Sam’s year of reading for pleasure in review

Sam B

5 months ago

Usually, I make my annual reading goal just by squeaking in under the wire, but this year, I passed my goal with a month to go. The goal? This year, it was 25 books. In years past it was 20 but audiobooks have helped get more fiction in my life. I keep track of what I’m reading on Goodreads and you can follow me there.

Now 25 books may not seem a lot but it doesn’t include work reading and because of my eye issues reading in the evening is tricky. Mostly at night I need large print and bright setting on the Kindle or an audio book. Often I switch to watching things. Anyway, no shame. Reading helps with my overall well-being and mood. It’s one of the ways I combat fall and winter sadness.

I was going to do a year in review book post but then I thought that wouldn’t be so helpful for holiday shopping. I doubt I’ll read anything worthwhile in December. For me, it’s not that kind of month. So here are my reading recommendations from 2023 (excluding December.)

BEST OVERALL

Some things I read this year were shockingly good. Thanks, Victoria, for the recommendations. I will read everything Claire Keegan has ever written. What a beautiful writer. More character and emotion captured in startlingly few words. Both Foster and Demon Copperhead were heartbreaking stories of childhood though written in very different styles. I will read both again, I’m sure. I’ve mentioned both books on the blog before.

BEST AUDIOBOOK

I listen to a lot of audiobooks while doing chores around the house and while dog walking. I usually opt for gripping and thrilling books, sci fi and mysteries mostly. But my favourite audiobook of the year was Tom Lake, read (sorry, “performed”) by Meryl Streep. The blog’s Cate recommended it. If you are a parent of adult children who moved back home in the pandemic, you’ll love the story. It’s a story about the life stories we tell our children and about the life stories we don’t share.

A second runner up in the audiobook category is a book that got Sarah and me through several long road trips. Thanks Rob for the gift of Hench. Hard to describe but it’s sort of superhero underlings meet the gig economy. We’re all anxiously awaiting a sequel.

BEST FITNESS RELATED BOOK

I read and reviewed a wonderful blog related book called Coffee First, Then the World: One Woman’s Record-Breaking Pedal Around the Planet by Jenny Graham.

GOOD DEATH THEMED BOOKS

I know it’s not a usual fiction category but I taught a large course on philosophy and death for a few years and it’s still a topic that interests me. They’re very different books. Under the Whispering Door is a queer love story in the genre of cozy fantasy, described by one reviewer as A Man Called Ove meets The Good Place. If Cats Disappeared from the World is translated from Japanese and it’s a story of love and loss and the meaning of life.