Top 10 Reads in 2023

It’s that time of the year again! I’m posting this a bit earlier than usual, but I’m just that excited about books. I tried something a bit different this year. Because I’m one of those people that doesn’t know how to read books I already own, I set out a lineup of books on my dining room table. As my literary centerpiece, the books were always front and center. I read all but 2! Yes, I did buy some more to read (oops). My Mom gave me the idea for this centerpiece and I loved it - it’s a great way to read what you already own. I’ll be doing it again for 2024.

But let’s get back to 2023. Here were my top 10 reads:

10. “Pride and Premeditation” by Tirzah Price

Fiction. Something related to Jane Austen always makes it into this list. However, I don’t typically read spin-offs. I’ve always felt like I’d be offending the original work. But this was a gift by someone I love dearly, so I tentatively opened this up to the first page. Lo and behold, I loved it. Did this just open up a whole new genre of Jane Austen? Don’t be surprised to see another spinoff in my 2024 list. To sum this story up: Elizabeth Bennett is trying to become a lawyer at her Father’s firm. When she offers to defend a man accused of murder, she finds that Darcy is already his lawyer. I loved this book because although it has the fiesty romance between Elizabeth and Darcy, it primarily focuses on Elizabeth’s true desire in having a prominent career. Something I believe she would have wanted, if she could.

9. “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus

Fiction. I have to admit this is one I bought. I felt like reading a Romance and, if you know anything about this book, it is not romantic. In fact, the first half of this book infuriated me enough where I had to keep putting it down. But I kept reading because it had to get better, right? I mean, it had a pink cover! Elizabeth Zott is a bright and clever chemist - the problem is that it is the 1950s and the sciences are male-dominated. I really don’t want to spoil this book because although it was completely different than what I was expecting, I fell in love with it. I laughed, I cried, I wanted to throw my book out the window. It’s a must-read. The show is pretty good too, but the producers shift your emotional focus to other characters and situations than what is portrayed in the book.

8. “A Prayer for the Crown Shy” by Becky Chambers

Science Fiction. This was my first Becky Chambers. And again, because I’m terrible at researching what I’m about to read, I didn’t realize this was a sequel. It’s part 2 of her Monk and the Robot series. A monk who makes tea and a robot trying to figure out humanity are traveling the country together. They stop off at random villages and the robot talks to them about their needs, so the story tends to focus on materialism. But there really is so much more and is one of the most powerful books in this list. I was impressed in how Chambers made me think about the world. I will likely find another of hers to read in 2024. Probably should be the first book of this series…

7. “Spinning Silver” by Naomi Novik

Fantasy. Now here’s the Romance I was looking for. Poor girl gets dirty and clever to keep her family out of poverty, Fae lord hears about her ability to “spin gold out of silver” and captures her to make gold for his dying kingdom. I’m actually surprised I read this one, because I hated Novik’s other book, “Uprooted”. But somehow I found this in my hands. Novik does a crazy good job of re-telling the story of Rumpelstiltskin, but put her own little spin on it (pun intended?). This was hard to put down.

6. “Black Holes: The Key to Understanding the Universe” by Brian Cox

Non-fiction. I didn’t intend to pick up another book on quantum physics (see my #3), but alas, I was intrigued enough to learn about black holes. Space is cool guys! During this read, I Iearned that I was very behind in physics (again, described in #3). But Brian Cox was able to explain the Theory of General Relativity and spacetime with Penrose diagrams like I was back in high school. So when he got to the parts that were supposed to blow my mind, I understood why and yes, my mind was blown. Space is nuts, but what’s even crazier is that math can explain it all. I will admit that in the last few chapters, as we were entering into quantum mechanics, my brain power was exhausted. I was lost, but determined to find my way. My goal next year is to find a book on the very basics of quantum mechanics and gravity - and then come back to read this book. I know I’m missing out on more moments to blow my mind.

5. “Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art” by James Nestor

Non-fiction. Let me just say that I’m much more aware of my breathing these days. For instance, I’ve started doing breath holds to increase my lung capacity, I focus breathing from the diaphragm, I perform box-breathing when I’m nauseous or starting to panic, and I ALWAYS breathe through the nose (even when working out). I’m a firm believer that we don’t know what are bodies are capable of. It reminds me of Heinlein’s “Stranger in a Strange Land” where the main character (human) is raised on Mars by Martians and they teach him to do things with his mind and body that humans had not yet learned. This is that book, but in real life. FYI, James Nestor is not a Martian. A lot of people may see this book as pseudo-science, but honestly, breathing correctly is important for our health in general. This book just made it seem like we all possess a super power - which is very cool.

4. “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft” by Stephen King

Memoir. Although a fan of Stephen King movies since I was a little girl, I’ve not started reading his books until recently. I still have a long way to go, but who knows if I’ll ever catch up. He’s a book writing machine. This memoir and guidance on writing has to be any writer’s go-to. King starts with his history and how many of his ideas came to fruition. It made me feel so much better about how ideas “happen”. Then he explains the technicality of writing, drafts, publishing, story-building - all that jazz. I learned a lot from this book. I’m not sure if I’ll ever be a great writer, but as long as I’m having fun, that is all that matters. King seems to agree:

“Writing isn't about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid, or making friends. In the end, it's about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life, as well. It's about getting up, getting well, and getting over. Getting happy, okay? Getting happy.” - Stephen King

3. “There Are Places in the World Where Rules are Less Important than Kindness” by Carlo Rovelli

Essays. I was hesitant about this one. I’ve read Rovelli’s “Order of Time” and gave up midway - mostly because I took one physics class in high school so I couldn’t quite catch up when he started on quantum physics. This was also before I saw Ant Man, so I was definitely in the dark. However, I like they way he gets a point across (and essays seemed less daunting), so I wanted to give Rovelli another chance. This collection consists of history, philosophy, science, and more - basically a hodgepodge of his thoughts. It’s a wonderful journey and (like Becky Chambers) gets you thinking about ideas you’ve never really explored before, or with a different perspective. I want to re-read this book, and then I want to read it again. It’s one of those books that will make you feel like you’re in dark cafe, sipping a creamy cappuccino, and having a conversation with an old friend that you meet every year.

2. “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” by J.K. Rowling

Fiction. Stop it. Why is Harry Potter so much more fun as an adult? This book was first read to me when I was in 6th grade. Our teacher, Ms. Varallo, read the book aloud as an attempt to tame our unruly class. I wish you could have seen this transformation - it took the students awhile to calm down but as soon as she mentioned Harry living in a cupboard under the stairs - we were hypnotized. It was like magic! But we probably were wondering what he did that got him in that much trouble. That began my Harry Potter craze which I am so happy I got to experience. The last time I read this series was in college, so I felt like it was due for another re-read. Just like the first, second, and third time - I could not put this book down. (Being on a 9 hour flight to Hawaii also helped). But it’s so much more fun because not only did I forget some fun moments, but I am connecting the dots from future books, and relating so differently to the more mature characters. The third book (Prisoner of Azkaban) has always been my favorite of the series - but now I’m intrigued to see if I’ll change my mind this time around!

1. “The Song of the Cell: The Transformation of Medicine and the New Human” by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Non-fiction. This book is so important to understanding our bodies. Again, something we all know too little of. Siddhartha explains our most basic unit - the cell. And although this is a book about cell biology, his story-telling is breathtakingly poetic. Not only will you be faced with how complicated and structured our bodies are, but this book is also worth reading to stay updated with modern medicine and treatments. With no hesitation, this book is my number 1.

I really hope you had the chance to read a few books this year. I’ll be better about posting my reviews and thoughts as I get through mine next year (I actually ended up reading 28 books in 2023). As much as I like telling you about books I enjoy, I should be fair and tell you what books I hate too (i.e, Lapvona).

Yours truly,

A curious reader.