I look forward to reading the year-end "Best Of" lists (especially books) but I don't expect them to start appearing in November. It started when I saw that Merriam-Webster has decided on the Word of the Year. The word is "gaslighting" by the way, and while I may not agree with it as the "Word of the Year", I think that the Top 10 words belong on the list.
There is also the NYT 10 Best Books of 2022, Washington Post's 10 Best Books of 2022, The New York Public Library Best Books of 2022, and I especially appreciate that Vulture called their list The Best Books of 2022 (So Far) (even though I've only heard of a handful of these books). What I learned from these lists is that I hope my hold on Demon Copperhead comes through soon.
But Vulture also had something else of interest to me - a master list of year-end lists. This is from 2016, and I can't find anything similar that's newer, but there are lots of intriguing lists. The top naked performances, the best and worst movies of 2016 (My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 was one of the worst), nine best musicals that are not Hamilton, the best commercials, apps, memes, and even the Building of the Year.
So why do we like making and reading year-end lists? Carrie Barron (Asst. Clinical Prof. of Psychiatry at Columbia) says there is something psychologically satisfying in the process. She thinks that lists might satisfy four main needs: 1) catch-up (filling in the gaps and bringing closure to the year, 2) containment (list-making calms and contains the mind), 3) crafting (list-makers employ both divergent and convergent thinking), and 4) creating ritual (the end of the year needs rituals to deal with turning points). I think all of these hold true for me and help explain why I like year-end lists so much, whether they appear in November or closer to the end of the year. Once I get it whittled down, I'll be writing my own 10 favorite books of 2022.
What are some of your favorites of 2022? Feel free to tell me about books, movies, music, food, knitting projects, or almost anything!
I do so love the year end lists! I especially enjoy NPR's 400 best books of the year, and last night I looked at Maureen Corrigan's 10 favorite books of the year (I have read 4 on her list and have gotten on the waitlist for the other 6 - 4 of which I had never heard of!)
ReplyDeleteThe lists always bring something to my radar that I would have otherwise missed!
Thank you for doing that research about why we find these lists so satisfying! I always find it difficult to limit myself to an arbitrary number, especially when it comes to books, so while I'm looking forward to looking back over my reading this year, I know coming up with my 10 favorites is going to be hard (and I just might not do it!).
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy reading (and making) best-of lists at the end of the year -- and I completely agree with Carrie Barron's research findings. I really find these year-end lists (others and my own) a good way to review the year, pull the various "threads" together, and wrap up the old before we head into the new. I look forward to seeing your best-books list (and any others you may put together). And I hope Demon Copperfield comes into your life sooner than later. (I'll probably finish today. I'm not sure that I "like" it, but it's very good; I can see why it's on the top of so many best-of lists, that's for sure.)
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting. I tend to think of lists as a forward thinking operation rather than looking back, ie To Do lists. I do keep track of what I've read, and what I've accomplished, but it never occurs to me to rank those lists. To each their own.
ReplyDeleteDemon Copperfield is good, it has some Shuggy Baine moments, but the author brings up issues of culture/class wars that I had not considered even though I read J.D. Vance's book and saw his political career coming from that book. IMO it could have been less than 546 pages, but some of the big name authors are getting those high page counts through these days.
Thanks for all the links Bonny! I looked over the various book lists (I can't access the NY Times one since I do not subscribe) and what struck me is how varied they are! I always enjoy looking at year-end lists, but find I get tired of them after awhile. I'm not a list maker myself (though I do keep track of my knitting and stitching projects as well as books I read). I'll look forward to your own personal book list!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading the various "best of" lists at this time of year, especially the book lists. The NPR list is my favorite because it is long and fun to pore over!
ReplyDeleteI was saving the NPR list for later when I had lots of time to explore, but I'm already enjoying Maureen Corrigan's Top 10 list that Kat alerted me to. I found several that I wanted to read and have placed more holds!
DeleteLike everyone else, I enjoy year end lists. The only thing that bugs me is when year end lists start showing up for the year has, well, ended! LOL
ReplyDeleteHmm, I'll have to think about my best of - year end list. Closure and ritual are the big deal for me. Sometimes I hate to admit how much I need closure. I looked at the NYT's Best Books of the Year and found I have different taste in reading. I plan to check on NPR's list.
ReplyDeleteWhat I learn from year-end lists is that there are SO many more books available than I can every read.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing all the book lists - and savoring how different reading tastes can be. I wait until the end of December, though, to make any of my own lists ... maybe because that last week of the year is one where I have ample time to read, knit, and watch TV?
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