Best Reads of 2022
The year 2022 was filled with many great readings by the Campaign Workshop staff. whether
Whether you’re a fan of the memoir, historical fantasy, or mystery genres, our staff has read them all, and
There are some great picks for everyone to enjoy in their spare time. Check out our staff
Pick their favorite book of 2022!
The Song of Achilles By Madeleine Miller. Our staff member Alice McLoughlin chose it
In the book The Song of Achilles by Madeleine Miller, Achilles and Patroclus are two sons of the king
who unite as sons. One of them, Patroclus, is an exile who is rejected by her
Father. The other would become the greatest warrior of his time and perhaps of all time.
In this engrossing retelling of Homer’s Iliad, Miller plunges us into a love story set against the backdrop of
of the Trojan War.
Midnight Library By Matt Haig. Our staff member Beth Taubman chose this book
The Midnight Library is about Nora, a thirty-year-old woman who regrets her life and
Feeling isolated and unnecessary in this world. Deep in his waves, he comes across
Midnight Library. In this, each book represents a portal into another variation of his life
Could have been. As he reads the volumes, they allow him to access different versions of them
Life — the relationships he could have stuck with, the career he could have pursued, etc.
guest list By Lucy Foley. Our staff member Elizabeth Roe chose this book. in
The Guest List On a small island off the coast of western Ireland, guests have gathered
The wedding bride and groom are online magazine publisher Julia “Jules” Keegan and celebrity
Host and survivor William Slater. They gathered their relatives and loved ones to celebrate
In true destination wedding style, with lots of champagne and fashionable people.
Half American By Matthew F. Delmont. Our staff member Enrique Rivas chose this book.
Matthew F. Delmont’s book is full of fascinating narratives that are subtle, austere,
and the complexity of how black Americans simultaneously fought for this country abroad
Fighting for their rights here in the US. Half of America belongs firmly in the canon
Essential Books of World War II.
Clara and Surya By Kazuo Ishiguro. Our staff member Hallie Thurber chose this book. Clara
And Surya tells the story of Clara, a companion robot (called “AF” or “Artificial Friend”). said
Through Clara’s eyes, the book opens with her in the store, waiting to be bought. he
Finally Josie and her mother go home with a sweet but sick girl. As Clara learns about the world around her, Ishiguro reveals to us a semi-dystopian world.
The not too distant future. And Clara discovers the truth about herself, people, difficult decisions
They must, and the complications of love.
H Marte is crying By Michelle Zauner. Our staff member Joe Fuld chose this book. H is crying
A memoir by Mart Michelle Jauner, a successful Korean-American artist
Japanese breakfast. Before her musical success, at just 25 years old, Michelle suffered a tragedy
When his mother died of cancer. With an American father and Korean mother Jauner
He struggled to connect with his Korean identity after his mother died and felt he had lost all ties.
That part of myself; Through this memoir, Zauner depicts his relationship with his mother and
How his affection was mostly shown through their shared favorite foods.
think again By Adam Grant. Our staff member Julie Watson chose this book. think again
(2021) examines the science behind changing your mind – and persuading others to change
They explore the biases and assumptions it brings to our decision-making and
Outlines how individuals and organizations can develop a mindset of lifelong curiosity.
Allow me to retort By Elie Mistal. Our staff member Kata Grossman chose Fernandez
This is the book. Allow Me to Retort is an easily digestible argument primer, so people can
Tell the Republicans in their own lives why they are wrong. Mistal brings his trademark humour,
Snark, and legal expertise on matters as important to our politics as fines and voters
Suppression, and explains why legal concepts such as the right to privacy and root causes
The process can pack onto very bad judge conservatives under constant attack
the court
Red, white and royal blue By Casey McQuiston. Chosen by our staff member Martin Diego Garcia
This is the book. Red, White and Royal Blue is an LGBTQ romance story between FSOTUS (the first).
son of the United States) Alex Claremont-Diaz and Prince Henry, a potential heir to the British
The two young men on the throne reconciled their relationship and eventually braved public opinion
Declaring their feelings openly, the novel explores themes of respecting one’s true nature,
Trying to strike a balance between public duty and personal desire and its value
Freedom and diversity over conformity.
Madhouse at the end of the world By Julian Sancton. Our staff member is Mitchell
McNaughton chose this book. Julian Sancton’s Madhouse at the End of the World
The riveting, page-turning story of a Belgian-led multinational expedition to Antarctica
Commandant Adrien de Gerlache. It may not be among the best known stories
Antarctic exploration, however, is certainly the most painful, as well as the most haunting,
With an abundance of both natural and human drama.
I’m glad my mother died By Janet McCurdy. Our staff member Phoebe Reta chose it
The book is a heartbreaking and hilarious memoir by iCarly and Sam and Cat star Janet McCurdy.
About her struggles as a former child actor — eating disorders, addictions and a
Her complicated relationship with her overbearing mother—and how she took control of her life.
like me By Cicely Tyson. Our staff member Shashawn Lambert chose this book. Cicely
Tyson’s book chronicles her triumphs as well as challenges as an actress and person
The master storyteller shares a rare window into his life with us. He says it all.
From his humble childhood, a pale child born with a heart murmur. his parents
It was said that he would probably not live three months. He freely writes about difficult relationships
The relationship he and his mother shared, his devotion to his father, his parents’ divorce, his
Siblings, and extended family, and everything in between.
Lessons in Chemistry By Bonnie Garmas. Our intern Sophie Bresnicki chose this book. “A
A witty, feminist charmer, Bonnie Garmas’ novel follows a chemistry lesson solo
Ma Elizabeth Jutt, a brilliant alchemist in a man’s world—1960s America—as she becomes
An unlikely cooking-show host and the role model her daughter deserves.”
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow By Gabriel Zevin. Our staff member is Steph
Khani chose this book. In this delightful novel from the best-selling author of The Storied Life
AJ Fikri’s two friends—often in love, but not lovers—come together as creative partners.
The world of video game design, where success is their reputation, joy, tragedy, similarity and,
Finally, a kind of immortality.
blind sight By Peter Watts. Our staff member Tobias Cebulash chose this book. basically
Published in 2006, Peter Watt’s Blindsight tells the story of what happens when 65,000 aliens
The probes flash simultaneously, surveying Earth in an instant. When an investigation of our own
Intercepts an extraterrestrial signal of unknown origin and shortly thereafter a team
Sent to investigate, and possibly make first contact. Naturally, nothing good will happen!
poppy war By RF Kuang. Our intern Tsion Abebaw chose this book. There is a poppy war
The story of the passionate yet ruthless Fang Runin, also known as Rin, who grows up poor,
Orphans from previous wars. But he studies and is admitted to an elite military academy, and
Develops a gift for shamanism that allows him to call upon the fiery power of the vengeful phoenix god.
He wins a war, and joins a civil war for a new republic – only to face enemies on his own.
country, a former aggressor, and guns, airships and other superior colonial powers
Technology.
We’re also big fans of the authors we’ve interviewed on our podcast this year: Gigi Georges,
Danica Roem, David Pepper, and Dana Milbank all published great books this year.
Listen to our podcast here!
Do you have other suggestions for great books in 2022? Drop us a note!