As the year winds down, and the holidays ramp up, you may, like me, be searching for gift ideas. I like to give gifts that are practical yet meaningful, useful and still entertaining. I favor experience over stuff. Books are the perfect gifts, because they satisfy all those requirements. They offer an experience – a mystery, a jump into history, a course in self-improvement- and yet they are something to wrap up and deliver for the holidays. So join me for some great book suggestions for 2023.
My favorite reads from 2023
I’m behind on my Goodreads reading goal for the year. Like, five books behind. I think it’s because I’ve tackled some doozies this year, including Demon Copperhead, the Pulitzer Prize winning novel from Barbara Kingsolver about how the opioid crisis started in my backyard, Appalachia. I followed that up with Dopesick by Beth Macy and am thoroughly horrified about the drug epidemic and watching closely how the Supreme Court will rule in the Sackler Family bankruptcy case.
If you haven’t read Demon Copperhead or know someone who hasn’t, consider giving this book to yourself or that friend. I’m not saying it’s a joy ride. It’s long and hard. But kinda necessary. Like Schindler’s List. And it does have a hopeful ending.
See my review of Demon Copperhead here…
If you like historical fiction, I recommend:
- Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. This book got me through my first bout with COVID and is now a mini series on Apple TV. The TV version deviates from book but keeps the spirit of it. I recommend. See my full book review here.
- The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles (review)
- The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
If you like essays, I recommend:
- The Book of Delights by Ross Gay – he’s so positive! so joyful about daily experiences. See my review.
- Upstream, selected essays by Mary Oliver
If you like young adult and/or mysteries, I recommend:
- The Truly Devious series by Maureen Johnson
Other places to find books to give
I love exploring the winners of the Goodreads Choice Awards each December. These are awards given by readers, or real people! They are divided into categories like “Fantasy”, “Memoir,” and “Young Adult” to make searching easy. See the winners for 2023 here:
Goodreads Choice Award Winners for 2023
Time Magazine also has recommendations, via its top 100 reads of 2023.
The 100 Must-Read Books of 2023
Can you add book suggestions?
What books did you enjoy this year? They don’t have to be published this year. Share your suggestions in the comments! Happy shopping!
Thanks for getting nerdy with me!
