A collection of thoughts and reads for the new year
Here's a compilation of what I read throughout 2022. My collection of books, essays, and favorite Substack reads, which will hopefully inspire you to jump on the reading bandwagon.
Another year just passed. Another one for the collection. After all, this is all there is. A collection of days, memories, opportunities to love and to learn. A collection of experiences and adventures, friends, destinations. Another chance at life, at relationships, at challenges that seem too big to overcome at the time… at conversations we still don’t quite know how to have, but it doesn’t stop us from trying (and we should keep trying). A new year just started… and we begin again.
Some days may feel like a thousand years, and some years may feel like a thousand lives, but our collection of thoughts and desires, and fears, and places, and lessons, and photos, and books, and recipes, and smiles, and tears, and grocery lists, and goals, and longings and loved ones, is what makes us who we are. All these things tell our story. This is all there is, and it’s magical.
I have learned over time that welcoming a new year (or even a new day) with an open mind and an open heart, makes it more worthwhile. An excellent way to have (and maintain) an open mind is through reading. So, without further ado, here is the collection of books I read in 2022 (some I listened to on Audible).
Lifespan: Why We Age and Why We Don’t Have To by David A. Sinclair, PhD. This was a Christmas 2021 present, so it was the first book I read in 2022. I’m not going to lie, I felt a bit intimidated after reading the first page. Too much science, too many words I did not understand, but I loved learning about genetics and how to create and maintain a healthier lifestyle.
Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Kristin Neff, PhD. I was also skeptical about starting this one, but, if you’ve ever felt that you’re too hard on yourself, I definitely recommend it. I adopted the learnings from this book throughout last year and drastically changed my self-perception and the way I reacted to or embraced life situations.
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D. You’re probably starting to see a pattern with these books. I did a lot of (overdue) work on myself last year and I am grateful for it.
The Incredible and Sad Tale of Innocent Eréndira and Her Heartless Grandmother by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. My first trip in 2022 was to Cartagena, Colombia and I took the opportunity to buy a few of Garcia Marquez’ books from a little pop-up bookstore under the clock tower of the Old City, to read on the flight back home.
Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Another purchase from Cartagena. This is a re-read for me and of my favorites by Garcia Marquez.
Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell. I listened to this one on Audible, narrated by Gladwell himself. Great listen and thought-provoking.
Woke Racism: How a New Religion Has Betrayed America by John McWhorter. Amazing read. McWhorter confirmed my thoughts on woke America over the past couple of years and showed evidence of how detrimental the movement - or religion, as he calls it - really is. I’d realized I, too, had been gaslighted.
Liarmouth: A feel-Bad Romance by John Waters. Probably the most bizarre book I’ve ever read. I saw an interview with Waters promoting this book (his latest) and was curious enough to give it a try. Kind of clever, sometimes funny, very bizarre.
Often Wrong, Never in Doubt by Donny Deutsch. This book was motivational, funny, and reminded me why I fell in love with advertising as a career in the first place. Some references didn’t exactly age well, but…oh well. I briefly referenced Deutsch in my first essay.
Who Stole Feminism? by Christina Hoff Sommers. The most dense read of the year, for sure. Although it was published in 1994, some of the principles and evidence presented in this book were very eye-opening and thought-provoking.
Animal Farm by George Orwell. First time I read this and wanted to see what all the buzz was about. Orwell was a genius and I really enjoyed listening to this story on Audible.
Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury. Read this one for Halloween and loved it.
The House of The Spirits by Isabel Allende. First time reading this iconic Latin American writer. This is her first novel and it captured me from the beginning. I loved it so much that I then read her latest novel…
Violeta by Isabel Allende. Some of us followed TikTok dances or baked sourdough bread during the pandemic, while Allende wrote a whole new novel that chronicled the 100-year life of its main character. A great read from beginning to end.
In the essay category:
The White Album by Joan Didion
“Why I Write” by Joan Didion
“Marriage and Love” and “The Philosophy of Atheism” by Emma Goldman
“Stephen King on What Authentic Maine Cuisine Means to Him” by Stephen King
In the Substack category:
I’ll share my favorite Substack writers here, instead of specific essays. Hope you find one that sparks your interest and give these writers a follow!
: Great for self-reflection. Always a good lesson in Tobias’ essays.: Love writing and food? Me too! This is why I follow Cat's writing. Melancholic and raw. Magic. I really admire her writing style.: I really enjoy Bari's take on current events and her pursuit to bring back objective journalism and stories that matter.: Laurel's Substack is exactly the dose I need for fashion, style and life. Her essays about everything and nothing are so relatable, funny and real.
Thanks for the shout out 😊✌🏻