What Were My Favourite Reads of 2022? Super Normie Edition

TL;DR

Lessons in Chemistry was one of the creator’s favorite reads of 2022, praised as a “fizzy,” sharp feminist tale about Elizabeth Zott navigating misogyny, loss, and sexual assault in the 1960s. The broader reflection connects a book-a-week reading pace with overwhelming choice, TikTok-driven attention, and increasingly mainstream genre fiction and representation. Read on for the specific recommendation and the reading trends behind it.

Transcript

I know it's been a minute but this has been a year of languishing I mean we're sort of post coveted I'm fully vaxed boostered and we've seen a return to travel with the family and for work but it's hardly been a return to normal I mean I love working from home my wife and I are luxuriating in our own personal home office space and rediscovering our... Read More

Key Insights

• 💦 Despite some positive aspects, such as increased genre exposure and representation, the author struggles with work-life balance and feelings of inadequacy.
• 🥺 The vast availability of books online has made it challenging for readers to keep up with new releases, leading to a desire for guidance and recommendations.
• 🖐️ Social media platforms have played a significant role in expanding the reach of genre fiction and increasing representation in literature.

Questions & Answers

Q: What were the creator’s favourite reads of 2022?

The excerpt identifies Lessons in Chemistry as one of the creator’s favorite books of the year. They describe it as a sharp feminist tale whose best descriptor is “fizzy,” despite its serious subjects.

Q: Why does the creator recommend Lessons in Chemistry?

The creator praises its combination of a sharp feminist story and an energetic, “fizzy” tone. The novel follows Elizabeth Zott through misogyny, dismissiveness, petty jealousies, loss, and sexual assault, while even including a chapter narrated by her dog.

Q: Who is Elizabeth Zott in Lessons in Chemistry?

Elizabeth Zott is the novel’s protagonist, described as gorgeous, fearless, and smart. Because she is a woman in the 1960s, she is constantly overlooked and taken for granted.

Q: How much did the creator read during 2022?

Their reading remained steady and “non-slumpy,” although it did not reach the heights of previous years. They were on track to read about one book per week.

Q: Why did the creator struggle to keep up with new book releases?

The internet created endless choice and exposed readers to far more books than traditional print media or bookstore displays once did. The creator felt left behind by this long tail, noting that they had neither read nor heard of any books on that year’s National Book Awards longlist.

Q: How has social media changed genre fiction and representation?

Social media has pulled genre fiction out of what the creator calls the “literary ghetto.” Romance has become mainstream, LGBTQ+ romance appears far more ubiquitous than 10–15 years earlier, and representation on bookstore shelves has increased.

Q: How has the paradox of choice consolidated attention around popular authors?

The creator argues that abundant choice can narrow attention onto a smaller group of people. As an example, Colleen Hoover held six of the top 10 positions on the New York Times bestseller list during the summer.

Q: How did work affect the creator’s reading and BookTube activity?

Meetings filled the workday, pushing other work into evenings and weekends and making a 40-hour week difficult to maintain. After spending all day at a computer, the creator wanted to switch it off rather than plan BookTube videos or edit footage, though their reading stayed fairly steady.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The author discusses how the past year has been marked by a lack of normalcy due to the pandemic, causing extended work hours and an inability to disconnect from work.

• They reflect on their steady reading habits, acknowledging the increased exposure to a wide range of genres and diverse representation in literature.

• The author expresses feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of new book releases and a consolidation of attention, leading to a desire for recommendations and guidance in choosing what to read.