I Done Good Reading This Year!
Wednesday is about books. And reading. And writing. So here’s my favourite books I read this year, regardless of which year they were published…
I still review books from time to time. Not as often as I’d like, but I’m trying to add a book review to the pages here now and then. Wrote one yesterday, which you can search up - oh alright, I’ll include it at the end of the newsletter. And wrote one a week or two ago as well…will hopefully do a few more over summer. But I have been a big fan of Goodreads for many years, and I always update each read with a short, capsule review, often a single sentence. And I love having a go at the annual reading challenge.
This year I aimed for 185 books, and I’m currently at 200. A nice, round number. Now that 200 includes a lot of poetry and shorter volumes, and graphic novels. Anything I read that belongs on Goodreads goes in my list. Simple. It’s all reading after all.
But at the start of the year I read a lot of poetry, since I was doing an honours course. After that, I put poetry aside and got heavily into memoir, essays, a novel or two, and various other things.
I read a lot of new releases, but I also caught up with things from way back. Two of my favourite reads this year were Stephen King books I had never read previously but felt I knew very well: Christine and Firestarter.
So, rather than do the marketing thing and highlight the books of this year, which is only ever a big wank for the publishers to send you more books, I’m going to run through everything I read that I absolutely loved this year, regardless of whether it was first published in 2023 or 1923.
Join me on a stroll through the highlights from my Goodreads. Feel free to follow me there by the way if you’re a fellow Goodreads-user.
HP Lovecraft: Against The World, Against Life by Michel Houellebecq
A memoir of discovering and reading Lovecraft. A charming book that was also my introduction to Houellebecq. And now I want to read more by him.
Friends, Lovers, and The Big Terrible Thing by Mathew Perry
It’s obviously all over the shelves and shop windows again because of the other terrible thing that happened to Matthew Perry just recently. I read this at the very start of the year, and it was a tough read. I felt sorry for him, and struggled with just how vulnerable he was. It was ultimately a sad but satisfying read. Grim. And then it got its ultimate postscript a few months on.
Maybe We’ll Make It: A Memoir by Margo Price
Maybe it helps that I’m a huge fan of Price’s music, but I felt you could dive into this without hearing her music at all. It’s as much a memoir about addiction, motherhood, and resilience as it is about music. But it’ll definitely make you want to check her music out too.
The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin
I love Rick Rubin and his whole lore, I realised, reading this, he’s been in my life since I can remember. The sounds of Run DMC, Public Enemy and The Beastie Boys were formative. So too were Slayer, and other metal acts. And then of course there was the Johnny Cash ‘comeback’ albums. I love Rubin’s philosophy and approach and this book is recommended for everyone.
Van Halen Rising: How A Southern California Backyard Party Band Saved Heavy Metal by Greg Renoff
I love reading about Van Halen. I love listening to them still, of course. But they’re one of the bands I really enjoy reading about - and this had been on my list a while. It concentrates on their early years only. The making of the band. It’s a fascinating slice of 70s/80s America.
I Had A Brother Once: A Poem, A Memoir by Adam Mansbach
A single poem, book-length; a memoir in poetic form. This is a devastating read, so brilliantly, beautifully controlled and heartfelt. A profound joy, reading this.
The Caped Crusade: Batman and the Rise of Nerd Culture by Glen Weldon
I’m a tourist when it comes to this, not a deep nerd on any one subject. (Okay, maybe Stephen King, and The Beatles). But I am interested in Batman, because of all the different iterations. This book brilliantly looks through the whole history of Batman and his various versions, and the culture of geeks that came up around this ‘hero’. A riveting read.
Faith, Hope and Carnage by Nick Cave and Sean O’Hagan
This is one of the books I’ve thought about the most this year, since reading. A profound experience reading - and then thinking about this book. So much in it. Ripe for a re-read. Of course I told you my thoughts on this book in full at the time:
The Drinking Game by Guyon Espiner
Some really important stuff in here, and a mostly engaging, enjoyable read. There’s a bit of memoir forced into there, at times a bit clunkily too. But the information-dump is strong, and important. My great pride was that my brother wanted to read this after me. I happily gave him my copy. He’s not a big reader, and he’s still a reasonably big drinker. So that’s really great that this took his interest on both counts.
The Meaning of Mariah Carey by Mariah Carey w/ Michaela Angela Davis
There’s a lot more to Mariah Carey than I was once prepared to acknowledge. Silly old me. It’s good to get old. And to change. And to be open to new information, and experiences. I’m not a total Mariah obsessive, but I’m much more of a fan of her music than I used to want to admit, for whatever silly reason. This book helped me come to terms with all that. And it’s just a really engaging, funny, interesting, intense memoir.
Don’t Tell Anybody The Secrets I Told You: A Memoir by Lucinda Williams
I was looking forward to this. HUGE Lucinda Williams fan. And the book certainly delivered. She kept a lot back. But that’s who she is, and what she does. She also laid out a lot about her family, and the poetry and music that informed her life and work. It’s a terrific read.
I’m a big fan of Max Porter’s sly, deceptive, profoundly clever and always poetic “mini” novels. But this one was the best, deepest, and most confronting. Really knocked me about. But in a good way, of course.
Strong Female Character by Fern Brady
I like Fern Brady’s comedy. But I wasn’t quite prepared for how amazing her memoir would be. She was diagnosed with autism as an adult, and her book chronicles her acceptance of that, and the way she navigates the world as a result. It’s also very funny still.
Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma by Claire Dederer
Another of the books I’ve thought most about since reading. And another that I already shared plenty of thoughts on with you:
To Pimp a Butterfly by Sequoia Maner
I love the 33 1/3 series, but haven’t found a really good title in a while. This was the tonic. It helps that with Kendrick Lamar there’s a lot to explore, culturally, historically, and of course musically. It might not be his absolute greatest album (then again, it might). But it’s without question his most important. And it’s a masterpiece. This slim volume helps to contextualise all of that. Which is no mean feat.
Heartstopper Volume 4 (and Vols. 1-3) by Alice Oseman
I loved all four of the Heartstoppers - but to date this is my favourite. We have volume 5 in the house, so I’ll read that before the end of the year, most likely, or as my first book of 2024. What a great series. And it’s been fun reading these after Oscar, sharing them with him in that sense.
Nick Drake: The Life by Richard Morton Jack
As a piece of scholarship this is remarkable. Maybe it misses the soul of the man slightly, in its compulsion to unearth every single letter or expound on any and all photographs. But it’s still a great connection back to that finite set of music.
I love Cheers and Taxi the most. So was really there for those stories. And they didn’t disappoint. Burrows is charming and interesting and funny and what a life, what an influence. What an insane amount of famous people he’s met and had to work around. Fascinating.
One of my favourite graphic novels of the year. Or any year for that matter. And absolutely the best local graphic I’ve read in an age.
I love the comedy of Maria Bamford. And I simply can’t believe she’s here. She’s been through so much. This book helps to explain and clarify exactly that. And is an important read in this age.
This slim volume has sat patiently by my bed for a year or two. Finally I got to it, devoured it in a sitting, and haven’t stopped thinking about it. Kubrick is so fascinating, and I’ve already read plenty about him, and will read more. Sure. But Herr got him like no one else, reflecting also on the nature of collaboration. Herr had already written one of the best books I’ve ever read. And though this is a very slim volume I would almost want to add it to the list of very best books I’ve read. So. There.
Cinema Speculation by Quentin Tarantino
Another book that sat waiting a while. When I eventually got to it, I loved it. Some great selections, and passionate writing. I love essays on film. One of my favourite things to read. And this did not disappoint. Even though QT can seem a bit icky eh. He’s a good writer. That should come as no surprise of course.
A bit grumpy, a bit tender, very serious, this was a compelling memoir, and a great trip down memory lane, with lots of ruminations on music and comedy and friendship. And a lot of tough stuff in there too. Hugely recommended.
Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again) by Sly Stone w/ Ben Greenman
A miracle this even exists. There’s no real accountability here. And that might anger some younger readers in particular, but it’s also a thrilling roll through the madness, and importantly the music. He’s a genius. His behaviour is not excusable, but the fact that he’s here, and able to share, is something. And this book was wonderful.
Get On The Rollercoaster: Oasis in New Zealand, March 1998 by Karamdeep Sahota
Are you allowed to mention a book you’re in? Just as well there are no rules anymore. I contributed the foreword to this book, and my review from 1998 is in there too. (Cringe). But what a wonderful book this turned out to be. I wrote plenty about it already here:
Fly Away Paul: How Paul McCartney survived The Beatles and Found his Wings by Lesley-Ann Jones
A biography of Wings, basically, though through the lens of Paul - of course. One of the smartest books about McCartney I’ve read. And there have been a few. This one manages to unpack a lot more of the emotional storyline, which is crucial to any understanding of the Paul/John dynamic and its breakdown, and to the Paul/Linda dynamic, and its success. Brilliant book.
This is ADHD by Chanelle Moriah
There is a LOT of ADHD in my house. It runs rife, leaving dishes and clothes all over the place, and it impacts the whole house. So it’s good to get some tips and tricks for understanding it. This is a book for the whole family. And I wholeheartedly recommend it.
Being Henry: The Fonz…and Beyond by Henry Winkler
As funny, charming, and interesting as I had hoped; as I expected. Just a joy to “hang out” with Henry in this way. Now I wanna rewatch Happy Days, and finish watching Barry.
And finally…
Rebel Music: Bob Marley and Roots Reggae by Kate Simon
This is the one I reviewed just yesterday. An amazing photo-book that is perfect for the music fan in your life this Christmas, or for any Christmas, or birthday, etc. Review in full below:
Kate Simon: Rebel Music - Bob Marley & Roots Reggae
Rebel Music - Bob Marley & Roots Reggae Photographs by Kate Simon Genesis Originally released in 2004, this reissued collection of photos with commentary is both a gorgeous coffee table book, and a valuable resource. Kate Simon photographed everyone who was anyone throughout the 1970s, rock, punk, reggae, you name it. But there was a special bond between h…
So, that’s a bunch of books, many of them brand new this year, but not all of them. There are more books I loved this year, but these are the very best. See anything you like? Anything you read and loved too? And what have been your reading picks for 2023?
