26-ish books for 2023

[Tinkhasflown]

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.

But on the flip side I have hardly listened to any podcasts compared to previous years and I listen while doing other things so don't get the benefit of focussed downtime reading. Going to aim for more "proper reading" in 2024.

I have not included audio if I had listened to some I’d be at my goal since I could do that while doing endless housework . Might well try that next year

Today I read my book no
24.This is your own time you’re wasting -Lee Parkinson &Adam Parkinson I got myself for Christmas as a light read . I found it entertaining so ordered their first book too .
Now back to finishing the no
23.The Guest -Emma Cline
I am attempting to still get to my goal but need to do a book a day which is possible since I’m sick and in bed most of the day …

I finished The Guest by Emma Cline .I thought it was good so recommend it !
Now onto a book DS gave me for Christmas my no
25.Hercule Poirot’s silent night - Sophie Hannah
There’s hope for me yet to get my 26 !

I’ve skim read my no
26.Help I sexted my boss by William Hanson &Jordan North since I would have gotten bored reading every word . I got it as a jokey present for a family member . Now I will continue the Hercule Poirot .

I was rubbish and posted at the start of the year but have continued reading along and not posting - but have taken on some of your recs. will be better next year but here’s my list with favourites in bold:

1. Songbirds by Christy Lefteri
2. Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
3. Lies by Michael Grant
4. The Promise by Damon Galgut
5. On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
6. The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton
7. A Heart That Works by Rob Delaney
8. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
9. This Must Be the Place by Maggie O’Farrell
10. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by JK Rowling
11. Spring Cannot Be Cancelled by David Hockney and Martin Gayford
12. To Paradise by Hanya Yanigahara
13. Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman
14. The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai
15. The Martian by Andy Weir
16. I am Malala
17. A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes
18. Magma by Thor’s Hjörleifsdóttir
19. The Swan by Gudbergur Bergsson
20. More Than A Woman by Caitlin Moran
21. Last Orders by Graham Swift
22. The Sealwoman’s Gift by Sally Magnusson
23. Starcrossed (YA) by Suzanne Dee
24. The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama
25. Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doer
26. The Salt Path by Raynor Wynn
27. Oh William by Elizabeth Strout
28. My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout
29. Treacle Walker by Alan Garner
30. The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell

82 Magma by Thora Hjörleifsdóttir.

34. Drinking Coffee Elsewhere by Z.Z. Packer. Collection of short stories set in America, each with a black protagonist, many of whom are at a turning point in their lives. Themes of race, identity, friendship, place in society, culture and religion. Some standout stories but all were engaging and varied plots and characters. Enjoyed the writing style and glad I read it.

My reading as really tailed off this christmas holiday.

I did read the Dark is Rising (118) and I'll add on
The Last Post and
The Valley of lost secrets...both of which I read to my class of 11 year olds. :).

Now searching for some stuff to read that captures my interest.

121. Reaching down the rabbit hole. A neurology book.

18 - Bel Canto, Ann Patchett

I loved this right up until the epilogue. Brilliant up till then though.

Bit disappointed that I'm 10 behind last year's total but have enjoyed my reading a lot this year, and a big tbr pile for next year

I reached 40 books in the end, but put that down to audio books which I can listen to whilst on the go.

It's not about the final number though, but bringing the joy of a good book. I can get really lost in a book and it's a great break from hectic life.

Thank you all so much for a great year of recommendations. My TBR pile has only grown as the year has progressed. I look forward to doing it all again with you in the new year.

I have not been reading more of my book no 25. Hercules Poirot’s Silent night -Sophie Hannah
but I finished another on my Kindle that I then also deleted a few things from I don’t need . Have to clean it up more later .
27.Shagged , married , annoyed - Chris &Rosie Ramsay , this book was a mistake not my kind of book at all and I’m glad to see the back of it …

35. Maigret's Christmas by Georges Simenon. 3 short stories, 2 with crimes to solve, all set at Christmas in Paris. I meant to read this in the festive run up but didn't get chance, and actually it's much much darker than I expected so probably just as well. I think a PP on here did say as much but I was still suprised. I'd recommend it but not if you want something a bit cosy.

1. The Midnight Library- Matt Haig
2. The Switch - Beth O'Leary
3. The Coroner - MR Hall
4. Faking Friends - Jane Fallon
5. The Marlow Murder Club - Robert Thorogood
6. The Killing Kind - Jane Casey
7. Missing, Presumed - Susie Steiner
8. My Sweet Revenge - Jane Fallon
9. The Christmas Bookshop - Jenny Colgan
10. Listen to me - Tess Grittesen
11. Ritual Demise -Sally Rigby
12. Paris for One -JoJo Moyes
13. Mortal Remains -Sally Rigby
14. None of this is true -Lisa Jewell
15. Dead Man Talking - Roddy Doyle
16. The crossing places -Elly Griffiths
17. Queen Bee -Jane Fallon
18. A vicarage Christmas - Kate Hewitt
19. The road trip - Beth O'Leary

So not 26, but better than the one and only book I managed in 2022. Some new authors in exited to read more off. Loved this thread, is there a 2024 one?

I'm on it.

New Thread
2024 Thread