My 2022 Reading List

Here are the books I've read this year.

One of my many New Year's resolutions was to read more books than I did last year. Well, last year I finished 16 books, so 17 was my "Achievement Unlocked" moment for this year. After everything that has happened in the last two years I just wanted to read absurd and funny books as the need for not being in reality was pretty strong last December.

I ended up reading some fantastic books and some futuristic books along with my usual self-help-you-are-going-to-be-awesome books.

Each will have some brief thoughts and whether I would recommend the read or not.

The Book List:

• Dirk Gently 2 - The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul

I read the first Dirk Gently book last year and LOVED it. Being a fan of Douglas Adams' absurd comedy made this a great start to the year.  Recommend.

• The Joy of Living: Unlocking the Secret and Science of Happiness

Yongey Mingyur, as a Buddhist teacher, he is incredibly relatable and real in this book, I really had a good time reading this. Recommend.

• The War of Art

I have been wanting to read this for a long time. After a failed read of another book [see below], I picked this one as a backup book. It was a good idea. If you are looking for something to break your creative block try this book. Recommend.

• Cyberpunk City Book One: The Machine Killer

Ok, this one was a bit predictive in its delivery, but entertaining anyway. It is the first in a book series. I probably won't continue the series.

• The Social Singularity

I read a lot of futuristic books this year. This one was OK, but I just don't remember much of it. So, maybe a recommend?

• Bullshit Jobs

Yes, read this book if you have a job, and even if you don't.

• The Stars Now Unclaimed (The Universe After, 1)

OK, so this one was on a whim, it is a 1st time author so I didn't expect much, but it turned out really well done. I ended up reading more in the series, so yep, recommend.

• So Long and Thanks for all the fish [Audiobook]

Yes, read all books by Douglas Adams, or listen to them on audiobook read by the author.

• The restaurant at the end of the universe [Audiobook]

Again, yes, recommend.

• Life the universe and everything [Audiobook]

I was genuinely overcome with sadness when this book finished, knowing I was done with the entire series and Douglas Adams has passed. RIP. So, just read or listen to all his books. I am tempted to do it again next year in my travels.

• The Fourth Age

Another futuristic/historical book on how we will survive and such. Recommended if you are into that sort of thing.

The Lord of the Rings Audiobook series:

•  The Fellowship of the Ring [Audiobook]
•  The Two Towers [Audiobook]
•  The Return of the King [Audiobook]

Rob Inglis reads the LoTR series and I seriously can not recommend it enough! I mean he actually SINGS the songs in the recording, what's not to like there? It really makes me want to watch all the movies again [Our family Christmas holiday tradition].

They are also great for long road trips in the middle of the desert Southwest.

• The Signals Are Talking: Why Today’s Fringe Is Tomorrow’s Mainstream

Yet another futuristic book, more of a how to spot the future things versus what is actually going to happen. Good reading and recommended.

• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

I started reading this with my kiddo, I read it with the classic 70's movie in my mind for all the characters. Classic book, highly recommend.

• The Startup of You (Revised and Updated): Adapt, Take Risks, Grow Your Network, and Transform Your Career

I struggled through this book, but finished it. I guess if you are in to the Linkedin vibe, you'd probably like this book. I would not recommend it.

• The Hobbit: Or There and Back Again [Audiobook]

Rob Inglis reading Tolkien again on a road trip? Sign me up! Highly recommended.

• The Network State

I was really excited to read this book as it is really a different way of thinking about how we organize society. You can read it for free online here as it is meant to be a living document: https://thenetworkstate.com/

Read the one sentence and see if you want to go deeper down the rabbit hole.

The Network State in One Sentence | The Network State

A network state is a highly aligned online community with a capacity for collective action that crowdfunds territory around the world and eventually gains diplomatic recognition from pre-existing states.

thenetworkstate.com

• What We Owe the Future

This one was another whim, but turned out fairly well and I'd recommend it as a interesting thought experiment.

• A Chain Across the Dawn (The Universe After, 2)

Book two in the series, you can tell the writer was starting to hit his stride in this book. I liked it enough to keep going in the series and would recommend.

• The Firmament of Flame (The Universe After, 3)

Book three in the series and where I am going to end reading them. The first two books in the series are good, but this one seemed a bit forced and really kind of felt like they were writing a book just to expand the world to monetize it. Maybe Netflix will pick it up, eh? I'd stick with The Universe After books 1+2, and then maybe read this if you are bored.

• Have Space Suit—Will Travel

The last book added to the list was a nice Sci-fi book to round out the year on a high note. Even though it is considered a children’s or young adult's book, I really liked the classic late 50's vibe from it. I've enjoyed Robert A. Heinlein's other books and this one is no different. I should read more of them. Highly recommended.

Failed Books

These are the books I just could not get through for some reason.

The Value of Everything: Making and Taking in the Global Economy

This one has been a really dry read and I've struggled to get through it, I keep trying to start up again, but keep failing. I made it 50% and quit.

Relentless

I read Winning in 2021 and this feels like the exact same book, just a retread. I'd recommend either book, but can only make it through one every few years, so maybe I'll throw it on the book list a few years out.

Final thoughts

I loved my book list for this year and was able to get my "Achievement Unlocked" by reading every morning for a bit. Long road trips this year also helped out as there is nothing to do but look around and imagine the story you are listening to.

For 2023, I will be mixing it up a bit. I plan on NOT reading more books, but taking more time in the books I do read. I am also going to be a bit more picky on the books, as in if a book doesn't grab me by chapter 5 or so, I will bail early and move on to the next book. I found that on some of the books I've read over the years that I should’ve just moved on earlier to enjoy different books.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to me on Mastodon.

Happy reading in the new year!

Jeremy

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