Here they are, in no particular order. My ten favorite books I read in 2022 (not necessarily released in 2022):
Cold in July - Joe R. Lansdale
I’ve got a TON of Lansdale on my shelf, and I could spend the next year reading only him, but I like to savor it. Don’t ever want to run out. We’ve got crime and twists here with a great story. One of my favorites by Joe.
I’ve got a TON of Lansdale on my shelf, and I could spend the next year reading only him, but I like to savor it. Don’t ever want to run out. We’ve got crime and twists here with a great story. One of my favorites by Joe.
South of Here - Edward Lorn
I loved everything about this book. Gritty slice-of-life with quick-punch prose. This is one I’ll be reading again. Not only is it in this year's top 10, it's probably in my top 20 of all time. It's one of those books, just like some films, that I recognize may not be loved by most but scratches all my itches.
I loved everything about this book. Gritty slice-of-life with quick-punch prose. This is one I’ll be reading again. Not only is it in this year's top 10, it's probably in my top 20 of all time. It's one of those books, just like some films, that I recognize may not be loved by most but scratches all my itches.
Wasps in the Ice Cream - Tim McGregor
I was asked to blurb this one. It’s always a relief when it turns out to be a book you’re very proud to boast aloud. This is one of those. Absolutely fantastic coming-of-age.
I was asked to blurb this one. It’s always a relief when it turns out to be a book you’re very proud to boast aloud. This is one of those. Absolutely fantastic coming-of-age.
Two Bear Mambo - Joe R. Lansdale
Years ago, I accidentally read the fourth book in the Hap & Leonard series first, not realizing it was part of a series. It didn’t matter. It's a great standalone. This here is the third one, and so far my favorite between the first four. Lots of laugh-out-loud moments and action.
Years ago, I accidentally read the fourth book in the Hap & Leonard series first, not realizing it was part of a series. It didn’t matter. It's a great standalone. This here is the third one, and so far my favorite between the first four. Lots of laugh-out-loud moments and action.
Ecstatic Inferno - Autumn Christian
Autumn writes circles around most but with little recognition for it. Sometimes these stories go into bizarre territory that’s almost alienating, but you can’t deny the power of the ideas, as well as the incredible and intimidating prose (without being purple).
Autumn writes circles around most but with little recognition for it. Sometimes these stories go into bizarre territory that’s almost alienating, but you can’t deny the power of the ideas, as well as the incredible and intimidating prose (without being purple).
Malignant - Michaelbrent Collings
Neck-break page-turner here that doesn’t hold back. At all. There’s some brutal stuff in here. Michaelbrent does a great job with pacing and reveals.
Neck-break page-turner here that doesn’t hold back. At all. There’s some brutal stuff in here. Michaelbrent does a great job with pacing and reveals.
Bay’s End - Edward Lorn
Great coming-of-age crime-drama. Another one by Lorn that surprised me. Great writer.
Great coming-of-age crime-drama. Another one by Lorn that surprised me. Great writer.
Night of the Mannequins - Stephen Graham Jones
Very original premise in a slasher with a psychological slant that put this on my list. It’s not easy taking something that’s been done to death and turn it on its head. This effort goes way beyond that. Great job, SGJ!
Very original premise in a slasher with a psychological slant that put this on my list. It’s not easy taking something that’s been done to death and turn it on its head. This effort goes way beyond that. Great job, SGJ!
Wayward Suns - Hamelin Bird
Another I was asked to blurb and delighted to scream from the hilltops. Like McGregor with Wasps, Hamelin was obviously familiar with my stuff, as he sent me a book I may have written myself. Slice-of-life, drug stories, rebellion, and music.
Another I was asked to blurb and delighted to scream from the hilltops. Like McGregor with Wasps, Hamelin was obviously familiar with my stuff, as he sent me a book I may have written myself. Slice-of-life, drug stories, rebellion, and music.
Dracula - Bram Stoker
Slow burn in parts? Big time. Anti-climatic ending? Yes. But I still enjoyed it, especially considering this is the origin right here. The book that started so much of what we take for granted in the horror world, both film and literature.
Slow burn in parts? Big time. Anti-climatic ending? Yes. But I still enjoyed it, especially considering this is the origin right here. The book that started so much of what we take for granted in the horror world, both film and literature.
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