Book Review 2023

I was trying to do posts in order, but I feel bad leaving this post until February. It’s really a January sort of post. Plus, maybe one person is dying for some good recommendations? I didn’t read quite as much as I did during 2022, but 2023 was still a substantial reading year for me. (I don’t claim to be a crazy big reader. I have friends who read hundreds of books a year. That's not me.) Oddly, I seemed to read a lot of Brandon Sanderson this year. I read 11 of his books. What can I say? He’s a great author. But enough of my blathering, let’s get to the stats and my favorites:

I read 23,768 pages from 63 books 

Shortest book: Mistborn Secret History by Brandon Sanderson (160 pages)

Longest book: Return of the Dragon Slayers by Brandon Mull (608 pages)

Average book length: 377 pages 

Most popular: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (2,768,285 people shelved it)

Least popular: The Die of Destiny by Frank L.Cole  (1,998 people also read it)

Highest rating on Goodreads: The Warden and the Wolf King by Andrew Peterson (4.74)

Most read month: March (8 books)

Least read month: September (2 books)

Most of my favorite books came from: Personal Choice! (7 out of 11) Also interesting to note is how many were audio books. (Also 7 out of 11)

Here are my top 11 favorites of the year (in no particular order) and the review that I wrote for them. Also the key that goes with them. (NC=Neighborhood Club, MB=My Book Group, FG=Family Group, PC=Personal Choice) I read so many good books, but these were the best of the best.

The Bullet that Missed by Richard Osman (PC) - (Audio) How did I not review this already? I finished it ages ago. It was the best guys! Of the three so far, it was my favorite. I'm so impressed with the writing and the character development. There are twists and drama and humor and surprises. I love it all! 

I can't possibly have a favorite character, but maybe it would be...aah, I can't choose. Richard, he is my favorite character. Because he is brilliant, and he's planning on writing a lot more of these books. It makes me so happy. 

No spoilers, of course. Just know that you are in for another treat with the Thursday Murder Club gang.

The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman (PC) - (Audio) I have a hard time giving out 5 stars, and even if each of these books have gotten 4 stars, the overall series is a 5 star in my book. Holy moly Richard Osman, I love these books so much! This one was much more poetic and introspective with the themes of dementia and death (not to mention all the romantic prose from Ibrahim). All of it just adds to the realness and quirkiness of life being lived by these lovely people and murders happening along the way. 

This is probably the first book I was close to tears, and I only held it together because I was listening at work and I think it's weird to cry at work. The story was very touching, while still making me laugh out loud. (Which is also weird at work, but I seem to have less control over that reaction.)

I recommend this series to almost everyone I know. I'm only sad to think that the next one won't be out until next year. But it's always nice to have something to look forward to.

*Usually I don’t put multiple books from one series, but these are the best books. I love each one so much.

Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt (PC) - 4.5 (audio) I loved this book so much. I'll admit that I was hesitant because I liked the Wednesday Wars a lot and I didn't see how this one could compare. But I apologize to myself and Stephanie. Why did I ever doubt? In fact, I think I may have liked this one just a little bit more.

Gary Schmidt is amazing at writing a story with a character that feels so genuine and dynamic that you can't help rooting for them and wanting to follow along their journey. But this book was chalk full of fantastic characters, covering so many human interest moments. Doug's Mom, Lucas, Christopher, Lil, Mr. Powell, Coach Reed, Mrs. Windermere, and the list goes on and on. He makes you care about each one. 

I listened to the book with Pearl and we laughed out loud together and teared up together. It was such a fantastic story. I'm sorry we didn't get to see the pictures, but the reader was perfect. I'm not lying…

Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker (MB) - (Audio) Wow, this book was intense. Not like on-the-edge-of-your-seat-what-happens-next intense, but how-does-one-family-go-through-this-stuff intense. I spent most of my time being so grateful that I don't have children with schizophrenia and then part of the time worried that they will somehow manifest it someday. (No, it doesn't run in my family, but reading about stuff makes you paranoid.)

I learned so much about the disease and it was fascinating. But my two take aways from the book have more to do with human interaction.

1) Each sibling had their own way to deal with the dynamics of the family. I can't say that I fault any of them. I have to remember that people's coping mechanisms are not the same and it is better to look for the reasons why someone chose their path than just judging them for it. I admit that I would be disappointed in siblings not being more hands on, but I can also imagine the terror of being a Galvin son and waiting for an insidious disease to descend upon me. 

2) It doesn't seem to matter what you do as a parent, you can still get blamed for childhood trauma. Most notable to me was when the Galvin's sent their oldest daughter to live with a family to save her from the violence and unpredictability of her sick brother, not to mention from abuse that was not known by the parents at the time. But the daughter decided to see that as abandonment and expulsion from the family. What?? That blows my mind. 

Regardless, this was a hard read. I don't have triggers, but I imagine people with abuse in their past might have a hard time getting through this. Topics included: Murder, Suicide, lots of drugs, Sexual abuse, profanity, violence, manipulation, and naturally lots of mental health issues.

The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson (PC) - (Audio) It's Brandon Sanderson, so I'm gonna like it, but it was weird to have the story shift so drastically from book 3 to 4. I knew it was going to happen and there would be different characters, but still. It was hard to catch up. 

I love the references to the house titles and things like the city being called Elendell. :) It was interesting to see the technological advancements, while they still hadn't reached things like cars and airplanes. And I liked the mixing of races so people could have twin powers. 

Overall, I still got a little lost during fight scenes. They are well written. It's just hard for me to focus sometimes, especially if I'm doing something else at the same time. (Sheepish grin)

I love the new characters though. Wax and Wayne are going to be a great duo. And Miles was a fantastic bad guy! So I'll happily delve into this second half of Mistborn and see where it takes me.

*I ended up loving the second epic of Mistborn more than the first. My review seems half hearted, but I was totally sold in the end.

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls (PC) - (Audio) This book is a classic and makes my heart ache every time I read it. Pearl and I listened to it together. When we read the Unteachables, it sort of spoiled Where the Red Fern Grows, but I thought Pearl needed to experience that book even if the ending was somewhat revealed.

Even though I feel like every child should read this book, I forbid Robyn from reading it. Her tender animal heart seemed like it couldn't make it through such a story. She's an adult now, but I'll give it a few more years before I recommend she read it.

Meanwhile, I was so happy to revisit the story. I'm not sure I've read it since 5th grade, but some of the memories of the book are still vivid. I love how hard work and love of God are woven through the book. This will forever be one of my favorites!

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt (MB) - I LOVED this book. It was so heartwarming. I loved Marcellus having his own chapters and slowly deciding that humans aren't so dull after all. 

I love human interest stories that slowly draw out the truth and connect lives that should be together. This one felt so relatable and it was easy to connect with the characters. Tova was a great lady. I happen to have an elderly neighbor named Tove and it made me think of her every time. 

The Pacific Northwest is my home so it was fun to hear of these locations and imagine them happening right around my stomping grounds. It made me rather wistful to visit again. 

Overall, it was a touching book that I thoroughly enjoyed. Fantastic debut novel Shelby!

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton (MB) - (Audio - 1st time) This book was quite confusing in places. It takes a crazy good mind and (I'm assuming) an intense story board to get all these pieces in the right places. It seemed a little harder since I was listening, so it was really difficult to keep track of all the names and characters...and there are plenty. Not even counting the 8 hosts, characters come and go like a drizzle in the rainforest. 

I'm so glad I finished it. Somewhere past halfway, the pieces started locking into place and the curtain becomes sheer enough that clues are more obvious, although they still don't reveal all the tricks and turns coming. I was surprised by the end and thought it wrapped up well. I want someone to choose this book for book club so I can enjoy it again, but this time reading. 

Good job Stuart! I picked this book up because of the title, but it was quite the adventure.

UPDATE (2nd time): I reread this book. Well, I read it instead of listening to it. Lucky for me, I am NOT good at remembering plots, so a lot of it was a total surprise again. It was much easier to follow while reading. The names didn't get as blurred and it probably helped that things came back easily as I got into the story.

It was so good!! I'm still so impressed with how the pieces fit together. The body count is rather high. I forgot how many people die. But I loved the character development and the mystery and the quantum leap elements. It was fantastic! I read it on a cruise and it was the perfect read to pick up again and again in between other activities.

The Only Plane in the Sky by Garrett Graff (NC) - This book was amazing. I'm old enough to remember 9/11 easily enough, but I was in Ukraine when the events transpired and I've always felt disconnected from that day. I didn't get back in the country until the following December, so even the aftermath was not something I heard about or witnessed.

This book made me feel connected to all those people and their stories. I cried multiple times. It is almost unfathomable what went on and those who sacrificed their lives trying to help. I think it shows how great American's are. Even the guy who helped the terrorists get on the plane. It is so awful that he holds himself responsible or that anyone else might. He was doing exactly what he was supposed to...helping others. That makes him a true American. 

This book was well written. It was cool to see people's thoughts grouped around each of the events. It felt authentic. I'm so glad I read it and I will forever feel closer to this tragedy that forever affected my country.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor (PC) - I think Laini Taylor is an amazing author. I fell in love with Strange the Dreamer! So naturally I had to check out this other series. So far it is also really good. There is a creativity and intensity to these books that I don't find in many other series. The descriptions and mannerisms of the characters leave me feeling like I am a part of the story. 

I was wondering how this book would end, since Laini is pretty good at cliff hangers. Yep, there it was...the dangling thread to keep you grasping at the story. Evil temptress. So I'm off to get the second one so I can ignore my children and my chores to instead follow Karou on her journey.

The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray (PC) - (Audio) I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Yep...it was super confusing at the beginning, trying to remember all the characters in Jane Austen's books. I made myself a cheat sheet and referred to it often until I got the characters down. (Maybe the actual book has a character list at the front. I hope so.)

I enjoyed all the old-timey speech, but now put into context with a murder. I thought it was so fun. I had my suspicions about the killer, but by the end, I really didn't want it to be anyone, since I had grown so attached to everyone. It is interesting to watch the story progress beyond the initial 'happy ever after'. I admit that I often pictured the actors from the movies and that helped me keep them sorted out. 

It was such a fun, clever idea and well executed I believe. It stayed true to the people and their predominant characteristics. There have been many spin-offs from the Austen legacy, some good and others...not so good. This one was one of my favorites. I will definitely follow Miss Tilney and Mister Darcy on another case.

And in case you like to see the cover. (Which I totally do.)

Not sure if you noticed, but The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle made it on here two years running. Mainly because I listened to it in 2022 and read it in 2023 and enjoyed it immensely both times. That's a first. It was a great year of reading and I'm looking forward to another.