What Are You Reading-2022?
The Second Annual Reading Round-Up
It’s 15 degrees today, and because I’m a New Englander, I’m drinking iced coffee. But as soon as I’m done typing, I’m heading for the cozy spot in front of my woodstove for some time with my newest book. It’s my favorite thing to do no matter what the weather, but it’s particularly delightful on a day like this.
So what are you reading these days? If the answer is nothing, I’m sorry to be strict—but that answer has to change. If you’re college-bound, you need to be interested in many things and informed about many things. Easiest way to do that? Read about many things.
Welcome to my second annual guide to titles you might enjoy for growing your reading habit …
Nonfiction
Genre review time: Please do me a favor and don’t go into a bookstore and ask for the Nonfiction section. (Yes, adults do that all the time.) “Nonfiction” is anything that is not made up—it includes biographies, science, history, self-improvement, business, test preparation … any number of things. It’s the way to learn more about things that interest you … or things that will interest you!
Atomic Habits, James Clear
The latest bestseller in the recently exploding Habits genre. Clear writes a lot that echoes other books on habits I’ve read, but he really emphasizes the importance of changing your identity to change your behavior. That is, from now on you aren’t “trying to read more.” You’re just “a big reader.”
The Kindness Diaries: One Man’s Quest to Ignite Goodwill and Transform Lives Around the World, Leon Logothetis
A good memoir is like a conversation with a thoughtful and interesting person, and while this one has been criticized for being a bit too self-aware, I thought it was sweet and enjoyable.
The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell
I love books that make unexpected connections with things I already knew—like the chapter in this book that made me rethink Paul Revere’s ride (an event I thought I knew well, given that a man dressed as Revere rode by my house on horseback every April 19 for the majority of my childhood). Meeting Gladwell was one of the highlights of my Medill experience.
Zlata’s Diary, Zlata Filipović
World War II wasn’t actually ancient history, but to many children who grow up on memoirs and historical fiction from that era, it feels that distant. This memoir, on the other hand, from the breakup of the former Yugoslavia, feels disturbingly modern.
Chloe Flavor, Chloe Coscarelli
True confession—I love reading cookbooks. And this one has color photographs, so you get to imagine eating every single thing without the trouble of making it! But seriously, the nachos … you can thank me later.
The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate―Discoveries from A Secret World, Peter Wohlleben
I don’t usually recommend books I haven’t read yet, but we just got this one for Christmas, so I have an excuse. I have to recommend it because I don’t read too many science books, and I actually had two different people recommend this title to me just in the month of December, including one of my students. It’s apparently fascinating, and I can’t wait to start!
Fiction
(AKA novels … and occasionally picture books.)
Impossible, Nancy Werlin
This fantasy book is so serious it feels true, and weaves together unexpected elements to a conclusion that feels both astonishing and inevitable—the mark of a really clever storyteller.
Five Flavors of Dumb, Antony John
One of my students bought me this title at a school bookfair many years ago—the main character and narrator is one you’ll enjoy hanging out with, and you’ll cheer for her to succeed at the near-impossible task she sets herself.
Alice Bliss, Laura Harrington
Even though the book is not written in consistent first-person, it made me feel the main character’s emotions so deeply. I’m afraid I can’t say much more without giving away too much, but … read it.
Ophelia, Lisa M. Klein
Any Shakespeare fans out there? If you didn’t love the original Hamlet, this book might actually make you love it.
The Great Good Thing, Roderick Townley
This is a young reader’s book I read to my daughter this year—I loved the cleverness of the plot, in which the main character knew she was the main character in a book, and the classic hero story in which she stepped up to save her world when she was needed.
A Little Princess, Francess Hodgson Burnett
OK, another young reader—but this one’s a classic! The heroine’s goodness is a little too good to be real, but she’s so likeable just the same, and you’re going to want to see her have a happy ending.
The Bean Trees, Barbara Kingsolver
This main character is much more believable—that is, less perfect—than the little princess, but again, so likeable. You’ll want to travel with her and see where she ends up.
Dream: A Tale of Wonder, Wisdom & Wishes, Susan V. Bosak
This belongs in the category of picture books like Dr. Seuss’s Oh, the Places You’ll Go! as something ostensibly written for children, but really more inspirational for people old enough to understand the message it’s giving. Also, it won awards for its illustrations …
Your turn—what is the best book you’ve read this year?
(Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash)
