I’m not going to lie, this year my reads has been a little disappointing for me. Not to say there haven’t been some amazing ones, it is just that I thought there would be more! I’m not going to go into this post raving about mediocre books encouraging you to spend your time reading, because I feel lots of the books I read I was duped into them by instagrammers and tik tokers. A lesson learnt for next year.
Anyway out of all the books I’ve managed to read so far here are my top 6 fiction (because I couldn’t narrow it down to 5), in no particular order:
Big Swiss By Jen Beadin - Listened to on audible
This is just the perfect book if you love a problematic protagonist. Greta a transcriber for a sex therapist befriends Big Swiss who’s sessions she is translating. The satire in the book is perfect and although at points the book is so far fetched and ridiculous it is a great read at the same time. There are some dark themes and subjects but Beagin some how writes so effortlessly that you forget and are laughing out loud. Can not wait for the TV adaption with Jodi Comer.
This Other Eden by Paul Harding - Read on Kindle
I was very much hoping that this was going to win the Booker Prize. As soon as you open the book the first page will sweep you away in the most breathtaking manner. It catapults you into the intense story and the story telling gets stronger and stronger. Based on the true story of Malaga Island off the coast of Maine this tells the utterly heart wrenching story of how the 47 mixed race inhabitants of Apple island are evicted and relocated, many to institutions.
This is a short novel (220 pages) but it feels like it could be double that, it covers so many thoughts, feelings and takes the reader on an incredible journey. I look forward to reading again and absorbing more of the story.
Milk Teeth by Jessica Andrews - Paperback
I love Jessica Andrews first novel Saltwater and loved reading her second book Milk teeth. I hate comparing anyone to Sally Rooney but it definitely has a similar vibe to the writing style. It’s not a plot heavy book, but at the same time it is difficult to put it down. The (unnamed) protagonist a twenty-something year old is on her way to self discovery with a lot of self sabotage. Andrews really gets you in her head and living her life and insecurities. Since reading this I’ve even gone one step further and read articles that she has written for Elle, I just find her really relatable.
The Bee Sting by Payl Murray - Read on Kindle
I feel that anywhere you look everyone is raving about this book. It’s family drama told across different generations. I thought that Murray did a great job of writing from both the female and male point of view. What I also loved about this book is the plot is very straightforward but because the writing is such good quality it feels much more complex then it actually is. From reading so many mediocre books this year it is really obvious when you read something that is written by someone really talented.
Wandering Souls by Cecile Pin - Read on Kindle
This was the first book club book and I think my favourite of all the book club reads from this year. I was so disappointed that it didn’t make the short list for the Women’s prize as it was my favourite from what I managed to read of the longlist. Pin’s debut novel is based on her own mother’s family history as Vietnamese boat person. In the 240 pages we follow Anh the eldest sibling and her two younger brothers as they migrate to Hong Kong before seeking further passage. The book was written very simplistically and was so impactful. I loved the multiple points of view. I learnt so much about the Vietnamese boat people, a subject that I knew very little on.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin - read on Kindle
I’ve talked about this book so many times already. I loved it and I feel that it is a book that will keep appealing to others for a long while to come.
Previously I had decided a book focused around gaming wasn’t for me and I overlooked it for a while, it wasn’t until a friend recommended it to me telling me that it was really worth the hype. I loved it! It is SO much more than gaming. Zevin does a great job of creating a novel that appeals and connects to so many people.
Ultimately it is a novel about friendship, platonic love, loss, romantic relationships, business, success, competition, drive. It is so layered, so well written and plotted.
What are you favourite books of 2023?
I enjoy Tomorrow, Tomorrow and Tomorrow. You may the author’s first book also.