Favorite books of 2023

A few years ago, I made a decision to ‘Read my Age’. After not reading one single book during the pandemic, I needed something to get me going again. Last year I read 42 books and here are some thoughts on my favs and not-so-favs. I couldn’t do a Top 10 list either! (Side note: At the end of my book, the publisher asked if I wanted to have a Top 10 Book list since I mention that’s part of being a neighbor. So, I submitted a Top 10ish list of 14. ha! I just couldn’t narrow it down.) You fellow book-lovers will know that feeling.

Here we go:

Book I felt so seen: Lessons in Chemistry (Y’all, have you read it? If you’re a woman in science, I highly recommend it! I didn’t read this book for a year because the cover looked like it was a modern romance-type, which I don’t like. But then I saw the Apple TV commercial about the book and was hooked.)

Books I couldn’t put down: The Best Strangers in the World; Love, Life, and Elephants; All the Beauty in the World; How Iceland Changed the World (All of these books are incredibly good reads and very unique. Ari Shapiro’s book in particular was a powerful reminder of storytelling through neighboring.)

Best book to read on vacation: A Man Called Ove

Best audiobook: All My Knotted Up Life (I laughed, cried, and went ‘oof’ so many times during this book. It is also masterfully told.)

Books I will give as presents: Remarkably Bright Creatures; World of Wonders

Favorite health equity books: The People’s Hospital; Africa is Not a Country (Both of these books are simply spectacular. I listened to the audioversion of ‘The People’s Hospital’ and it is a great listen. Dipo’s book is masterful and should be a mandatory read for those of us in global health work.)

Favorite women-empowerment-in-science book: The Exceptions. (This book is full of ‘oof’ and ‘ugh’ and ‘yep’ if you’re a woman in STEM. I listened to it on audio and it did get a bit dense in the middle.)

Best book to get lost in: All the Beauty in the World (Y’all, my goodness this book is incredible. He paints pictures of the Met that are enthralling! I’ve never been, but I will go one day just because of his book.)

Book I read every year: A Woman of Firsts (This is the memoir of Dr. Edna that I mention numerous times in my book)

Book I didn’t want to end: Remarkably Bright Creatures (I simply LOVED this book. My parents bought it for me on my birthday and I devoured it. It is phenomenal! If you need a pick-me-up, grab this one.)

Happy reading, everyone!

Emily