Last year was not a banner year for reading as my commitment ebbed and flowed rather unpredictably. Sometimes I read voraciously, carrying a book everywhere and sneaking in a few pages whenever possible. Other times anything more insightful than a Little Golden Book seemed like too much effort. 

I started and tossed aside more books in 2023 than ever before and my final tally was just 54 books – well short of my annual goal of 100. Luckily, there were a few that rose to the top. 

Here are my top five fiction from 2023:

Your Second Life Begins When You Realize You Have One by Raphaelle Giordano – I won’t lie. I bought this book because I liked the cover and the title was intriguing. Imagine my surprise when this #1 French bestseller from 2018 grabbed me by the hand and wouldn’t let go. It’s a novel that doubles as a sort of self help book that’s Inspiring and fun to read. It tells the story of a woman who has a seemingly wonderful life but who still isn’t happy. She meets a routinologist who offers to help her find her joy and so begins a journey that we all should be fortunate to take. 

The Secret Book Of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry – This was a Book of the Month pick that also drew me in quickly and held my attention. It’s about two girls who evacuate their war torn home in 1939 London and find themselves in the English countryside. The older sister distracts the younger one by making up games and stories about a magical land called Whisperwood. All was well until one day the younger sister disappeared. Years later, a book surfaces that tells the story of Whisperwood, a story that only those two girls knew. A quest follows as the mystery unfolds. 

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt – This is one of the single best pieces of contemporary fiction I have read in some time. Using multiple viewpoints, the author weaves together a mystery involving some unlikely characters including Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus who lives in an aquarium. The story is terrific with outstanding characters but I was particularly fond of Marcellus who is witty, smart and charming. 

The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger – I have written about this author before including the day I acted like a giddy school girl when I met him at the West Virginia Book Festival. This book is rare because I literally did not want to put it down but I badly wanted to hit the brakes and savor every word. Beginning with a small town Memorial Day parade in 1958, this book enlists a believable cast of characters to tell the story of a series of crimes. It’s set in Black Earth County, Minnesota where the scenery and the atmosphere of the time and place become almost like another character. Lovely, lovely, lovely storytelling. This is a must read. And while you’re at it, pick up This Tender Land, another book of his which is one of my all time favorites. 

Wayward by Emilia Hart – I found this wonderful book because of the Book of the Month Club. It tells the story of three generations of women – one in 2019 who is fleeing an abuser, another in 1942 who wishes for the same rights and luxuries as her brother, and the third is an accused witch in 1619. The thread that holds them together is Weyward Cottage where they all live. This is a story of resilience and hope. It’s well told and creative. I hadn’t read anything quite like it and found myself awake well into the night more than once because I couldn’t sleep without reading “just one more chapter.” 

Here are my top five nonfiction from 2023:

Winter’s Song: A Hymn To The North by TD Mischke – This book will be part of my winter repertoire for years to come. In fact, I expect to reread it as soon as the snow flies. The author somehow managed to encapsulate all the reasons why winter is an amazing season. Winter’s charm comes in the darkest, coldest, snowiest days when staying home and being cozy is the very best use of life. “I’ve come to view the darkness as a real gift because of the way it presents me with an opportunity for contemplation. It’s as though winter is giving me this chance to just be, rather than do,” is a passage from my favorite chapter in this book of many great thoughts. If you enjoy winter, this book is for you. If you hate winter, this book makes a case for the reasons why others enjoy it and maybe you should give it a chance too. 

Travels With Charley In Search Of America by John Steinbeck – Steinbeck first published this book in 1961. It’s a collection of essays about his road trip across the country with his dog Charley. He special ordered a three quarter ton pick up truck capable of going anywhere. He had it fitted with a custom camper top with a double bed, chemical toilet, fridge, butane heat and storage space galore. He named it Rocinante after Don Quixote’s horse. His objective was to be incognito as he explored America and got to know the nation again. He met some characters along the way, experienced a crisis or two and learned a lot. It sounds like an epic road trip and tagging along was a lot of fun. 

Democracy Awakening: Notes On The State Of America by Heather Cox Richardson –  This author is a history professor at Boston College and an expert on American political and economic history. In 2019, she began writing a newsletter called Letters From An American where she writes about the news of the day, connecting the past with the present and exploring the consequences of our events and actions today. She explores how today’s political crisis began in the 1930s and then traces the roots of those events to a century before that. This is a fascinating read but one that was hard to stomach. Did you know that in 1939, the Nazi party had gained such footing in America they had a rally in Madison Square Garden? It was to celebrate George Washington’s birthday and attracted about 20,000 people for a “true Americanism” event. Oh, the things we don’t teach in history class in the name of making our country sound better than it is. 

A Fever In The Heartland by Timothy Egan –  Along the same lines, Egan tells the riveting story of the Ku Klux Klan’s plot to take over America. For all you Hoosiers out there, you may be disappointed to know that the core of these events took place in Indiana. That’s right. The Klan had a major foothold in small towns across the north and midwest and Indiana was the model for how to build membership. All but two of Inciana’s 92 counties had a chapter. Women had a kind of auxiliary organization and children had their own as well. They were bigger than the Freemasons and the Elks. They owned cops, judges, ministers, mayors and even the governor. Their recruiting techniques read like a modern political playbook for how to divide and conquer and cultivate an environment of intolerance and hate. Another hard read but worth the effort. Just buckle up because it’s a bumpy ride. 

One Writer’s Beginnings by Eudora Welty –  This memoir was a literal breath of fresh air after reading the last two. Her story is rooted in simpler times but is somehow timeless as well. She relates lessons learned through her parents and interactions in the small world of a child. The language is simple but rich and the stories are short but meaningful. It’s a small book that packs a wallop if you’re an aspiring writer or simply a curious person. 

Are you a reader? I suspect you are if you’re still reading this. What books can you recommend? The shelves of books waiting for me to read them are nearing an out of control status but I’m convinced there’s always room for one more!