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.
Fellow Kate Atkinson completist here. She deserves the world. Such a versatile, engrossing and descriptive writer, with wonderful touches of absurdism.
Dec 17, 2023·edited Dec 17, 2023Liked by Elizabeth Marro
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'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 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.
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!
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!
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.
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.🐰
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 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.
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.
Fellow Kate Atkinson completist here. She deserves the world. Such a versatile, engrossing and descriptive writer, with wonderful touches of absurdism.
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'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 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.
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!
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!
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.
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.🐰
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.