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26-ish books for 2023

767 replies

Tinkhasflown · 01/01/2023 13:15

A shiny new thread for 2023. There didn't appear to be one do hope it's ok that I have created it this year.

All welcome and note 26 is just a number. Everyone can set their own target and you are welcome here even if you only read 3 books a year.

I personally count the larger novel style books I read to my children and audio books I listen to. Others don't and there are no rules.

I look forward to all your suggestions again this year.

OP posts:
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8
Scout2016 · 19/07/2023 10:57

23. A Start In Life by Anita Brookner. I really enjoyed this and will look to read more of her novels. She was discussed on the Backlisted podcast as being a special writer so I was curious to see what the fuss was about and I'm glad I did.
Opening line is "Dr Weiss, at forty, knew that her life had been ruined by literature." Then we get some wonderfully drawn characters and a long running plot with some small and some momentus events, some funny, some rather tragic or pathetic, or all three, as we follow the main character from childhood to adulthood. It's succinctly done though, it's not a mammoth read.

EspeciallyDetermined · 19/07/2023 11:53

27/28 - Mrs Harris goes to Paris / Mrs Harris goes to New York - Paul Gallico - totally far-fetched but nonetheless really enjoyable, Mrs Harris is a gem and all the characters are well-written and come to life in these books.

29 - Hooke by Paul Merson - the story of Paul's life as a premier league footballer and his struggles with addictions, most notably gambling. I have a soft spot for Paul as he played for my team, this was a really interesting and moving read.

Nordicmom · 20/07/2023 03:46

As I said a few weeks ago I haven’t been reading books as much ,life has been busy but I finished
17.Tell me everything-Minka Kelly
and am now continuing
16.Billy Summers -Stephen King
I bought a new book “ The Guest by Emma Cline which will be my book no 18 …

Iamblossom · 20/07/2023 08:00

1 Twelve Secrets
2 People of Abandoned Character
3 The Herd
4 Last One at The Party
5 The Last Thing to Burn
6 Moon Over Soho
7 The Girls Who Disappeared
8 The Chalk Man
9 The Unheard
10 Away with the Penguins
11 Whispers Underground
12 Pineapple Street
13 Trespasses
14 The Safe House
15 Go as a River
16 Girl, Woman, Other
17 Killing me softly

18 Overshare by Jane Fallon
Very readable, a cautionary tale of what happens when you obsess over people you don't really know on social media, although the main character takes that to another level for her own reasons. Touches also on the pressure of a woman's biological clock and troublesome familial relationships. I enjoyed but not particularly memorable.

Scout2016 · 21/07/2023 22:21

24 Miss Buncle's Book by De Stevenson. I loved this. Miss Buncle has written a novel about the people of her village and when it comes out they realise it's about them. Reactions vary and they can't work out who the author is. It's written quite simply but that's deceptive because there's a lot of thought and plotting gone on. I found it really engaging and great fun. It is quiet, and was published 1934 so slightly dated, but not in a clanging way. It's a Persephone book and I am a big fan of theirs.

thefinaltwist · 25/07/2023 11:11

Book 17 The Bonnie Dead by Andrew Raymond

GalileoHumpkins · 25/07/2023 12:21

42 Idol by Louis O'Neill
43 A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G. Summers
44 How High We Go In The Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu

DrMadelineMaxwell · 26/07/2023 15:16

67 - 78 Another re-read of the St Mary's books, which is where I started in Jan! Plus 5 of the short stories..I'm up to Plan for the Worst currently. Then there are 3 more.
And I'll re read the Time Police next. Am on holiday away and getting through a book or 2 a day.

EspeciallyDetermined · 27/07/2023 07:52

30 Book Lovers by Emily Henry - wouldn’t really recommend, very lightweight and predictable.

EspeciallyDetermined · 27/07/2023 07:55

31: The Camomile Lawn by Mary Wesley (audio) thoroughly enjoyed this one, it was a hit TV series in the 1980s, the story of an extended middle class family in WW2, told both at the time of the war and from 40 years later when the surviving members reunite for a funeral.

toffee1000 · 27/07/2023 12:01

I finished Three Men in a Boat yesterday (finally). Now onto book #9, Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo.

Iamblossom · 27/07/2023 12:48
  1. Beneath the Skin The next in the Nicci French novels I am working my way through. I really enjoyed this. They are thrillers and I love the way they (married couple authors) write. The actual solving of the mystery becomes almost surplus to requirements and is often IMO far from the strength of the story. This particular one described the main characters in such detail and allows the reader to get to know them so intimately that what happens to them is such a shock! I don't remember ever reading a book that breaks that rule quite so blatantly. Really good.
BaconAndAvocado · 27/07/2023 13:51

EspeciallyDetermined · 27/07/2023 07:55

31: The Camomile Lawn by Mary Wesley (audio) thoroughly enjoyed this one, it was a hit TV series in the 1980s, the story of an extended middle class family in WW2, told both at the time of the war and from 40 years later when the surviving members reunite for a funeral.

I used to love reading Mary Wesley novels.
The Vacillations of Poppy Carew etc!
Such beautiful names as I recall.....Calypso, a dog called Fling, Sophy spelt with a y.
And all frightfully, frightfully middle class!

EspeciallyDetermined · 27/07/2023 18:39

Yes, frightfully middle class indeed. It was beautifully written and evocative, but had a few darker threads running through it.

BaconAndAvocado · 28/07/2023 16:01

EspeciallyDetermined · 27/07/2023 18:39

Yes, frightfully middle class indeed. It was beautifully written and evocative, but had a few darker threads running through it.

Yes, I remember reading me about a woman who decided to end her life by walking into sea. She had adult children and didn’t like any of them!

thefinaltwist · 30/07/2023 11:02

Book 18 The Wishlist by Andrew Raymond

BaconAndAvocado · 31/07/2023 19:38

Just started reading Book 12, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.
I'm really surprised with AC's writing, it doesn't feel dated at all.
It's my very first Agatha Christie and I'm loving it!

drspouse · 31/07/2023 20:20

I'm going to count audio books which I don't usually:
18 A Trip of One's Own by Kate Wills on audio - relaxing and a bit unusual, female solo travellers through the ages, some of which I would love to know more about!
19 Cultish by Amanda Montell - about how exclusive language lets cults take hold - a very wide definition of cults too, including MLM and social media gurus as well as the Jonestowns of this world. Interesting and disturbing and also very relevant to the sex/gender debate.

TrustPenguins · 31/07/2023 22:52
  1. Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney

Not a big fan of this one. Even thought about giving up on it with about 100 pages to go. I persisted but just wanted to get to the end.
2.5 out of 5.

drspouse · 01/08/2023 03:01

I gave up on Normal People on TV. A bit Emperor's New Clothes I thought.

Yawningalldaylong · 01/08/2023 06:46

12 Paris for one JoJo Moyes

Lost my reading flow but slowly trying to get it back.

Original poster
Tinkhasflown · 01/08/2023 08:51

TrustPenguins · 31/07/2023 22:52

  1. Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney

Not a big fan of this one. Even thought about giving up on it with about 100 pages to go. I persisted but just wanted to get to the end.
2.5 out of 5.

I haven't been a fan of any of the Sally Rooney bo looks either. I just don't think they live up to the hype at all.

I must update my list. I've a few to add as my last update didn't post.....

OP posts:
Yuja · 02/08/2023 21:41

Finally got round to reading book 13 - Circe by Madeleine Miller
I absolutely loved this, beautiful writing and a unique and imaginative story.

thefinaltwist · 03/08/2023 16:36

Book 19 The Bloody, Bloody Banks by Andrew Raymond

GalileoHumpkins · 06/08/2023 19:03

45 Boy Parts by Eliza Clark
46 In Bloom by C J Skuse
47 The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw

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