It’s time to reflect on all the wonderful time spent with books throughout the year. So let’s take a look at 2023:
Favorites in Fiction: Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley, Love & Saffron by Kim Fay, Still Born by Guadalupe Nettel and Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan.
Favorites in Mystery: May God Forgive by Alan Parks, The Dead Will Tell by Linda Castillo and A Dreadful Splendor by B.R. Myers.
Favorites in Other Genres:Â The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin, A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers, Radium Girls by Kate Moore, Good Morning, Monster by Catherine Gildiner and Weaving Sundown in a Scarlet Light by Joy Harjo.
The Numbers: *I’m still reading two books but will finish them by Dec. 31st so they are taken into account in these numbers.Â
Total books read in 2023: 60
Books by women: 47
Books by men: 9
Books by two or more authors: 4
Fiction: 27
Mystery: 16
Horror: 3
Graphic Novel: 1
Non-fiction: 5
Short story: 2
Science fiction: 2
Poetry Collections: 4
Books in translation: 6 (Japanese, Swedish, Spanish, French, and German)
Audiobooks: 16
Challenges participated in: 2 (Japanese Literature Challenge and Readers Imbibing in Peril)
Reading events participated in: 4 (Read Ireland Month, 10 Books of Summer, Women in Translation, Novellas in November).
This was a really good year and I continued to branch out into other genres. I was surprised to add some horror in my mix and got in a few nonfiction books as well.
I’m still adjusting to my new normal of a full time job and providing full time care for my mom. She’s doing well but after her fall and bout with shingles she needs help with daily living activities so I’m actually surprised I read that many books. Granted, a lot were short but I think I finally have really embraced audiobooks. I used to only listen to audiobooks on my commute but now I turn to them when I’m doing chores or even working on some craft projects.
As far as reading plans for the new year, I want to continue participating in reading events as those help to remind me to read other genres. Regarding reading challenges, I’m tempted by so many (just check this list of reading challenges!) but so far I’ve only decided to join the Japanese Literature Reading Challenge (more on that in an upcoming post).
I’m excited about what the new year will bring. What new authors I’ll discover, new bookstores to visit and of course more book conversations with you. I want to thank you for spending time with me and sharing your love of books. I hope you’ve had a wonderful holiday season and here’s to making many happy memories in 2024. Happy New Year!
Smiles,
Iliana
Nightcrawling is such a good book but I really struggled with it in large part because of my job – I saw things like that all the time in my job and I use reading to give myself a mental break from that.
Great job on your challenges!!
You have a lot on your plate between caregiving & your full time job. It’s great you were able to find time for this many books. I also completed 60 books this year. I’d like to boost that a bit in 2024. Happy New Year.
Wishing you a very Happy New Year, Iliana! Hope 2024 is a great year for reading and other pursuits that you have. I’ve only read of your favorites list – the Linda Castillo book. Love that series. And let’s maybe get through 2024 without some big ice event, right? LOL
Caring for an aging parent is not easy; my mom is struggling more these days, too, and I hate seeing her get weaker and more frail. I wish you all the best in 2024. And I love that you read such a great mix of books last year. Happy New Year!
Carrying for an parent can’t be easy. I hope you find some balance in your life. Sorry to hear your mother has had a bout of shingles! I hear that’s awful. I got the vaccination even if that in itself was awful because I hear actually getting them is worse. Audiobooks have been a lifesaver for me, a lot of times I wouldn’t get reading done if not for them. I enjoy the Amish thrillers Linda Castillo writes. Looks like you had a nice reading year!
These are always such fun posts. You read so many great books this year. I’ve started reading more horror recently too. Caring for an aging parent and working full-time is such a challenge, I imagine. I am so glad my mother-in-law has my brother-in-law to care for her now that her husband is gone. It He’s such a help to her. My mom is still very active and able to do so much on her own, but she has her moments. I hope that you are able to take time out for yourself in between work and caring for your mom. I hope you have a wonderful year in books and in general, Iliana.
You’d a great reading year in 2023, Iliana. I understand that caring for our elderly parents (especially if they aren’t well) can be challenging on top of a full-time job so I think you did very well! I hope 2024 will be a smooth and a great year for you in every aspect.
My dad tore his retina and I needed to spend a lot more time taking care of him last year. You read a lot of books, nevertheless.
Ooh, I really liked Love & Saffron, too. It also made my Best of 2023 list. We read almost the same amount of books, and you wound up reading even more audiobooks than I did. I gave up on so many this fall. And, Lonesome Dove took a long time to listen to!
Happy reading in 2024, Iliana!