2022’s Most Impactful Reads
Yep, I’m writing this over 10 days into the new year. Can I beg your forgiveness?
2022 was a year of extreme highs and lows – when the book was good, it was damn near life-changing; when it was bad, I just didn’t finish it. I’m pretty committed to books so it takes a lot for me to set it down and shun its existence. Without further ado, however, let’s talk about the excellent, the superb, the incomparable, and the impactful.
“…and they exchanged a small smile. And then, then the smile faded and they just stared at each other, something thick and sweet coloring the air between them, magnetic and just the right side of bearable.”
Okay, so it seems strange to me – an intellectual – that a romantic comedy based on Kylo Ren/Rey Skywalker fan fiction could be so high up on a list of important books. But I – a hedonist – also believe firmly in the power of books for pleasure. I could include all of Hazelwood’s works on this list (I have now read everything she’s written to date, including that chapter from Adam’s point-of-view). I’m sticking with her first novel for succinctness’s sake. The Love Hypothesis is a fake-dating/STEMinist modern romantic novel starring the lovable Olive and the brooding Adam. I would die for them both. After reading the book in print, I immediately checked out the audio book just for more of a taste. Thus I began a journey chasing the high that The Love Hypothesis brought me to. For the most part, I wasn’t successful (I’m looking at you, Tessa Bailey, Amanda Hockman, Sally Thorne, etc.…). From now on, I’ll consider Hazelwood an auto-buy author.
“‘A world is supported by four things…. the learning of the wise, the justice of the great, the prayers of the righteous, and the valor of the brave. But all of these are as nothing…without a ruler who knows the art of ruling.’”
It’s a miracle! I’m religious again, and Paul Atreides is my new god. No, but really, Dune has been hyped for me since well before the newest movie adaptation came out, the byproduct of a years-long stint at a used bookstore surrounded by dudes. It certainly lived up to expectations and frankly broke many of them. I think I expected something dry (no pun intended) and intellectually backwards, but Herbert surprised me. This book written in the 1960s is more feminist than many modern sci-fis. I had a fellow friend/reader even remark that the first book in the series is less Paul’s story and more Jessica’s, Paul’s mother and a major player in the plot and philosophy. This is a titan of science fiction and deservedly so.
“Get out of that womb-house for at least an hour a day. Take a walk, Ignatius. Look at the trees and birds. Realize that life is surging all around you. The valve closes because it thinks it is living in a dead organism. Open your heart, Ignatius, and you will open your valve.”
This is the first book of two on my most impactful reads that I read for the Very Casual Book Club. We had an excellent run this year, and Toole’s novel exemplifies that. (By the way, if you haven’t heard the story of how this book got published, stop what you’re doing right now and Google it.) This book is absurd – that’s the best, most accurate adjective. It is a product of its time (racism, sexism) and yet manages to be so ahead of its time. It’s laugh-out-loud funny, scathing and biting, ridiculous, but somehow heartfelt and meaning-packed. Just grab a buddy and taking turns reading this book out loud to each other. You won’t regret it.
“You’re much too young to haunt your own life.”
This book caught the Very Casual Book Club off guard. We’ve had certain priorities over the past couple years, at least one Shakespeare a year and typically tackling literary mammoths both in length and scope. However, Danforth’s gothic historical/modern horror novel grabbed us from the bookshelf and didn’t let go. It has everything: lesbians, Hollywood hijinks, ghosts(?), poisonous flowers, vindictive insects, multiple viewpoints…I could go on, but I don’t want to spoil anything. If you want to be terrified, entertained, and turned on, read this one.
“In me there is a rage to defy
the order of the stars
despite their pretty patterns.”
I’d been working through Walker’s decades-long poetry collection for a couple years when I finally turned the last page in 2022. I say finally with tenderness and a little regret that it’s over. Walker’s words have pervaded Books & Cleverness – from website headers to art designs to my own poetry. Walker clearly isn’t afraid of experimentation when it comes to form and style. Her poetry also expresses open vulnerability while confronting topics of race and sexism. This is her naked heart for us to view.
“This is the ultimate irony. There are people in the United States enamored with the thought of giving their bodies to animals at the end of their lives - and we have more than enough vultures and other scavengers to pull it off. But the government, religious leaders, etc., would never allow such a vile spectacle on American soil. No, our leaders tell us: cremation and burial, those are your options.”
I discovered Doughty via YouTube through which she teaches about death, its culture and taboos. As a mortician herself, Doughty’s expertise shows in all her works and From Here to Eternity is no different. In this book, Doughty travels the world to explore ways of caring for and disposing of the dead, from cannibalism to composting. Doughty is a master of breaking down cultural misconceptions, biases, and prejudices. This book helps us to face our mortality, to confront our bodies, and to accept inevitability.
Now, tell me, what books impacted you the most last year? What are you most looking forward to this year?
