Bingeing an author was one of the joys of my early reading life, and I’ve really liked making space for that again. Most of my nonfiction reading this was memoirs; YOU COULD MAKE THIS PLACE BEAUTIFUL is sitting near the top of my virtual TBR already...thanks for nudging it up! I’m hoping to be up for more topical nonfiction in 2024, but I’m not making any commitments.
I loved that one so much, I think you will too. It's beautiful. Marathoning an author of series was so fun this year, I haven't done that in ages because of other commitments and it was very satisfying.
Your ‘best’ list is my 2024 to be read list, including the nonfiction. Thanks for (hopefully!) giving me the push to dive into my non-fiction list...of course after I finish Iron Flame. 😉
Finish Iron Flame so I can tell you all of my theories!! We should consider a two person nonfiction book club for next year, I need some accountability :)
I got really into books about bodies and health this year, due to my own and my dads health problems. I really loved all that I could read (aka what the library had on Libby) of Lisa Genova, especially Still Alice (my dad was diagnosed with dementia at 64) and Every Note Played. I really liked Hunger by Roxanne Gay.
Other books - Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley and Solito by Javier Zamora probably stayed with me the most.
I am on disability and have lost most of my friends over the last 15 years of being sick so all I do is read - I read 125 books this year according to Goodreads so there were a lot of good books!
Thanks for all the recommendations! I have Hunger on my bookshelf, but haven't picked it up yet. In my head it's going to be a challenging read, but she's such an amazing writer I know I will appreciate it when I do. I have heard of Lisa Genova, but haven't read any of her books yet - I will be looking for them at the library too!
For non-fiction, CULTISH and THIS CHAIR ROCKS were both books that I've thought about long after I finished them. This year, for me, was all about S. A. Cosby and Leigh Bardugo. Cosby writes the most perfect thrillers; if I had to describe them, I would say they're gritty thrillers that also tackle social issues like racism and homophobia. He creates memorable characters, which I think is somewhat uncommon in thrillers. As I think about it, his characters remind me of Dennis Lehane's characters in their memorableness. Leigh Bardugo is fantasy perfection for me. I love her worlds, I love her characters, and I love the pacing of her stories. I rarely reread books, but I reread Shadow and Bone and I was so pleased to see it held up to a reread.
I am reading CULTISH right now, it's really good! I've flagged a bunch of pages with ideas that seem relevant to the kinds of conversations that will be happening in the next year or two. THIS CHAIR ROCKS is new to me -- thank you! I have on S.A. Crosby book on my shelf waiting to be read, so definitely need to get on that! And yes, love Leigh Bardugo too, she's so great. I am excited she has a standalone fantasy book coming out in 2024!
I tried A Darker Shade of Magic eons ago, and for some reason found it very stressful. (?) I frankly don't even remember why. But I put it down, saying "I'll get back to this soon..." but I never have! I think you gave me the nudge to try them again. :)
I can definitely see that reaction! They are very atmospheric and jump you right into the world of the book. And there's certainly a lot of big, intense stuff going on right away. I think each one in the original trilogy gets progressively better and more high-stakes too. The third is an all time favorite!
Bingeing an author was one of the joys of my early reading life, and I’ve really liked making space for that again. Most of my nonfiction reading this was memoirs; YOU COULD MAKE THIS PLACE BEAUTIFUL is sitting near the top of my virtual TBR already...thanks for nudging it up! I’m hoping to be up for more topical nonfiction in 2024, but I’m not making any commitments.
I loved that one so much, I think you will too. It's beautiful. Marathoning an author of series was so fun this year, I haven't done that in ages because of other commitments and it was very satisfying.
Your ‘best’ list is my 2024 to be read list, including the nonfiction. Thanks for (hopefully!) giving me the push to dive into my non-fiction list...of course after I finish Iron Flame. 😉
Finish Iron Flame so I can tell you all of my theories!! We should consider a two person nonfiction book club for next year, I need some accountability :)
I will; I want to hear them all! I like that idea—I need the same!
I got really into books about bodies and health this year, due to my own and my dads health problems. I really loved all that I could read (aka what the library had on Libby) of Lisa Genova, especially Still Alice (my dad was diagnosed with dementia at 64) and Every Note Played. I really liked Hunger by Roxanne Gay.
Other books - Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley and Solito by Javier Zamora probably stayed with me the most.
I am on disability and have lost most of my friends over the last 15 years of being sick so all I do is read - I read 125 books this year according to Goodreads so there were a lot of good books!
Thanks for all the recommendations! I have Hunger on my bookshelf, but haven't picked it up yet. In my head it's going to be a challenging read, but she's such an amazing writer I know I will appreciate it when I do. I have heard of Lisa Genova, but haven't read any of her books yet - I will be looking for them at the library too!
For non-fiction, CULTISH and THIS CHAIR ROCKS were both books that I've thought about long after I finished them. This year, for me, was all about S. A. Cosby and Leigh Bardugo. Cosby writes the most perfect thrillers; if I had to describe them, I would say they're gritty thrillers that also tackle social issues like racism and homophobia. He creates memorable characters, which I think is somewhat uncommon in thrillers. As I think about it, his characters remind me of Dennis Lehane's characters in their memorableness. Leigh Bardugo is fantasy perfection for me. I love her worlds, I love her characters, and I love the pacing of her stories. I rarely reread books, but I reread Shadow and Bone and I was so pleased to see it held up to a reread.
I am reading CULTISH right now, it's really good! I've flagged a bunch of pages with ideas that seem relevant to the kinds of conversations that will be happening in the next year or two. THIS CHAIR ROCKS is new to me -- thank you! I have on S.A. Crosby book on my shelf waiting to be read, so definitely need to get on that! And yes, love Leigh Bardugo too, she's so great. I am excited she has a standalone fantasy book coming out in 2024!
I tried A Darker Shade of Magic eons ago, and for some reason found it very stressful. (?) I frankly don't even remember why. But I put it down, saying "I'll get back to this soon..." but I never have! I think you gave me the nudge to try them again. :)
I can definitely see that reaction! They are very atmospheric and jump you right into the world of the book. And there's certainly a lot of big, intense stuff going on right away. I think each one in the original trilogy gets progressively better and more high-stakes too. The third is an all time favorite!