I started 2023 strong with The Light Pirate, a book I found riveting, but before I go full bore into the year, I need to wrap up 2022 as I read a lot more books (180 to be exact) and never reviewed some of them. I’m also going to do something I’ve never done before: recommend a book without a real review, just a sentence or two. Basically, you take my word for it that this is a book worth reading—I just didn’t have the bandwidth to write about it.
Having said all that, I’m really hoping in 2023 to get back to a regular schedule for reading and reviewing.
Billie Starr's Book of Sorries by Deborah Elaine Kennedy
Published by Flatiron Books
Publication date: October 4, 2022
Bookshop
Jenny is a stunningly pretty woman, but is better known in her small Indiana town for her poor choices. A single mother, she spends her days fending off grabby bosses and her nights listening to her drunken ex threaten to take their daughter away. It all sounds dark, but it’s not. There’s humor, a mystery, and a tied-with-a-bow ending. I love challenging reading, but every brain needs a break and Billie Starr’s Book of Sorries fills that niche.
Last Summer on State Street by Toya Wolfe
Published by William Morrow & Company
Publication date: June 14, 2022
Bookshop
Intense novel about 3 friends and the last summer they all live in the same building on Chicago’s South Side. It’s 1999 and these 1950s high rises are so rundown, they’re being demolished. Brutal and beautiful story about claiming your identity in a world that doesn’t see you at all.
Your Table Is Ready: Tales of a New York City Maître D' by Michael Cecchi-Azzolina
Published by St. Martin's Press
Publication date: December 6, 2022
It may be time for me to lay aside my love of food nonfiction. I had high hopes for Your Table is Ready, but instead of a insider’s look into the NYC restaurant world in the 80s-90s this was mostly a sordid journal of the author’s raging sex life (in said restaurants). I quit halfway through.
The One by John Marrs
Published by Del Rey
Publication date: May 4, 2017
Bookshop
Ever thought about sending a swab to one of those genealogy companies to learn about your history? What if everyone had a gene that only matched with ONE other human? Would you want to know your soulmate? The One delves into this premise and is fast, fabulous, and twisted. Highly recommend as an easy antidote to boredom.
The Witches of Moonshyne Manor by Bianca Marais
Published by MIRA
Publication date: August 23, 2022
Bookshop
Another fast read, but one that wobbles. A sisterhood of elderly witches is facing eviction from their property unless they can produce a stolen artifact for a dark wizard. The female empowerment and humor are great, but gets a bit silly by the end.
Gilded Mountain by Kate Manning
Published by Scribner
Publication date: November 1, 2022
Bookshop
Interesting historical fiction about marble mining in Colorado in the early 1900s. Gilded Mountain is told by a young woman whose father works in the mine. Her romantic ideals about wealth fall away when she learns the hard way about unfair labor practices and corruption. Based on true events.
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180. Whoa that’s crazy. You had a great reading year but didn’t you move or settle back? How did you do it?! We are moving now and it’s not fun. Just too much stuff & too much to do. I hadn’t seen that Gilded Mountain novel which actually looks pretty good — since my husband is in that line of work – geological engineer. I might check to see if the library has it. Happy 2023!
Yes, we moved and I’m sorry you’re going through it. It’s not as easy as it was in my 30s (like a lot of things!). I hope you can settle soon.
I’m so glad I found you through Sarah’s Bookshelves Live! You have had a great impact on my reading! In particular, I would not have picked up Fight Night if not for you – and that ended up being one of my favorite books of 2022! I still think about Swiv – particularly the scene on the airplane where she is sitting next to a toddler and the mom tells her his/her age in months so she converts her age to months. I thought that was so funny for some reason! And I adored her relationship with her grandma.
I know 2022 was challenging for you so am sending good wishes for a much better year in 2023!
I want a Fight Night movie! Swiv needs to be experienced by more people. I’m so happy you loved the book and that my blog is useful for your reading. The only kind of enabler I want to be is a book one!
Thank you so much for your support!