Is it still alright to a do a recap of books from the previous year? Asking for a friend…
Well no matter the answer, that is what this post is about today. Last year was a year in which my mind was quite busy and I couldn’t always find a way to quiet it so I could read. But fortunately, I was able to go on a few paper adventures. While some have already received their own solo posts (see the list at the end for links to those), the following are quick hits I would love to hear your own thoughts on.
The Guest List by Lucy Foley – A whodunit set during a wedding off the coast of Ireland. Many have compared it to Agatha Christie, but it felt more like a suspenseful reality TV series. I don’t say that to insult it because I love me some entertaining reality TV from time to time, but the writing and the level of suspense didn’t bring me into Christie territory. Still recommend on a rainy night with a single dim lamp on, magnifying glass nearby.
Everybody Thought We Were Crazy by Mark Rozzo – As someone who loves the cultural history of Los Angeles, Rozzo’s look into the life of Hollywood icon Dennis Hopper and his wife Brooke Hayward and their life in LA in the sixties did not disappoint. History is often times not pretty and this novel shows some true ugliness within their lives inside and outside of the marriage, with other illustrious icons making their cameos throughout. I did listen to the audiobook of this one and enjoyed it a lot as it felt like I was listening to a podcast. Highly recommend if sad history and/or the drama of Hollywood are your things
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave – Another suspense/mystery from Reese’s Book Club list (I am starting to notice a trend with these…). This tale follows a woman and her step-daughter trying to figure out what happened to the husband and dad who left both of their lives without warning. It follows the two women as they put together clues from the present and their past to figure out what happened. I wasn’t thrilled or captivated with this book as the clues throughout were a bit farfetched at times for the two women to put together as something solid they could go on. The ending also, made me just yell “why!?!”
“It was a sad comment on the state of humanity that his willingness to take her seriously counted as a very large point in his favor, when really it should be considered a bare minimum in civil discourse.”
A Conspiracy In Belgravia by Sherry Thomas – A new take on Sherlock Holmes, this time with a very clever woman. This is the second novel in the Charlotte Holmes series, and I enjoyed reading both and look forward to the next in the series. I consider myself very much a feminist, and there are so many moments within these tales in which Charlotte reminds me of why I believe what I do, and why I fight the way I do to make sure all people are treated equitably. Also as a rabid dessert lover, Charlotte knows what’s up.
Crossings by Alex Landragin – My only DNF of the year. I liked the overall message and symbolism in what I read, but it dragged out a bit too long for me and I didn’t feel myself reaching out to finish it like I normally do, so I didn’t. To be fair, some stressful times in my life hit around the time I was reading this one, so maybe I need to give it another shake. The thought gives me anxiety since I have too many on my TBR list already!
The Grimm Trilogy by Adam Gidwitz – My niece gave me an ultimatum that I needed to read her books ASAP or return them to her, so I got to reading. And I have to say, my niece has good taste! I absolutely ate these books up. The characters were likable and interesting, the settings were given in such a way in which you could clearly see them in your mind, and the overall stories that brought me back to my childhood all were amazing, albeit a bit more gruesome. I have had a great time recently picking up YA books as a 38-year-old and it’s a trend I hope to bring to my book club because we all deserve a fun time.
Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose – 2023 had me reintroducing nonfiction back into my repertoire, and this one was a great one. It tells the story of Lewis and Clark and their exploration of the west. It goes into great detail of all of the players involved, and makes sure to make the landscape one of the main characters which I appreciated as someone who has made the southwest her home her whole life. I also listened to the audiobook for this one, and the narrator was wonderful and it was nice to listen to it while doing a puzzle of the Durango wilderness in Colorado.
To read full posts about other titles read in 2023, click on any of the links below.
Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
Stoner by John Williams (the author, not the composer hehe)
Feet Up, Speak Up 