Reading Roundup — Best Books of 2023!

Last year, I read 64 books and this year, I beat that number with 66! Not bad considering I took a little break in Q1 to catch up on music and some television. Feels like I finished strong with so many impactful books this year from history to graphic novels to must-read social commentaries.

As always, I credit the Libby app through the Indianapolis Public Library. It’s my go-to source for audio books, which most definitely count. (I’ve been seeing a lot of people lately asking the question. Yes! It’s reading.) By the Numbers: 30 non-fiction books read; 36 fiction. Both numbers include 11 classics.

Follow me on Goodreads to see what I’m reading at any given moment, plus I love to see what you’re reading, too! This year’s line-up:

Best Non-Fiction:

Gunfight: My Battle Against the Industry that Radicalized America by Ryan Busse — Busse (who is now running for governor of Montana) spent his professional career in the gun business. He lays out how the sales and marketing side of the business works and the true power of the NRA. Even more importantly he describes the customer revolution embracing high capacity automatic weapons. He’s frank about the changes in his personal beliefs as he watched an industry targeted to hunting and fishing fans evolve and fail to react to school shootings and common sense gun control. Some may find his view suspect, but I appreciated the insight into how this business has gotten such a foothold in American culture.

A Fever in the Heartland by Timothy Egan — Egan, known for his books exploring specific regions and cultural moments (like his book on my hometown and the dust bowl, The Worst Hard Time), tackles a legendary Indianapolis story — the Madge Oberholtzer murder by Klan chief DC Stephenson. Egan gives readers a history of the KKK, their grip on Indiana society in the early 1920s, and how a powerful Grand Dragon was brought to justice in heavily Klan-backed state.

Mastering the Art of Soviet Cooking: A Memoir of Food and Longing by Anya Von Bremzen — This book was a delight beginning to end. Von Bremzen describes the food of Russia decade by decade from the Czars to the modern Russians. Along the way, she tells the story of her own family, histories and traditions. As she and her mother emigrate to the US, she retells stories of the long lines, tiny apartments, and shortages of Soviet Russia and the dishes and recipes she knew from childhood. It’s a true memoir as she shares the food she longs for and examines the reality of a national history.

Honorable Mentions:
Curse of the Marquis de Sade: A Notorious Scoundrel, a Mythical Manuscript, and the Biggest Scandal in Literary History by Joel Warner — This quirky book paints a fascinating picture not only of the Marquis de Sade, but the journey of his most famous work, 120 Days of Sodom written in scroll form. Along the way, the author covers the roots of the modern study of human sexuality and the dark world of the rare and collectible book and manuscript market (as well as the Gérard Lhéritier scandal). The manuscript now lies with the Government of France, classified as a national treasure.

Young Queens: Three Renaissance Women and the Price of Power by Leah Redmond Chang — We’ve all read books about Catherine de Medici (the queen mother of France), Mary, Queen of Scots, and even Queen Elizabeth, but in this terrific book, Chang looks at all three women in terms of their connections, influence, and ambitions. As queen mother, Catherine was also mother to the Queen of Spain and her letters to her daughter show strong women holding Europe together — and working around household politics and longstanding loyalties. Worth a read for the unique look how these three women are connected.

And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Spare by Prince Harry here. Love him or hate him, this book was raw and honest. The fact it was read in his own voice contributed to the impact. You may not agree with his point of view, but he deserves credit for putting so much of himself forward. It wouldn’t have worked if he’d only gone halfway in telling his story.

Best Fiction:

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles — This was my number one for the year with a hundred stars. I am late to the party on this one, but so glad I finally got to it. It’s just delightful on every level — exploring the Russian experience through the eyes of a consummate gentleman who creates a rich life for himself and others in difficult circumstances. I can’t say more other than READ THIS BOOK.

Rules of Civility by Amor Towles — I also loved Towles second book which garnered somewhat more mixed reviews but was fantastic. We find ourselves in NYC in the 1930s as two women look for love and take different paths to happiness while navigating New York high society. A car accident is life-changing for them both in this rich vision of New York rich in societal change.

How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix – I loved The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires but didn’t enjoy The Final Girl Support Group at all, so was cautious about Hendrix’s latest. I shouldn’t have worried. Hendrix has a knack for reminding us of everyday horrors (like the death of a parent or having to clean out their house with an estranged sibling) and combined with true horrors like scary puppets and dolls that come alive! This one is a great romp — and one of my faves of the year.

Honorable Mentions:
Mary: An Awakening of Terror by Nat Cassidy — Hoo boy, this one is one readers loved or hated. Personally, I thought it was clever, funny, and, yes, terrifying. The mark of a great horror novel is whether it leaves scenes in your head that could give you nightmares, and this one has them in spades. Add a slightly crazy main character, a cult in the desert, and ghosts galore, and this one is worth a read.

The Running Grave (Cormoran Strike #7) by Robert Galbraith – A lot of readers have personal issues with JK Rowling (aka Robert Galbraith) and I don’t disagree, but I’ve been with this series from the beginning and have had a tough time letting go. I almost succeeded after the last book which was horrific on a number of levels from the overwriting to her own personal grievances with online fandom. That said, I wanted to give Corm and Robin one more chance, and they didn’t disappoint. Even though the book is long, it is action packed as Robin goes undercover in a cult. I truly enjoyed it — and think it will make a terrific TV adaptation as well.

General Notes:

It was a year of reading some new genres for project including a host of graphic novels. I learned how to read and decode these complicated stories including V for Vendetta, the Watchmen, Maus, and Persepolis, all excellent in this year’s context of book banning. Perhaps I was feeling a bit nostalgic, but I re-read Anne Rice’s first book in the Mayfair Witches series — The Witching Hour — which was enough to give me a taste of the sweeping 90s epic novel genre. And, of course, I devoured the second in the Hilary Mantel Wolf Hall series — Bring up the Bodies. I’m doling these out because they’re so wonderful.

Enjoy reading challenges? I checked 33 of 40 in the PopSugar 2023 Reading Challenge; and completed 14/10 in the country challenge but only 9/10 in the US city challenge.

Have a favorite book from last year? A reading challenge you loved? Tell me your favorites and I’ll add them to my list!