A few years back I started to document the books I read and created this website as it seemed that I couldn't go a week without being asked by a work colleague or a friend over cocktails, "What are you reading now?!" or "What book do you recommend?".
With life slowly creeping back to normal, I took a hiatus from both excessive reading and this website...
But... I'm back by popular demand! So cheers to once again sharing book recommendations with friends over cocktails and never forgetting that this site is open to all who wander by, much like we can now do again with our beloved bookstores. I may not always read as much as I did in 2019 (the year of 52 books!), but if you want a recommendation from a girl who loves Tomes and Tulips, this site is here for you.
2022 Books:
1. Survival of the Thickest by Michelle Buteau - This book is so funny. Michelle has led such an interesting life, and as a stand-up comedian, she finds a way to find 'the funny' in everything. I'd recommend this book to just about anyone. Nothing extraordinary or noteworthy, but reading this book felt like grabbing a coffee with a hysterical friend. ★★★★
2. The Nordic Theory of Everything by Anu Partanen - I really enjoy books that teach you about different cultures and the way they operate. This books main premise is to compare and contrast how Nordic countries vs. the US operate in things such as government, business, and personal relationships - you are to decide which system is best. ★★★
3. Ikigai by Hector Garcia - I had high hopes for this book post-Nordic Theory, however I was disappointed at the simplicity. Though most other books like this one thrive in basic principles, this book seemed to reiterate sayings like, "have a purpose" and "keep moving"... theories I felt were not that unique to the Japanese culture. Though it's a book, and a nation, worth exploring as they have the most centenarians of any nation on earth, I felt the author could have dug deeper. ★★
4. No Shortcuts to The Top by Ed Viesturs - Recommended by a co-worker // A great listen to while traveling through mountains to ski. Ed has lived a life of adventure that has led to great triumphs and painful losses. As a transplant to Seattle, it was wonderful learning about the outdoor adventures in my new backyard via Ed's mountaineering and explorations in Washington. ★★★★
5. How Y'all Doing by Leslie Jordan - I can not recommend this book enough. Leslie Jordan is as sweet as a Georgia Peach with the kindest, most honest, sense of humor a human could have. He regales his life's ups and downs, lessons of "Hollywood stardom", and pearls of wisdom of a life well lived. ★★★★★
6. The Happiest Man on Earth by Eddie Jaku - Am important memoir about the strength of a young man who survived Nazi concentration camps. If you've read this blog, you know I find it important to read books about WWII, and this is no exception. Eddie's focus on kindness and forgiveness are beacons of hope of how good triumphs over evil. I'd say it's similar to Night by Elie Wiesel but with more of a post-war focus on finding joy and happiness after personal hardships and global atrocities. ★★★★
7. Wabi Sabi by Beth Kempton - I felt this was the missing piece to Ikigai, the book I read earlier in the year. It was the missing pieces of wisdom and a quick read - I recommend reading this before or after Ikigai as they complement each other on the lifestyle, culture, and mindset of the Japanese centenarians. ★★★
8. Becoming Trader Joe by Joe Coulombe - This book was okay. Maybe because I've listened to podcasts about Trader Joe's and Whole Foods' founderings previously, but this was the definition of a 'meeting that could have been an email'. It had a lot of great lessons about creating something new, breaking barriers, and advocating for customers, but I felt like it has already been done before in a different medium. ★★★
9. Home Buying 101 by Jon Gorey - While filled with helpful tips and tricks, this book is definitely geared towards those who are first-generation homebuyers and may not have family members or friends' experience to lean on. Rather basic, but good reminders about small steps that make a big impact and that can help you avoid poor financial decisions in the home-buying process. ★★★
10. Collaborating with the Enemy by Adam Kahane - This book may have good intentions with its title, but I felt its advice was lost in monotony. I picked it up given the political climate, thinking it might have helpful tips for conversations. However, I felt the tips were not helpful and the examples weren't realistic and lacked depth. ★★
11. It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover - Recommended by Nicole // Amazing fiction book and not the type of book I generally like to read. It started slow with a classic romance in a big city vibe, but by the end, it led you down a road of friendship and personal growth. I'd recommend this to just about any woman, and any man who appreciates a well-written love scene. ★★★★
12. If You Ask Me by Eleanor Roosevelt - This is a compilation of Eleanor Roosevelt's newspaper articles and public addresses over the years when she gave her viewpoint on everything from teenage dating rules to international issues. An interesting read but it had a lot of outdated perspectives and advice. I really only stuck with it because it was short. ★★
13. Everybody Always by Bob Goff - recommended by a sorority sister // I will start with the caveat that this is a religious book, but the main focus is the Golden Rule - treat everyone the way you'd like to be treated. With some truly wonderful examples of acceptance and radical expressions of love, this is a short read that will restore your faith in humanity. ★★★★
14. I'd Like to Play Alone, Please by Tom Segura - I. Laughed. So. Hard. This book was great. Tom Segura, the tamer of the two bears (if you know, you know) tells some awesome stories about his life from his childhood to his experience raising kids. Though a bit raunchy at times, I think this is a great book for anyone just wanting a laugh about the everyday things in life. ★★★★★
15. A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L'Engle - A classic that I never read in my childhood. Although it was a bit youthful and simplistic in its messaging, I enjoyed it. It was an easy read but probably one I'd selectively recommend to tweens. ★★★★
16. Make it Nice by Dorinda Medley - Oh Dorinda, you unintentional comedic genius. This Real Housewife of New York City has so much more to her life than what is portrayed on Bravo, and this book takes a look into where her life was before and is after her time on the show. If you are a Bravo fan, you'll enjoy this though it's nothing groundbreaking. If you're not a fan of RHNY, you won't appreciate this book. ★★★★
2022 Takeaways:
There were too many books in this year's book graveyard to count - I'd start and become uninterested or the book would need to be returned to the library... but my main takeaway was I should research books more thoroughly before starting them. The ones I stuck with were either short enough to not give up, or I really loved them. So cheers to better research before cracking open books in 2023!
Also - I want to read more with friends! So if you want to read a book together, let me know. I love a good book club!
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