Books of 2023

Long time, no see! I’m back with a round-up of all the books I read last year, with a thought or two about each. Happy reading about reading!

Fiction

The Mistletoe Promise by Richard Paul Evans
A Chrsitmas gift: a Christmas story for the Christmas season. Writing style not really my cup of tea; very predictable and sappy; plot like a hallmark movie in book form.

Lay Siege to Heaven: A Novel About Saint Catherine of Siena by Louis de Wohl
This was my final pick for my former book club. It brought St Catherine of Siena to life in a fun (though sometimes intense) and believable tale.

The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
I wanted an intro to Christie’s character Hercule Poirot before reading the more famous Murder on the Orient Express, and this is the first published in that series. Poirot is a fascinating and exacerbating character. The interesting characters are really what made this book for me; I didn’t like the mystery/plot as much as others I’ve read because the murder method was so specialized/obscure.

Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio by Pu Songling
While searching for books for my daughter on the library’s website, this came up as a partial-match suggestion down the list of results. The thumbnail icon was of a Penguin Classic cover, and I had a flashback to IB English in high school when “world literature” was emphasized. I thought, “Why not request this and take in a random, translated, ancient classic? It’s short stories, it can’t be hard to follow.” I got exactly what I ordered! I did not sympathize with the morality of many of the stories, but by reading the introduction and sticking with the book to the end, I got a kind of immersion experience into the culture and cultural imagination of the man who wrote the Tales. And some of the stories were simply good! Entertaining, funny, sweet, tragic, etc. A wide range here. Most of them “strange” indeed.

The Axe (The Master of Hestviken #1) by Sigrid Undset
This was a book club pick to follow up on how much we enjoyed Kristin Lavransdatter by the same author last year. Undset’s compelling storytelling again had me hooked. I plan to reread this one (when I have time to finish the series) in the future.

Harry Potter and the Sorceror’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
We allowed our oldest to read the first two Harry Potter books this year. Hence, it was time for me to read them, for the first time in my life, too. I had seen the movies multiple times, and while I was entertained by them, I could never understand the obsessive following of the series. Well, I was in for a pleasant surprise. Even though I knew the story, the story was just told so well. I devoured it, and immediately joined the camp of “the movies left out so much!” even while feeling “the movie was incredibly faithful to this first book.” Since it was written for children, it was a quick read, but truly so enjoyable.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
The natural follow-up to the previous. I will comment that it’s been interesting to read this series already having an idea (from the movies) what everyone and everything looks like. My imagination didn’t have to work very hard to build the world. I’ve pondered what a different experience everyone who read it before the movies ever came out must have had.

The Giver by Lois Lowry
Once upon a time at a Moms Night Out, over pizza and wine, a close friend asked me if I’ve read this book, because she urgently needed to discuss it with a mutual friend who was also at the table, who had lent it to her, but she didn’t want to spoil it if I hadn’t read it. Since I hadn’t, she insisted I read it ASAP, and then zipped her lips about it. So of course I requested it from the library that very evening, and had read it within two weeks. We had a nice conversation about it, later, on a double date, over sushi and cocktails. Y’ALL. I have sat around thinking about this book, its plot, its plausibility, its implications, and that conversation we had about its ending, more than any other book I’ve read recently. Dystopia always does this to me – The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood did it seven years ago. I love this genre, and this one was particularly hair-raising, as it was written toward a younger audience: no fluff, just “chew on this,” page after page. Absolutely fascinating once you’ve plowed through the story’s setup.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
We’ve paused Miryam’s reading of HP at this book. In my opinion, the “darkness” surfacing here is too much for her single-digit-age little heart. She told me she skipped the ending of Robin Hood her second time reading it, because it was too sad. The dark things all work out “in the end,” but not all of them are worked out by the end of this book, and it only gets more intense as the series goes on. I just want her to be older and more mature before taking in this part of the story. Having said that, this was one of my personal favorites in the series!

Macbeth by William Shakespeare
On the double date I referenced above, after sushi, we went to a small, live theater performance called Drunk Shakespeare, which, incidentally, was a great time; if you see it advertised in a city near you, and you’re not too easily offended, and you like Shakespeare or the theater at all, go have fun! Anyway, I’d never read nor seen Macbeth, so I watched some YouTube crash courses on its plot before we went, so that I would get more of the jokes. Afterwards, when I had more time to squeeze it in, I read the full text. It is SO GOOD. Now I know why it’s Justin’s favorite Shakespeare. I think it’s my new favorite tragedy, but I might need to revisit Hamlet as an adult to make sure…

The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis
A dear friend recommended this book to me, so I grabbed a copy from the library. It’s about two different generations of women in the same family tree, both interacting with the New York City Public Library. I wanted to love it. I just couldn’t help feeling depressed by the avenues the mom in the older generation was taking to pursue her Feminist “freedom.” The cost was too high, in my opinion. Justin ordered me to pick up something more “fun” after finishing this book because I was seriously sad thinking about this fictional character.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
Under this book, I will comment that, similar to already knowing “what everything looks like,” it’s been a unique experience reading a series already knowing the outcome of the whole story. I’d forgotten details of each book’s plot, and of course the books have more details than the movies, but I knew the ending. Hence, I felt less anxiety for/with the characters in dangerous moments or about questionable characters than I otherwise might have, and I was able to pick up on much more foreshadowing than I otherwise would have, already knowing what was being foreshadowed. Just very interesting to ponder!

Charis in the World of Wonders by Marly Youmans
My other book club dissolved, so I joined a new one; this was first on the list. It’s kind of like a fairy tale mixed with Anne of Green Gables mixed with unapologetic war violence and human treachery…an unexpected combo with a creative and unique storyline that was told really beautifully. There is so much to think about from the book, and much to admire in the main character. A great Book Club pick, because the discussions made the book even better.

Dracula by Bram Stoker
Next in line for book club. I never would have picked this up otherwise, but I was so surprised by it compared to the glimpses of the story I’ve had through various pop culture adaptations. The title character was pure evil (no redeeming qualities or hope whatsoever); the female characters, far from being damsels, were awesome women and one of my favorite elements of the book; and the friendship and teamwork of the main characters (besides Dracula) was really the whole point. Admittedly, it was kind of tedious to get through, and not entirely believable, even with the vampires aside, but the book club discussions were worth it! NB: Justin and I watched a movie adaptation afterwards, which I absolutely hated. I realized I liked the book more, upon seeing how much I loathed this one adaptation, lol!

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
This was one of my less-favorite of this series, just so much information to slog through. But, of course, it’s needed to set up the last two books. But not one I would pick up again just to enjoy.

The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec
A gift from a friend, this fit nicely between book club books. A filling out of the life of a sort of “side character” in Norse mythology, this story was intriguing, new, and easy to read. I enjoyed this a lot.

King’s Shadow by Angela Hunt
This was lent to me by a friend, so I picked it up during Christmas time, knowing that the book ends at the time (and place!) of the first Christmas when Jesus was born. It’s a fictionalization of what King Herod’s family and court could have been like. It was an interesting take on this bit of history, although the style wasn’t my favorite.

The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck
And now a blatantly Christmas-y book for the Christmas season, as well. It was just what I expected, based on people I know who loved it and what I knew of Glenn Beck. A bit sappy and overstated, but I don’t regret reading it.

Non-Fiction

Joy to the World by Scott Hahn
This quick little Christmas read was so informative about the cultural conditions leading up to the time of the Nativity, and the layers of meaning in different parts of the Biblical account of the Nativity. 

Bakhita: From Slave to Saint by Roberto Ítalo Zanini
One of my favorite books of the year! St Josephine Bakhita had an incredible story. Miracles, faithfulness, and humility abound. Her practice of being “radically available” to the whole person and his/her needs, of whoever was right in front of her at any given moment, inspired me to adopt “radical availability” as my word of the year for 2024. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys biography, lives of the saints, or accounts of miracles.

When Life Gives You Pears: The Healing Power of Family, Faith, and Funny People by Jeannie Gaffigan
I wanted to like this memoir more than I actually did. I don’t regret reading it; it is a really neat story of God’s providence in a crazy situation for this family, that I can’t imagine going through myself. But I had heard part of the story on a podcast, and I just liked the spoken delivery better than the written.

The Good, the Messy, the Beautiful by Edward and Beth Sri
My husband and I read this together over the course of several weeks, and it led to some really fruitful conversations about our marriage and family life. The Sris manage to approach serious topics in a relatable, sometimes humorous, always honest way. I would recommend this book to any married couples seeking to be more intentional about cultivating their marriage.

This Present Paradise: A Spiritual Journey with St Elizabeth of the Trinity by Claire Dwyer
This was a re-read, and still so poignant. I buy up used copies of this book to pass around to friends. Dwyer’s synthesis of St Elizabeth’s simple but profound spirituality is “just what I needed” every time I pick it up. For moms of small children, it’s especially relatable and encouraging. 

Searching for and Maintaining Peace by Jacques Philippe
Another re-read that will be read again I am sure. As the children in my home grow in age and number, peace is harder to come by naturally. This book kindly but firmly reminds one that “apart from God you can do nothing,” and offers practical encouragement to practice and maintain a peaceful, total reliance on God.

The Library Book by Susan Orlean
A friend recommended this to me, and I didn’t realize it was non-fiction until I picked it up from on hold at my library. An unfolding narrative about a fire at the Los Angeles Public Library in the 80s ties the different parts of the book together from beginning to end. There is a lot of interesting information about the politics of building and running and maintaining a public library; about the architecture of different famous libraries; about the history of public libraries. It was a long read but I don’t regret it, being a huge fan of libraries’ role in my own life and as a public service.

Heaven’s Song by Christopher West
A couple of different friends of mine were reading this separately so I jumped on the bandwagon. This book inspired much self-reflection and prayer, and precipitated some vulnerable conversations with my husband. I would recommend this to those who are Christian and married, or intellectually interested in taking a step deeper into Theology of the Body.

Christ Alive in Me by Fr David Meconi
A priest friend gave me this book and insisted it was important. It made a very intriguing point about how God wants to share his divine nature with us, and how we can be open to this.

The Lamb’s Supper by Scott Hahn
A highly informative read about the Catholic interpretation of the Book of Revelation, especially as it translates to the Mass.

An Introduction to the Devout Life by St Francis de Sales
Justin and I read this together with the other couples in our small group last year. It is full of beautiful imagery and suggestions to help a lay person in his or her spiritual life. It opened the door to many great conversations amongst the group as well as in personal prayer.

The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
One of my favorite books of the year! This short and simple book is full of straight-to-the-heart advice on how to keep God in your thoughts and even physically in the room with you, all the time. Brother Lawrence delivers his messages with so much love. I have so many notes in the margins of favorite points that I’ve been opening back up to over and over again in prayer since finishing this book the first time.

Audiobooks

Ralph S. Mouse by Beverly Cleary
We listened to the first two in this series last year, so this was a natural choice. Girls and boys 4-8 enjoyed.

Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl
This is one of Miryam’s very favorites. I love the stop animation movie adaptation, too. 

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
Miryam particularly enjoyed this, but it wasn’t my favorite, mostly due to slow pacing, but it was an interesting concept.

The Very, Very Far North by Dan Bar-el
This story was super cute! Also kind of slow, but the characters are quite lovable.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
Classic! Our big kids, and my husband and I, were all giggling (sometimes at different details). I appreciated the humor in this book a lot more as a parent of elementary children than I ever did when I read it as a kid myself. 

Read-Alouds

I survived the Joplin Tornado, 2011 by Lauren Tarshis
Miryam (8 at the time) loved reading this series, and Luke (6 at the time) loved listening. Sometimes the details of the plot – what’s happening to the main character – seem far-fetched, but that’s what makes it exciting. The historical details of the natural disaster are accurate and informative.

Cat Kid Comic Club: Collaborations by Dav Pilkey
I expected to dislike this, because I haven’t liked other series by this author, but this book surprised me. Themes of family dynamics and helping people out (and cleaning your room when told, lol), mixed with cute and silly comics written by the kids in the story – and significantly less rudeness / disrespect and purposeful misspellings than in other Pilkey books I’ve read.

I Survived the Wellington Avalanche, 1910 by Lauren Tarshis
One of Miryam’s favorites in this series; more exotic for our family because we live in Texas and an avalanche is far removed from us. 

Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back by Shel Silverstein
I remember reading this book when I was 11 and finding it hilarious. As an adult it hit more like a social commentary and less like a musing about marshmallows…but it was still fun to read to the kids.

I Survived the Galveston Hurricane, 1900 by Lauren Tarshis
I appreciate the double-layered plots in this series: one more personal to the main character, one obviously about the natural disaster. But after this one I refused to read any more aloud for bedtime books, because they were too intense for sensitive little sister. Big kids have read most of the series on their own by now.

Kids’ Books

The Green Ember by S.D. Smith
Every family read-aloud recommendation list I’ve encountered includes this series, so I checked it out for Miryam. She only very begrudgingly opened it (why doesn’t she think I might know what books she might like by now??!), but after finishing it, she gave it to me to return to the library and sheepishly asked me to get her the next one in the series. I decided to read the series alongside her so I could evaluate them. This first one is excellent. I will note that in my opinion this series is appropriate for ages 8+. 

The Black Star of Kingston by S.D. Smith
This is a side story (“Tales of Old Natalia” sub-series) in the Green Ember universe. Miryam chose not to read this sub-series, and it was my least favorite of the sub-series, but it does set up and explain some things that come into play in the last book of the main series. The sub-series side stories are much shorter than the four books of the main series.

Stay tuned to hear more about this series in next year’s book roundup post, which I might get to before September, hopefully!

Tell me in the comments below: what was one of your favorite recent reads?