As I write this, I am a grand total of 9 books behind schedule on my Goodreads goal of 65… oops. I mentioned in one of my recent Insta posts that I have been exceedingly busy, and that has contributed to my reading slump and has led me to pick up media that’s easier to consume (ie netflix, youtube, etc). As such, although I’ve picked up some great reads this year, they are all too few. However, summer is HERE! And I’m already reading more and coming out of my slump (thank u dolly alderton babes u absolute legend xx). Anyway, here are notable reads in 2023, so far!
All The Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr
I have had this on my tbr for just about five years now (why did i use those pics and why did i soliloquise over them in that post HAHA). I am so glad that I spontaneously picked it up literally on the first day of this new year! Oh so perfectly, I started reading it when we went to Pismo that first week, and I was transported. Though there are two main perspectives represented, those of Marie and Werner, we even get a look at the mind and machinations of the main villain.
Werner’s perspective is particularly interesting, since he is a young German boy growing up under the rise of Nazism. The choices he feels he has to make and the choices he does make are often at odds with each other. He, like the rest of the cast, is very well fleshed-out, and you feel so deeply for him. It was great to read another novel with the perspective of adolescence in Nazi Germany, like unto The Book Thief.
The stories of our characters eventually begin to weave together and bleed over into each other’s pages with well-executed tension, moving plot points, and an incredible climax that had me stressssing!
Truly a very moving read. The prose was emotive, imagistic, and potent, and the interlacement of different places, people, and perspective was incredibly well done.
Beautiful World, Where Are You? + Normal People, by Sally Rooney
I elected to christen my kindle with some Sally Rooney. I mentioned in my 2022 reading digest that I wanted to get to the rest of Rooney’s novels this year, seeing as how taken I was with her writing style and overall voice. So, I went for BWWAY? first, as I was completely unfamiliar with the plot. I read Normal People next, and it was wonderful to get the original material as I have watched the adaptation twice now.
Not much to say other than I really enjoyed both so much!! Rooney’s character development, and again, her writing makes for a very enjoyable reading experience that focuses on the minutiae of human connection.
Ninth House, by Leigh Bardugo
I read this as a buddy read with my Keely Brie, and I liked it! I’m definitely looking forward to the second book, especially after that cliffhanger ending—WHERE IS DARLINGTON MAN?!?! (That’s not a spoiler, trust.) It was a little slow at the start for me, but it picked up quickly, and I was pretty gripped by it.
Daisy Jones and the Six, by Taylor Jenkins Reid
A very short but very good read. I devoured this within twenty-four hours on my Kindle, and it was fantastic! I wanted to read it before the show dropped, and I am so glad that I did. You find yourself rooting for each and every character, and since I don’t want to spoil anything, let’s just say that I am thrilled with Billy’s character development, and I was moved by the ending.
The Atlas Six, by Olivie Blake
What a readdddd. I am waiting for the release of The Atlas Paradox in paperback, so I am all pins and needles every time I think about that shocking ending and twist and all that hangs in the balance!!!
I loved the different pov’s, and I found each character compelling. I’m hoping to get more of Reina and Nico in Paradox, and I’m very interested to see what more we learn about Ezra. This was an alluring and eventually very suspenseful read!
Honourable mentions: rereads!
I can already tell rereads are going to be a saving grace for me this year; they have been a surefire way to pull me out of potential and realised slumps. (Although I will say Anne of Green Gables actually hasn’t [still reading it rn] only because it coincided with increasing busyness, but the rest of the series always guarantees absolute certainty of enjoyment.)
- Pride and Prejudice — I misssssed it. I lovvvved reading it, and doing so on the plane ride to NYC will always be a special memory.
- The Space Trilogy — Lewis remains an absolute star for me no matter how many times I reread his prose and regardless of the format. Hnaus and eldils and hrossa, oh my!!
- The Grisha Trilogy — in preparation and celebration of season 2! Nikolai, my love for you grows for you with each passing read. (Goodness, I still need to talk about s2, yikes…)
Fin
That’s it for now!! I had every intention of being more consistent with updating this place or even bookstagram with my thoughts on reads as I finished them, but alas, I have been busy just living life (more on that in my next post), and honestly, I can’t be too mad about that. I wish I could have done all of these reads a bit more justice with my thoughts, but we move. These are, so far, some notable reads of 2023! Have you read any of these or are you planning to?