The Books of 2022

Somehow, I've managed to read and listen to some books this year, mainly during long nights or periods when doctors recommended some time off. Reading remains one of my main anti-depressants, the only harmless addiction.

Here's my list and some thoughts.

I. The light reads - the crime novels

1.Jo Nesbo - The Jealousy Man

A collection of short and long mystery stories from a Norwegian master of the genre. Perfect reading for a vacation.

2. Michael Connely - Desert Star (a Bosch novel)

The latest addition to the series (which I've interrupted at some point) did not disappoint - and the recipe kept strong, even though it was predictable at times. It seems that Connely is planning to be done with Bosch, if not now, then in the next novel.

3. James Lovegrove - Sherlock Holmes and the Christmas Ghost

Written in the style and language of the originals, it does not lack appeal, especially for hardcore fans. I found it hard to follow and disappointing here or there. However, it may be that my bad impression stemmed from the fact that this was an audiobook whose reader's rendition of Holmes I found utterly annoying. All in all, it was good to go fast to sleep.

II. The Light Reads - the Novels

4. Matt Haig - The Midnight Library

During my student years, I read some of the old teachings of the early Christian monks. One was about a Christian who complained that his "cross" was too heavy. Christ allowed him to change his for another of his own choosing. The Christian then tried several crosses - some were too light, some even heavier than his, some had spikes, and some were slippery, giving him all sorts of reasons to try another one. Finally, he found one that suited him perfectly. Christ allowed him to take it but pointed out it was the cross he was given in the first place. This is what the novel is about, although crosses are replaced by books and alternative lives. It is why I found the novel predictable, even though I enjoyed the overall story.

III. The Re-reads

5. Mircea Cartarescu - Nostalgia

I read this book over 20 years ago as a law school student. It made a deep impression on me because of the anamnesis effect, resurfacing some of my lost childhood memories. I placed it among my all-time five most favourite novels. I feared I wouldn't like it as much as the first time, but the impression kept strong. However, it did lose its place in my top 5, but only because Cartarescu released this year Theodoros, which is his best book so far (see below the Highlights section).

6. HG Wells - The Time Machine

A light book of interesting perspectives and questions. Why would the time machine be confined to the same space, and how is that possible with the massive changes in time? It's not the only paradox, but this question lingered on for a while.

7. Nicollo Machiavelli - The Prince

Always an interesting read, especially if accompanied by a good critical apparatus.

8. George Orwell - 1984

Came close to a highlight, as the impression it made on me was stronger than the one from 20 years ago. In the era of surveillance that we experience nowadays, this book not only maintains its relevance but increases it. It's common place to say that all readers will relate to the book's content, but that does not make it any less true. This is what makes 1984 an all-time classic and a must-read.

IV. The History Books

9. Neagu Djuvara - O scurta istorie a romanilor povestita celor tineri

I don't know how I've avoided this book until now. It's worth reading or listening to (which is what I did, enjoying the author's voice as well). What makes it different and more valuable are the personal anecdotes, family histories, and the subjective view of the author, who makes a case that history is, to a large extent, a personal story.

10. Adrian Goldsworthy - Philip and Alexander

A comprehensive and enjoyable read of Alexander and his father's reign. If there was a case that Alexander's conquests owe a great debt to Philip's reforms and accomplishments, Goldsworthy made it clear. This, however, does not diminish the accomplishments of the man who came to be known as 'the Great'. It just provides context and a better understanding.

11. Paul Kenyon - Children of the Night. The Strange and Epic History of Modern Romania

It's an interesting experience to see your people's history through a foreigner's eyes. It's a balanced, well-documented, anecdote-abundant modern history of Romania, which dwells on the intricacies of Romanian politics and democracy, where fascism and communism seem to have mingled and overlap in weird ways. Recommended for those who want to get familiar with Romanian history and gain insight into what made Romanians the way they are now. It's an understanding account, not an apologetic one.

On a personal note, since the author married someone from my native town, the history contains also many references to my birthplace and its tragic history.

12. Fernando Cervantes - Conquistadors

The author's case is that politics and ignorance have created and perpetuated a false and biased image of the 'conquistadors'. I must admit that the book shattered my wrong impressions and my own ignorance concerning the subject matter. Well-written, informative and highly enjoyable, Cervantes's book is an eye-opener.

13. Vladimir Solonari - Imperiul Satelit 1941-1944. Guvernarea Romaneasca in Transnistria

Romania administered Transnistria for 3 years during WW2, but little is written on this topic. Solonari's book promised to alleviate the knowledge gap and managed to do so to a certain extent. Besides the numerous contradictions, my problem with his take on the subject is his personal bias and obvious dislike for Marshall Antonescu. Even when admitting that the inhabitants in Transnistria had a much better situation than those living under German occupation, the text abounds in Soviet-type propaganda and speech. Not surprising if one considers 1) the pro-Soviet approach of the author (who militated for the maintenance of the Soviet Union and rejected Moldavian independence until he discovered his Western views and Holocaust interest that took him to the United States and 2) the fact that he omitted Romanian sources and relied on Soviet ones (Russian and Ukrainian).

Solonari does not only hate Antonescu but has a strong dislike of Romanians and anything Romanian, which is felt throughout the book. Thus, while I did appreciate a 'factual' account of Romanian governance in Transnistria, the approach was profoundly anti-Romanian and filled with hatred and contempt.

14. Stephen Dando Collins - Caesar's Legion

An enjoyable investigation into the history of Legio X, 'Caesar's Legion' from its recruitment until its trace was lost in history. It was interesting to discover how well-documented the legion's activity is, even after Caesar's demise, up until Jerusalem's destruction. Read it if you are interested in a different type of history book.

V. Non-Fiction

15. Daniel Kahneman - Noise

A continuation of Thinking Fast and Slow, yet, with a lesser personal impact. Maybe because I listened to it instead of reading it, something simply did not click.

16. Johnathan Levi - Ages of American Capitalism. A History of the United States

An impressive tome that parallels capitalism's development to the history of the USA, with which it appears inextricably linked. This a fantastic and informative read strongly recommended to anyone interested in history or economy.

17. Daniel Yergin - The New Map

Probably one of the most balanced accounts of energy transition and related geopolitics around the globe, from one of the leading voices anchored in reality. It did not disappoint and should be read by anyone tired of green propaganda.

18. Lendol Calder - Financing the American Dream: A Cultural History of Consumer Credit

The book made a perfect parallel to Levi's account of American capitalism. It follows the development of consumer credit in the US and the changing (cultural) paradigm that followed it. Fantastic book!

19. James Clear - Atomic Habits

At my low-bottom moment this year, I listened to this book. Has some interesting advice and techniques, especially for those lacking discipline or self-knowledge. Can be useful, but it's nothing special.

VI. The Highlights

20. Michel Houellebecq - Anihilare

The initial reviews expressed disappointment that this is a soft novel, lacking the usual controversies that Houellebecq used us with. Yet, it's a very good, humane novel filled with existential questions. In my humble view, Houellebecq put on paper his worse nightmare, revealing a very sensitive part of his soul. I loved it.

21. Henry Kissinger - Leadership

I have not read any book by Kissinger that I did not like. This one paints 6 portraits of leaders that he personally knew, all of whom pursued national goals via different styles, influenced also by different personality traits.

22. Javier Blas - The World for Sale

A dark, hidden history of the economic puppet masters that instrument wars and crises for their own personal gain. A book about the cancers that parasite capitalism.

23. Mircea Cartarescu - Theodoros

What a novel! A pseudohistorical book about a mythical Wallachian character that might have been, or not, an Emperor of Ethiopia. A book about the human search for love and meaning, the human soul's torment and indecisiveness between good and evil, angels and devils, life and death, and fate and freedom. No great theme is left out, no great story. If I ever wanted to write a book, this is the kind of book I would like to write. It makes no sense to try, as I would never beat this one. It's that good!

24. William Dalrymple - From the Holy Mountain

The discovery of the year. A travel and history book that retraces the steps of two Byzantine monks in the Eastern Roman Empire about 1500 years ago. The author reveals the dying world of Eastern Christianity, an ironic and painful reality, as this is the origin of Christianity itself. A book that will make you laugh and cry. A painful account of the cruel fate of Christianity in the sea of hostile Islamism and Zionism, and from which Christians themselves are not free of blame.

VII. The Unfinished (though not abandoned)

Alex Epstein - Fossil Future; Lizbeth Cohen - A Consumers' Republic. The Politics of Mass Consumption in Postwar America; Thomas Piketty - A Brief History of Equality; Robert Bartlett - The Middle Ages and the Movies.

I did not list any graphic novels (I read two) or the books read for work.