The End of the Reading Journey of 2023

We are into 2024 now and next month I will reveal my reading goal for 2024. However, before we go there, I need to close out the chapter (year) on how I did for 2023. The goal was to read or listen to 70 books.
Let’s see how we did in November and December 2023.

NOVEMBER 2023

When You Find Me

This was recommended to me by a friend who thought I had recommended it to her! We have the same reading tastes so I gave it a try. It is in the psychological thriller vein and I really enjoyed it. It twists and turns and leaves you guessing. I ultimately did figure out the mystery but it was right before it was revealed!!
(4.o stars)

The Spanish Love Deception

Okay, I should have known that I wouldn’t be able to get through this book when the first line in the description says that it’s a “Tik Tok sensation”!! I tried to finish this book and just could not! It has a 4.3 rating on Amazon and this author’s books are raved about. It’s a rom-com type book which I do like, however, I didn’t even care that I hadn’t finished it before the library took it back.
(1.0 star)

Next Year in Havana

Now this is a book that I loved and was thrilled to find out there is a sequel. I love family stories that span generations. I also like family mysteries that help the younger generation understand where they come from.
(5 stars)

The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks

This was a really fun, cute book which I enjoyed reading. It is not too heavy at all and is the perfect light read after devouring something heavier and darker. I will likely read something else from this author.
(4 stars)

The Last Devil to Die

This is the 4th book in the Thursday Murder Club Mystery. I have read and thoroughly enjoyed the other three as well. I’ve listened to this series and it is so much fun. It is light hearted murder mystery fun but not quite a “cozy” mystery. There is some seriousness but it is mostly light hearted fun. I hope there is a fifth book.
(4 stars)

So that’s the total for November. There are 5 books but I’m only going to give myself credit for 4 since I didn’t finish one. I have some thoughts about not finishing-it’s the 2nd book this year that I didn’t finish.
This brings my reading total to 57 for 2023. Next up, let’s review December reads.

DECEMBER 2023

Yerba Buena

I read this book for one of my book clubs and I am so glad I did. This book has a couple of different main characters that we follow and their stories are interesting and intriguing. As a bonus if you like audio books, this one is narrated by my favorite, Julie Whelan.
(4 stars)

The First Ladies

This book is in one of my favorite genres, historial fiction. It tells the story of the friendship between Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary McCloud Bethune. Mrs. Bethune is quite well known in the African-American community and is considered the “Mother of the Civil Rights” movement along with many other accomplishments. Being females, both the accomplishments of her and Mrs. Roosevelt are less well known than men. Of course, there are no real records of this relationship other than that they were indeed friends. The book is written by 2 women, one black and one white. Marie Benedict wrote The Other Einstein which I also loved. A really interesting read about both women.
(5 stars)

The Marlowe Murder Club

I will be the first to admit that I was excited to read this book because it said that if you like the “Thursday Murder Club” books, you’ll love this one. Well, I didn’t love it as I could not get through it. However, that may have had more to with me than with the book. During the final 2 months of the year, I had a hard time focusing and concentrating on reading. The Spanish Love Deception I simply did not enjoy. This book, I did like when I read it but I found it hard to focus enough to read. I think I will go back and finish it.

River Sing Me Home

This book deals with the effects and after math of the slave trade in the Caribbean. It is not a happy book but it does take you on a journey. I don’t typically choose to read this type of book but something that makes books like this worth reading is the sense of pride from reading how resilient, strong, and hopeful people (especially women) remain in spite of their circumstances. There are differently moments of joy and light hearted-ness which give you a break from the despair.
(4 stars)

That’s my December list-4 books total with 3 books finished. For 2023, I read 60 books!! Yes, it was short of my goal of 70 but I am happy with the accomplishment.

I have started my reading for January 2024 and will share my goal for this year in February. I enjoy reading/listening and hope that I can get my focus back so that I can “read” more.
If you have any book suggestions, please share in the comments.