2023 Books in Review

 Another year of not a lot of reading, but there were many that I really enjoyed and recommend.

I read 39 books in 2023, mostly fiction (20) with Science (6) and History (3) being other favorite categories.  There were five titles made my "double stars" list:

#5 - Demon Copperfield by Barbara Kingsolver

#4 - A Fever in the Heartland by Timothy Egan

#4 - Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

#2 - Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

#1 - Home Safe by Mitchell Consky

Toward the end of the year, I really jumped into Artificial Intelligence and I asked chatGPT what it thought of the person who had read my 39 books last year - here's the summary:

Overall, the reader seems to seek out stories that offer both a mirror to reality and a window into different experiences and perspectives. She appreciates a mix of engaging storytelling, emotional depth, and thought-provoking themes. Her choices reflect a balance of fiction and non-fiction, suggesting a broad interest in understanding both the inner workings of individual lives and broader societal dynamics.

This reader is likely someone who values empathy and understanding, as evidenced by their engagement with books that delve into personal and collective identities, such as "There There" by Tommy Orange, a narrative of Native American lives, and "Klara and the Sun" by Kazuo Ishiguro, an exploration of love and desire from an AI's perspective. Their interest in "The Silent Patient" by Alex Michaelides and "A Suitable Companion for the End of Your Life" by Robert McGill suggests a fascination with psychological depth and the complexities of human emotions.

The inclusion of works focused on genetic research and its implications on society, like "DNA USA: A Genetic Portrait of America" by Bryan Sykes and "Who We Are and How We Got Here" by David Reich, indicates a strong inclination towards understanding humanity's past and its impact on the present and future. This is complemented by an awareness of contemporary issues, as seen in "Stolen Focus" by Johann Hari, which tackles the crisis of attention in the digital age, and "Enlightenment Now" by Steven Pinker, advocating for reason and science.

Moreover, this person has an appetite for learning about different cultures and historical periods, engaging with books such as "The Marriage Portrait" by Maggie O'Farrell and "Victory City" by Salman Rushdie, which offer windows into the Italian Renaissance and fantastical historical narratives, respectively.

In summary, the person who read these books in 2023 is insightful, thoughtful, and seeks a deeper understanding of the world through a blend of genres and topics. They are not just a reader but a seeker of knowledge and empathy, with a broad interest that spans across the human experience, its past, present, and speculative futures.

Can't wait to see what the future holds! 

Lessons in Chemistry - Bonnie Garmus

 Why do I have to wait all year for the best book?  I put this one at the top of my list for 2023 although Barbara Kingsolver's Demon Copperfield came close, I enjoyed the laughter and spunk of Garmus's story.

Elizabeth Zott is a scientist to be taken seriously -- though in the 1960s that isn't going to happen. Her sharp intellect is ignored or overlooked by her male colleagues.  She finds her soulmate only to move on and become a daytime TV cooking show host.  

I found myself cheering for her and her perseverance and take-no-nonsense attitude.  It's a reflection of attitudes that were and are still with us.  Add this one to your list - you won't be disappointed.   

Published: 2023  Read: December 2023  Genre: Fiction

Tom's Lake - Ann Patchett

 

I indulged in actually buying a couple of new books for Christmas, this was the first one that I read.  I've read Ann's books before; The Magician's Assistant, This is the Story of a Happy Marriage and a long time ago, Bel Canto.

This story is about a mother and her three grown daughters who beg her to tell her the story of her life before she met and married their father.  They'd known she had dated a "movie star" and wanted to hear the details.  It is a gentle balance of children seeing their parents as people and parents shielding the children, even as adults, from some pieces of their past.  

I enjoy Patchett's writing although I found this one almost too nostalgic at times.  A good read for the holidays.

Published: 2023   Read: December 2023  Genre: Fiction

Not Anywhere Just Not - Ken Sparling

 This was just weird. Supposedly an insightful examination of human isolation it was over-hyped and annoying.  Thankfully it was short so I finished it but would not recommend.  Just recording that I read it.

Published: 2023  Read: December 2023  Genre: Fiction