The 2022 Stats and Superlatives
MVPs, Presidents, Life Of The Party, and a few more to say the least.
Can you believe we’ve been through a whole new year together? As the holidays approach, I’ve been reading more than I have in awhile. Last night, I finished another book (that I loved) and thought to myself: how can I share my thoughts?
As authors, it’s strongly encouraged that we do not post star-rating reviews. The industry is a huge small-world and you never know who collaborated on a book that you read. For several years, I’ve only shared five star reviews with my audience. Authors and publishers have elephant memories and you might be ringing up Sally-who-worked-with-Kim-who-worked-with-John-whose-book-you-rated-three-stars to collaborate with you on your next project. And if they read that old review from 2006, they might not answer the phone. It’s better to leave your reader’s opinion behind the door to easily avoid anyone’s chain-linked black book that may or may not exist. (See Courtney Maum’s latest article about this)
But, I’m a reader. And I want to share some the books I read this year with you all. So I thought back to my primary school days when class superlatives were a thing. I never had much of an interest for them when people were in the subject line. Throw some books in there though - I’m sold.
Introducing the 2022 Statistics and Superlatives:
Enjoy and maybe grab a last minute gift from your local bookshop!
Very Important Disclaimer: I enjoyed almost all of the books I selected this year and certainly wouldn’t recommend or list any in this article that I didn’t have fun reading.
Overall Statistics
Fiction vs Nonfiction:
My 2022 nonfiction list was the winner this year! Perhaps because I went through so much personal change and improved my life so much. I read great fiction this year as well, but most of my nonfiction was nothing but top-shelf.
Favorite Genre:
The artistic-flowy-dress-girl the lives in me (but sleeps frequently) hates to say it, but the finance-nonfiction genre was my winner this year. I created a financial freedom base layer with some rad books that will likely win a few of the superlative categories. My finance shelve did wonders for my lifestyle this year so I’ve got to give credit where it’s do. (As much as it pains me to do so).
Top Reading Nooks of 2022:
My old balcony (now Taylor’s balcony) - Austin, TX
Austin Downtown Public Library - Austin, TX
Audible In My Car - Quite Literally All Over the United States lol
Washington Park - Denver, CO
2022 DNF Count:
‘Did Not Finish’
Five out of thirty-two or 15% | DNF’s are not listed in this article or anywhere.
(For various reasons - some just my own scheduling.)
Reading Goal Met:
No.
Some of my best reading excuses include moving across the country twice and finally learning how to cook for myself.
Superlatives With Little to No Explanation:
Most Friendly:
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
A reread that just puts me in a great mood.
Class Creatives:
Funny Weather by Olivia Lang
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
The Artists Way by Julia Cameron (of course)
For all of my fellow art-lovers.
Most Valuable Player:
How to Break Up With Your Phone by Catherine Price
I reference this book every third second. 11/10
Most Likely to Be President:
The Catalyst by Jonah Berger
Modern day mind control. Disclaimer: does not work on dogs.
Life Of The Party
Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton
So fun, so quirky, so messy. (I can’t remember if I read this in 2021 or 2022, so on this year’s list it goes)
The Tech Expert:
Upgrade by Blake Crouch
So good, he’ll tech-edit your DNA.
The Black Sheep:
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
It just wasn’t anything like the rest.
Most Likely To Succeed:
Atomic Habits by James Clear
I’m still reading this one, but it’s already made a big difference in my productivity.
Class Flirt:
Normal People by Sally Rooney
You know it’s gotta be a Sally...
Most Likely to Quietly Take Over the World:
101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think by Brianna Wiest
And most likely to re-read every single year.
Honorable Mention: This Is How You Heal by Brianna Wiest and Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer
Hometown Hero:
A History of Wild Places by Shea Ernshaw
Because none of the characters are leaving home anytime soon…wink, wink.
CEOs and CFOs:
Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin
Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
Think & Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
My top three favorite financials this year.
Honorable Mention: Set for Life by Scott Trench
Most Likely to Be Internet Famous:
Do You Follow? By JC Bidonde
Or true crime famous…
Best Personality:
A Court Of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Mass
So much character. Easy to get along with. Picked me out of a fiction slump. The obvious winner here. (Finished this last night lol)
Most Random:
Many Lives, Many Masters by Brian L. Weiss
A lady I’d never seen before stopped me on a trail to recommend this one. The weirdest of encounters so of course, I read it.
The Craftsman:
Refuse to Be Done by Matt Bell
For all the authors out there.
Queued for 2023:
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Mass
The Last Painting of Sarah De Vos by Dominic Smith
PS: Feel free to leave me a 2023 recommendation in the comments!
Happy holidays everyone!
Hope you find some good reading time along the way. As always, thanks for reading.
See you soon.