My Favorite Books from 2022
It is hard to believe this is the 10th year of my favorite book list. I am grateful to everyone who has followed and shared their love of reading with me. Your feedback has been incredible, and I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to connect with so many book lovers over the years. Thank you for reaching out and letting me know which recommendations have hit the mark and which ones you're excited to try. Here's to many more years of book recommendations and discussions to come!
This edition is a little shorter than previous years, but many of these books I plan on revisiting in the future.
The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music by Dave Grohl
A few bands have “season ticket” status with me, meaning I am going to the show if they come to town. The Foo Fighters fall into that category and Dave Grohl is the frontman for one the biggest rock bands since the late 1990s. The Storyteller is your buddy Dave Grohl telling you stories of his life and career. The book includes vignettes on Grohl's childhood and early musical experiences, his time with Nirvana, the formation of Foo Fighters, and his ongoing career as a musician and songwriter. This book had a more significant impact because I finished it a few months before Taylor Hawkins (the Foo Fighter’s drummer) passed away. The Taylor and Dave road trip stories were some of the book’s best parts.
Last Green Valley: A Novel by Mark Sullivan
Ukraine has been in the headlines this year with the ongoing Russian invasion. This book is a historical novel based on one family’s struggle through the Holodomor and World War 2, having to pick between the Russians and Germans. The family story is an incredible one of survival and triumph. Mark Sullivan also wrote Beneath the Scarlet Sky – a top read for 2019.
Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology By Chris Miller
Chip Wars examines the global competition for leadership in the semiconductor industry. The book explores the history of the semiconductor industry and the factors that have contributed to its rapid evolution, including advances in technology, shifts in market demand, and the role of government policies. It digs into how chips have become a key driver of economic growth and that the outcome of the "chip wars" will have significant implications for the global economy. The book also examines various countries’ and companies' strategies to pursue chip supremacy, including investments in research and development, partnerships, and acquisitions. This is a deep dive into the semiconductor industry’s history and provides some guidance on the geopolitical importance of Taiwan today.
Freezing Order: A True Story of Money Laundering, Murder, and Surviving Vladimir Putin's Wrath By Bill Browder
This is Bill Browder’s follow up book to Red Notice (a 2018 Favorite Book), and it begins where his previous book left off. Bill continues to pursue justice for his attorney Sergei Magnitsky who was murdered in a Russian jail in 2009. This book reads like a spy novel and is largely about Russia striking back again Browder’s success in getting the Magnitsky Act around the world. This book will continue to make you think twice about investing in Russia.
The Tao of Bill Murray: Real-Life Stories of Joy, Enlightenment, and Party Crashing By Gavin Edwards
The book explores the life and career of actor Bill Murray through anecdotes and interviews. It delves into Murray's quirky approach to acting and his reputation as a unique character, even in Hollywood. The book examines Murray's unconventional career choices, his relationships with his colleagues, and his reputation as a prankster. The Tao of Bill Murray also discusses Murray's philosophical and spiritual beliefs and how these have influenced his work and his approach to life. Overall, the book offers a unique and entertaining look at one of Hollywood's most iconic actors. I have one caveat, the first 2/3 of this book was terrific. The last 1/3, when the author goes chronologically through his movies, was a little harder to get through. I smiled and laughed out loud through the whole book!
What am I excited to read over the holidays?
The Last Folk Hero: The Life and Myth of Bo Jackson by Jeff Pearlman
Growing up in the 1980s and 1990s, I did not grow up in a generation with Marvel movies but he had a living superhero named Bo Jackson. I can’t wait to read Jeff Pearlman’s book about Bo.
Previous Years’ Book Lists
Andrew Comstock, CFA