I've seen a few yearly book review lists and I like that idea. I've no idea how many books I read in a year and they are eclectic. Also hoping for book recommendations as a result.
This will be random thoughts on books I've read than a coherent review but here goes
Jan 2023 - the book of form and emptiness by Ruth Ozeki (an actual book complete with Bent corner and coffee stain)
Anti consumerism, anti capitalism, non pathologising, Zen Buddhism - all the good things
See a review here
Jan 2023 (5) Panopticon by Jenni Fagan
JF’s been called the patron Saint of street urchins and I can see why. This book is gritty, breaks your heart but makes you laugh. I loved the protagonist - so many facets!
Going to immediately download her other books 😊
Feb 23 (7) A spark of light by Jodi Picoult.
Some interesting social commentary on women’s / fetus’ rights. I found it a bit annoying as so many characters and it was told in reverse chronological order (I sometimes had to reread to work out which character it had flitted to)
Feb 23 (8) Robogenesis by Daniel H Wilson
Humans, robots, human and robot hybrids - what’s not to love. Despite this it was hard to get into - seemed a bit forced at first but picked up in the last half when things were coming together
Feb 23 (9) Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
I found the narration really irritating early on but it kept me guessing and had some lovely sentiments in it
Feb 23 (11) Hoax psychosis blues by Ravi Thornton and artists
A graphic novel I found on a shelf at work. About one man’s life with psychosis
Feb 23 (12) Bewilderment by Richard Powers
An in depth exploration both outwards and inwards. Makes me want to read everything else he has written 😊
March 23 (14) Rebel Bodies by Sarah Graham.
Shocking book about the gender health gap (eg 20% of those who have given birth have urinary incontinence issues 10 years later)
But it does include toolkits to help people navigate their medical issues
March 23 (15) Do you dream of Terra Two by Temi Oh
(I finished two books today cos I left one at work over the weekend so started this one)
Interesting sci-fi about using teenagers to staff long interplanetary trips to colonise
March 23 (16) Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
A tale of First Contact. There’s plenty of jeopardy but also friendship and humour
March 23 (17) Utopia avenue by David Mitchell
A book about a rock group in the 60s. But disjointed in places but I’m told I should read more of his books to understand (I’ve read cloud atlas)
March 23 (18) Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
One of my book club ones - meh!
March 23 (19) sweet sorrow by David Nicholls
As mentioned in the book it’s a love story about romantic, parental and platonic love
April 23 (20) the girl in the tower by Katherine Arden
Interesting Russian mythology but definitely got that mid trilogy slump
April 23 (21)
Oh Dear Silvia by Dawn French
Dawn obviously doesn’t know how trees grow
April 23 (22)
I am Bacha Posh by Ukmina Manoori
A non fiction book about a girl living as a boy in Afghanistan (a fairly common practice so parents without boys can give their girl children freedom to help them out) then woman living as a man (Not at all common)
April 23 (23)
Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
Love this. Not just the main character who metamorphasises
April 23 (24)
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult & Jennifer Finney Boylan
I love that this book was written cos JB had a dream she was co-writing this book with JP, posted it on Twitter and JP got in touch
April 23 (25) Dream Paris by Tony Ballantyne
Excellent urban fantasy with more than a touch of the surreal
April 23 (26) landlines by Raynor Winn
Great descriptions of landscapes, hope of overcoming obstacles but I always wish she’d extrapolate on her political views instead of the light touch of opinions
May 23 (27)
Her majesty’s royal coven by Juno Dawson
Excellent urban fantasy and young adult fiction- touched on (more like dealt with full on) so many contemporary issues
May 23 (28) precious time by Erica James
Meh! Another book club one. Someone probably chose it because it was set in the local area
Dr Tracy Epton