Books I read this year
Books I read This Year
So no one really asked for this, and it's a bit of a departure from my ‘normal’ content. But reading is a big part of my life. I realized I wanted to make more room for reading this year, so I made it my goal in 2023 to read more. Specifically 25 books this year.
This was a new habit I was trying to build, so I did not get hyper-focused about what kinds of books. The goal was simply to read more. << This is the business lesson in case you’re looking for one. Keep your goals simple to start.
And I am proud to say that as of the date of writing this (December 21) I have read 23 books. I’ll update this goal again for 2024. This time with the goal to still read 25 books, but get a little more specific about the types of books to focus on: personal development, educational, and for fun. Just because I want to and because I think you might like it, I’ve got a little review of each, including what I recommend you read in 2024! They’re in order of my favorite to least, and because I really like you guys, I’ve added links to them all in the titles!
1
You know the books you read that move you so deeply you don’t stop thinking about them? This is that book for me. Barbara Kingsolver paints a picture so vivid, Demon Copperhead lives rent free in my mind constantly. A book about the beginnings of the opioid epidemic in rural America, this book is a stunner. I truly have no words.
2
All the Ugly and Beautiful Things: I’ll admit, I did NOT know what I was getting into when I started this book. A story about a very inappropriate romance (this is what I didn’t know), the characters created in this book are some of the most remarkable I have ever come across. It’s a story that is uncomfortable, but the feelings it stirs up make this another book that I can’t stop thinking about.
3
A classic in the motivational thinking realm, Zig Ziglar helped me get through some of the most challenging moments of 2023. I still start my day with 15 minutes of Zig to keep my thinking positive and momentum moving in the direction of my goals.
4
I heard this was a good book when Matthew Perry was still alive. To hear his voice reading it now is downright devastating. So well written in a way only he could, this book depicts his deep, gut-wrenching struggle with addiction. If you ever want to get in the head of an addict, this book is a good start. My heart breaks for everything he went through and it breaks even more to hear him talk about the hopes and dreams he had that we know he will never get to live out.
5
This one is effing WEIRD. But like, in the best way possible? A true fever dream of a book, you truly don’t know which way is up. Yet, it was interesting enough that it had me holding the book and reading it as I walked through the airport to finish it.
6
This came from a friend and it was SO good. Mysterious and scandalous, I couldn’t put this book down.
7
This one is a cool mystery. I think I read this in a weekend by the pool. A quick, easy and fun read, save this one for the summer!
8
This is a collection of short stories that peel back the layers to reveal the most intimate parts of people’s lives. Quirky and quick, this was a fun departure from the usual fiction I read.
9
This one is downright SPOOKY. Usually not one to get creeped out by books, this one had me on the edge of my seat. Highly recommended.
10
Apparently I read a lot of mystery this year. Another scandalous one with some twists and turns, I enjoyed this read.
11
I really wanted to like this one and I did like the concept. It’s another one that had me listening through the airport (not talking to my husband), but overall I was left feeling underwhelmed.
12
One of the top books of the year (for good reason) this had a slow start, but once you make it to a pivotal turning point, you will be inspired by the main character. A strong story about empowerment and following your own path, I liked this a lot.
13
This one probably would have been more interesting to me if I was a theater nerd. I read this because I love the author, but a lot of the references were lost on me.
14
Another mystery. To be honest, I don’t remember much about this, meaning it’s unremarkable enough that you can probably skip it.
15
I thought this would be funnier? But I think that was kind of the point. Read in her dry sense of humor, the author narrates this. It’s deep, it's sad. But overall, it wasn’t as captivating as I thought it would be.
16
I picked this up at a local bookstore in Exeter as it was written by someone local. It's interesting enough that I finished reading it. I wouldn't say it's a literary masterpiece.
17
This one (and the next two) are what I consider my “bedtime reads”. The stories are basic and vapid enough that I fall asleep in the first few minutes of listening. Nothing much to say - if you’re looking for books to read, I would skip this and the next two.
18
See 17
19
See 17
20
Quirky and fast paced, I think the story line was good. The characters really annoyed me which is why this is lower on the list.
21
I will admit this was interesting but it wasn’t riveting. I know there was a lot of hype around this book, so I am glad I read it, but frankly it was a slog to get through until the very end.
22
This book focused on the importance of learning how to speak to yourself and how immensely helpful it can be to talk to yourself out loud. I was hoping it would be a little less ‘fluffy’ and filled with more practical tips that I was not already using in my life. I think there is better content out there for this subject.
23
This book annoyed me so much. The characters were weak and the storyline filled with holes. This is a pass in my opinion. I’m kinda mad I even wasted the time to finish it, but I needed to know the ending.
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