My reading journey for 2022 has started a little slower than some other years. I am only two books in with the third one not too far away from the end.

I kept meaning to blog about the first two books, but kept putting it off. Knocking this post out was part of the impetus for trying to blog every single day (except the first one) this month.

I will strive to keep the format of all of my book posts this year consistent, but I can’t promise anything.

The Night the Lights Went Out by Drew Magary: I first started reading Magary 20ish years ago when he was part of the foul-mouth crew who wrote irreverent stuff on a sports blog whose name I won’t use because it isn’t really funny in hindsight.

Anyway, he made me laugh back then and stayed in my consciousness as a writer for Deadspin and other outlets. I was less fond of his juvenile stuff as time went on (even though I am still very juvenile), but also saw some really powerful takes on a number of issues.

That’s why I couldn’t wait to read this book, a memoir/oral history about the traumatic brain injury he suffered several years ago and his recovery. The book is funny, heart-wrenching and brutally honest. He has an incredible gift for writing. I highly recommend this.

We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Berry: I am not sure how a book about how the members of a high school girls field hockey team use magic (maybe) to enhance their senior season ended up on my reading list, but I am thoroughly happy I did.

First of all, it is a delightful ride through late 1980s nostalgia. The way Berry uses song lyrics or commercial tag lines seamlessly through the narration just amazed me. She also deftly uses a first-person plural narrator without really distracting from the story.

The sports angle may not be for everyone, but it truly is more about the relationships than the actual games. This book definitely should be on your to-be-read list.