All Books I Read in 2023: Part 1

Feb 10, 2024
8 min read

I really enjoy reading whenever I can find some free time. I especially love doing it on the train/plane or right before I go to sleep. Luckily, I travel quite a bit and, of course, sleep every night, so I get plenty of chances to read. I have put together a list of all the books I have read over the last year and my honest opinion, recommendation and short summary for each (don't worry, no spoilers included *wink*). This might help all my fellow bookworms 📚🐛 out there needing a good book in about any genre. I read a bit of everything, so there's something here for everyone.

These posts serve as a space to share book tips and opinions so feel free to comment below if you read any of these and want to share your opinion. Also to share books I should read in 2024 that you really enjoyed! 📖

1) The Handmaid's Tale

🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨 5/5

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood is a story set in a future where a strict government called the Republic of Gilead has taken over the United States. It follows Offred, who must navigate life under this harsh regime. The book explores themes of freedom and control, showing how people struggle to survive in a world that has drastically changed.

The summary might make the book sound pretty dark, and you might wonder why you should bother reading it. Honestly, I thought it was super interesting and it really keeps you hooked till the very end. It can be a bit confusing at first, especially if you don't know much about it, but that's actually the best way to read it. Just go with the flow and let the story take you where it wants to. Trust me, it's worth it.

2) The Testament

🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿 5/5

The Testaments is a book by Margaret Atwood, and it picks up 15 years after "The Handmaid's Tale" left off. This time, the story is told from the perspectives of three different characters: Aunt Lydia, who you might remember from the first book; Agnes, a young woman growing up in Gilead; and Daisy, a young woman living in Canada. It's like getting a behind-the-scenes look at what's been happening in Gilead and beyond through the eyes of these very different people.

I was a huge fan of "The Handmaid's Tale," and since it had such an open ending, I was thrilled to discover there's a sequel. Reading "The Testaments" really helped me get a better grip on the first book and the whole story just clicked for me. Knowing a bit about the world made the plot even more enjoyable. Plus, I found this one super easy to get through!

3) Oryx & Crake

🧬🧬🧬🧬 4/5

Oryx and Crake is a(nother) story by Margaret Atwood that's part love tale, part future shock. It's about Snowman, who used to be Jimmy, living in a world almost wiped out by a plague. He's possibly the last human around, missing his best buddy, Crake, and Oryx. Snowman's on a mission to find answers, wandering through what used to be a bustling city before it got messed up by big companies playing around with genetics. Margaret Atwood takes us on a wild ride into a future that feels a bit too close for comfort but is also incredibly imaginative.

You might be wondering if I read anything besides Margaret Atwood's books! Yes, I do, but after getting hooked on one, I just couldn't resist diving into more of her work. Even though the summaries might seem odd and unique, her stories are packed with surprises that really keep you engaged. I absolutely adored this book so much!

Just remembering all Margaret her books I have read make me want to reread them again and find other works of her.

4) The Midnight Library

⏳⏳⏳⏳⏳ 5/5

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig is all about a woman who discovers a magical library between life and death. This place is filled with books, each showing a different life she could have lived if she'd made other choices. It's a story that makes you think about the "what-ifs" and whether you'd change your regrets if you had the chance. Imagine exploring all the paths you didn't take, wrapped up in a mysterious and intriguing tale.

This book sent shivers down my spine with its beautiful writing. It's a powerful reminder for anyone questioning their current circumstances or facing tough times and in need of a nudge towards the right path. Some might find it a bit lengthy, overly sentimental, and lacking in excitement (thinking of my boyfriend here), but I personally loved the overall story and its message—it really made an impact on me!

5) Good Morning, Monster

🛋️🛋️🛋️🛋️ 4/5

In Good Morning, Monster, Catherine Gildiner shares stories of five incredible patients she's met in her therapy practice. There's a musician battling personal issues, a young woman left in the cold by her dad, and a hard-worker with a tough childhood, to name a few. These people come to her looking for help with their problems but end up uncovering much deeper issues from their pasts. It's a bit like reading real-life stories of bravery and healing, showing how talking things out can help fix even the deepest of wounds. Gildiner's book is touching, insightful, and at times, pretty funny, giving us a peek into the power of therapy.

Reading these stories totally blew my mind – the fact that these are real experiences people went through is just shocking. This book is pretty intense and super real, diving into some heavy stuff her patients faced. It's like getting a sneak peek into what being a therapist is like. But you know what? Despite how tough the stories are, you just can't stop reading. It's like these stories are so unbelievable, and seeing how brave these folks are in dealing with their past is incredible. Definitely not a light read, but I was hooked because these personal tales are just so fascinating. It almost feels like we're on the healing journey with them.

6) The ABC Murders

🔍🔍🔍🔍 4/5

The A.B.C. Murders by Agatha Christie is a mystery where Hercule Poirot faces off against a mysterious killer known as "A.B.C.". The killer targets victims based on the alphabet and leaves puzzling clues behind. Poirot must unravel the mystery before more lives are lost, but the motives behind the killings remain elusive.

I'm a big fan of mystery, thriller, and detective stories. Back in high school and college, that's pretty much all I read. There's just something about the tension, the suspense, and the thrill of a murder mystery on the loose that keeps me hooked. After trying out a few different books, I always find myself coming back to Agatha Christie. Her stories never disappoint, and honestly, any one of her books is a great choice! If you love a good thriller, you've got to check her out!

7) Le Petit Prince

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5/5

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry tells the tale of a young prince who travels to different planets, including Earth, exploring themes of loneliness, friendship, love, and loss. Despite being a children's book, it offers profound insights into life, adults, and human nature. The story begins with a pilot stranded in the desert meeting the extraordinary little prince who asks for a drawing of a sheep. Through their encounters, the prince teaches valuable lessons about what truly matters in life.

I picked up this book because I wanted to read something in French and had heard so much about it—I felt like I was missing out on a classic. It's written in a style that feels like it's meant for children, but it's surprisingly deep and poetic. Plus, it's short and makes for a fun read that you can finish in just a few days.

8) Bones & All

💀💀💀 3/5

In Bones & All by Camille DeAngelis, Maren Yearly harbors a dark secret (no spoilers here). After being abandoned by her mother, she embarks on a quest to find her estranged father. However, her journey is fraught with unexpected encounters and revelations. As she delves deeper into her past, Maren grapples with questions of identity and acceptance, all against a backdrop of romantic horror. But will the truth she uncovers leave her questioning everything she thought she knew about herself?

This book is best read without spoilers so you can enjoy the full story. It's a fun fiction novel that's easy to get into, and it might just make you think (and drool) of Timothée Chalamet (who stars in the movie adaptation). It's perfect for anyone who enjoys the Young Adults genre and anyone who loves romantic stories, but with a twist!

9) Milk and Honey

🐝🐝🐝 3/5

Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur is divided into four sections, each addressing different types of pain and healing. It's a blend of poetry and prose, covering themes like survival, feminism, and relationships. Through simple yet impactful writing, Kaur explores topics such as love, loss, and femininity.

I decided to give this book a try because I saw it was really popular, and I wanted to check out something new - poetry. It was enjoyable, but I didn't feel super passionate about it either. I am still on a journey to discover better poetry (in case you can recommend anything, please do in the comment section below the post 😘).

10) Atomic Habits

✅✅✅✅✅ 5/5

Atomic Habits by James Clear is a practical guide to changing your habits and achieving remarkable results. Clear's Four Laws of Behavior Change framework helps you create good habits and break bad ones. Drawing on biology, psychology, and neuroscience, he offers proven strategies to make habits inevitable and success achievable. Through real-life examples, you'll learn how to stay motivated, design your environment for success, and overcome challenges.

I'm really into reading books about building good habits because I'm always looking to improve the ones I have, add new ones, and stay consistent. I'd recommend this book to anyone wanting to start a new habit or get back on track with their old ones (

sometimes we all slip up because ~life~, but these tricks can help us stay on course). My favorite tip from the book is using a habit tracker! I use mine every day to track my yoga, meditation, and workouts. It's great for giving me a visual reminder and I feel really proud when I can check them off each day! ✅

11) The Silence of the Lambs

🐑🐑🐑🐑 4/5

The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris is a psychological horror novel. It features the cannibalistic serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter, who is now facing off against FBI trainee Clarice Starling as she tries to catch the notorious "Buffalo Bill" serial killer. With gruesome murders and intense psychological suspense, this book keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Honestly, I totally forgot that I read this book. It's not that it's bad, it's just one of those detective stories I enjoy because they're relaxing to read, although the plot isn't particularly groundbreaking. It's a solid thriller for fans of the genre, but it didn't leave a lasting impression on me (I still give it 4

lambs, cause it's a classic and good novel). I've also never watched the movie, so I'm not sure if I should give it a try (?).

12) Lord of the Flies

🏝️🏝️🏝️ 3/5

Lord of the Flies by William Golding is a novel about a group of British boys stranded on an uninhabited island. Without adult supervision, they try to govern themselves but fail, facing terror, sin, and evil. As order collapses, they realize their hope of rescue is fading. The book explores themes of groupthink vs. individuality, rational vs. emotional reactions, and morality vs. immorality. It's a powerful story about the end of innocence and the darkness within humanity.

I found this book troubling and unsettling to read. It begins with a sense of joy but quickly turns brutal. While I'm not a huge fan of the story, I did find the book intriguing. It's meant to depict a realistic scenario of how life might be if children were in charge. I'm not entirely sure how to feel about it; I think you'll have to read it yourself to form your own opinion.

I want to keep going, but I also recognise that reading this is already quite a bit (writing, too, haha 😅). I'll be diving into part 2 soon, which will feature another 12 books.

If you're enjoying these recommendations, feel free to drop some suggestions below!

Ciao 📚🐛

Sharon