The Reading Lounge: Book Superlatives

From my 2023 reading year: the book I'd gift to everyone, most disappointing read of the year, a great book that flew under the radar & more

Hello! We are officially winding down 2023 and I thought it would be fun to make some bookish superlatives for some of my memorable- and not so memorable- books this year. I personally love reading other’s superlatives, so please share your own picks for one or all of mine in the comments, I know other readers would love to see yours too

2023 Bookish Superlatives

The book I had no intention of reading but ended up loving - The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell

When this came out last year I saw the time period was Renaissance Italy and I passed it by….I will never doubt Maggie O’Farrell’s ability to tell a compelling story that pulls me right in again

Best globetrotting book - August Blue by Deborah Levy

Get ready to travel in the pages to Greece, Paris, London and Italy. This was excellent on audio because I was able to hear the French and Italian languages

Most gasp worthy book - Indiscretion by Charles Dubow

This superlative speaks for itself- I STILL think about this book and can remember exactly where I was (walking at park) when I gasped out loud!

The book I think all nature lovers would enjoy - Better Living Through Birding by Christian Cooper

I think this book flew a bit under the radar but it’s one of the most educational, yet entertaining books I’ve read this year. If you enjoy reading about people dedicated to their passions and why we all should care about birds give this a try

The book I’d gift to everyone if I could - The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin

Not only would I gift this book to everyone if I could, it’s also the book I’ve re-read the most in one year (and I don’t re-read) - I’m on my FOURTH re-listen/read of this in 2023 and every time I love it just as much. Rick Rubin is the guru I never expected to find in 2023

A super popular book that I didn’t like - Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

I completely understand why so many people loved this book (I anticipated loving this one so I even preordered it from Parnassus books so I could get a signed copy from Ann herself), but I found it boring from start to finish. I did read Our Town before reading this and ended up liking that better

The author I can’t stop talking about this year - Ross Gay

Also my most read author this year, I read all 3 of Ross Gay’s books in 2023 - The Book of Delights, The Book of (More) Delights, and Inciting Joy - and loved them all. His writing and the way he examines the world spoke to me so much this year. Every day I try to find and appreciate at least one delight and I’m still highlighting up a storm in Inciting Joy. I can only hope I find an author I’m this passionate about in 2024. Fingers Crossed!

Biggest Disappointment - The Year of the Locust by Terry Hayes

I’ve been waiting years on Terry Hayes next book- I devoured and loved I Am Pilgrim five years ago and when I heard this was being published in Nov in the UK (vs February 2024 in the US) I preordered it from Blackwell’s . I’m not sure I’ve ever been more disappointed in a book. This also fell off the biggest cliff for me because I LOVED part 1, would’ve said it was five stars, but by part 4 I hated it and wanted it to just be over.

A feel good love story that flew under the radar - Charm City Rocks by Matthew Norman

Any story with a hint of a musical angle makes me hesitate only because I don’t have an interest in music, but this story was entertaining and the characters endearing. From the very beginning I was curious about how things would transpire with Billy, Caleb and Margot. There’s something very engaging about Matthew Norman’s writing, he mixes depth and lightheartedness in a way that just works. I loved this story

The best audiobook narration - Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue; narrated by Prentice Onayemi

I listen to a lot of audiobooks (probably 80% of my reading this year) and this audiobook blew me away. I listened to this way back in January and I swore there were at 3 narrators narrating the story. His ability to do different voices, tones, speaking patterns, etc was amazing. The listening experience truly felt like there were many different characters circling this story and it enhanced what ended up being one of my favorite books of the year

The wackiest book I loved - Death Valley by Melissa Broder

If you would’ve told me at the start of 2023 that I would end up not only reading, but also loving, a book about a woman who enters a giant cactus I would’ve said no way. Make no mistake I’m not sure I understood parts of what the author was trying to do with this story, but I do know I connected with the themes of grief, loss and resilience so much. And I learned that sometimes I just need a weird, wacky book to shake up my reading life!

Most memorable character of the year - Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent

If you’ve read this you know why Sally Diamond is my most memorable character. If you haven’t and have thought about picking this up, I urge you to just do it and don’t read anything about it. Sally is a character I predict you’ll never forget

The ok wow he really went there award - Holly by Stephen King

Oh Stephen King, there’s a reason I love his dark and twisted mind and it was on full display in this story. I was simultaneously disgusted and amazed that after all these years he can still come up with storylines that make me say I can’t believe he thought of this

The book I couldn’t binge fast enough - Never Far Away by Michael Koryta

This thriller was propulsive from the beginning to the end. I love the way he plots, there are always unexpected twists and characters to love and hate.

The “I don’t read YA but I loved this book” - What Beauty There Is by Cory Anderson

Young Adult is not a genre I gravitate to but I binged this debut thriller last January and it was the perfect winter read. The story has stayed with me all year! I’m eagerly anticipating this author’s next book

This was so fun to put together! I hope you enjoyed reading my superlatives, if you have books to slot into any of the ones I’ve listed please share them in the comments. As for a more in-depth book list, I’m currently working on my ranked star ratings of ALL 127 books I’ve read this year (for paid subscribers). If you’re looking for extra book content and community in your life in the new year, consider upgrading to a paid subscription.