I kept track again this year, and in spite of my concern that the number of books I would read in 2022 was less than the number in 2021, I managed to keep consistent: 46. The secret was to read shorter books, in general. It’d be interesting to keep a page count someday. Here are the ones I enjoyed the most, with numbers referring to the order in the year I read them.
3, 35, 45) Maigrets by Georges Simenon: The Cellars of The Majestic, Maigret and the Wine Merchant, Maigret and the Calame Report
I don’t know why I keep coming back to these, but I do – they are like candy to me. I appreciate how Simenon was able, so briefly, to outline characters in such a way that they felt fleshed out. It’s sort of like that famous video of Picasso painting a bull with just a few strokes – you know what it is he’s doing, you can follow it yourself, but it requires real skill to pull off. Not sure how many I’ll get to in 2023 but I’ll bet it’ll be at least another 3. Side note: I also read another Simenon, a non-Maigret book called The Engagement (#28). Bleaker than others, yet still truly human.
[Simenon] does not present the inconsequence of human life in order to convert the reader to any gospel. His aim is simply to show the naked human animal. It is as if he is saying, “This is a human life; do not turn away.” We do not turn away. Simenon achieves the rare feat of entertaining us with the truth.
Afterword by John Gray, “The Engagement” by Georges Simenon
25, 29, 40, 43) The Ægypt Series by John Crowley (The Solitudes, Love and Sleep, Dæmonomania, Endless Things)
I have read these numerous times, but never so close together in time, and now having done so they made more “sense” to me. The last book in the series, Endless Things, in particular felt more like a natural completion than I had remembered it being. What lovely writing, and what a lovely idea of how our thoughts can create – or uncreate – worlds. And Pierce Moffatt is as unlikely a protagonist as they come.
1) The Art of Solitude, Stephen Batchelor
He is a guide and a companion to me, and I think would be to anyone else who is afraid of being alone with their thoughts. 32 short essays on different experiences he has had with solitude, and the effects they’ve had on him. One I will return to.
12) Anarchist Communism, Peter Kropotkin
What is there to say? “The right to well-being: well-being for all”. I appreciate his ability to be idealistic in spots while realistic about what people actually need in their lives to thrive: food, clothing, shelter at a minimum. Once those are achieved for all, then the work of the revolution can truly begin.
20) Life A User’s Manual, Georges Perec
This was one of my two “big books” for the year. Interlinked stories about real-seeming people – fitting together like a puzzle. I was fearing wordplay and showing-off, but what I got was humane and elegant storytelling (and writing; I can’t imagine having translated this thing). Beautifully done.
38) Fingers Crossed: How Music Saved Me From Success, Miki Berenyi
I loved the band Lush. I loved the songs, the arrangements, the musicianship, and I am still thrilled I got to see them more than 30 years ago. To read about Miki’s childhood (equal parts scary, thrilling, sad, toxic) and how she got from there to being in a band I adored was fascinating. I would love to read Emma Anderson’s take as well, which, who knows, maybe that will get written someday; but I am so happy to have read this, and it makes me appreciate what she and Emma and Steve and Chris and Phil accomplished even more.
I think those were the highlights. 2022 was a good year for me to find things to read as well as to listen to, so I am grateful. Best wishes to all for a grand 2023!