If I could wrap up 2023 with a book title, it would be this…
The first three-quarters of the year felt like a dumpster fire for me in my personal life, for a variety of reasons. By the time things started looking up in the latter part of the year, I was so burned out from stress and depression that I couldn’t even find solace in reading and writing reviews (thus my silence for November and December on this blog). After a quiet birthday in December to think about what I really want to accomplish, I feel renewed and ready to take on some (realistic) challenges in 2024.
Not all was bad, though. Looking at the 152 books I wound up finishing over the year, I have to say that 2023 was the year of highly rated books for me, with a lot of four star reads. And even with all the great books, it wasn’t difficult for me to put together my favorites from the past twelve months.
Top Five Favorite Fiction (in no particular order)
Whalefall by Daniel Kraus
Slewfoot by Brom
The Human Son by Adrian Walker
The Bottoms by Joe Lansdale
Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay
Favorite Series
The Tom Nolan trilogy by Craig Wallwork (Bad People, Labyrinth of the Dolls, The Ghost of Stormer Hill)
Favorite Collection/Anthology
Les Femmes Grotesque by Victoria Dalpe
Cold, Black, and Infinite by Todd Keisling
Cleveland Noir from Akashic Books
I’m currently putting together my reading list/goals for the new year, so until next time…
Stay safe and Happy Reading!