Movies of 2022

 This is a list of movies watched in 2022. 

JANUARY

Luca (2021)

     A rather thin, though fantastic to look at, Pixar story of friendship in an early 1950s Italian coastal town. Very gay vibes.

Ender's Game (2013)

     Based on Orson Scott Card's sci-fi classic, this movie has Harrison Ford, Angela Bassett and Hailee Steinfeld in the cast, and mostly works in translating a near-unfilmable story. 

Encanto (2021)

     With songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, this is a brilliant story of magical realism set in the mountains of Columbia. 

Stepsister from Planet Weird (2000)

      This DCOM was appropriately bizarre and audacious for its era; featuring windsurfing and aliens. Fairly pleasant watch.  

Total watched this month: 4.

FEBRUARY

Cool Runnings (1993)

     Watched as a WCT Movie Night pick, this loose retelling of the 1988 Jamaican bobsled team doesn't really hold up. 

Marry Me (2022)

     Jennifer Lopez is a celebrity who marries math teacher Owen Wilson on a whim in this peculiar romcom. Wilson is badly miscast.  

Super Fast! (2015)

     This spoof is an entertaining parody of the Fast and Furious franchise. 

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

     Watched as a WCT Movie Night pick, this contemporary retelling of The Taming of the Shrew is far better than its source material, with a great soundtrack and a terrific ensemble cast including Heath Ledger and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. 

Total watched this month: 4, bringing total to 8.

MARCH

Sydney White (2007)

     This contemporary college-set adaptation of Snow White starring Amanda Bynes makes the Bring It On series look like award-winning material.  

World War Z (2013)

     Brad Pitt stars in this disjointed action movie based on the far-better novel of the same title. Found at the OKC library book sale. 

Batman Forever (1995)

     The third of the original Batman series, Val Kilmer was decent as Bruce Wayne, and Nicole Kidman's Chase Meridian was excellent. Tommy Lee Jones and Jim Carrey as Two-Face and the Riddler aren't great. 

Batman and Robin (1997)

     George Clooney does not make a good Batman/Bruce Wayne. This movie was a mess, though it does have Alicia Silverstone. 

The Love Bug (1967)

     The first of the Herbie series, which still holds up pretty well as a pleasant diversion. 

Rewatch of Encanto

      This was a WCT Movie Night pick. 

The Outsiders (1982)

     With a cast including Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Tom Cruise and Matt Dillon, this look at gang life in mid-1960s Tulsa is just as thoughtful and confounding as the YA novel it's based on. 

Total watched this month: 5, bringing total to 13.

APRIL

Hulk (2003)

     This extremely serious Incredible Hulk origin story starring Jennifer Connelly, Eric Bana and Sam Elliott is simultaneously way better than it ought to be and nearly unbearable due to its glacial pace. From a DVD resell haul, as are most of the rest this month.  

Galaxy Quest (1999)

     Tim Allen stars in this ensemble Star Trek spoof about actors abducted by aliens to perform an actual diplomatic space mission. From a resell haul. 

Fever Pitch (2005)

     Drew Barrymore stars as a girlboss financial wizard who falls for Jimmy Fallon's baseball-obsessed math teacher. This romcom is nearly perfect for reasons I can't pin down right now. From a resell haul. 

Olivia Rodrigo: driving home 2 u (2022)

     This Disney Plus documentary of the SOUR album isn't quite as good as the folklore one, but it isn't bad. 

Getting There (2002)

     This Olsen twins movie stars Mary-Kate and Ashley as Southern California teens on a disastrous road trip with friends to the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. It was fine, though mostly forgettable. From a resell haul. 

Taxi (2004)

     Queen Latifah is a speed-obsessed taxi driver, Jimmy Fallon a hapless detective, and together they chase the bank-robbing wives of Tom Brady and Jeff Gordon. Henry Simmons and Patton Oswalt have minor roles as well, and this movie is somehow worse than the Fantastic Four movies (which had the same director.) From a resell haul.

The Challenge (2003)

     Their final direct-to-video movie, MK and Ashley are twins who hate each other forced to work together on a Survivor clone to earn college scholarships. Pretty good, and ends on an entertaining meta note. From a resell haul.  

Twilight (2008)

     This movie was boring and odd - still don't get the hype from high school, though Anna Kendrick and the baseball scene are both decent. From a resell haul.

Raise Your Voice (2004)

     This Hilary Duff movie follows an Arizona teenager at a music summer camp in Los Angeles as she deals with the grief of her older brother's death. Pretty good movie, though a bit formulaic. From a resell haul.  

Death on the Nile (2022)

     The sequel to Murder on the Orient Express, it has Kenneth Brannagh back as Poirot, with Gal Gadot, Letitia Wright, and a bunch of other familiar faces.  

She's the Man (2006)

     Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum star in this loose adaptation of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. While one of the most well-known teen movies of the decade, it's pretty overrated. From a resell haul. 

Picture This (2008)

     Ashley Tisdale is a nerdy teen dealing with her control-freak father in the late 2000s, when camera phones are new tech. This "miscellanous adventures" movie also stars Robbie Amell. From a DVD resell haul. 

Nancy Drew (2007)

     Emma Roberts' breakout movie is....strange. Kind of sweet, but just really....bizarre. From a resell haul. 

Bridge to Terabithia (2007)

     This slow movie starring AnnaSophia Robb and Josh Hutcherson is oddly paced, but fine. From a resell haul. 

Material Girls (2006)

     From a script designed for the Olsens, Hilary and Haylie Duff are cosmetic heiresses who lose all their money in a company scandal. It doesn't quite work. From a resell haul.  

Bandslam (2009)

     Starring Vanessa Hudgens, Aly Michalka, Lisa Kudrow and Scott Porter, this aggressively mediocre high school film would work better as a novel. From a resell haul. 

Cheaper by the Dozen (2003)

     Steve Martin, Bonnie Hunt, Piper Perabo, Hilary Duff, Ashton Kutcher, Tom Welling and Alyson Stoner all in the same movie? This is much deeper than I remembered, and fun, too. From a resell haul.   

Total watched this month: 17, bringing total to 30. 

MAY

Turning Red (2022)

     The latest Pixar movie about a teenage girl in Toronto in the early 2000's going through puberty. It was fine, but not being a girl, I wasn't able to appreciate it as well as it ought to have been. 

Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (2005)

     The Bakers go on vacation in Wisconsin as new chapters begin for many of them. 

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

     Dr Strange vs the Scarlet Witch in this intense, latest MCU entry that falls somewhere midpack overall in the rankings. Watched in theaters with Trevor. 

Scott Pilgrim Versus the World (2010)

     Based on Bryan Lee O'Malley's graphic novel series, this musical action romcom is a blast with a loaded cast, including Michael Cera, Brie Larson, Chris Evans, Aubrey Plaza, Brandon Routh and Anna Kendrick. An unofficial WCT Movie Night Favorite. 

Mystery Men (1999)

     This unofficial WCT Movie Night Favorite is an odd ensemble comedy starring Ben Stiller and William H. Macy, which is too serious to be a good comedy and too bizarre to be a drama. Still, an enjoyable watch to the superhero genre. 

But I'm a Cheerleader (1998)

     A high schooler discovers she's a lesbian at a re-education camp in this satire. Another WCT Movie Night Favorite. 

Venom (2017)

     This sort-of-Spider-Man-adjacent movie starring Tom Hardy as an unethical journalist is kind of a mess all over. From a resell haul. 

Uncharted (2022)

     Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg star in this fun adventure movie based on the PlayStation video game series. 

Batman Returns (1992)

     This sequel is very Tim Burton-y.  Didn't quite get the hype. From a resell haul. 

Batman (1989)

     Michael Keaton is fine as Batman and Bruce Wayne, but Jack Nicholson isn't scary as the Joker. From a resale haul. 

X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

     The first of the Wolverine trilogy, this X-Men prequel is really depressing. From a resell haul.  

 Uptown Girls (2002)

     Brittany Murphy from Clueless is a spoiled heiress forced to become the nanny of a neurotic third-grader (Dakota Fanning). Peculiar and not especially memorable, though the light tone was nice after a slew of heavy films. . 

Total watched this month: 12, bringing total to 42. 

JUNE 

Logan (2017)

     A fitting end and fantastic art in this closing chapter of the X-Men universe. From a resell haul. 

X-Men: First Class (2011)

     The first of the prequel trilogy starring Jennifer Lawrence; this holds up pretty well. 

X-Men: Apocalypse (2015)

     The close of the prequel trilogy, featuring Oscar Isaac as the ancient Egyptian villain Apokolips. 

Watchmen (2009)

     This Zack Snyder movie, a somewhat loose adaptation of Alan Moore's graphic novel, is extremely long and Zack Snyder-y, which doesn't make good viewing. From a resell haul. 

Batman Begins (2005)

     This opening chapter of the Nolan trilogy is extremely dull, with Katie Holmes badly miscast. From a resell haul. 

The Dark Knight (2008)

     Still overly serious, but Heath Ledger is amazing as the Joker. From a resell haul. 

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

     An underwhelming finale to the trilogy, Anne Hathaway is great as Catwoman. From a resell haul. 

Superman Returns (2006)

     A boring movie starring Brandon Routh, but not as bad as everyone says. From a resale haul. 

Casablanca (1942)

     The WWII classic starring Humphrey Bogart. I can see why it holds that status after finally watching it. 

Blue Crush (2002)

     Kate Bosworth stars in this surfing movie based on an Outside Magazine article by Susan Orlean. 

Total watched this month: 10, bringing total to 52. 

JULY

Johnny Be Good (1988)

     Anthony Michael Hall isn't very convincing as a hotshot high school quarterback, but this odd film at least tries to shine a light on the corrupt world of college sports. Also includes a very young RDJ as the best friend. 

Summer '03 (2018)

     Joey King is a Cincinnati high schooler who has a fling with an apprentice priest while trying to deal with her grandmother's death. This is a very strange film. 

Independence Day (1996)

     Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum and Will Smith are some of the stars in this alien invasion blockbuster, which holds up pretty well. 

Passport to Paris (1999)

     This is a fun, solid Olsen movie in the "travel to Europe and lighthearted shenanigans ensue" genre, as boy-crazy middle schoolers visit their ambassador grandfather.

Billboard Dad (1998)

     MK and Ashley are the daughters of a sculptor who take online dating (before the internet) into their own hands. Oddly static editing and camera work, which may be done on purpose to match Dad's colossal metal statues? Unusually, Ashley plays the athletic one here.  

Scooby-Doo: The Movie (2002)

     For a kids movie, writer/director James Gunn delivered with a story that is vaguely frightening and extremely sexy. Sarah Michelle Gellar and Linda Cardellini shine, but everyone was cast really well.

13 Going on 30 (2004)

     This fantastic Jennifer Garner/Mark Ruffalo romcom never gets old. Also includes Judy Greer, Andy Serkis and Brie Larson in supporting roles.   

Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (2004)

     This sequel was very neutered, but good reaction moments and silent acting still shines through. Alicia Silverstone and While You Were Sleeping's Peter Boyle have supporting roles. 

Switching Goals (1999)

     One of my favorite movies growing up, MK is the soccer star on a bad team, Ashley the popular fashionista trying to gain Dad's approval. 

Total watched this month: 9, bringing total to 61. 

AUGUST

Attack of the 50-Foot Cheerleader (2008)

     This was a random movie I found on Tubi, which Ted Raimi as a science professor. A nerdy college cheerleader accidentally becomes a monster due to a lab accident. 

The Best of Times (1986)

     Kurt Russell and Robin Williams star in this odd tale of a re-enactment of a high school football game in Central California. 

Draft Day (2012)

     This movie about the Draft Day for the Cleveland Browns has a LOADED cast, including Kevin Costner, Jennifer Garner, Chadwick Boseman, Tom Welling, Sam Elliott and a lot of other people. 

Total watched this month: 3, bringing total to 64.

SEPTEMBER

Miss Congeniality (2001)

      Sandra Bullock and Michael Caine star in this comedy about a beauty pageant. From a DVD resell haul. 

 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2002)

     The first of the HP movies, this was decent. From a DVD haul. 

Bridget Jones's Diary 

     Renee Zellweger stars in this extremely British romcom. From a DVD haul. 

The Quick and the Dead (1995)

     This Sam Raimi-directed Western is fantastic, with a cast that includes Sharon Stone and Leonardo DiCaprio. From a DVD haul. 

Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)

     If I thought Ragnarok was bad, this was a million times worse. Like Eternals, there were some good ideas in here somewhere, but execution was a total mess. 

Total watched this month: 5, bringing total to 69. 

OCTOBER

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

     This indie romcom was oddly inert, but kind of sweet in a peculiar way. From a DVD haul. 

Death Race (2008)

     A brutal action movie that's very ACAB. Liked it much more than I expected to. From a DVD haul. 

V for Vendetta (2005)

     Based on Alan Moore's graphic novel, and starring Hugo Weaving and Natalie Portman, this was clearly a case of "The movie was better." From a DVD haul. 

Wimbledon

     Kirsten Dunst and Paul Bettany are tennis pros who fall for each other in this romcom. From a DVD haul. 

Deadpool 2 (2019)

     Like the first, this parody was an incredibly crass, heartfelt and well-crafted story.

Chris Claremont's X-Men (2019)

     This documentary about the legendary comics writer was terrific. 

Total watched this month: 6, bringing total to 75.

NOVEMBER

The Replacements (2000)

     Keanu Reeves stars as a quarterback in this very pleasant comedy loosely based on the 1988 NFL strike. 

American Dreamz (2006)

     Mandy Moore stars in this American Idol satire that tries to bite off a little more than it can chew, but it was quite entertaining. The cast also includes Dennis Quaid, Willem Defoe and Jennifer Coolidge. 

Rollerball (1975)

     A sci-fi tale that tries to be grander that it is.. For a tale about a murderous sport, it was very unviolent. 

Total watched this month: 3, bringing total to 78.

\DECEMBER

The LEGO Batman Movie (2017)

     This may actually be the best Batman movie ever made. 

Dr Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2001)

     Jim Carrey and a tiny Taylor Momsen (lead singer of rock group The Pretty Reckless) star in this curious and vaguely frightening movie directed by Ron Howard. Watched as a family because Bethany grew up on it. 

Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021)

     I knew this was going to be awful from the first trailer....and was it ever. Huge disappointment, though glad I was finally able to watch it. 

DC League of Super-Pets (2022)

     This is a really fun take on the DC characters. 

SCOOB! (2020)

     This animated film holds together pretty well, despite being wildly audacious (intended to set up a shared universe of Hanna-Barbera characters), and didn't exactly need celebrity voice actors, but it's fun. 

Man of Steel (2013)

     Henry Cavill stars in this very long and drab Superman reboot from Zack Snyder and Christopher Nolan. 

Suicide Squad (2016)

     DC movies work way better when they focus on the villains, because they're far more interesting. 

Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) (2020)

     This is a really fun, though vulgar look at Harley's healing process following her break-up with the Joker. 

The Suicide Squad (2021)

     Directed by James Gunn, this is even fouler and more violent than the first, though also more heartfelt and character-driven. 

Black Adam (2022)

     Starring the Rock as an Egyptian god, the supporting characters were far more interesting than the man story. While a very poor film, the cinematics were beautiful. 

The Incredibles (2004)

     This was watched with the commentary on to make sure the DVD part of the Xbox still worked. 

Rent (2005)

     An adaptation of the stage musical, starring Idina Menzel, Rosario Dawson and Jesse L Martin, among others; set in late 1980s NYC. 

Total watched this month: 12, bringing total for year to 90.

Fiction of 2022

 This is a list of fiction read in 2022. 

LATE DECEMBER

Marvels: Eye of the Camera, written by Kurt Busiek and Roger Stern, illustrated by Jay Anacleto (2009)

     A follow-up to the 1994 graphic novel Marvels, as Phil Sheldon grapples with the challenges of aging. 

The Daffodils, by Christi Killien (1992)

     A young girl in western Washington State tries to deal with her friends' shifting interests away from softball as puberty looms. 

Total read so far: 2.  

JANUARY

The War Boys, by Naomi Wallace (1993)

     On the Texas-Mexico border, three college-aged guys scan the border for illegal aliens in this minimalist play. 

In the Heart of America, by Naomi Wallace (1994)

     This play grapples with the Gulf War and the way war and militaries in general chews people up and spits them out as hollow, even if they survive. 

One Flea Spare, by Naomi Wallace (1995)

     Four strangers are quarantined together in this play set during a plague in 17th century London. Reading it during a pandemic added to the dramatic heft.

Slaughter City, by Naomi Wallace (1996)

     This is a highly unusual play about the immorality of the meatpacking industry. 

The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek, by Naomi Wallace (1998)

     This is set in a small town somewhere in very rural America during the Great Depression; a tale of outcast high schoolers and their unusual friendship.

Civil War: Young Avengers and Runaways, written by Zeb Wells, illustrated by Stefano Caselli (2006)

     One of the spinoffs of the Marvel Civil War storyline, this was fine. 

What I Learned Last Summer, by A.R. Gurney (1983)

      A simplistic-at-surface-level play of summer 1945 for teenagers on the Ontario border. 

Love Letters,  by A.R. Gurney (1989)

     A very unique, heartbreaking tale of lifelong love between childhood friends and the boundaries of class. RSU Theater put this on in spring 2021. 

The Golden Age, by A.R. Gurney (1983)

     A professor seeks a forgotten fragment of The Great Gatsby as an elderly woman who may possess it tries to help ease her troubled granddaughter's future. This play tried hard but didn't quite reach up to its own aspirations, as the author noted in the introduction. 

Total read this month: 9, bringing total to 11. 

FEBRUARY

All Summer Long, by Bob Greene (1993)

     Just because you're a terrific journalist doesn't mean that you'll do well at trying to write a novel, though the premise of three high school best friends reuniting in middle age for a road trip is fascinating. 

Will Grayson, Will Grayson, by John Green and David Levithan (2010)

     A dual-narrative tale in suburban Chicago about the messiness of high school, LGBT issues, and friendship. 

Sisters Red, by Jackson Pearce (2011)

     A contemporary retelling of Little Red Riding Hood with plenty of Buffy thrown in. Very enjoyable for a random YA read, found at the OKC library book sale. 

Total read this month: 3, bringing total to 14.

MARCH

The Guardian, by Nicholas Sparks (2003)

     This Sparks novel could be classified as a dog book thanks to Singer the Great Dane, but it wasn't his best. Found at the OKC library book sale.  

Azumanga Daioh Omnibus, written and illustrated by Kiyohiko Azuma (1999-2002)

     A slice-of-life sitcom manga series about a group of friends going through high school. Found at the OKC library book sale. 

Osborn: Evil Incarcerated, written by Kelly Sue DeConnick, illustrated by Emma Rios (2011)

     Norman Osborn is imprisoned following the Siege storyline in this miniseries. 

Satellite Sam, Volume One, written by Matt Fraction, illustrated by Howard Chaykim (2014)

     The first third of a hardboiled mystery set in 1951 NYC among the cast and crew of the star children's TV series of a failing network. While impressively deep, it was unsavory enough that I doubt I'll finish it. 

Alias: Jessica Jones, written by Brian Michael Bendis, illustrated by Michael Gaydos (2000)

     The debut of the character and the adult-centric Marvel MAX line that inspired the Krysten Ritter TV series. Found in a resell haul. 

Batman: Black and White, Volume Two, written and illustrated by various writers and artists (2002)

     A collection of Batman-centric short stories, done in black and white. Found in a resell haul. 

The Eyre Affair, by Jasper Fforde (2001)

     The first of the Tuesday Next series; imagine if Flavia De Luce grew up to be a SHIELD agent in Wonderland. It was bonkers and just about perfect. Found at the OKC library book sale. 

Powers: Who Killed Retro Girl?, written by Brian Michael Bendis, illustrated by Michael Avon Oeming (2000)

     The first volume of the Image crime procedural series about cops dealing with superheroes.

Spider-Girl: Legacy, written by Tom DeFalco, illustrated by Pat Olliffe (1998)

     The launch of the short-lived MC2 Universe of Marvel Comics, this follows Mayday Parker, Peter and Mary Jane's high school daughter, as she takes up her father's mantle of heroism. Deliberately written in a throwback style in opposition to the grim tone most Marvel stuff had at the time, this was a better idea in theory than on actual pages. 

Beware the Batman, written by Ivan Cohen, illustrated by Luciano Vecchio (2015)

     An underwhelming graphic novel tie-in to a Cartoon Network series. Found in a resell haul. 

Batman vs Superman: Their Greatest Battles, written and illustrated by various writers and artists (2015)

     A tie-in to the Batman vs Superman movie, this is a short story collection of times Clark and Bruce got into fistfights. Found in a resell haul. 

No Exit, written by Jean-Paul Sartre, translated by Stuart Gilbert (1944)

     An odd play set in hell as four murderers provoke each other relentlessly. This, and the other Sartre plays following, were found at the OKC library book sale. 

The Flies, written by Jean-Paul Sartre, translated by Stuart Gilbert (1943)

     A retelling of Aeschylus's Orestria trilogy. 

Dirty Hands, written by Jean-Paul Sartre, translated by Lionel Abel (1948)

     This play is a thriller told mostly in flashback during World War II.

The Respectful Prostitute, written by Jean-Paul Sartre, translated by Lionel Abel (1946)

     This one-act play set in America (Washington, DC) points out how insidious white political power can be on women and non-white people. 

Across the Universe: The DC Universe Stories of Alan Moore, written by Alan Moore, illustrated by various artists. (2003)

     A collection of 1980's stories written by British comics writer Alan Moore. As a short story collection, it was interesting. Found in a resell haul. 

Reggie and Me, written by Tom DeFalco, illustrated by Sandy Jarrell (2017)

     A spinoff of the Archie series following its Riverdale reboot, this is a fascinating multilayered look at a terrible person through the eyes of his adoring Dachshund.  

Summer Ball, by Mike Lupica (2007)

     A height-challenged incoming high school freshman gets a reality check during summer basketball camp. I wanted to like this,, but something just doesn't connect with Lupica's fiction. 

Total read this month: 18, bringing total to 31. 

APRIL

Girl Comics, written and illustrated by various writers and artists (2011)

     A collection of flashfiction and history of IRL Marvel women from an all-female writing, artistic and editorial team. Very interesting. Found at the Helmerich library book sale. 

Pet Sematary, by Stephen King (1984)

      If I remember right, this was written at the peak of his drug addiction, to the point where he has no memory of writing it. Middle of the road King, though the ruminations on death and behavior of cats are interesting. Found at the Helmerich library book sale. 

The Fall, by Albert Camus, translated by Justin O'Brien (1957)

     A sleazy French lawyer brags endlessly in a days-long monologue to the reader in a run-down bar in Amsterdam. Found at the Helmerich library book sale. 

The Book of Fate, by Brad Meltzer (2006)

     A presidential aide uncovers a bizarre National Treasure-type plot behind a botched assassination attempt in this thriller, which was better than most. Found at the Helmerich library book sale. 

The Running Man, by Stephen King (writing as Richard Bachman) (1982)

     There's usually a point to dystopian stories, but this overly-long gruesome action story lacked any moral to make it worthwhile, leaving it an empty mess of a dated future-2025.  Found at the Helmerich library book sale. 

DC Secret Hero Society: Study Hall of Justice, written by Derek Fridolfs, illustrated by Dustin Nguyen (2016)

     What if Bruce Wayne met Clark Kent and Diana Prince in middle school? This clever MG graphic novel explores that question, with lots of fun Easter eggs. Found at the Helmerich library book sale. 

Across the River and Into the Trees, by Ernest Hemingway (1948)

     During or shortly after WWII, a middle-aged colonel recalls his time in Italy during the Great War and reflects on his current relationship with his teenage girlfriend. Found at the Helmerich library book sale. 

Maniac McGee, by Jerry Spinelli (1990)

     A very peculiar, but thoughtful, middle-grade look at racism in the 1970s. Found at the Helmerich library book sale. 

That Was Then, This Is Now, by S.E. Hinton (1971)

     A loose sequel to The Outsiders, this book follows adopted brothers as their paths diverge due to drugs in mid-1960s Tulsa. Found at the Helmerich library book sale. 

The Trading Game, by Alfred Slote (1990)

     A boy learns about his fractured family while involved in a baseball card dispute with a friend in late-1980s Michigan. Found at the Helmerich library book sale. 

Total read this month: 10, bringing total to 41.

MAY

Guys Read: Funny Business, edited by Jon Scieszka (2010)

     A collection of humorous short stories designed to get more boys interested in reading. Found at the OKC library book sale. 

The Voice on the Radio, by Caroline B. Cooney (1996)

     A strange novel about the power of using media responsibilities irresponsibly, and coping with family trauma. The middle of a five-book YA series about a girl who was kidnapped and only realized it as a teen. Found at the Helmerich library book sale. 

The Honk and Holler Opening Soon, by Billie Letts (1997)

     In small-town 1985 eastern Oklahoma, a ragtag international group of outcasts find a chosen family while operating a restaurant. Found at the Helmerich library book sale. 

Magic, by William Goldman (1976)

     A ventriloquist loses his sanity in this Goldman thriller, which is better example of his work. Found at the Helmerich library book sale. 

Dogland, by Will Shetterly (1998)

     This is a peculiarly subtle novel about racism in the early 1960s in rural north Florida, where the adult narrator lived as a boy on a canine-centric zoo. 

Mudville, by Kurtis Scaletta (2009)

     A weird MG novel about baseball and the complexity of the prison and foster systems.  

Batman: Arkham Knight, Volume Three, written by Peter J. Tomasi and Tim Seeley, illustrated by various artists (2011)

     Set in between the events of the Batman: Arkham video game trilogy, this graphic novel wraps up a prequel to the final game. From a resell haul. 

Forever Evil: Arkham War, written by Peter J. Tomasi, illustrated by Scot Eaton and Jaime Mendoza (2013)

     After Batman disappears, various villains scheme to stop Bane from taking over Gotham City. From a resell haul. 

Age of Ultron, written by Brian Michael Bendis, illustrated by various artists (2011)

     The few remaining heroes and villains try to stop Ultron from annihilating humanity in this timey-wimey adventure. From a resell haul. 

All-New, All-Different Avengers: The Magnificent Seven, written by Mark Waid, illustrated by adam Kubert and Mahmud Asara (2015)

     Following a large revamp of the Marvel Universe, a ragtag group of new-ish heroes (including Sam Wilson's Captain America, Jane Foster's Thor and Kamala Khan's Ms. Marvel) seek to re-establish the Avengers as they try to foil one of Kang the Conqueror's schemes. From a resell haul. 

Uncanny X-Men: Poptopia, written by Joe Casey, illustrated by Ian Churchill (2001)

     A British pop superstar starts dating a mutant for publicity purposes while some of the main team investigate a Morlock-like clan living in the London sewers. From a resell haul. 

Elektra and Wolverine: The Redeemer, Volume One, written by Greg Rucka, illustrated by Yoshitaka Amano (2002)

     This peculiar text-based graphic novel features Elektra seeking to take out a target, while Logan aims to protect the target in question. From a resell haul. 

Elektra and Wolverine: The Redeemer, Volume Two, written by Greg Rucka, illustrated by Yoshitaka Amano (2002)

     The lines of professionalism get very tangled as both Logan and Elektra begin to care about the welfare of the teenage girl in the middle of shady doings of her parents' making. From a resell haul. 

X-Treme X-Men: Storm - The Arena, written by Chris Claremont, illustrated by Igor Kordey (2003)

     Storm infiltrates an underground mutant fighting ring in Tokyo. From a resell haul. 

X-Men Unlimited: Hated and Feared, written and illustrated by various writers and artists (2003)

     A series of flashfiction about the mundane details of mutants' lives. From a resell haul. 

Ms. Marvel: No Normal, written by G. Willow Wilson, illustrated by Adrian Alphona (2014)

     Jersey City resident Kamala Khan discovers she has shapeshifting powers, which don't exactly work well when contrasted with her strict Muslim family. 

Ms. Marvel: Generation Why, written by G. Willow Wilson, illustrated by Jacob Wyatt and Adrian Alphona (2015)

     In this second volume, Kamala gains allies in Wolverine, Loki and Lockjaw the teleporting Bulldog.

Ms. Marvel: Crushed, written by G. Willow Wilson, illustrated by Elmo Bondoc and Takeshi Miyazawa (2015)

    Kamala discovers that her hoped-for-boyfriend is actually a fellow Inhuman...but he doesn't see eye to eye with her on the heroic front. 

Ms. Marvel: Last Days, written by G. Willow Wilson, illustrated by Adrian Alphona (2016)

     Kamala finally gets to team up with Carol Danvers as a calamity strikes nearby New York City. 

S.H.I.E.L.D.: Perfect Bullets, written by Mark Waid, illustrated by various artists (2015)

     Inspired by Agents of SHIELD, this first half of the short-lived series doesn't work quite as well, but was somewhat interesting. 

Superman: Shadows Linger, written by Kurt Busiek, illustrated by Peter Vale and Jesus Moreno (2008)

     Superman rescues Lana Lang after she's captured by alien insects. 

Total read this month: 21, bringing total to 62. 

JUNE

Firestarter, by Stephen King (1980)

     Government agents seek a man and his daughter in this thriller, one of King's better works. 

The Princess Diaries, by Meg Cabot (2000)

     Mia Thermopolis is a very talkative and oblivious 14-year-old who learns that she's the princess of a small European country. Found at the Okmulgee library book sale. 

The Princess Diaries, Volume II: Princess in the Spotlight, by Meg Cabot (2001)

     Picking up about two weeks after the first book ends, Mia faces her first interview after Grandmere badgers her into it, while dealing with her mother's elopement with Mr. Gianini the algebra teacher. Found at the Okmulgee library book sale. 

The Princess Diaries, Volume III: Princess in Love, by Meg Cabot (2002)

     This book takes place from Thanksgiving to near Christmas of her freshman year as Mia tries to break up with her boyfriend Kenny. Found at the Okmulgee library book sale. 

Victoria and the Rogue, by Meg Cabot (2003)

     A weak imitation of Jane Austen found at the Okmulgee library book sale. 

1-800-WHERE-R-YOU: When Lightning Strikes, by Meg Cabot (2001)

     A fun thriller after a high school delinquent is chased by the government after gaining psychic powers. Found at the Okmulgee library book sale. 

Darwin's Radio, by Greg Bear (1999)

     A dreary scientific thriller about a pandemic. Found at the Okmulgee library book sale. 

The Cat Who Went Bananas, by Lilian Jackson Braun (2004)

     Even for a cozy mystery, this was pretty unbearably saccharine. Found at the Okmulgee library book sale. 

Total read this month: 8, bringing total to 70. 

JULY

War Horse, by Michael Morpurgo (1982)

     This fantastic MG book about WWI is one of those shining examples of forgotten British gems. Found at the Helmerich library book sale. 

Bandbox, by Thomas Mallon (2003)

     While very modern in how content is handled, this look at the 1920s magazine industry runs at a thousand miles per hour in dazzling screwball glory, juggling at least a dozen plot threads. Found at the OKC library book sale.  

Fire from the Rock, by Sharon M. Draper (2007)

     This MG/YA bridge account of the 1958 Little Rock school integration had good intentions, but was extremely heavy-handed and 21st century in dialogue. From the Okmulgee library book sale. 

Guitar Girl, by Sarra Manning (2003)

     This British YA novel looks at a garage punk rock group's rocky rise to stardom. Found at the Okmulgee library book sale. 

Lemonade Mouth, by Mark Peter Hughes (2007)

     While not as good as its DCOM adaptation, this YA book about a bunch of misfits who form a band is fun. 

Lemonade Mouth Puckers Up, by Mark Peter Hughes (2012)

     The more somber second half of this duology is a little sweeter and tasty, with a more somber tone. 

Fast Girls: A Novel of the 1936 Olympic Team, by Elise Hooper (2020)

     A well-researched account of female track and field athletes in the late 1920s/early 1930s; would go well in tandem with The Boys in the Boat and Unbreakable.    

Total read this month: 7, bringing total to 77.

AUGUST

Confessions of a Shopaholic, by Sophie Kinsella (2001)

     A fun, lighthearted look at a British woman's attempts to balance her messy love and financial lives. 

Shoeless Joe, by W.P. Kinsella (1982) 

     This novel that inspired Field of Dreams is even more insane, and a good deal creepier. Like the Natural novel, this baseball book really struck out.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky (1999)

     In the early 1990s Pittsburgh suburbs, an emotional high school freshman is adopted by a group of senior stoners. 

Uncanny X-Men: Hope, written by Chuck Austen, illustrated by Ron Garney, Mark Morales and Sean Phillips (2002)

     The beginning of this X-Men series takes a broad look at what Xavier's school, and being a mutant, means to the wider world. 

The Wire-Cutters, by Mollie E. Moore Davis (1899)

     This Western found at the OKC library book sale was a bridge between the sentimental novels of the late 19th century and the Western as we know it today. 

Bitch Planet: Extraordinary Machine, written by Kelly Sue DeConnick, illustrated by Valentine De Landro (2016)

     A brutal sci-fi tale of feminism in a future dystopia. 

The Amazing Spider-Man Presents: Jackpot, written by Marc Guggenheim, illustrated by Adriana Melo (2010)

     Set in the wake of One More Day, this side story looks at the dilemmas and ethics of having a low-key set of powers, and the guilt that may come from using or not using them. 

Cyrano De Bergerac, by Edmond Rostand (1899)

     This famous French play was fine, but I could have just watched the Wishbone episode on it instead. Set in the early 1600s in the same universe as The Three Musketeers. 

Total read this month: 8, bringing total to 85.

SEPTEMBER

The Hucksters, by Frederic Wakeman (1946)

     A rip-roaring tale of advertising during World War II, mentioned in the radio history read last winter. 

James and the Giant Peach, written by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Lane Smith (1961)

     Even for Dahl, this was strange. It also felt pretty hollow, though Smith's illustrations highly influenced the animation style for the movie. 

Coyote vs. Acme, by Ian Frazier (1995)

     A series of thoroughly odd short stories, that were overall unsatisfying besides the title one. 

Such Foolish Affected Ladies, by Moliere (1659)

     The first of a series of plays by a French playwright mentioned in The Breakfast Club. 

Tartuffe, by Moliere (1669)

     This tale of religious hypocrosy was well worth reading. 

The Misanthrope, by Moliere (1666)

     Possibly the most famous of his plays, this was fine. 

The Doctor Despite Himself, by Moliere (1666)

     This goofy play about mistaken identity was written to ease the sting of audiences not enjoying the philosophy of The Misanthrope several months earlier. 

The Would-Be Gentleman, by Moliere (1670)

     This satirizes exalted self-importance. 

Those Learned Ladies, by Moliere (1672)

     This play satirizes pretentious people.

Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe (1959)

     This British novel about colonialism in Nigeria is odd and difficult to wade through, but worthwhile. 

  

Total read this month: 10, bringing total to 95.

OCTOBER

The Future Homemakers of America, by Laurie Graham (2002)

     A group of military wives navigates the complexities of life over three decades, from 1952 England to 1980s Dallas. 

Bitch Planet: President Bitch, written by Kelly Sue DeConnick, illustrated by Valentine De Landro (2016)

     The second half of a brutal, though effective, sci-fi tale. 

V for Vendetta, written by Alan Moore, illustrated by David Lloyd (1989)

     This is one of the centerpieces of graphic novels as a genre, but the movie is better. Moore can be a little rambly sometimes. 

The Comeback Season, by Jessica E. Smith (2008)

     This YA romance combined the emotional punch of John Green with the awkward sincerity of a DCOM. It somehow works, though not well. In terms of story, a baseball-obsessed wallflower falls for the cute new guy who has cancer. 

Total read this month: 4, bringing total to 99.

NOVEMBER

Confessions of a Rookie Cheerleader, by Erika J. Kendrick (2007)

     This was the shallowest, most materialistic MC I've ever come across. Thankfully, I didn't pay for this, as I had a free Thriftbooks credit and needed one more book to get free shipping. 

The Little Old Lady who Broke All the Rules, by Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg, translated by Rod Bradbury (2012)

     This Swedish novel that became a Canadain bestseller was a hilarious tale of retirement-home residents who become career criminals out of boredom. Found at the Helmerich library book sale. 

A Long Fatal Love Chase, written by Louisa May Alcott, edited by Kent Bicknell (written 1866, published 1995)

     This is a melodramatic tale of a doomed romance with a narcissist. She couldn't find a publisher who would accept the tale, and so it lingered in obscurity for over a century before a historian came across it. From the Oklmulgee library. 

 

Total read this month: 3, bringing total to 102.

DECEMBER

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams (1980)

     This British sci-fi classic really lived up to the hype. 

Batman: Last Knight on Earth, written by Scott Snyder, illustrated by Greg Capullo (2019)

     A future-set DC dystopian tale. Not a huge Batman fan, but this was pretty good. From the Okmulgee library. 

The Flash: Year One, written by Joshua Williamson, illustrated by Howard Porter (2019)

     The beginning of Barry Allen's time as The Flash, somewhat influenced by the TV show. From the Okmulgee library. 

1872, written by Gerry Duggan, illustrated by Nik Virella (2015)

     Part of the Second Secret Wars storyline, this Marvel tale is set in the Old West town of Timely. Very imaginative and fun. From the Okmulgee library. 

The Autobiography of Foundini M. Cat, by Susan Fromberg Schaeffer (1997)

     A professor wrote this novel of one of her cats; while a little too academic in tone for a novel, there are truly beautiful moments throughout. 

Total read this month: 5, bringing total for year to 107. When added to the 80 nonfiction books read this year, that brings a total of 187 books read in 2022. 

Nonfiction of 2022

 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.