I’ve never been one to record every single book I read, even though I would live to review such a list at the end of the year. I started one in January for this reason and forgot about it by March, so all I have to go on is my memory, which is famously unreliable.
That said, if I close my eyes and spread out all the titles I can remember, I see a lot of literary fiction about families, a brief flirtation with the romance genre that ended badly, and some truly spectacular memoir/narrative nonfiction on a wide array of subjects.
I guess what it says is that I’m someone who knows what she likes, in terms of both style and theme, but is always deeply curious and open to new things.
For 2024, I'm thinking that I'll keep a list to remind me of what I read but to write at least one line from each book in my Common Book so that when I look back, I'll see what spoke to me. I feel this year, as I have in past years, a sense that too many books slip from my memory too soon. I am curious too and open to new things but I have discovered this year that when I feel time is short, or I am overwhelmed or preoccupied, I reach for books by authors I know or for stories that appeal to the pleasure receptors in my brain.
Yes! I also go for familiar names and subjects when I don’t have the mental/emotional capacity for something totally new or challenging, which is always how I feel mid-December. Just yesterday I was walking through the library and saw Elizabeth Hay’s latest book on the “express read” shelf and checked it out without even reading the flap copy.
Tom Lake was a very good read. I will read anything Ann Patchett writes whether I love it or not. There were passages in this one that really struck home for me. I really thought she evoked that sense of time unfolding and stopping and a sense of place both in the protagonist's life and town that rippled through Our Town which informs so much of the novel.
Tom Lake was brilliant, immersive, telling, and everything I want in a novel. In my top ten of 2023 for sure. Even my husband loved it and he usually gives up on literary novels.
Fellow Kate Atkinson completist here. She deserves the world. Such a versatile, engrossing and descriptive writer, with wonderful touches of absurdism.
If I could do what she does, I'd die happy. Another author who falls into this category for me: Anne Tyler whose style is very different but command of story and people and nuance are just as great.
I love the idea of reflecting on what your reading says about your year. I think the books I started and DIDN'T finish also tell a story. Sometimes it was because the writing was poor, or the story just didn't grab me. Sometimes I just couldn't be bothered.
I have been sloppy with my book recording this year because I borrow 99% of my books from the library and I can easily see my borrowing history. I only read half the books I borrowed. I think this is (mostly) a good thing. I've become a lot more discerning and no longer worry about what I SHOULD be reading.
I think just reading what you want to read is the way to go. I am now embarking on writing down the passages or quotes from what I read that stay with me. I think that doing this will show me more about the books and also where my head was during the year. I'm discovering that it is a way to savor books. I tend to rush through many things I read.
I like the idea of writing things down. I’ve never been one for annotating or high-lighting because I was raised on library books, so this is a way of engaging more deeply.
Exactly. I have lost too much after reading library books because I have not thought this through well enough and found a way to capture the parts I want to keep.
I've discovered that I don't do well with tracking what I read. Besides being a voracious reader, I found that inevitably tracking my reads ended up making reading less enjoyable for me, and unless I'm reading for research, I'm not really wild about organized reading programs.
Right now I'm rereading Michael Chabon's The Yiddish Policeman's Union, and enjoying it, savoring the turns of phrases. Otherwise, I've also revisited Ivan Doig's Scotch Heaven trilogy and will probably be rereading most of his Two Medicine Country books. There's also a big chunk of SFF new releases that I pick up through my library's ebook program. Plus revisiting my collection of horse books, including Will James's cowboy tales.
I know I reach The Yiddish Policeman's Union (takes place in Alaska, no?) and liked it a lot. I think I will revisit it. I really enjoy reading pretty much anything Chabon writes although I still haven't been able to get into Telegraph Avenue for some reason.
I am beyond impressed with how many books you read this year, Betsy! inspiring list! I hope to read more in 2024...!..... wishing you a wonderful holiday season and new year. xo
I listed my favorite books of the year in last week's letter; anyone can see it here: https://sandradehelen.substack.com/p/my-favorite-books-of-2023-so-far This week I read Jackie Kay's memoir (Red Dust Road) which I also loved. I read a lot of memoir this year. I am interested in people's lives, especially authors' lives. But I also read a mix of fiction and non-fiction. And poetry, which I didn't list. Why??? I read poetry every day. I guess because I don't read one book straight through I didn't think to include any of the books. Shame on me. My favorite poets are Andrea Gibson, Mary Oliver, Sharon Olds, and Emily Dickinson.
You know, I didn't include the poetry I read either for exactly the same reason with the exception of Killer Poems which I read in its entirety. I pick up a book of poems and put it down, usually in the morning or the evening. Maybe we ought to create a separate category for poetry.
I LOVE how many rereads you had -- there are some books I’d love to read again but I feel like I can’t...like I have to spend my time reading new stories. But what a good use of time, to enjoy and to study!
I have never read any Kate Atkinson books but that may be a series I can start, it sounds good! Have a nice refreshing holiday rest time and see you here next year!
Thanks so much for including Fair Game, Betsy! I also love Kate Atkinson, though I couldn't get into Shrines of Gaiety. Maybe just wasn't in the right place or mood. I love the Jackson Brodie "mysteries," but I think I'm behind, so need to get caught up there.
This year I did a deep-dive into the Slow Horses books by Mick Herron. A friend told us about the streaming series, but, of course, my husband and I wanted to read the books first. He's ahead of me but I'm close behind!
Shrines of Gaiety was not my favorite Atkinson read either but I did love the character at the heart of it all and enjoyed how she put it together and there were lines I loved. As always. I've had the Slow Horses series on my list ever since Marilyn Johnson recommended them. How close would you say they are to a John LeCarre kind of story? I liked the first episode of the show but haven't watched the others -- think I should read the books first?
I've read one John le Carre novel--probably Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. So I'm not a John le Carre expert by any means. I see people comparing Mick Herron to le Carre all the time. I'm skeptical. I like the Slow Horses books because they're hilarious. And in some moments, warm and real. I feel like for Herron, the spy stuff is totally incidental. He's a master of dialogue and character-building. The spy parts are interesting, but not why I love the books. He makes me laugh. Often. And care very much about the characters.
You can totally watch and enjoy the show without the books. I read the books first because generally if I go the other way--if I watch the show first--it's unlikely I'll ever read the books. And I wanted to read these books. Not surprisingly, I like the books better, but the show is also quite fun.
The books go pretty fast and each season on the show is equivalent to one book so far, for planning purposes.
This sounds great. LeCarre operated in the world of spies but he was always first and foremost a master story teller with characters and insights and writing that made him a joy to read.
Ah, then that's why they keep comparing Mick Herron to him! Hope you enjoy. Just reading the latest book last night and, seriously, chuckling out loud.
Thanks to your "books" edition of Spark, my TBR pile just got pile-ier. So many books, as they say, and so little time. Thanks Betsy. Thanks to for the mention of "When Your Heart Says Go" in your listings. Happiest of holidays to you and your family. Hope to see you in the New Year.
One of the first books I read this year was yours! I quite liked it and occasionally something reminds me of it.
I seemed to gravitate towards essay and short story collections this year, plus a decent amount of memoirs. At going on 35 books read, this has been the most prolific reading year of my life by far. I know it’s not a crazy number, especially considering I’m a writer, but I still feel good about it. If only reading newsletters could be counted too!
Thank you, Lyle! Books are far from the only way to think about what we've been reading. I think thoughtful newsletter pieces and essays are often left out of the count for those of us who read and write books but in fact they account for a lot of the reading and thinking time. There is also the question of the rest of life, right? Like caring for children, spouses, and working and trying to just generally balance all of it. Happy reading in 2024.
Goodreads informed me today I ranked in the top 25% of readers, but I must admit that a good percentage of the books I red got average ratings. I do let Goodreads do the listing work while, at the same time, I get some lovely recommendations from other readers. I was surprised that I read so many books, as I'm a slow reader; I like to savor words.
Lately, I find that I want to ESCAPE from my own world, anxious to forget about the daily drumroll of political madness. After a good read, I find myself thankful my life is not as complicated and challenging as others.
Escape figures large in my own book selection, I think. I have always sought escape in books ever since I started reading. It was a way to close off the chaos of a large family and uncertain times. Then, of course, there are books that pull me in only to show me how complicated and challenging the world can be/is. For some reason, it's easier to take when packaged between the covers of a book.
Thank you Betsy for the mentions, including ‘Month in the Country’ by J L Carr despite its age, and using three of my books of 2023 in your graphic.
I am a little out of it right now because Susan, my wife, went into hospital for a routine gallbladder removal operation on Thursday as a day patient, but is still there and will be there ‘into next week’ while the surgical team decide how to complete the operation after being unable to complete it. Even more amazing is the fact that she ‘disappeared’ - as do other patients it seems. A receptionist said to me and two doctors trying to help me. ‘Your wife will turn up. They always do.’ And she did. There are black holes here on earth and I can prove it! Something to keep me occupied over Christmas.🐰
I hope she stays in plain view and grabs quickly from here on. And I hope the season brings you both a chance to rest and relax and meet the new year feeling stronger.
Sorry to bring in a downer, but I just finished Rachel Maddow's Prequel, a history of the Fascist movement in the U.S. between WWI and WWII. It was mainstream, not just a fringe movement. Hitler had a framed photo of Henry Ford on the wall behind his desk...eerily prescient. Scariest book I've read in a long time.
I've got it on hold; can't wait to read it. I love Rachel and I've learned so much from her; I could listen to her for days. And I'm not a political junkie. But she tells me stories.
I’ve never been one to record every single book I read, even though I would live to review such a list at the end of the year. I started one in January for this reason and forgot about it by March, so all I have to go on is my memory, which is famously unreliable.
That said, if I close my eyes and spread out all the titles I can remember, I see a lot of literary fiction about families, a brief flirtation with the romance genre that ended badly, and some truly spectacular memoir/narrative nonfiction on a wide array of subjects.
I guess what it says is that I’m someone who knows what she likes, in terms of both style and theme, but is always deeply curious and open to new things.
For 2024, I'm thinking that I'll keep a list to remind me of what I read but to write at least one line from each book in my Common Book so that when I look back, I'll see what spoke to me. I feel this year, as I have in past years, a sense that too many books slip from my memory too soon. I am curious too and open to new things but I have discovered this year that when I feel time is short, or I am overwhelmed or preoccupied, I reach for books by authors I know or for stories that appeal to the pleasure receptors in my brain.
Yes! I also go for familiar names and subjects when I don’t have the mental/emotional capacity for something totally new or challenging, which is always how I feel mid-December. Just yesterday I was walking through the library and saw Elizabeth Hay’s latest book on the “express read” shelf and checked it out without even reading the flap copy.
It's good to stop reading books that just aren't doing it for you - move on, no regrets!
Few things—thanks for adding my fav book! Revelations. I also deviate from my planned TBRs to the point that I probably shouldn’t make them.
Also loved Tale of the Time Being, it’s one of my all time favorite novels, haha no pun intended.
Finally, how was Tom Lake? Was considering reading that one.
Tom Lake was a very good read. I will read anything Ann Patchett writes whether I love it or not. There were passages in this one that really struck home for me. I really thought she evoked that sense of time unfolding and stopping and a sense of place both in the protagonist's life and town that rippled through Our Town which informs so much of the novel.
Same. Def an Ann Patchett fan.
Tom Lake was brilliant, immersive, telling, and everything I want in a novel. In my top ten of 2023 for sure. Even my husband loved it and he usually gives up on literary novels.
Oooh that’s a great endorsement!
Fellow Kate Atkinson completist here. She deserves the world. Such a versatile, engrossing and descriptive writer, with wonderful touches of absurdism.
If I could do what she does, I'd die happy. Another author who falls into this category for me: Anne Tyler whose style is very different but command of story and people and nuance are just as great.
I’d add Joanne Harris, too
I'll check her out!
I love the idea of reflecting on what your reading says about your year. I think the books I started and DIDN'T finish also tell a story. Sometimes it was because the writing was poor, or the story just didn't grab me. Sometimes I just couldn't be bothered.
I have been sloppy with my book recording this year because I borrow 99% of my books from the library and I can easily see my borrowing history. I only read half the books I borrowed. I think this is (mostly) a good thing. I've become a lot more discerning and no longer worry about what I SHOULD be reading.
I think just reading what you want to read is the way to go. I am now embarking on writing down the passages or quotes from what I read that stay with me. I think that doing this will show me more about the books and also where my head was during the year. I'm discovering that it is a way to savor books. I tend to rush through many things I read.
I like the idea of writing things down. I’ve never been one for annotating or high-lighting because I was raised on library books, so this is a way of engaging more deeply.
Exactly. I have lost too much after reading library books because I have not thought this through well enough and found a way to capture the parts I want to keep.
I've discovered that I don't do well with tracking what I read. Besides being a voracious reader, I found that inevitably tracking my reads ended up making reading less enjoyable for me, and unless I'm reading for research, I'm not really wild about organized reading programs.
Right now I'm rereading Michael Chabon's The Yiddish Policeman's Union, and enjoying it, savoring the turns of phrases. Otherwise, I've also revisited Ivan Doig's Scotch Heaven trilogy and will probably be rereading most of his Two Medicine Country books. There's also a big chunk of SFF new releases that I pick up through my library's ebook program. Plus revisiting my collection of horse books, including Will James's cowboy tales.
I know I reach The Yiddish Policeman's Union (takes place in Alaska, no?) and liked it a lot. I think I will revisit it. I really enjoy reading pretty much anything Chabon writes although I still haven't been able to get into Telegraph Avenue for some reason.
I'm reading it in small doses because I'm trying to think about his word choices. So far I've enjoyed his work, but haven't tried Telegraph Avenue.
I am beyond impressed with how many books you read this year, Betsy! inspiring list! I hope to read more in 2024...!..... wishing you a wonderful holiday season and new year. xo
Happy holidays and New Year to you too, Bernadette!
I listed my favorite books of the year in last week's letter; anyone can see it here: https://sandradehelen.substack.com/p/my-favorite-books-of-2023-so-far This week I read Jackie Kay's memoir (Red Dust Road) which I also loved. I read a lot of memoir this year. I am interested in people's lives, especially authors' lives. But I also read a mix of fiction and non-fiction. And poetry, which I didn't list. Why??? I read poetry every day. I guess because I don't read one book straight through I didn't think to include any of the books. Shame on me. My favorite poets are Andrea Gibson, Mary Oliver, Sharon Olds, and Emily Dickinson.
You know, I didn't include the poetry I read either for exactly the same reason with the exception of Killer Poems which I read in its entirety. I pick up a book of poems and put it down, usually in the morning or the evening. Maybe we ought to create a separate category for poetry.
Whatever we need to do to encourage people to read more poetry, I'm in!
I LOVE how many rereads you had -- there are some books I’d love to read again but I feel like I can’t...like I have to spend my time reading new stories. But what a good use of time, to enjoy and to study!
I have never read any Kate Atkinson books but that may be a series I can start, it sounds good! Have a nice refreshing holiday rest time and see you here next year!
I think you'll enjoy them, Janice. I wish you a refreshing and happy holiday too. Here's to a healthy and peaceful 2024.
Thanks so much for including Fair Game, Betsy! I also love Kate Atkinson, though I couldn't get into Shrines of Gaiety. Maybe just wasn't in the right place or mood. I love the Jackson Brodie "mysteries," but I think I'm behind, so need to get caught up there.
This year I did a deep-dive into the Slow Horses books by Mick Herron. A friend told us about the streaming series, but, of course, my husband and I wanted to read the books first. He's ahead of me but I'm close behind!
Shrines of Gaiety was not my favorite Atkinson read either but I did love the character at the heart of it all and enjoyed how she put it together and there were lines I loved. As always. I've had the Slow Horses series on my list ever since Marilyn Johnson recommended them. How close would you say they are to a John LeCarre kind of story? I liked the first episode of the show but haven't watched the others -- think I should read the books first?
I've read one John le Carre novel--probably Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. So I'm not a John le Carre expert by any means. I see people comparing Mick Herron to le Carre all the time. I'm skeptical. I like the Slow Horses books because they're hilarious. And in some moments, warm and real. I feel like for Herron, the spy stuff is totally incidental. He's a master of dialogue and character-building. The spy parts are interesting, but not why I love the books. He makes me laugh. Often. And care very much about the characters.
You can totally watch and enjoy the show without the books. I read the books first because generally if I go the other way--if I watch the show first--it's unlikely I'll ever read the books. And I wanted to read these books. Not surprisingly, I like the books better, but the show is also quite fun.
The books go pretty fast and each season on the show is equivalent to one book so far, for planning purposes.
This sounds great. LeCarre operated in the world of spies but he was always first and foremost a master story teller with characters and insights and writing that made him a joy to read.
Ah, then that's why they keep comparing Mick Herron to him! Hope you enjoy. Just reading the latest book last night and, seriously, chuckling out loud.
Thanks to your "books" edition of Spark, my TBR pile just got pile-ier. So many books, as they say, and so little time. Thanks Betsy. Thanks to for the mention of "When Your Heart Says Go" in your listings. Happiest of holidays to you and your family. Hope to see you in the New Year.
Thank you, Judy! See you soon I hope!
One of the first books I read this year was yours! I quite liked it and occasionally something reminds me of it.
I seemed to gravitate towards essay and short story collections this year, plus a decent amount of memoirs. At going on 35 books read, this has been the most prolific reading year of my life by far. I know it’s not a crazy number, especially considering I’m a writer, but I still feel good about it. If only reading newsletters could be counted too!
Thank you, Lyle! Books are far from the only way to think about what we've been reading. I think thoughtful newsletter pieces and essays are often left out of the count for those of us who read and write books but in fact they account for a lot of the reading and thinking time. There is also the question of the rest of life, right? Like caring for children, spouses, and working and trying to just generally balance all of it. Happy reading in 2024.
Spot-on! The rest of life is where us writers get the most material too.
Goodreads informed me today I ranked in the top 25% of readers, but I must admit that a good percentage of the books I red got average ratings. I do let Goodreads do the listing work while, at the same time, I get some lovely recommendations from other readers. I was surprised that I read so many books, as I'm a slow reader; I like to savor words.
Lately, I find that I want to ESCAPE from my own world, anxious to forget about the daily drumroll of political madness. After a good read, I find myself thankful my life is not as complicated and challenging as others.
Escape figures large in my own book selection, I think. I have always sought escape in books ever since I started reading. It was a way to close off the chaos of a large family and uncertain times. Then, of course, there are books that pull me in only to show me how complicated and challenging the world can be/is. For some reason, it's easier to take when packaged between the covers of a book.
Thank you Betsy for the mentions, including ‘Month in the Country’ by J L Carr despite its age, and using three of my books of 2023 in your graphic.
I am a little out of it right now because Susan, my wife, went into hospital for a routine gallbladder removal operation on Thursday as a day patient, but is still there and will be there ‘into next week’ while the surgical team decide how to complete the operation after being unable to complete it. Even more amazing is the fact that she ‘disappeared’ - as do other patients it seems. A receptionist said to me and two doctors trying to help me. ‘Your wife will turn up. They always do.’ And she did. There are black holes here on earth and I can prove it! Something to keep me occupied over Christmas.🐰
I hope she stays in plain view and grabs quickly from here on. And I hope the season brings you both a chance to rest and relax and meet the new year feeling stronger.
Thank you Betsy🐰
And of course I meant "heals" not ",grabs" . Sometimes I hate my phone.
Sorry to bring in a downer, but I just finished Rachel Maddow's Prequel, a history of the Fascist movement in the U.S. between WWI and WWII. It was mainstream, not just a fringe movement. Hitler had a framed photo of Henry Ford on the wall behind his desk...eerily prescient. Scariest book I've read in a long time.
I've got it on hold; can't wait to read it. I love Rachel and I've learned so much from her; I could listen to her for days. And I'm not a political junkie. But she tells me stories.