sexy faerie books!

Dear Sweet Pea by Julie Murphy*

I’m pretty sure every Julie Murphy book I’ve read has ended up on my favorites list for that year. She can do no wrong in my eyes, and her first middle grade novel was no exception! Sweet Pea is navigating her parents’ divorce and ex-best friends and everything else that comes with being in middle school—but has also managed to (partially and secretly) take over her eccentric neighbor’s advice column in the local newspaper. This story is sweet, fun, and heartfelt—the perfect middle grade read.

Real Hero Shit by Kendra Wells

This is the gayest and horniest fantasy romp, and my only complaint is that it isn’t 1,000 pages long (thankfully there’s a sequel in the works!). Eugene is such a delightful and ridiculous character, and I can’t wait for more adventures with our favorite prince of chaos.

Honorable mentions: How to Talk to a Widower by Jonathan Tropper; Lumberjanes by Grace Ellis, ND Stevenson, and Shannon Watters; Seven Days In June by Tia Williams^

As always, I’ve linked back to my favorite independent bookstore, BookPeople, but I encourage you to support any indie bookstore you love. If you’re not in a position to spend (or if you, like me, just should not be buying more books), support your local library instead!

- Maggie

* Borrowed from the library

^ ICYMI Book Club pick

A List of Things that Feel Incredibly Decadent (to Me, a 30-Year-Old Woman)

    •  Dipping pieces of French bread in olive oil and herbs
    •  Journals with thick paper
    •  Shopping at Trader Joe’s (especially when buying spices and fancy mustards)
    •  Old Fashioneds
    •  Reading at a cafe on my lunch break
    •  Rose Jam body wash from Lush
    •  Handmade ceramic mugs
    •  Checking out a stack of books from the library when I already own dozens of unread books
    •  Buying new books when I already own dozens of unread books
    •  A triple scoop from Jeni’s
    •  Grocery store flowers
    •  JVN’s Air Dry Cream
    •  Goat cheese on sandwiches, crackers, etc.
    •  Reading and drinking Austin Eastcider by our shady apartment pool
    •  Making my own cold brew
    •  Linen sheets

-Maggie

My Favorite Reads of 2021

Let’s start with some stats to give you an idea of the headspace I was in last year.

Of the 46 books I read, 19 of them were rereads. Ten of those rereads were The Princess Diaries series on audiobook. The remaining books mostly consisted of romances, mysteries, and a handful of celebrity memoirs. 2021 was definitely a year of comfort reads.

But it’s definitely what I needed. There were only a few times last year when I felt like I could mentally/emotionally handle something more “literary” or with a weightier subject matter (God, could you imagine trying to read something like A Little Life right now? Or, like, ever?*), despite having many, many books that fit that description on my TBR list. I’m hopeful that 2022 will require far fewer rereads and see a better balance overall, but, you know, we’ll see how that goes given *gestures broadly*.

Without further ado, here are my favorite new reads of last year (in no particular order because I had a hard enough time narrowing them down this much).

Heavy: An American Memoir by Kiese Laymon

I have always enjoyed reading memoirs because I enjoy reading about people, to put it simply, but I also really admire the courage it takes to share so much of yourself. Even comic memoirs require a certain amount of vulnerability—then there are the memoirs like Heavy, where it feels like the author has laid themselves bare in front of you. Laymon shares about his complicated relationship with his mother and his body and growing and living as Black boy/man, and does so so beautifully and generously.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before Series by Jenny Han

Lara Jean’s story is the perfect mixture of fun, love, and heartache, and I ate it all up. I listened to the entire series on audiobook courtesy of the Austin Public Library (often while I was baking), and it was such a delight. Audiobooks, especially YA, can be really hit or miss with the narrators, but I thought that Ali Ahn did a fantastic job.

“Back then, though, it never occurred to me to question any of these stories. It was always my religion to believe anything anyone told me.”

Priestdaddy by Patricia Lockwood

If I remember correctly, everyone in my book club heartily disliked this book except for me, and I loved it. It was hilarious and touching, and often hit close to home as a person who grew up in a conservative Christian family. (The quote above literally made me say “WHEW” out loud.) I really admired Lockwood’s writing and the way she easily moved from humor to sincerity.

Where Am I Now?: True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame by Mara Wilson

I was expecting to enjoy this book because Mara Wilson just seems delightful as a person, but there were parts of her story that really resonated with me. I enjoyed learning more about her life in and out of acting, and was especially moved by what she shared about her struggles with OCD and coping with the death of her mother.

Last Call: A True Story of Love, Lust, and Murder in Queer New York by Elon Green

The best serial killer books aren’t really about the serial killer at all, and Last Call is a prime example. You learn so much about the victims and the investigators, as well as the city and gay community during the ‘80s and ‘90s, before you learn anything about the man who committed these terrible crimes. Green does an incredible job crafting the story and even manages an impressive twist that I did not see coming.

“‘Mere’ is an interesting word. A safe one. One can never be less than ‘mere.’ It is someplace to start. For instance, I am a mere storyteller. But who knows what I might accomplish from such a humble platform?”

Egg & Spoon by Gregory Maguire

Egg & Spoon is a middle grade novel inspired by Russian folktales and myths that follows Elena and Cat, two young girls whose paths cross and tangle, leading them on the adventure across Russia. I’ve always enjoyed Gregory Maguire’s writing, but I was still surprised by just how much I loved this book. It was a joy to read, especially literally every scene with Baba Yaga (who may be one of my favorite characters of all time).

Nobody Will Tell You This But Me by Bess Kalb

This memoir is written in the voice of the author’s grandmother, almost as if the two of them are having a conversation, and it’s so moving, funny, and full of love. Grandmas are so good, the absolute best of us. [insert 45 crying emojis here]

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

Casey McQuiston has blessed us with another queer love story, and this one has everything: time travel, questionable subway sex, a lot of breakfast food, and more. One Last Stop is just as hilarious and fun as her first novel, but you can feel that this story is a little more personal, a little closer to home, and I think that shows most in the characterization of August’s found family and the love that they share.

The Box In the Woods by Maureen Johnson

If you love ‘70s summer camp serial killer vibes, this is the book for you. The Box In the Woods is the latest Stevie Bell mystery, but is a stand-alone from the Truly Devious trilogy. There are references to the Ellingham case, but no spoilers, so you could read this even if you haven’t read the first three (but you should definitely still read those). I love these books and I hope MJ writes 1,000 more.

 

“You gotta know about the history of your people. How you got to be here, that’s all based on what people done to get you here. Us bears, you Indians, we been through a lot. They tried to kill us. But then when you hear them tell it, they make history seem like one big heroic adventure across an empty forest. There were bears and Indians all over the place. Sister, they slit all our throats.”

There There by Tommy Orange

I think this may have been my favorite book of the year. Orange’s characters and their stories really stuck with me, and his writing is absolutely beautiful. Reading this also made me realize how few books I’ve read that were written by Native authors and/or feature Native characters. I’ve been remiss, and look forward to reading many more. (While writing this post, I found out that not only is Orange working on another novel, but it’s apparently a sequel to There There and I am FEELING THINGS.)

Honorable mentions: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes (a solid recommendation from my favorite reading cousin, Julia ☺), Yearbook by Seth Rogen

As always, I’ve linked to BookPeople if you’d like to support my favorite independent bookstore, but really any indie will do. If you don’t have the funds to support an independent bookstore right now, then I aggressively encourage you to support your local library instead. (I was able to read/listen to seven of the books mentioned here thanks to Austin Public Library!)

-Maggie

* If you’re thinking of reading A Little Life, I instead encourage you to go outside, feel the warmth of the sun on your face, and marvel at, like, the sound of birdsong or something. You may be saying “Oh, but I love sad books that leave me as a hollow shell of a person.” No, you don’t. Not like this. There is sad and upsetting and emotionally devastating and then there is literal torture. I’m not saying that Hanya Yanagihara is a sadist who keeps people locked in her basement, but all the same it might be a good idea to check.

My Favorite Reads of 2020

Listen, let's not even talk about how emotionally scarring the last year has been and just get right to the books instead. (Also, let's ignore the fact that it's the middle of February and I'm just now finishing this.)

I was just one book away from meeting my reading goal for the year, which is a bit of a bummer, but I still read six more books than I did in 2019 so I'm calling it a win. (Besides, everybody should just cut themselves some slack right now.)

You get eleven favorite books this year. I always try to narrow down my lists to a more manageable number, but as usual it proved to be impossible. (Clearly, as I couldn't even knock one off to make it an even ten.) There was nothing I could do—I loved all of these books. I've never been very good at discerning favorites among favorites either, so these are in no particular order. Enjoy!

"People don't just happen. We sacrifice former versions of ourselves. We sacrifice the people who dared to raise us. The 'I' it seems doesn't exist until we are able to say, 'I am no longer yours.'"

How We Fight for Our Lives by Saeed Jones

We are truly fortunate to live in a world at the same time as Saeed Jones. His memoir takes us through growing up Black and gay in the South, and his relationships with his grandmother and mother. His writing is beautiful and true, and I loved every minute of this book.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Despite being an English major and classics like Little Women being extremely my shit, I had somehow never read it before this year. I was determined to do so before seeing the new movie, and I'm so glad I did. It's just good. I enjoyed the characters, the story, and the language so much; everything about it felt warm and light. The movie is wonderful in its own right, but (as it usually goes) the book is better and well-worth the read.

The Hand on the Wall by Maureen Johnson

To absolutely no one's surprise, the conclusion to the Truly Devious series was one of my favorite reads of the year. (If you'll recall, Truly Devious was a favorite of 2018 and The Vanishing Stair was an honorable mention in 2019.) I don't think this is my favorite of the series, but I loved the way it came together as a whole. I've enjoyed everything Maureen Johnson has written, but I think she's truly found her niche, and I'm so glad she's giving us another Stevie Bell mystery with The Box in the Woods (out in June!)

Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reid

This is not only a great and very funny novel, but a great example of how "well-meaning" white people often end up making situations more difficult, and oftentimes dangerous, for Black people. A good reminder for white people to listen to Black people, and examine what the intent or purpose behind our actions really are.

Home Before Dark by Riley Sager

When Maggie Holt was five, she and her parents moved into Baneberry Hall, only to flee in the dead of night three weeks later. Maggie has no memory of the ghostly encounters that caused them to leave so suddenly, and has always been skeptical of her father's account in his (wildly popular) book House of Horrors—until she returns to Baneberry Hall twenty-five years later. I will continue to read everything Riley Sager puts out because he can write a goddamn thriller, folks! I loved the spooky, supernatural twist to this story (even if it did make it hard to go to sleep some nights).

"What I'm saying is that girls hunger. And we're taught, from the moment our brains can take it, that there isn't enough food for us all."

Sawkill Girls by Claire LeGrand

I know I said I'm bad at picking favorites, but this might have been my favorite book I read last year.  The story follows Marion, Zoey, and Val, three girls on the island of Sawkill Rock—where girls have been disappearing without a trace for decades. It was delightfully creepy, and I loved how it displayed female friendships and relationships, and the strength and will power of girls. Teenage girls will kick your ass and save the world.

I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara

I didn't realize how very little I really knew about this Golden State Killer until I read this book. Michelle McNamara did an incredible job of laying out the details and explaining every aspect of this case, but you never get lost in logistics or jargon. She reminds you every step of the way that everyone involved in this case is a human, a real person, and that the killer isn't a monster or a criminal mastermind, but a man who did terrible things and was just lucky to not get caught for decades. McNamara wrote with such fervor and care, and it keeps you hooked on the investigation even though we now (thankfully, finally) know the outcome.

Check, Please! Sticks & Scones by Ngozi Ukazu

Do you want to feel joy again? This comic is the perfect antidote to *gestures at everything* right now. The story of Bitty (a vlogger, former junior figure skating champion, and baker of many pies) and his hockey team is as funny as it is sweet, and the characters are so lovable. Sticks & Scones is the second and final in the series, and I definitely wept at the end because it's just so goddamn pure. (If you can't wait to get you hands on physical copies, most of the comic is still available online!)

This Will Be My Undoing by Morgan Jerkins

Simply put, this is an incredible book. Jerkins interweaves her experiences as a Black woman with commentary about pop culture, feminism, racism, misogyny, and Black history. I wrote out entire passages in my journal and filled up six pages before I just started writing page numbers to save time/my hand because it was all so good, so important. I highly recommend it, and am really looking forward to reading her latest Wandering in Strange Lands that came out last August.

“You will always struggle with not feeling productive until you accept that your own joy can be something you produce. It is not the only thing you will make, nor should it be, but it is something valuable and beautiful.”

A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor by Hank Green

I'd been looking forward to this book since reading An Absolutely Remarkable Thing (which you can read my review of here), but I had absolutely no idea what to expect storyline-wise, which made for a truly wild ride. It's hilarious, thoughtful, and weirdly timely considering it was written pre-pandemic (is Carl based on Hank?). I'm so glad we have this story.

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

A 300-page novel told in verse that spans a sixty second elevator ride—the time it takes fifteen-year-old Will to decide whether or not he's going to shoot the guy who murdered his brother. I'm so glad I added this to my last To Read list and picked it up right away. This was my first Jason Reynolds, but definitely won't be my last. 

As always, I encourage you to support independent bookstores whenever you shop (especially after 2020), and if you're not in a position to buy, support your local library! (Just please don't buy a book off Am*zon ever again, if you're able to avoid it. Instead, support a Black-owned indie by purchasing your very own Fuck Jeff Bezos mug!)

-Maggie

To Read #002

Literally four years ago, I published my first "To Read" post. In an effort to knock down my exponentially growing to-read list and frankly shameful backlog, I had the idea that I would share a few books on my list and then, later, give brief reviews of each and share the next set I planned to read. I thought it was a great idea!

And then, true to form, I just... didn't do it.

I mean, I did read the books* eventually. I just read a bunch of other books in-between (not to mention it took me ages to get through Body Counts), so I never got around to writing my thoughts down or picking the next set. (I think my mistake may have been choosing six books. Six, I think, is too many.)

But now I'm back! Before getting into the next batch, here are my very brief thoughts for the books on #001.

1. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory by Caitlin Doughty - ★★★★
   Incredibly interesting, well-written, and will definitely make you rethink your ideas on death and the dead.
2. Us by David Nicholls - ★★★★★
   I originally questioned whether this book would be anywhere near as good as One Day (one of my favorites) and it definitely is—but in its own unique way. It was funny and sad and real, and I really enjoyed the characters and story.
3. Body Counts: A Memoir of Activism, Sex, and Survival by Sean Strub - ★★★★★
   Equal parts memoir and history book, Strub's story is told with such passion and love—but pulls no punches. Take your time with this one.
4. The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides - ★★★
   I rounded up to three stars because Eugenides is an undeniably great writer (and it's obvious he knows this) and there were some passages I really loved, but I did not like this book. Save yourself some time and pass on this one.
5. Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling - ★★★★★
   Simply delightful, but I would expect nothing less from our dear Mindy.

On to the next set (of a hopefully more realistic four) books!

• Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

I've heard only wonderful things about Jason Reynolds, but have never gotten around to reading any of his work. A friend suggested I start here, and I'm really looking forward to finally digging in. A 300-page novel written in verse that spans the course of a 60-second elevator ride just sounds like it's gotta be good, right? 

• There There by Tommy Orange

When I worked at BookPeople, there were many times that a book would create an audible buzz around the store. Most had either read it or were waiting to get their hands on an ARC, and everyone was talking about it. There There was one of those books. It follows twelve characters from Native communities, all traveling to the Big Oakland Powwow and all connected in ways they've yet to realize.

• Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley

Solomon is agoraphobic and hasn't left his house in over three years. Lisa is determined to "fix" him (and get into the second-best psychology program in the country), so she and her boyfriend Clark befriend Solomon, but no one expects what comes next. John Corey Whaley is an author that I will just always buy books from, no matter what—yet somehow his third book has sat unread on my bookshelf for four years and I think it's well past time to change that.

• The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion

Joan Didion is an author who I've always known of, but never really known anything about. Within the last few years, I've probably seen a dozen Instagram friends mention this book in particular, which is what finally led me to pick this off the shelf when I spotted it at a used bookstore in San Antonio. I love memoirs in general, but something tells me this one will be special—and especially heartbreaking.

To be honest, I'm a big mood reader, so chances are high that I will do exactly the same thing with this list and be back here again sometime towards the end of 2024, but we'll just have to risk it (mostly because this post has been sitting, almost finished, in my drafts for a year... I am so bad at blogging).

-Maggie

* Okay, I still haven't read Love in the Time of Cholera yet, but I've got to move on at some point!