And all the rest...2023 edition

Here we are...for those of y'all that have lost track of the days, today is the last day of 2023. Once again, I have decided to briefly discuss the books that I read over the past 12 months that did not, for one reason or another, have their own dedicated post on this blog. Reasons vary, but for the most part, I either picked up these books on a whim, or simply decided to read the book purely for pleasure, and not take time to dissect it. I suppose there is a chance that there will be a full blog post on one of these in the future...I never really know.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid: The first book I read by Reid was 2019's Daisy Jones & The Six, and I have managed to keep up with her new novels ever since. So I decided to go back to one that I missed, but I know is loved by many. Readers hear the life story of famous and mysterious Evelyn Hugo as she tells the tale of her seven husbands, and the real love of her life. Reid once again presents a headstrong female protagonist who does things her way, for better or for worse. Anyone who has enjoyed Reid's writing will most likely enjoy this one as well. I also recommend it for those who love a juicy story about old Hollywood. 

Whiteout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon: Since I read Blackout, written by the same six authors, when it came out in 2021, I had to follow it up with Whiteout. When a snowstorm hits Atlanta, a rare event for the big city, it adds another layer to the holiday chaos, and the teens that are attempting to navigate the city, and their love lives. With 11 interconnected stories, and all events taking place in one day, the six different authors each present a story detailing the complexities of relationships. And while it is not explicitly stated which author wrote which story, there are clues offered in the author's note at the end. 

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon: I was fortunate to be able to hear Nicola Yoon (along with her husband David) speak at LibraryPalooza back in February, as well as have her sign a few books. I also went ahead and picked up Everything, Everything, the one book I had not read of hers, and it is as delightful as I had always heard. Due to a rare illness that basically means she is allergic to leaving her house, Madeline is kept indoors, with mainly her mother and her nurse for company. When a new family moves in next door, Madeline becomes semi-obsessed with watching them, and even manages to get the attention of the son, Olly. While it would be incredibly dangerous - and nearly impossible - for the two of them to ever meet in person, Madeline holds out hope anyway, which leads to other hopes, some she never dared to hope for before.

Hidden Systems: Water, Electricity, the Internet, and the Secrets Behind the Systems We Use Every Day by Dan Nott: In this nonfiction science graphic novel, readers can expect to learn about the systems we use every day, but may not know much about. Through simple, but delightful and beautiful illustrations, Nott carefully and thoughtfully explains the mysteries of the internet, and how drinkable water reaches a neighborhood. Naturally, there is more to it than most people know, and this book will help remove some of the mystery and confusion.

Britt-Marie Was Here by Frederik Backman: It may end up being a personal journey of mine to read at least one Fredrik Backman book a year, and for 2023 it was Britt-Marie Was Here. With the same humor and wit that I found in 2019's Anxious People, Backman tells the story of Britt-Marie, a woman who finds herself in the small-town of Borg, where she ends up working as the caretaker of a neglected recreation center, and the unwilling coach of a terrible children's soccer team. The only thing stranger than the situation is Britt-Marie herself, whose social awkwardness allows for more than a few hilarious interactions with the locals. 

Deliberate Cruelty: Truman Capote, the Millionaire's Wife, and the Murder of the Century by Roseanne Montillo: Part true crime, part biography, this book begins by first going into the background of both Truman Capote, and socialite Ann Woodward, a woman who would eventually shoot her husband. The question of whether it was an accident or not is still debated, but Montillo looks at the relationship between Capote and Woodward; the story the former would write based on the latter; and their own separate downfalls. I opted to borrow the audiobook from the library, and it did make for the perfect listening material on the commute to and from work. My only wish was for more of the true crime element to the story, though it is still an interesting book.

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr: This was another audiobook borrowed from the library, and I am glad to have listened to it before Netflix came out with the series. I had been meaning to pick this one up since it received so much positive attention when it came out 2014. During World War II, the lives of Marie-Laure in France, and Werner in Germany, will each take twists and turns they never imagined, while also somehow remaining centered around a valuable jewel that may also bring hidden dangers. This book is as delightful and haunting as people said. It is also incredibly long, but I believe it to be well-worth the journey.

Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole by Susan Cain: Quiet is one of those books that I cannot recommend enough, to both introverts and extroverts (and of course, the often elusive ambiverts). While I did not necessarily expect Bittersweet to be as intriguing and illuminating, it was still incredibly informative and allowed me to look at melancholy and sorrow in a different way. Linking the bittersweet with creativity, and compassion, and even leadership, spirituality, and love, Cain looks deeper at something many humans wish to ignore and move quickly away from. 

So there they are: eight books, ranging from nonfiction to young adult. Honestly, I am always surprised by just how many books make it onto this list every year. I am sure 2024 will be another interesting year in publishing, and as long as I have the time, there will be another post just like this 12 months from now.