Best of 2022: Books, Part 2

As a reader in 2022, I was here for historical fiction, laugh-out-loud romance, and a little bit of murder. What could be better? Whether I was on the back porch in summer or under a cozy blanket in winter, I couldn’t put down these wonderful stories. Enjoy my top 5 books of 2022!

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Yes, I became a full-fledged Taylor Jenkins Reid fangirl this year. I read three of her books, starting with The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and it was a near thing not to have all three of them in my top 10. Malibu Rising focuses on the four children of one of the titular husbands of Evelyn. It has strong 1970s beach energy, and I was way invested in the Riva siblings as they worked through their personal woes on the day of their annual end-of-summer party.

The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun

The Charm Offensive is a top-notch adult romcom. Dev is a producer on a reality dating show, and Charlie is the show’s new lead. If you’ve ever watched The Bachelor franchise, there are so many references and inside jokes to enjoy. Cochrun really gets this world and knows how to turn it into a globe-trotting, romantic playground. To illustrate my obsession level with this book: I read the final chapters while standing in the kitchen making something for dinner.

Happily Ever Afters by Elise Bryant

Happily Ever Afters is an example of how young adult novels can encompass so many aspects of life: finding yourself, figuring out romance, finding your place in your family, and adapting friendships as you grow. In the story, Tessa is accepted to a creative arts high school, but as soon as she gets there, she feels self-conscious about the romances she writes. Bryant also writes deftly about Tessa’s family, particularly her brother with special needs.

The It Girl by Ruth Ware

Ruth Ware is one of my top thriller writers, but The It Girl feels like it was tailormade to include my favorite things. In Hannah’s first year at Oxford, her roommate was murdered, and ten years later the crime is coming back to haunt her group of friends. It might sound like a standard thriller setup, but Ware’s execution makes her stories special. The Oxford college atmosphere was ideal: an old money institution where some people always feel like outsiders.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

So many people consider this book a favorite, and it’s with good reason! The novel is written as a biography of fictional Hollywood icon Evelyn Hugo, as told to a present-day journalist. As a person with some knowledge of film history, I was amazed at how Taylor Jenkins Reid can map these common career trajectories onto fictional films and actors and make them feel absolutely realistic. The story also takes a hard look at star images and how much of the real person was suppressed in order to create a marketable illusion.

Thanks for checking out my yearly favorites!

Best of 2022: Books, Part 1

While I’m undoubtedly getting worse at keeping up with new movies, my reading life has never been better. I was all over the library’s request page this year because there were so many exciting new releases. Curl up with some of my favorite books of 2022 (but keep the tissues handy)!

Mika in Real Life by Emiko Jean

Emiko Jean busted onto my favorites last year with her YA confection Tokyo Ever After. This year she released Mika in Real Life, her first adult novel, and proved her skills at turning an out-there premise into an emotionally grounded story. Mika is a thirtysomething whose life is a mess. When she’s contacted by the daughter she gave up for adoption, Mika takes it as an opportunity to reinvent herself. I cried multiple times, but I also laughed and swooned.

I’m the Girl by Courtney Summers

Courtney Summers, queen of emotionally destroying readers with her YA contemporaries. I’m the Girl takes on the culture of extreme wealth that takes advantage of young women. The sparseness of Summers’s prose always adds to the devastation. I think her triumph in this novel is portraying how being young and beautiful can feel like intoxicating power, while also revealing some master manipulation from the people in the story with true power.

Tokyo Dreaming by Emiko Jean

Emiko Jean, we meet again. This sequel to Tokyo Ever After continues the story of Izumi, a California girl who discovers her father is a Japanese prince. Tokyo Dreaming finds Izumi adjusting to her new role as princess while struggling to hold on to her true self. There’s still plenty of conflict inherent in the premise. If some of the drama felt forced, I’m more than willing to overlook it in order to be back in this world with these hilarious, heart-melting characters.

The Woman in the Water by Charles Finch

The Charles Lenox mysteries are like a comforting cup of tea in my reading life. This year I had the pleasure of reading the three prequel novels that feature the detective at the beginning of his career. Having already read five or six books in the primary series, it was fun to encounter Lenox as a younger man, unestablished in his work and unsure of his social position. The Woman in the Water had a particularly engrossing mystery with strong imagery.

Normal People by Sally Rooney

It was difficult to know where to place this book. On the one hand, Normal People has incredibly realistic portrayals of depression and unhealthy relationships. On the other hand, it made me sooooo sad. The morning after I finished the book, I kind of felt like I had been through an excruciating breakup myself. Ultimately I have to applaud Sally Rooney for capturing a complex relationship between two people with years of messy shared history.

Coming soon, my top 5 books of 2022!

Best of 2022: Movies, Part 2

There’s an interesting thread connecting my top 5 movies this year. Most of them explore powerful human experiences by adding a fantastical element to the story. It’s an effective technique for externalizing emotion in a visual medium. What I’m trying to say is, prepare for sea monsters, ghosts, and fuzzy red pandas. These are my top 5 movies of 2022!

The Shape of Water (2017)

I’m a few years late on this film, but when has that ever stopped me? Within the first few minutes of The Shape of Water, I was completely caught up in the immersive experience of the sets, costumes, and cinematography. Guillermo del Toro brings an otherworldly quality to the vintage charm of 1960s Baltimore. Add to that visual eye candy the gentle performances of Sally Hawkins, Octavia Spencer, and Richard Jenkins—and the downright chilling one of Michael Shannon—and it’s easy to see why this film captivated the Academy in 2017.

Luca (2021)

In its essence, Luca is a classic story about a young person who wants to break away from the restrictions of home and explore the world. But in this case, the boy is a sea monster who turns into a human on land. I love the marshmallow-fluffy animation style, and the Italian coastal setting gives Luca its own unique charm. The sea-monster-to-human transformations provide physical humor that’s perfect for the medium. Best of all, the dynamic between the three main characters feels true to the joys and challenges of childhood friendships.

The More the Merrier (1943)

This movie has been on my must-watch list ever since I read Mark Harris’s Five Came Back. It’s one of the last movies directed by George Stevens before he served as a documentarian in World War II. After that experience, he stopped making comedies. I don’t always enjoy slapstick, but The More the Merrier is the perfect blend of physical comedy and sweet romance. Set during the wartime housing shortage in Washington D.C., Jean Arthur’s character rents out her spare room to two men, and matchmaker hijinks ensue.

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947)

In The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, a young widow rents a seaside house haunted by the ghost of its previous owner, a cantankerous sea captain. You might be thinking, How charming could that premise possibly be? But you would be underestimating the chemistry of Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison. I was only familiar with the older, more pompous version of Harrison in My Fair Lady. As it turns out, I just needed him to be a dead sailor. The film also benefits from the practical techniques of old Hollywood, which create more satisfying ghost effects than the shimmery CGI we might expect to see today.

Turning Red (2022)

Turning Red is about Meilin, a girl who discovers that the women in her family turn into red pandas when their emotions spike. (Yes, there’s a puberty metaphor wrapped up in there, and I think it’s fantastic.) This film portrays the experience of early adolescence with so much fun and heart. It doesn’t hurt that it’s set in the early aughts, the era of my own early teens, with all the trappings of butterfly clips and boy bands. My favorite part is Meilin’s friend group, some unabashed dorks who make her feel like she can be herself. The adorable red panda animation is just the icing on the cake. “You’re so fluffy!”

Last but never least, I will share my top 10 books of 2022!

Best of 2022: Movies, Part 1

My viewing habits have officially gotten a little weird. When I read about classic Hollywood or story structure, it inevitably piques my interest in a bunch of older movies. Streaming services make it easy to see new animated movies. As a result, the movies on this list are all over the board, but you might find something to interest you as well. Here are 5 great movies that I watched in 2022.

Moonstruck (1987)

I watched these first two movies primarily because John Truby’s The Anatomy of Story cited them as movies with a female desire line. That is, love stories where the plot is driven by the female character’s wants and decisions. If you accept that you’re going to see some very broad acting, Moonstruck can be a thoroughly delightful movie. Cher is brilliant as a no-nonsense Brooklynite, and I love how her character’s family members have their own intersecting storylines.

Broadcast News (1987)

Apparently 1987 was a big year for female desire lines. Holly Hunter plays a TV news producer in the middle of a conflict between her friend, a talented reporter, and a handsome new hire who has just taken a coveted news anchor position. Hunter has some empowering moments of “Wow, don’t put your issues on me.” The competition between the reporters plays out a broader question about what should be the priorities of TV news, which gives the story some heft.

Libeled Lady (1936)

I wanted to watch a Jean Harlow movie, and Libeled Lady seemed like one of the best. It’s a madcap story about newspaper men trying to set up a socialite so that she can’t sue them for libel. Harlow herself is a supporting character, not even the libeled lady herself, but her comedic style is perfect as Spencer Tracy’s ditzy fiancée. In fact, everyone in the main quartet is perfectly cast. Libeled Lady is lush classic filmmaking within a small cast of characters.

Encanto (2021)

Encanto is a delightful multigenerational story. The opening song “The Family Madrigal” even pokes fun at the challenges of keeping track of all the aunts, uncles, and cousins. One of the highlights is the enchanted house, which is visually exciting and would have made my childhood imagination run wild. I was blown away by the gorgeous texture of the clothing. And if you enjoy cute kid animation, I can’t think of another movie with such a high concentration.

Glass Onion (2022)

Knives Out topped my movie list in 2020 as a detective story using the best of cinema trickery. Glass Onion features a new mystery for detective Benoit Blanc. A group of ridiculous old friends with a lot of beef gather on a private island for a murder mystery party, but of course, real murder might actually be on the table. The greatest pleasure of these films comes from the midpoint twist and the unraveling of everything you thought you understood in the first half. I mean, seriously, is there anything Janelle Monáe can’t do?

Love these five films, but I’ll bring you my top 5 tomorrow!

Best of 2022: Music, Part 2

This year’s top 5 is all sad girls, all the time. Oops? Oh well. Music has to be one of the best ways to process emotions, especially the tough ones. It’s endlessly comforting how sad feelings can be turned into something beautiful. If you need a good wallow with a side of resilience, enjoy my top 5 songs of 2022!

Maisie Peters, “Good Enough”

I’m not sure why this song stuck with me so stubbornly. I first heard it while brainstorming a new YA project in August. While the song is only tangentially related to the themes of that story, I loved this heartbreaking little capsule. I mean, “Thought I was the way home / But I was an obstacle to move”—who hasn’t felt like that in someone else’s narrative?

Sophie Cates, “drinking games”

My husband had “drinking games” on a playlist that I heard in passing. Little did he know it would spark a mild obsession with Sophie Cates (formerly performing as Silver Sphere). I was going through a lot of transitions in August, and her music became my comfort touchstone. “drinking games” portrays a very particular kind of relationship. If you’ve been there (or probably even if you haven’t), this song will make you feel like you’re back in college again.

Taylor Swift, “Maroon”

Oh, the Midnights hype. It won’t go down as an all-time favorite Swift album for me, but it’s been a lot of fun. Upon first listen, the songs that immediately jumped out at me were “Maroon” and “Midnight Rain.” It doesn’t hurt that the title of “Maroon” shamelessly references my favorite Swift album Red. Nobody could sing her way through images featuring shades of red like Taylor Swift.

HAIM, “Lost Track”

HAIM continued to be a big part of my musical diet this year. When they released the single “Lost Track” in March, I listened to it multiple times a day for weeks. The song touches on some of the band’s favorite themes of isolation and disillusionment, while the music maintains their deceptively light touch. In the context of the past few years of global change, “I’ll take the smallest crumb / But I’ll never get back what I lost track of” hits home and hits hard.

First Aid Kit, “Out of My Head”

Hi, it’s me again, here to tell you about how First Aid Kit haunts my soul. The placement of this song is representative of Palomino being my most beloved album of the year, but it’s also an incredible track. As the rather cinematic album opener, “Out of My Head” creates a thematic bridge between this and the previous album. The towering harmonies of the chorus are perfection. If you’ve been looking for a song that makes you want to dance and cry, this is the one.

Next I will take you on a rather haphazard journey through my favorite films of the year!

Best of 2022: Music, Part 1

This year was an embarrassment of riches in terms of new music from many of my favorite artists. The highest concentration was in the fall when Tegan and Sara, Taylor Swift, and First Aid Kit all released new albums within weeks of each other. Here are 5 of my favorite songs in 2022.

Lykke Li, “You Don’t Go Away”

I somehow missed the fact that Lykke Li had a new album until this fall, even though it came out in March. (I blame Spotify for not keeping me informed.) But no matter when I started listening to it, Eyeye gives me everything I want from a Lykke Li album. In particular, “You Don’t Go Away” epitomizes the raw beauty that I love in her music. She is the first of many sad girls on my list this year.

Harry Styles, “Boyfriends”

Overall, I didn’t find myself connecting with Harry’s House to the same degree that I did with many of the songs on his previous album Fine Line. “Boyfriends” is the shining exception. It has the emotional sensitivity of my favorite Styles songs, not to mention heart-melting harmonies. And yes, Spotify Wrapped confirmed that I listened to “Boyfriends” . . . a considerable amount.

Tegan and Sara, “Yellow”

Tegan and Sara released several songs in the leadup to their album Crybaby. I liked all of them, but “Yellow” didn’t rise to the top as a favorite until I started listening to the whole album in the car. Then I fully realized the singalong pleasure of the chorus, especially in the drop to “But this pain ain’t red now, it’s a yellow.” It’s been many years since teenage Courtney drove around listening to So Jealous, but I think she would love this song too.

Vance Joy, “Clarity”

Vance Joy’s new album accompanied me on many summertime walks. The songs have shades of pandemic-era romance while still bringing his wistful yet joyful energy. “Clarity” was my most-listened-to track of the bunch, and it’s not hard to see why. The lyrics have a simple message about how hard times can bring into focus who is most important to us, with handclaps and a horn section to make it a goofily transcendent experience.

First Aid Kit, “A Feeling That Never Came”

Because First Aid Kit’s previous album meant so much to me, I was convinced that Palomino couldn’t possibly live up to my personal hype. Why do I doubt my Swedish sister power duo? The album evokes road-tripping across the West Coast thinking about your past mistakes and lessons learned. Very much in keeping with that theme, “A Feeling That Never Came” slays me with its relentlessness. The lyrics describe how drastically your perspective on a person or situation can change over time, and let me tell you, it’s too real.

Come back tomorrow for my top 5 songs of 2022!

Reading Roundup 2021

As I suspected when I made my reading goal last January, 2021 was a much busier year for me than 2020. We also moved into the second year of the pandemic, which spelled mental and emotional burnout for a lot of people. Thankfully, there were many bright spots in my reading life. I read two books about writing craft and found young adult novels that reinvigorated my love for the genre. Looking back at my top 10, it’s 70 percent YA! I also read quite a few authors for the first time whose books I’m excited to continue exploring.

My goal for 2021 was to read 30 books, and I read 34 books! That total is actually a few books lower than the previous two years, but considering the big changes in my personal life, that drop seems reasonable. I also had a few reading slumps at times when I expected to read a lot. On the bright side, I love that my yearly total is continuing to fall somewhere in the 30s.

In 2022, my goal is to read 30 books. I feel boring for having the same goal three years in a row, but it just makes the most sense. As usual, I’m wary of pushing the goal too high and being disappointed in myself if life gets in the way. Since I didn’t quite make it to 35 this year, let’s stick with 30. 2022 feels like an exciting year for new books. In the thriller space, there are releases scheduled for Ruth Ware, Alexa Donne, Riley Sager, and more. I’m also looking forward to the YA debut of Casey McQuiston. Happy reading!

Best of 2021: Books, Part 2

While I was writing about this year’s top 10, I was struck by how many times I wrote the word “murder.” Hmmm, let’s not analyze that too much. On this list you will find both YA and adult books, mysteries and thrillers, along with an epic fantasy and a dash of romantic comedy. Here are my top 5 books of 2021!

5. The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas

As I looked forward to reading Alexa Donne’s YA thriller debut, I decided to read another author in the genre. All of Kara Thomas’s books are fast and addictive. The Cheerleaders is a dual timeline mystery about a town haunted by the deaths of several cheerleaders, including the main character’s older sister. Every good thriller has a tipping point in the second half when I don’t want to stop reading, and the tipping point in The Cheerleaders was especially propulsive.

4. Survive the Night by Riley Sager

Riley Sager plus a heroine obsessed with classic films? It’s almost too perfect. Charlie Jordan is desperate to get home from college, so she agrees to a ride share with a stranger. As the ride progresses, Charlie begins to wonder if Josh might not be what he seems. The premise sounds deceptively simple, but Sager has the skills to maintain suspense throughout. And yes, the frequent movie references put Survive the Night over the edge as a favorite for me.

3. The Box in the Woods by Maureen Johnson

The murders at Ellingham Academy may be solved, but detective Stevie Bell is still in our lives. (Thank goodness!) The Box in the Woods takes Stevie and her friends on a new adventure to Camp Wonder Falls, the site of a cold case from the 1970s. Although I always adored seeing the gang at Ellingham, it was a blast to see Stevie working in a different setting, unraveling the small town secrets that kept the murders of four camp counselors from being solved. In fact, the creepy, woodsy setting had me legitimately spooked.

2. Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean

Although I had some pacing issues with the beginning of this book, I was hooked within a few chapters. Tokyo Ever After is comparable to The Princess Diaries set in Japan. After Izumi discovers that her father is the Crown Prince, she travels to Tokyo to meet the other side of her family. Izumi is a hilarious narrator, a California girl who struggles with the expectations of her new role—when she’s not bickering with her new bodyguard. This book is such a fun ride.

1. A Sky Beyond the Storm by Sabaa Tahir

As much as I love the Ember Quartet, I was prepared to be disappointed by the final book. We’ve all had that moment when a favorite series stumbles on the final hurdle. Instead I found myself engrossed in the action while continuing to feel grounded in the characters’ emotional journeys. Tahir wraps up the series with the perfect balance of heartbreaking and satisfying moments. When I finished A Sky Beyond the Storm, I had the urge to start the series back at the beginning, which is an impressive feat after a 500-page book.

Thanks for reading with me!

Best of 2021: Books, Part 1

This year I continued to look to books for comfort, and I was more eager than ever to be pulled in by a good mystery. I also read more young adult books than I have in recent years and was happy to get back in touch with that genre. Take a look at my favorite books read in 2021, numbers 10 through 6!

10. A Burial at Sea by Charles Finch

The Charles Lenox detective stories have been a saving grace during the pandemic. Whenever I need a certain type of escape, I pick up the next book and disappear into Victorian England. A Burial at Sea is unique because it takes Lenox away from the usual supporting characters. On a diplomatic trip to Egypt, Lenox must solve a murder aboard the ship. I enjoyed the tidbits about sailing and the navy, and the crew provided many interesting characters (and suspects).

9. Sadie by Courtney Summers

Before this year, I had not read any YA thrillers. This year, um, things changed. Courtney Summers writes about unapologetically messy girls, and Sadie is about a teenage girl who goes on the road trying to find her sister’s killer. Summers takes a clear-eyed looked at living in poverty and how people can get lost when living in desperate situations. I was most impressed by the character voice, which is so specific and unlike anything I’ve encountered in the YA space.

8. The Enigma Game by Elizabeth Wein

The Enigma Game is another World War II historical fiction story from the author of Code Name Verity (previously seen in this post). The three main characters are a young RAF pilot, a volunteer airfield driver, and a girl working as caregiver to an elderly woman. Along with all the intrigue and sweet friendships of Wein’s previous novels, The Enigma Game features an indomitable old lady and the charming setting of a small Scottish town.

7. Beneath the Keep by Erika Johansen

Remember my obsession with the Queen of the Tearling series in past years? The author is still writing Tearling books, and this year brought a prequel focusing on one of the best characters from the original trilogy. Beneath the Keep follows a man of many names, who went from being a prize fighter in the Tearling’s underworld to the queen’s most trusted guard. I find the world and characters incredibly compelling, and it was a dream to get the Mace’s backstory.

6. The Ivies by Alexa Donne

Alexa Donne, my favorite creator on Authortube, released her first young adult thriller this year. The Ivies is about a group of girls at an elite boarding school who are determined to get into Ivy League schools at all costs. When one of the girls is murdered, narrator Olivia discovers just how far her friends were willing to go. Alexa hits the right tone for her subject matter, combining snarky teenage girls with sharp commentary about class and wealth.

Tomorrow I’m excited to share my top 5 books of 2021!

Best of 2021: Movies

My viewing habits have definitely evolved in the last ten years. Like many people, I think, I find myself watching fewer movies and more series, which poses a problem for my end-of-year list-making. That being said, this year I made progress with my ongoing goal to catch up on post-1960s films and watched some delightful animation. Enjoy my top 5 movies seen in 2021!

5. How to Build a Girl

Okay, this movie had a lot of issues. Based on the novel by Caitlin Moran (seen in a past post), the film adaptation tries to externalize the main character’s wild imagination in ways that feel tonally awkward. However, I still found myself moved by the story of Johanna’s reinvention into a teenage rock critic because of the relationship at the heart of the story. Beanie Feldstein and Alfie Allen portray the deep affection between Johanna and her favorite musician so truly to the book that I was willing to forgive the movie any number of sins.

4. All the President’s Men

As part of watching classic films from more recent decades, I took a look at All the President’s Men (1976). You really can’t lose with Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford in a newsroom drama. I was fascinated by watching them chase down a story the old-fashioned way, which apparently involved a lot of phone calls and showing up at people’s houses. The 1970s film style is also a perfect fit for the story. Everything feels grittier, messier, and tinged with blue.

3. The Mitchells vs. the Machines

This movie was an unexpected banger. My husband chose it to watch, mainly because I like animation. The Mitchells vs. the Machines is about a family taking a road trip before the oldest daughter leaves for college. Unfortunately, a robot world takeover occurs during their trip. The animation style is over-the-top, bright and busy, which is used to comedic effect throughout. The family dynamics are top-notch, and I was cracking up the entire time.

2. Soul

Soul is a charming movie about a man who accidentally finds himself in the afterlife right as he gets his break as a jazz musician. I was amazed by how an animated film could make New York City feel so vibrant and alive. With its plot deeply rooted in philosophical questions (like, um, what gives our lives meaning), I have to wonder if Soul is more an animated film for adults, which is okay. We can all enjoy some beautiful jazz music and comedic cat animation.

1. The Silence of the Lambs

I know, I hear you. Courtney, you love psychological thrillers. How had you never watched The Silence of the Lambs until this year? I wish I knew, my hypothetical friend. Either way, this movie had me from the opening scene of Jodie Foster jogging through the foggy woods. I expected Anthony Hopkins to be deliciously creepy as Hannibal Lecter, but I didn’t know that I would also find the story of a young woman trying to make a place for herself in a male-dominated profession. Add Howard Shore’s musical score to two Oscar-winning performances, and you get a film that works on every level.

Now it’s time to dive into my favorite books of the year!