Monday, January 01, 2024

My Best Books of 2023


 The delightful and as yet unread pile from our annual Jolabokaflod of 2023
I can hardly wait to dig my eyes into these.



I'm only listing the best of my ratings (5/5)

Many I tossed- life is short, no more time for uninteresting (to me) reading. My list is not in any particular order.

Many were enjoyable (4/5 or 3/5) but not listed. Reading is one of my greatest pleasures.

  • Colours and Years - Margit Kaffka
  • Lessons in Chemistry - Bonnie Garman
  • Smith to America - Imani Parry
  • A Girl's Story - Annie Ernaux
  • The Diamond Eye - Kate Quinn
  • Happening - Annie Ernaux
  • Ask Again Yes - Mary Beth Keane
  • Damon Copperhead - Barbara Kingsolver
  • The Latecomer - Jean Hanff Karelitz
  • Fayne - Anne Marie MacDonald
  • Tom Lake - Ann Patchett
  • Strange Sally Diamond - Liz Nugent
  • Old God's time - Sebastian Barry
  • The Librarianist - Patrick De Witt
  • The Echo Chamber - John Boyne
  • Playing Nice - J.P. Delaney
  • Burst - Mary Otis
Thanks to all of you blogmates for your recommendations also.

AND in 2024
Happy







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24 comments:

  1. Regina M.Mon Jan 01, 04:07:00 PM GMT-3:30

    Sending my best wishes for a very good 2024. From the base of the mini-mountain in Maine. Finally expecting some snow to arrive!

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    1. WisewebwomanTue Jan 02, 03:20:00 PM GMT-3:30

      We've had a splash of snow a few days ago but none since. I'm enjoying the sun and sweater weather! Best wishes Regina for 2024!
      XO
      WWW

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  2. Out To PastureMon Jan 01, 06:05:00 PM GMT-3:30

    I'll check if any of those books are available at my public library. One of my favourite novels was 'A Fine Balance' by Rohinton Mistry. I read this decades ago and still think of these fictional characters as if they were real and wonder what they're doing now.

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    1. WisewebwomanTue Jan 02, 03:21:00 PM GMT-3:30

      I read that too OTP, ages and ages ago. But unlike you, I can't remember it without a sneaky google.
      XO
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  3. Joanne NoragonMon Jan 01, 09:04:00 PM GMT-3:30

    And I'll check for them as audiobooks.

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    1. WisewebwomanTue Jan 02, 03:21:00 PM GMT-3:30

      Good plan, Joanne, can you weave and listen to books at the same time?
      XO
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  4. dkzodyMon Jan 01, 10:07:00 PM GMT-3:30

    Playing Nice - J.P. Delaney sounded really good, but then I found our county library only has it audio versions. While visiting our kids last week, we all went to Barnes & Noble because they had gift cards they wanted to use. I found 10 books that I want to read, but when I checked with the library, they only had 6 of them. Oh, well. That will keep me busy for awhile. I pretty much refuse to buy books any more. Cost and space are main factors.

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    1. WisewebwomanTue Jan 02, 03:23:00 PM GMT-3:30

      I buy very few books but am so fortunate if my local library doesn't have it they borrow from other libraries across Canada. Books on shelves are nearly all gifts and recycled to the two libraries we have in the building apart from treasured poetry books, etc.
      XO
      WWW

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  5. RiverMon Jan 01, 11:05:00 PM GMT-3:30

    I have read Lessons In Chemistry and liked it, passed it on to another family member. I don't know any of the rest of your list.

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    1. WisewebwomanTue Jan 02, 03:24:00 PM GMT-3:30

      I loved it, i enjoy reading quirky characters.
      XO
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  6. eMon Jan 01, 11:12:00 PM GMT-3:30

    Thank you for these recommendations, happy new year and may you be well. The meal is southern and the blackeyed peas, rice and greens were eaten by enslaved people. The rice and peas are often called Hoppin' John.

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    1. WisewebwomanTue Jan 02, 03:25:00 PM GMT-3:30

      A friend of mine had an annual NYE party and always served Hoppin' John. Small world!
      XO
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  7. Elephant's ChildTue Jan 02, 01:41:00 AM GMT-3:30

    A love of reading is probably the best present my parents ever gave me. I like your list and may explore some of them. Thank you.

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    1. WisewebwomanTue Jan 02, 03:26:00 PM GMT-3:30

      My parents also EC and my kids and grandkid are avid readers. It starts in the home. I'm going to write down your list at the side of your blog.
      XO
      WWW

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  8. David M. Gascoigne,Wed Jan 03, 07:51:00 AM GMT-3:30

    To you, and to all who read, to those who cherish free access to the content of books, to those who value libraries - Happy New Year!

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    1. WisewebwomanWed Jan 03, 12:48:00 PM GMT-3:30

      Backatcha David! I love your reading choices and learn so much from your summaries!
      XO
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  9. Jackie McGuinnessWed Jan 03, 12:34:00 PM GMT-3:30

    I am behind in reading blogs as I have to go incognito so that Blogger will let me comment!
    I have some of these on my wish list at the library!

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    1. WisewebwomanWed Jan 03, 12:50:00 PM GMT-3:30

      I love your recommendations Jackie and I'm sure a few of the above were your recs. Also we agree on many of our film critiques.
      I've ordered the other books of J.P. Delaney from my local library and they have them all.
      XO
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  10. nickThu Jan 04, 01:47:00 PM GMT-3:30

    I enjoyed Lessons in Chemistry and The Echo Chamber. I haven't read any of the others. I would recommend The Friend by Sigrid Munez. One of the best books I've ever read - and it doesn't ramble on for 400 pages!

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    1. WisewebwomanFri Jan 05, 11:01:00 AM GMT-3:30

      Weren't they marvelous Nick? Mine were library books by I bought Chemistry for Grandgirl for Jolabokaflod. I am making notes of recommendations from blog mates so yours was added to my list.
      XO
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  11. J. S. VilaThu Jan 04, 02:00:00 PM GMT-3:30

    Is an interesting list of books for to read with time.

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    1. WisewebwomanFri Jan 05, 11:01:00 AM GMT-3:30

      All individual preferences I am aware but I love a delicious engrossing read.
      XO
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  12. David M. Gascoigne,Fri Jan 05, 08:53:00 AM GMT-3:30

    My wife just asked me to forward this list to her. She already has a couple of them waitlisted at the library, and I am sure a few more are going to be added! David xo

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    1. WisewebwomanFri Jan 05, 11:02:00 AM GMT-3:30

      Excellent David! I hope she's not too disappointed with my choices!
      XO
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