Another year of distraction and difficulty concentrating, which led to more unread books returned to the library than ever before. The struggle is real. It has meant that I have lived largely in the fantasy genre during 2023, with side trips into mystery, rarely venturing out of this cozy comfort zone. I have also done a ton of rereading, revisiting old and new favourites. Despite this feeling of frustration, I read 215 books (more actually, if I was to record all of my comfort re-reading).
Once again, I kept track of the worth of the books that I borrowed from the library, giving a total of $3,234 (Cdn). I have to say that I love my local library and appreciate that they will get books on interlibrary loan if possible. I would not be able to afford my reading habit without them!
My Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project advanced by 31 books. I had foolishly hoped to finish this self-appointed reading list by the end of 2024, but I've seen the light! Pressuring myself to read isn't fun and I'll finish whenever I'm done. No more making reading a chore!
Favourite Books of 2023: The Last Devil to Die, Double Eagle: A DreadfulWater Mystery, and System Collapse. All published in 2023, all from favourite authors (Richard Osman, Thomas King, Martha Wells), all wonderful fun, whether you're solving mysteries in a seniors' community, a lost planet, or a small western town.
Highlights of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project: I've had a great time reading numerous books in the Liaden Universe by Shaon Lee and Steve Miller. I have a bias toward man-woman writing teams—I think they provide balanced characters and plots. This series provides a blend of action, intrigue, and complex relationships that I enjoy.
Best new-to-me author met at a conference: Tanya Huff. I love her Blood and Confederation series. Plus I bought her newest novel and the Keeper's Chronicles. She is smart, funny, and a thoroughly nice human being. I look forward to reading much more of her work.
Favourite Book Club selection: Fortune Favors the Dead by Stephen Spotswood. A good mystery with interesting main characters. I'll try to get to book 2 early in 2024. Honourable mention goes to Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson.
Best First Contact novel: The Road to Roswell by Connie Willis. A highly amusing encounter with aliens at Roswell, New Mexico. A bridesmaid ends up abducted by an alien and on a highly irregular road trip.
Best Historical Fantasy: Morgan Is My Name by Sophie Keetch. A retelling of the Morgan Le Fay portion of the King Arthur mythos. I'm a sucker for female focused Arthur tales. This one is just to my taste.
Most Disturbing Mystery: The Quarry Girls by Jess Lourey. My blood ran cold while reading this novel set at a time when I was a very young woman and felt the pressure from being female in a world controlled by men. Very unsettling reminder of this period of my life.
Most Memorable Dystopian: The Road by Cormac McCarthy. I read fewer dystopian books this year, but this one would stand out in a crowd of them. So bleak, so dark, but also so mesmerizing. There's a reason that it appears on so many “must read" lists.
Favourite Agatha Christie: The Body in the Library. Miss Marple, of course. I continue on reading one Christie novel per month in publication order. The reward is finding gems like this one.
My Shakespeare Project remained on hold during 2023. The cinemas were not showing Shakespearean drama, probably looking for more profitable films to make up for the Covid years. My local Shakespeare company was repeating previous productions. I hope to see their version of A Midsummer Night's Dream in May 2024.
What am I anticipating in 2024? More Miss Marple and other Christie books. More Tanya Huff. Whatever Richard Osman is preparing. Praying that Thomas King is moved to write another novel. The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay. Several Liaden novels. New books by favourite authors (Winter Lost by Patricia Briggs, Aftermarket Afterlife by Seanan McGuire, The Taken Ones by Jess Lourey, etc.). Finally reading the books on my bookshelves that have languishing there. I have dreams of selling furniture and turning my second bedroom into a reading room. We shall see if I can accomplish that! As per usual, I have far too many books on the 2024 reading list, but it can be pruned as necessary.
So, my friends, I wish you a New Year of reading pleasure and fun. May 2024 treat you kindly.
Once again, I kept track of the worth of the books that I borrowed from the library, giving a total of $3,234 (Cdn). I have to say that I love my local library and appreciate that they will get books on interlibrary loan if possible. I would not be able to afford my reading habit without them!
My Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project advanced by 31 books. I had foolishly hoped to finish this self-appointed reading list by the end of 2024, but I've seen the light! Pressuring myself to read isn't fun and I'll finish whenever I'm done. No more making reading a chore!
Favourite Books of 2023: The Last Devil to Die, Double Eagle: A DreadfulWater Mystery, and System Collapse. All published in 2023, all from favourite authors (Richard Osman, Thomas King, Martha Wells), all wonderful fun, whether you're solving mysteries in a seniors' community, a lost planet, or a small western town.
Highlights of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project: I've had a great time reading numerous books in the Liaden Universe by Shaon Lee and Steve Miller. I have a bias toward man-woman writing teams—I think they provide balanced characters and plots. This series provides a blend of action, intrigue, and complex relationships that I enjoy.
Best new-to-me author met at a conference: Tanya Huff. I love her Blood and Confederation series. Plus I bought her newest novel and the Keeper's Chronicles. She is smart, funny, and a thoroughly nice human being. I look forward to reading much more of her work.
Favourite Book Club selection: Fortune Favors the Dead by Stephen Spotswood. A good mystery with interesting main characters. I'll try to get to book 2 early in 2024. Honourable mention goes to Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson.
Best First Contact novel: The Road to Roswell by Connie Willis. A highly amusing encounter with aliens at Roswell, New Mexico. A bridesmaid ends up abducted by an alien and on a highly irregular road trip.
Best Historical Fantasy: Morgan Is My Name by Sophie Keetch. A retelling of the Morgan Le Fay portion of the King Arthur mythos. I'm a sucker for female focused Arthur tales. This one is just to my taste.
Most Disturbing Mystery: The Quarry Girls by Jess Lourey. My blood ran cold while reading this novel set at a time when I was a very young woman and felt the pressure from being female in a world controlled by men. Very unsettling reminder of this period of my life.
Most Memorable Dystopian: The Road by Cormac McCarthy. I read fewer dystopian books this year, but this one would stand out in a crowd of them. So bleak, so dark, but also so mesmerizing. There's a reason that it appears on so many “must read" lists.
Favourite Agatha Christie: The Body in the Library. Miss Marple, of course. I continue on reading one Christie novel per month in publication order. The reward is finding gems like this one.
My Shakespeare Project remained on hold during 2023. The cinemas were not showing Shakespearean drama, probably looking for more profitable films to make up for the Covid years. My local Shakespeare company was repeating previous productions. I hope to see their version of A Midsummer Night's Dream in May 2024.
What am I anticipating in 2024? More Miss Marple and other Christie books. More Tanya Huff. Whatever Richard Osman is preparing. Praying that Thomas King is moved to write another novel. The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay. Several Liaden novels. New books by favourite authors (Winter Lost by Patricia Briggs, Aftermarket Afterlife by Seanan McGuire, The Taken Ones by Jess Lourey, etc.). Finally reading the books on my bookshelves that have languishing there. I have dreams of selling furniture and turning my second bedroom into a reading room. We shall see if I can accomplish that! As per usual, I have far too many books on the 2024 reading list, but it can be pruned as necessary.
So, my friends, I wish you a New Year of reading pleasure and fun. May 2024 treat you kindly.
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