2023…How can something feel like it both drags and flies, simultaneously? It’s frightening. Sometimes I find myself almost hyperventilating over how fast it all goes.
It’s been an eventful year, including the the release of my Year One. I am proud of this one and have been getting wonderful feedback. I am so grateful to each reader who finds ways to relate to my tween journey.
In addition to working on my own writing, I managed to read quite a bit this year—a total of 25 books. Here’s a list with tiny blurb reviews. If you read any of these, please let me know so we can compare notes.
The Cabin at the End of the World
I didn’t read this in time for Halloween the previous year but it is quite a thriller of the philosophical kind. I know they adapted this one into a movie but I haven’t seen it. Highly recommend if you enjoy the “is this the end of the world” type of reading?
This book by Lana Vapnyar took me a while but I really enjoyed it. Highly recommend it to any immigrant as it deals with much of the “who am I and where do I belong” internal dialogue we all have.
I learned a literal ton from this book. I never read anything by the author and I’m glad this was my introduction to her. If you’re a boy-mom, I think you especially should read this one.
Meh. Entertaining but a little tired by way of genre. Too many tropes (i.e. rich people are weird and just plain bad). It’s been done.
I’m not much of magical realism fan so I feel like I just didn’t get this one. A few interesting and enjoyable themes about motherhood and sisterhood though.
First book by Isabel Allende for me! Can you believe it?! Very much a multigenerational saga, I did enjoy it.
Oooh what a psychological thriller. If you suffer from insomnia, this may be a bit triggering but I was enthralled with this one. Lots of medical ethics themes too. Highly recommend.
This book has been on my TBR list for a while and I’m so glad I finally read it. I so enjoyed the narration. If you have an interest in women’s lit and/or history of Jewish Women in America, I highly recommend it. Very enjoyable read.
I haven’t been this thrown for a loop mid-book since Gone Girl. I did not see that twist coming (yes, there is a twist). If you like thrillers, put this one on your list.
The Backpack, a Bar, and Eight Crates of Vodka: A Memoir
This one shouldn’t be much of a surprise. Ever since writing my own little memoir, I rediscovered my passion for immigration history. Currently, I am working on a historical fiction novel about Soviet Jewish immigration of the late 1980s and this book came up in my research. Seen through the eyes of a child (and then adult), this is a wonderful read.
This series is a revelation. If you want to feel good reading something, read The Thursday Murder Club. Just glorious! Multiple POVs only help drive this Christie-esque series. 10 stars!
Basically, see above!
What a let down. Again with the tired “rich people are weird and just plain bad” tropes! I was excited to pick it up because it’s set in Brooklyn Heights but I did not enjoy it at all.
Riley Sager is back! After two blah books, this one hooks you. Very much a gothic thriller.
So enjoyable! Wonderful and honest social commentary.
Imposter Syndrome and Other Confessions of Alejandra Kim
I don’t read much YA even though Year One can arguably be classified as YA itself. I picked this one up at a Little Free Library and absolutely loved it. Again, immigrants of any background are the best audience for this. Coming of age when you have to code switch to begin with is not easy.
Book three in my new favorite book series. Read above to see how much I love it!
Great mystery. I listened to this one and the production was so innovative. Highly recommend.
I love Lana Vapnyar’s books but this one did not click for me at all.
My Mother’s Secret: A Novel of the Jewish Autonomous Region
I loved The Nesting Dolls by Alina Adams so I was eager to read this one. It didn’t disappoint. And I learned so much about Berobidzhan too! Very thoroughly researched and the characters were highly relatable. Recommend.
I love CRH’s mysteries and this was no exception. A solid mystery with some food for thought.
Of course I couldn’t resist this one. It felt important to listen to what Britney had to say after everything she’s been put through. Excellent narration by Michelle Williams on audible! She captured Britney’s voice without doing an impression. Also, wonderful job by the ghost writer who co-wrote it with Britney—very seamless. Britney is very funny so I do recommend it if you like a celebrity memoir.
Alina Adams recommended this one on her YouTube series where she talks to her American-born daughter about Soviet Union through books, and I have to say I loved it. The characters are older than me by more than a decade but the time period and the setting are familiar so it was a truly engaging read.
Very fluffy but adorable. Cute romance novel that also manages to educate about chronic illness. Fun for the holiday season.
The first book I got via Book of the Month subscription box. A very well researched and graphic thriller. I know it’s part of a series but I didn’t have a problem reading it out of order.
What have you read this past year? And what are your reading plans for 2024?