I’m a little late on my top picks, book recommendations if you will, from last year but hey what else is new. I told myself in 2024, I go back to writing for myself but that was also what I told myself at the end of 2022. But here I am, making another attempt to steer away from the endless corporate and creative writing I do 6 days a week at my job.
Up first, a few stats to get those juices flowing.
✦ I read a total of 72 books in 2023
✦ Out of which 40 were eBooks on my beloved, Kindle aka Mr. K
✦ 17 were hardcovers
✦ And 15 were paperbacks
Not bad for someone who claims to prefer reading on her Kindle but could definitely do better. I did go on a ‘Book Buying Ban’ after my Birthday Book Haul this year but more on that later.
✦ Only 15 were nonfiction — which is definitely concerning but on the flip side, I did read quite a bunch of Children’s Literature which was surely an unspoken, reading goal of mine for the year.
My Favorite Reads from 2023
So, out of all the books I read last year, not necessarily published in 2023, here’s what should be on top of your TBR pile:
𖦹 Every damn book by Claire Keegan — I read 3 of her titles last year and I’m a fan. She offers you a blend of evocative prose and poignant storytelling. Such nuanced characters, and human relationships that leave you breathless. I often find myself in awe and disgust (at the same time) with humans after reading her short but immersive worlds. If you fancy human emotions and the complexities of human relationships, then do yourself a favor and pick any (preferably all) of these: Small Things Like These, Foster and So Late in the Day.
𖦹 Lucy by the Sea by Elizabeth Strout — She is such a celebrated author, I doubt anything I say will add to her glory but I can tell you this, after reading this book, I was emotionally charged. She writes with such simplicity but manages to shake you to your very core. If you are not a fan of Pandemic Books, then steer clear of this one but any other title of hers promises to fill you with empathy, which to be honest, we can all use, especially in the world today. Pick this one up, if you are interested in an in-depth understanding of the human condition.
𖦹 Detective Kosuke Kindaichi #8: The Devil’s Flute Murders by Seishi Yokomizo, Jim Rion (Translator) — Are you guys actually surprised to see this here? In 2022, Death on Gokumon Island (Detective Kosuke Kindaichi, #4) was a let down but Pushkin Press knew which one to pick up next, and the latest left me wanting more, all over again. The scruffy detective is back this time in a post-war Tokyo navigating multiple murders, ghostly visitations and a haunting melody. My Top Tip to reading the Kindaichi books: take a photograph of the dramatis-personae (list of characters) from the start of the novel because you will go back multiple of times owing to a huge cast of characters.
𖦹 Cormoran Strike #7: The Running Grave by Robert Galbraith — Just like my last pick, the last installment of this series too left me feeling underwhelmed. But boy did Rowling redeem herself or what. The Running Grave is now officially one of my top 3 from the series, this one kept me on the edge, and I found myself screaming at the page often. I inhaled this massive tome rather than sleep for a few nights, not to mention the last chapter made me gasp out loud. For fans of Strike and Robin, this book wasn’t long enough and the mystery was CHEF’S KISS!
Honorary Mentions
Time now for a few special shoutouts that did not give me a book-hangover but are great recommendations for a diverse reading experience.
✿ The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman
✿ The Decagon House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji, Ho-Ling Wong (Translator)
✿ Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry
✿ A Dire Isle by R.V. Raman
✿ Nine Liars by Maureen Johnson
✿ Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa, Eric Ozawa (Translator)
✿ The Murder of Twelve by Jessica Fletcher and Jon Land
✿ Welcome to Paradise by Twinkle Khanna
✿ Highlands Christmas by Amy Quick Parrish
And now for an opinion that is synonymous with the entire Book Community on the Internet, books by Freida McFadden are creepy but easy thrillers. You’ll more or less know what went downhill but you will still be glued to the pages. Her books are easy one-sitting reads and supremely delicious for a cold, cold night. I read 3 of hers this last year: The Housemaid (The Housemaid, #1), Never Lie and The Gift.
I genuinely believe these titles will challenge your perspective on nuances of the human experience, and grip you in the best way possible.
I wish you moments of pure escape, and a world filled with peace, health and joy.