Happy Friday, readers! I’m thrilled today to share my favorite reads of the year with all of you! I had a harder time narrowing down my list for 2023 than in any previous year. Really, though, that’s a good thing. It means I had a fantastic year of reading. I broke this year’s list into three categories:
Great lists. I love East of Eden. It was the first book that made me aware of writing as an artform, when I was 15. The book's opening is one of the great literary introductions.
I second Trust and Covenant of Water. Read both this year and loved them!!! Haven’t read Crime and Punishment for a while, but it is also fantastic. (My Dostoevsky for this year was Notes from the Underground which is also a great read!) I read East of Eden three or four years ago, and I have to admit that I thought it was better than Grapes of Wrath (not that I’m throwing any shade on that one--it is great too--just a personal taste I think). Would love to see what else is on your list!
Ha ha! Yes, in the end, as you say, and also at the beginning, following Mariamma and her world that branched to Digby and back and forth to that glorious ending.
I loved The Covenant of Water. Argued with the author for a bit in the middle, was back in the fold for a wonderful last third and ending. Have ordered Trust and two others from the list.
I just added quite a few of these to my TBR list. Thanks Jeremy! Also, I loved Fonda Lee’s Jade Trilogy too. Her short stand alone, Untethered Sky, was really good too.
I missed recaps and reviews for non classical books! I know you were in the middle of your challenge to read the great classics, but for us non-classic readers this list was super refreshing! Hope they come back next year!
Thank you so much for this thoughtful recap, Jeremy. I appreciate the way you savor and review books. It feels like we are getting an intimate insight into the work. Well done.
An Immense World is one of my favorites of the past few years. You’re right--it’s one of those books that truly makes you see life differently. His 2016 “I Contain Multitudes” is similarly perspective-shifting.
I have read The Covenant of Water and loved it. It also helped that I live at Kerala, the Indian state that the story is based on. And of course, Crime and Punishment is one of the most influential books of my life. I will try to get hold of the others and read them the next year. Thanks.
it is brilliant. I read that Steinbeck read every word he wrote aloud to himself, to hear how it flowed, and it shows! Grapes of Wrath is amazing too.
Great lists. I love East of Eden. It was the first book that made me aware of writing as an artform, when I was 15. The book's opening is one of the great literary introductions.
Yes! The first chapter is so good and so evocative of the setting.
I second Trust and Covenant of Water. Read both this year and loved them!!! Haven’t read Crime and Punishment for a while, but it is also fantastic. (My Dostoevsky for this year was Notes from the Underground which is also a great read!) I read East of Eden three or four years ago, and I have to admit that I thought it was better than Grapes of Wrath (not that I’m throwing any shade on that one--it is great too--just a personal taste I think). Would love to see what else is on your list!
I have more Dostoyevsky on my list for next year. :) And I totally agree about East of Eden vs Grapes of Wrath. Both great, but EoE is more impactful.
I’m finally going to tackle The Covenant of Water in January!
I have yet to find someone who didn't like it. :)
Ha ha! Yes, in the end, as you say, and also at the beginning, following Mariamma and her world that branched to Digby and back and forth to that glorious ending.
Such a great list! Added at least 5 to my TBR. Sounds like you had a great reading year
I did! Thanks Peachy!
I loved The Covenant of Water. Argued with the author for a bit in the middle, was back in the fold for a wonderful last third and ending. Have ordered Trust and two others from the list.
Verghese is so good — glad you enjoyed it in the end. :)
I just added quite a few of these to my TBR list. Thanks Jeremy! Also, I loved Fonda Lee’s Jade Trilogy too. Her short stand alone, Untethered Sky, was really good too.
Yes! I enjoyed that one too. I also really liked Jade-Setter of Janloon (Green Bone short story).
Ooh I’ll have to read that one too!
I missed recaps and reviews for non classical books! I know you were in the middle of your challenge to read the great classics, but for us non-classic readers this list was super refreshing! Hope they come back next year!
Definitely!
Thank you so much for this thoughtful recap, Jeremy. I appreciate the way you savor and review books. It feels like we are getting an intimate insight into the work. Well done.
Thank you Anthony! I appreciate that.
An Immense World is one of my favorites of the past few years. You’re right--it’s one of those books that truly makes you see life differently. His 2016 “I Contain Multitudes” is similarly perspective-shifting.
That's great to know! I'll definitely add to my '24 list.
Thank you. I'm buying Trust now.
So memorable!
100+ plus books with several thick books? wow 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
Needed some book recs :)
I have read The Covenant of Water and loved it. It also helped that I live at Kerala, the Indian state that the story is based on. And of course, Crime and Punishment is one of the most influential books of my life. I will try to get hold of the others and read them the next year. Thanks.