Virtual Bookshelf 2022
Time to read! Here’s what I’ve been reading in 2022.
December
World War Z - Max Brooks
The classic – how to write something that feels very ‘human’ but with staggering scope. After finding this for a bargain I had to reread it and add it to my permanent collection. Max Brooks
November
How to Be Perfect - Michael Schur
From one of my favourite TV writers comes a book on philosophy. I found this really engaging (which may be obvious by the speed I powered through it) and interesting. Schur’s style of writing opened up a really difficult subject and allowed me to (mostly) follow along. Michael Schur
Hogfather - Terry Pratchett
Time for the last TP of the year. And a lovely ‘not-really Christmas’ story. This was one of the better books I’ve read of his this year, lots of characters, lots of moral lessons and a lot of quotable lines.
Blitzed
Norman Ohler
So this year has become a bit of a WW2 year. Not sure how that happened. This was recommended by someone at work, and, although is a very high level account, is a good read that provides a very different perspective on the ‘habits’ of not only Hitler, but also the Nazis.
Things that Matter
Joshua Beckett
Last year I read a bit of Marie Kondo, and I’ve continued an interest in minimalism and its benefits. I have found the Becoming Minimalist website which takes some of the ideas and creates a philosophy around them. For me, this is incredibly powerful stuff, although the book does feel a little padded at times, there are some very good examples and thoughts on how to apply the principles to everyday living.
October
Going Postal
Terry Pratchett
Yes, still going with ol’ Sir Terry. I’ve started something different though. This was quite a straightforward story, I thought. The main character was likeable (although I’m not sure there was ever a moment that made that happen) and the plotting concise and clear. One of the better ones I’ve read.
Monstrous Regiment
Terry Pratchett
I’d never come across this book before, but after finding a job-lot of Pratchett in my local charity shop I thought I’d got for it. I preferred the ending of this one, although there were a lot of characters to keep in my head (I’m beginning to realise that if I want to write these kinds of books well, how important it is to keep characters distinct).
September
Wyrd Sisters
Terry Pratchett
This might start a bit of a run of Discworld novels, for reasons that will obvious soon. As usual, quick witted, funny and clever, although the ending was a little odd.
Stalingrad
Antony Beevor
Time for something very different! Historical writing at its finest, this wasn’t easy reading at times but the story of desperation and determination in this book is a horrific inspiration. As a visual learner, some more maps would have been great.
August
The Road
Cormac McCarthy
The Road has been on my to be read list for ages. Fantastically written, if depressing book. The detail in the characters and how they react to the environment is something special.
Revelation Space
Alastair Reynolds
What a cracking book. Difficult, deep and clever sci-fi, with a strong emotional hit, there are very strong characters in here with very different objectives. Reading this, I wanted them to clash sooner, but all the lies and dirty tricks were incredibly fun to read through!
July
Blood of Elves
Andrzei Sapkowski
I’ve watched the show, played the game, I wanted to see how the book was put together. For something that has inspired so much, it was a surprisingly scattergun start to the series. But what this does is start a story in a very established world. There’s very little exposition, and the reader is left to understand or flail.
The Odin Misson
James Holland
Another book I picked up because it looked like the start to a series (which it is). Historical fact and fiction combine into a solid storyline. I would have liked some more character development from the supporting cast, however.
June
The Alloy of Law
Brandon Sanderson
After reading the latest in the trilogy, I wanted to go back and see the characters at their inception. This was interesting as it showed me how the world was introduced alongside the characters, and also let me see how open the first book was – there were lots of ways that the author could have taken the story.
Snow Falling on Cedars
David Guterson
It is a stunning book with a captivating story that deals with issues very relevant even so many years after it was published. The writing was very different from other books on this list, and it was a rewarding read.
The Bands of Mourning
Brandon Sanderson
Following on from Shadows of Self, more entertaining, if not entirely ground-breaking. The was one of those reads that I just relaxed into, and found myself wanted to keep going each time! The mark of a good story.
May
Slow Bullets
Alistair Reynolds
Short and sweet, this novella didn’t break any new ground for me. However, it was a good example of a story taking as long as it takes – if I’d been writing this I’d have probably been tempted to stretch it out, even though the idea might not have fit.
Shadows of Self
Brandon Sanderson
I’m falling into the Sanderson fan club aren’t I? Another incredibly rich universe, but this one grabbed me for the strength of the characters. Some cliche’s it’s true, but insightful and realistic, despite the crazy world that they inhabit.
April
Mort
Terry Pratchett
Where to start? At the beginning. Where to end? At the back. And in between is a story about Death and his apprentice. And it’s Terry Pratchett, so it’s amazing.
The Reapers
John Connolly
It’s been far too long since I read a JC book. This one is tightly plotted as usual, and the change of perspective (to the third person) gives a little jolt to the series. While the ghostly elements were missing, this one packed more of an emotional punch for me at the end.
March
Cult of the Warmason
CL Werner
A strong stand-alone novel, with all the action and violence I’m starting to expect from these Warhammer 40k stories. Here I felt some of the characters got lost, especially when the crisis escalated, but I was unable to guess the ending, and wanted to find out what happened, which is a mark of a well-written tale.
Anarch
Dan Abnett
This was a long way into the series, so some of the relationships were a little tricky to pick up, but it was a masterclass in mixed perspectives – I lost count of all the different points of view, and yet the author managed to weave them into a strong set of stories in a truly terrifying world.
Originals
Adam Grant
Loved how Adam looks at the way people work and approach situtatios. Especially interesting were the actionable points at the end, which I’m looking forward to applying to my work going forward.
February
Nexus + Other Stories
Various
A friend has recommended that I should write some Warhammer 40k stories. So I’m swotting up on the background and the lore – there’s a few of these books coming!
Various
Mindset
Carol S Dweck
A really interesting exploration of how our attitude to setbacks and challenges impacts on outcomes. Clear and easy to read, with clear points from each area.
Exile
James Swallow
My word. What a nutty book. Explosions, shootings, car chases, this read like a Micheal Bay movie. While the plausibility of the plot left a lot to be desired, the execution was flawless and it was (if you pardon the cliche) a breathless read.
January
The Trials of Koli
MR Carey
Felt a lot like the middle of a trilogy (which it is, so what was I expecting), which took some of the tension out of the book as I kinda knew who was going to live. I still really enjoyed the world, as I did last year, and looking forward to getting on with the final story.
Babylon Berlin
Volker Kutscher
A beast of a mystery and thriller that started my year off well. I found the characters strong and believable, and while violent in places, it wasn’t gratuitous. Very well crafted and plotted, but a writer on top of his game.