This is a list of nonfiction read in 2022.
LATE DECEMBER
Dignity: Seeking Respect in Back Row America, by Chris Arnade (2019)
A wealthy man quits his job and roams the forgotten places across the country to get a better understanding of what makes us human.
Souvenir of Canada, by Douglas Coupland (2002)
A coffee table examining what makes life in Canada so peculiar compared to somewhere like the States, England or Australia.
Lafayette in the Somewhat United States, by Sarah Vowell (2015)
An entertaining, breezy look at one of the forgotten Founding Fathers.
Flying High: The Complete Book of Flyball, by Joan Payne (1996)
An introduction to the dog sport of flyball from an enthusiast perspective.
Total read: 4.
JANUARY
Flyball Racing: The Dog Sport for Everyone, by Lonnie Olson (1997)
An introduction to the dog sport of flyball from a coaching perspective.
Offside: Soccer and American Exceptionalism, by Andrei S. Markovits and Steven L. Hellerman (2001)
An interesting academic look at why soccer didn't really ever develop as a major sport in the United States.
Cheer! Three Teams of a Quest for College Cheerleading's Ultimate Prize, (also titled Cheer! Inside the Secret World of College Cheerleading) by Kate Torgovnick (2009)
Friday Night Lights for competitive cheer, following the Stephen F Austin Large Coed, Memphis All-Girl and Southern Varsity teams through the 2006-07 school year. This was fantastic.
Selling Radio: The Commercialization of American Broadcasting 1920-1934, by Susan Smulyan (1994)
An academic history of how the medium of radio became so commercialized.
Doggerel: Great Poets on Remarkable Dogs, compiled and illustrated by Martha Paulos (1990)
A short collection of canine-centric poetry.
Baseball When the Grass was Real: Baseball from the Twenties to the Forties, Told by the Men who Played It, compiled by Donald Honig (1976)
A series of interviews with baseball players from the in-between-the-wars years.
The Art of Space Jam, edited by Charles Carney and Allen Helbig (1996)
A behind-the-scenes look at the art that went into the making of Space Jam. Though an awkward size, it was fantastic.
Total read this month: 7, bringing total to 11.
FEBRUARY
Take the Cannoli, by Sarah Vowell (2000)
An autobiographical collection of essays by historian Sarah Vowell about the Trail of Tears, gun culture, band geekery, and much more.
Home Game: Hockey and Life in Canada, by Ken Dryden and Roy MacGregor (1989)
A fascinating look at how the game of hockey infiltrates life in Canada from the local level to the superpowers of the National Hockey League.
So You Want to Be a Sportscaster: The Techniques and Skills of Sports Announcing by One of the Country's Most Experienced Broadcasters, by Ken Coleman (1973)
While very outdated, this introductory look behind the microphone of Boston Red Sox radio voice Ken Coleman was mildly interesting.
Steve and Me, by Terri Irwin (2007)
A perfect memoir of Steve and Terri Irwin's life together.
Fortune and Glory: A True Hollywood Comic Book Story, written and illustrated by Brian Michael Bendis (2000)
A nonfiction graphic novel about the failed process of adapting a graphic novel into a film during the late 1990s.
The Land, Always the Land, by Mel Ellis (written 1977, published 1997)
This book of essays by Milwaukee Journal nature writer was amazing, with very Wendell Berry, Noel Perrin, Thornton Burgess vibes.
American Idol: The Untold Story, by Richard Rushfield (2011)
An LA Times journalist delivers a very readable and thorough accounting of the first decade of the hit TV series.
Extra Lives: Why Video Games Matter, by Tom Bissell (2011)
A stoner journalist/fanboy examines video games of the PS2/PS3/Xbox 360 era and how they kind of defy categorization amongst other forms of media and narratives.
Look Back with Love, by Dodie Smith (1974)
The playwright's memoir about her childhood in late-Victorian England. Borrowed from Mrs. Graham.
Bartending for Dummies, by Ray Foley (2010)
A Dummies book explaining the basics of bartending, with a lot of cocktail recipes. Found at the OKC library book sale.
Total read this month: 10, bringing total to 21.
MARCH
Wicked Bugs: The Louse That Conquered Napoleon's Army and Other Diabolical Insects, written by Amy Stewart, illustrated by Briony Morrow-Cribbs (2011)
Found at the OKC library book sale, this book is a breezy history of gross bugs.
The Complete Book of Scriptwriting, by J. Michael Stracynski (written 1981, revised 1996)
An easy-to-read textbook that is fairly outdated, though the conceptual areas were still helpful.
Awkward Family Pet Photos, compiled by Mike Bender and Doug Chernack (2011)
A photo book of awkward family pet photos.
Radio On: A Listener's Diary, by Sarah Vowell (1996)
Kind of a mid-90's Twitter feed, Vowell kept a diary of pop culture as she tried to listen to the radio every day while in grad school, which led to becoming an NPR contributor and historian.
Newspaper Blackout, by Austin Kleon (2010)
This poetry anthology was created by blacking out words in newspaper clippings, arranging them into a blank verse.
Parallel Worlds: An Anthropologist and a Writer Encounter Africa, by Alma and Phillip Gregory (1993)
An anthropologist and her novelist husband move to Ivory Coast for about a year. Rather dense, but interesting. Found at the OKC library book sale.
Tales of an African Vet, by Roy Aronson (2011)
A veterinarian in South Africa shares some of his adventures. Found at the OKC library book sale.
Absinthe and Flamethrowers: Projects and Ruminations on the Art of Living Dangerously, by William Gurstelle (2009)
At best, this is a guidebook for being scarily eccentric. At worst, this could lead to major property damage (think Jan 6 riots). Found at the OKC library book sale by the author of Backyard Ballistics, the Vision Forum people would love it.
Total read this month: 8, bringing total to 29.
APRIL
Do's and Taboos of Using English Around the World, by Roger Axtell (1995)
This is a nonfiction work on language written for international businesspeople that is fairly dated in its lingo. Found at the OKC library book sale.
Vic Braden's Mental Tennis: How to Psych Yourself to a Better Game, by Vic Braden and Robert Wool (1993)
A guide for mentally improving your tennis tenacity, and thus your game.
Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community, by Robert D. Putnam (2000)
A very dense but fascinating sociological look at why community collapsed during the second half of the twentieth century. Would be interesting to see how those trends changed over the first quarter of the 21st century. Found at the OKC library book sale.
The Calculus Wars: Newton, Leibniz, and the Greatest Mathematical Clash of All Time, by Jason Socrates Bardi (2006)
An extremely thorough account of the late seventeenth-century feud over who invented calculus. I don't understand math well enough to be very interested. Found at the OKC library book sale.
Lab Girl, by Hope Jahren (2016)
A terrific memoir about botany, like if Jemma Simmons wrote a book. Found at the Helmerich library book sale.
Canadian Sayings 3, by Bill Casselman (2004)
A collection of Canadian folk sayings. Found at the OKC library book sale.
Fishing for Dummies, by Peter Kaminsky (1997)
A thorough overview of all things fishing (or technically, "angling"). Found at the OKC library book sale.
Total read this month: 7, bringing total to 36.
MAY
All the President's Men, by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward (1974)
A third-person account of the Watergate investigation, written by the primary reporters on the story. Fascinating as journalism history, but a dense read. Found at the OKC library book sale.
Winning Ugly: Mental Warfare in Tennis - Lessons from a Master, by Brad Gilbert and Steve Jamison (1993)
This was mainly interesting because Brad Gilbert was Andre Agassi's coach.
Wallace: The Underdog who Conquered a Sport, Saved a Marriage, and Championed Pit Bulls - One Flying Disc at a Time, by Jim Gorant (2012)
An oddly distant look at how American Ninja Warrior's Roo Yori got into dog rescue and canine sports. Found at the Helmerich library book sale.
Total read this month: 3, bringing total to 39.
JUNE
Harvest for Hope:, by Jane Goodall, Gary McAvoy and Gail Hudson (2005)
This book advocating for vegetarianism and organic growing practices was very thought-provoking.
How to Tell Stories to Children (and Everyone Else, Too), by Silke Rose West and Joseph Sarosy (2019)
This primer on storytelling from New Mexico kindergarten teachers was very much worth reading.
More Holy Humor, collected by Cal and Rose Samra (1997)
A collection of church-related jokes and one-liners. Found at the Okmulgee library book sale.
Accidental Presidents: Eight Men who Changed America, by Jared Cohen (2019)
A very thoroughly-researched history of vice presidents who became president unexpectedly. Found at the OKC library book sale.
Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life, by Richard Rohr (2011)
Like Chesterton and Flannery O'Connor, about half of what this Catholic priest said seemed very right, and the other half was puzzling and confusing.
Total read this month: 5, bringing total to 44.
JULY
The Entertainment Weekly Guide to the Greatest Movies Ever Made (1994)
A good thumbnail review look at their 100 best picks in a variety of genres. Found at the Okmulgee library book sale.
The Freedom Writers Diary, by Erin Gruwell and the Freedom Writers (1999)
A slightly-anonymized account of how a teacher inspired a diverse group of inner-city kids at Long Beach Wilson High School to reach for the sky throughout the late 90s.
Consuming Passions: A Food-Obsessed Life, by Michael Lee West (1999)
A food-obsessed boomer shares stories about growing up in the South. Found at the Okmulgee library book sale.
Cinematherapy: The Girl's Guide to Movies for Every Mood, by Nancy K. and Beverly (1999)
Two movie-buff cousins teamed up to write this entertaining guide to movie selections. Found at the Okmulgee library book sale.
Instant Analysis: How You Can Understand - and Change - the 100 Most Common, Puzzling, Annoying, Self-Defeating Behaviors and Habits, by David Lieberthal (1997)
A surface-level self-help guide by a psychologist. Found at the Okmulgee library book sale.
The Unemployed College Graduate's Survival Guide: How to Get Your Life Together, Deal with Debt, and Find a Job After College, by Bonnie Kerrigan Snyder (2012)
With a very condescending tone, this wasn't very helpful. Found at the OKC library book sale.
Dear Cary: My Life with Cary Grant, by Dyan Cannon (2011)
A memoir by one of Cary Grant's wives about their marriage in the mid-1960s.
Total read this month: 7, bringing total to 51.
AUGUST
October Sky/Rocket Boys, by Homer H. Hickam Jr (1998)
Published under both titles, this memoir tells how a group of high schoolers in rural West Virginia taught themselves rocketry for fun during the Space Race. Found at the Helmerich library book sale.
How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day, by Michael J. Gelb (1998)
A pretentious academic love letter to Leonardo disguised as a self-help book. Found at the Okmulgee library book sale.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life, by Mark Manson (2016)
Jessica recommended this oddly inspirational self-help book.
Party of One: Truth, Longing, and the Subtle Art of Singleness, by Joy Beth Smith (2017)
While mainly written with women in mind, a well-written acknowledgement of the struggles of being single as a Christian. Found at the OKC library book sale.
Movie Nights: 25 Movies to Spark Spiritual Discussions with Your Teen, edited by Bob Smithouser (2002)
This PluggedIn work wasn't as unhinged as Focus on the Family eventually became, but it's still....not great.
The Joy of Sex, by Alex Comfort (1972)
This was a kind of dictionary.
She Comes First, by Ian Kerner (2004)
A guide for how men ought to treat women.
Faster Than Normal: Turbocharge Your Focus, Productivity, and Success with the Secrets of the ADHD Brain, by Peter Shankman (2017)
A less-than-helpful guide to living with ADHD. Found at the Helmerich library book sale.
The Final Call: Hockey Stories from a Legend in Stripes, by Kerry (2010)
A referee looks back on his three decades of officiating experience in the NHL. While writing obviously isn't his primary skill, this was done pretty well.
The Big Bam: The Life and Times of Babe Ruth, by Leigh Montville (2006)
A solid biography of Babe Ruth.
The Big Fella: Babe Ruth and the World He Created, by Jane Leavy (2017)
This biography had a peculiar structure that made it difficult to read.
Total read this month: 11, bringing total to 62.
SEPTEMBER
My Life in Dog Years, by Gary Paulsen (1998)
A memoir of questionable truth of Paulsen's Jack London-ish life and some of the important dogs that took part in it. Found at the Sapulpa library book sale.
Whedonistas: A Celebration of the Worlds of Joss Whedon by the Women who Love Them, edited by Lynne M. Thomas and Deborah Stanish (2011)
This collection of essays was very interesting, coming from a feminine perspective.
The Men We Need: God's Purpose for the Manly Man, the Avid Indoorsman, or Any Man Willing to Show Up, by Brant Hansen (2022)
This was actually pretty good for being a book on masculinity, especially Christian masculinity.
Total read this month: 3, bringing total to 65.
OCTOBER
Bad Trips, edited by Keath Fraser (1991)
A mostly British/Canadian collection of travel writing about unpleasant journeys.
The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible, by A.J. Jacobs (2007)
This humorous memoir was entertaining and thought-provoking in about equal measure.
Ol' Boyd: Just Plain Good Readin', by Bill Boyd (1984)
A collection of columns from the Macon Telegraph and News from the late 70s/early 80s. Found at the Okmulgee library book sale.
A Marvelous Life: The Amazing Story of Stan Lee, by Danny Fingeroth (2019)
This was a very good biography of Stanley Martin Lieber.
Golf for Dummies, by Gary McCord and John Huggan (1996)
A very thorough overview of the basics of the mysterious and pretentious game of golf.
Total read this month: 5, bringing total to 70.
NOVEMBER
Citizen Hearst: A Biography of William Randolph Hearst, by W.R. Swanberg (1961)
This exhaustive and well-written biography was fascinating; the newspaper tycoon was essentially a combination of Teddy Roosevelt and Donald Trump, and he was probably bi.
A Backward Glance, by Edith Wharton (1933)
This autobiography/memoir drags on in the second half, but it was a worthwhile read.
Total read this month: 2, bringing total to 72.
DECEMBER
Glory Days Indiana: Legends of Indiana High School Basketball, by Dick Denny (2006)
Reminisces of an elderly Indianapolis sports reporter with high school and college legends of the recent and far past.
Chicken Soup for the Gardener's Soul: 101 Stories to Sow Seeds of Love, Hope and Laughter, edited by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Cynthia Bryan, Cindy Buck, Marion Owen, Pat Stone and Carol Sturgulewski (2000)
A collection of stories and poems about the joys and miracles of gardening. It seems like a nice hobby to have.
He Comes Next/Passionista, by Ian Kerner (2008)
Published under both titles, the sequel/companion to She Comes First, about how women should treat men.
The Complete How to Kazoo: User's Guide and Practicioner's Manual, by Barbara Stewart (written 1983, revised 2006)
A tongue-in-cheek guide to playing the kazoo, which feels like it should have been a Klutz book.
Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition, by Daniel Okrent (2010)
A very thorough and interesting history of the curiously awful experiment known as Prohibition. From the Okmulgee library.
My Father and Atticus Finch: A Lawyer's Fight for Justice in 1930s Alabama, by Joseph Madison Beck (2016)
An elederly lawyer retells the story of one of his father's cases that may have indirectly inspired Harper Lee's plot for To Kill a Mockingbird. From the Okmulgee library.
The Good Girl's Guide to Bad Girl Sex, by Barbara Keesling (2001)
While aimed at women, this was interesting from a psychology perspective, may be useful as a reference work for fiction.
Knucklehead: Tall Tales and Mostly True Stories of Growing Up Scieszka, by Jon Scieszka (2008)
A fun memoir of Jon Scieszka's childhood years in Flint, Michigan, in the 1960s/70s. From the Okmulgee library.
Total read this month: 8, bringing total for year to 80. When added to 107 fiction books read, that means I87 read books for 2022.
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