The Most Provocative Books of 2022
The Most Provocative Books of 2022
My favorite reads from this past year.
Unlike most end-of-year lists, I believe newness is a terrible proxy of quality. I prefer to focus on books I consumed over the past 12 months. Sifting through a surprisingly large number of duds, I only recommend what I am willing to bet my livelihood on. Here are some psychological rewards that exceed the crispiest, perfectly stacked batch of Pringles. Click on the links for impulsive purchases.
For Imaginative Storytelling
Nobody captures the inner turbulence of relationships better than Hanya Yanagihara. Her latest book, To Paradise: A Novel is a beast. She designs a New York City landscape in three different eras. Her New York City is a tad different than reality. Hanya imagines architecture, social norms, and terrors that could easily represent our world. Be prepared for a long treatise but within 30 pages you will thank me. I stopped showering and eating for weeks to get more pages in. Expect to lose a roommate or two as you do the same.
For Exceptional Parenting
This masterpiece by Scott Hershovitz, Nasty Brutish, and Short deserves more attention. Teach the children to be practical philosophers. For those who wished they had access to every meaningful conversation with their parents, and every interesting thing kids said to you, get this gem. Dissect the controversial topics covered in the table of contents: revenge, punishment, authority, sex, gender, and sports, race and responsibility, and god. You will not agree with everything written, which is what Scott wants.
For Cocktail Party Conversation
I normally don’t read science fiction romance novels. The One by John Marrs is a welcome exception. Could your romantic relationship handle access to information about who is your most compatible DNA match? What would the first date be like with this DNA match? Expect a few thorny philosophical questions that will fend off efficacious melatonin pills.
For Leveling Up Skills
When I read Zoe Chance’s book, Influence is Your Superpower, the first thing I thought was, “I wish I wrote this.” There is an endless stream of articles, TED talks, and books on persuasion. For me, this is the most practical.
For Living Up To The Hype
As someone obsessed with independent artists, I possess a natural aversion to what society tells me to consume. Gabrielle Zevin’s book Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is advertised on 23.7% of internet pages I frequent. I’m glad because she is fucking incredible at capturing relationship depth. I will re-read two chapters for the remainder of years. Chapter VII: The NPC is such a poignant, poetic meditation on death that I had to remind myself to breathe at several points. Chapter IX: Pioneers is such an insightful, original description of love that I questioned what I’ve truly experienced in my decades on earth. Ignore popularity. Get this book.
For Exposing Societal Horrors
I obsess over how to design a utopian society. Direct exposure to our broken educational system and criminal justice system is what prompted me to write a book on how individuals and teams become smarter. If you want to understand the lack of due process in America, there is no better place to start than Saul Kassin’s Duped: Why Innocent People Confess and Why We Believe Their Confessions. You will be haunted by the court cases. You will be persuaded by the incredible amount of evidence and science. I hope this book motivates more people to think carefully before rendering judgment on fellow humans. Consider this fuel to kickstart a revolution.
For Productive Conflict
My preference is for books that stimulate me to reconsider long held truths. Few readings disrupted my worldview more than Amia Srinivasan’s The Right To Sex. Just consider this page on unintended consequences:
In an era of impulsive judgment and swift intolerance, we could use a litany of reminders about how good intentions often lead to horrible consequences. Do not be turned off by the book’s subtitle. This is an essential contribution for tough conversations about freedom, power, and sex.
As always, please leave comments about these books and offer your own recommendations. So many great minds to converse with, so little time.
If you had an opportunity to read the book I birthed in 2022, The Art of Insubordination: How to Dissent and Defy Effectively, please do me a favor and take a minute to leave a review on Amazon and Goodreads. The best way to support my work is to help me reach a larger audience - and this helps.
And If You Missed the Last Issue…..
Learn how to have more fun in everyday life, with a cameo video by my youngest daughter:
