2023 was a year of new beginnings but also for revisiting old goals. I wanted to be ~inspired~ by books again, which I believe led to the lackluster amount of reading I did last year. I want more enticing, enriching, and engaging books that make me think. So as I embarked on my 30th year, I relied more on recommendations for books, but also my learnings from last year: doing more research on the book before you start! So cheers to the next "chapter" in my life and reading journey. Thanks for tagging along!
Before starting my list of books this year, I would like to admit that I omitted a few books I read. For personal reasons, I felt that the content of these books was for my heart only and had a lot to do with the stage in my life that I was in. The books I left out were female-focused personal and relationship growth-related. If any of my readers want to learn these titles, they can message me directly.
Color Glossary: Purple = Audiobook // Light Green = Physical Book
2023 Books:
1. The Challenge Culture by Nigel Travis - This book was just okay. I expected it to be filled with amazing insights and fun stories from the top guy at Dunkin Donuts, much like Bob Iger's book or Shoe Boss. Instead, it was a bunch of "I guess that's interesting" moments, which is ironic since he starts the book saying how he doesn't want to write another boring businessman's book. Nigel boiled everything down to "just ask 'why', but be respectful when you do it". ★★★
2. Sweet Success by Candace Nelson - I loved this book. Can not recommend it enough. The author, who founded Sprinkles Cupcakes, shares her experiences in starting the company as well as creates a "how-to" guide for those thinking of following in her footsteps. ★★★★★ 3. A Bite-Sized History of France by Stephane Hénaut and Jeni Mitchell - A delicious read - pour yourself a glass of wine and listen in (I did the audiobook version). This was an easy book to get into, filled with a rich and hunger-inducing history of France and how food played a role throughout the centuries. I recommend this to all history buffs and/or foodies. ★★★★★ 4. Breath by James Nestor - Recommended by Charlie // This read was an interesting one, all about how we breathe and the consequential health implications. It makes you think about your own choices and suggests how to make small yet impactful changes, though it may not be everyone's cup of tea. ★★★
Book # 5 was a personal read - Recommended by Hillary and Nicole ★★★★
6. Pickleball is Life by Erin McHugh - Hillarious and not what I expected at all. It was much more of a coffee table book or gag gift, but a good break nonetheless. Filled with a quick history of the sport along with cocktail recipes and a vocabulary index, this book is a fun way to get into the sport or as a gift for anyone who already loves it. ★★★★
7. The Secret Knowledge by David Mamet - Recommended by Rob // Unfortunately, not my favorite. Written by a former Democrat turned Republican, this book focused on capitalism in the US. As I do my best to read books on both sides of the aisle, this book was written in the Obama years and 6+ years later seems incredibly outdated and inappropriate at times given the current status of the world. However, there were a couple of interesting points made throughout the book that made me think, which is the point of reading different views. ★★
8. How the Word is Passed - Recommended by Ben // This book, like the last, was hard to read. Focused on the experiences of black Americans and the history of slavery, a lot of stories of the past that show we do not always side with our better angels. Like book 7, it's important to read and learn from others with different experiences or viewpoints, and I would recommend this to anyone who would like to revisit components of our nation's challenging history with slavery they may not have dug deep into or learned about at all. ★★★
9. I'm Proud of You by Tim Madigan - Recommended by Charlie // Having read The Good Neighbor in 2018 about Fred Roger's life, this was a nice call back to read about what a good human he was again and all the lives he impacted without even trying. The book chronicles Tim and Fred's simple yet impactful friendship. ★★★★
10. The Stranger In The Woods by Michael Finkel - Recommended by Charlie // Another unique read about a man living in the woods by himself for decades. A hermit by choice, and caught by accident, and a purposeful relationship with a writer to tell his story. This was a quick and fun read. ★★★★
Book # 11 was a personal read. ★★★★
12. Never Split The Difference by Chris Voss - Recommended by a lot of people // I was surprisingly unimpressed with this book. I think it's in large part because I've read far more 'sales strategy' books than I'd like to admit. This book didn't seem to have any new information for me although the author is interesting and I'd love to read his autobiography someday. It has several good strategies for people who don't normally negotiate but for me personally, I don't feel the need to give it more than ★★★s.
13. Young Forever by Dr. Mark Hyman - Recommended by Kim // Much like the book I read before this, I wasn't blown away by any new findings in this book. Although I did feel like it was a nice refresher about good habits that most adults probably know (veggies are good, workout regularly, avoid junk food, ect.), it was nice to have a doctor throw reminders your way and make you think about your health habits. ★★★
Book # 14 was a personal read. Recommended by Hillary and Nicole // ★★★★
15. It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover - Recommended by a lot of people // OH MY GOSH. If Taylor Swift was a book, here she is. The next icon of the book scene. This book was a juicy, relationship drama, built on last year's book "It Ends with Us" novel and is a complete page-turner that you wish you didn't care about. I recommend it to anyone who wants a good romance drama that's not too cheesy... But read the 1st one before diving in!! ★★★★
16. A Hummingbird's Gift by Sy Montgomery - I did not research this book and went on emotions alone when selecting it. I thought it would be about the legends of hummingbirds around the world... it was not. It was about hummingbirds' physical capabilities and was not well written. I don't recommend it and it's a great reminder to do research on books before starting. ★
17. The Villa by Nora Roberts - Recommended by Kim // This has been my favorite book all year long! Though I'm not one for murder mystery books, a steamy love story taking place at a Napa vineyard... I'm all in. With a ton of plot twists, I found this an easy book to blow through in a weekend. ★★★★★
18. Now is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson - Highly rated, but overhyped. I kept reading, waiting for some "ah-ha" moment, but unfortunately, that never came. The book focuses on two good, socially awkward kids in a small town trying to carve out a piece of the world where they're not outcasts. After reading a murder mystery though, this book just seemed slow but nostalgic. ★★
Book # 19 was a personal read - Recommended by Brooke ★★★★
20. The Bill of Obligations by Richard Haass - A great book to finish the year off and once again, is one that makes the reader think about their choices. It's focus seems to be along the lines of JFK's quote, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." With so many rights and freedoms granted to US citizens through our founding documents, it discusses what we as citizens do, or need to do, to ensure those rights and freedoms are there for future generations. ★★★★
My Analytical breakdown:
This year I read 4 more books than last year.
On average, in 2022 my book rating was 3.5★.
On average, in 2023 my book rating was 3.5★.
In 2022 I read 3 books recommended by friends or family.
In 2023 I read 11 books recommended by friends and family.
In 2022, 88% of books were audiobooks and 12% were physical books.
In 2023, 60% of books were audiobooks and 40% were physical books.
Additional Stats:
Times my library card got suspended for an overdue book: 1
Date I received my first late fee from the Seattle Library: August, 20th
Books borrowed from the library that I did not end up reading: I lost track!