Halfway There: My Favorite Reads of 2023
Yes, I'm behind on my Goodreads reading goal.
We’re halfway through 2023, and I’m taking a look back at everything I’ve read since the start of the new year. So far this year I’ve read 20 books, and some I enjoyed more than others.
I’m also only 5 books behind on my yearly reading goal of 52. Depending on how much you read, 52 books a year is either a lot or a little. I missed 2022’s reading goal by 9, so I’m hoping to get there this time around.
As they say on Love Island UK, here’s my top 3:
A YEAR IN PROVENCE- Published in 1991, A Year in Provence details the challenges and triumphs of moving to a new place and navigating another culture. The author writes his blunt yet non-judgemental observations about the locals in Provence, which had me entertained from start to finish. To be completely honest, I read this book on the beach in Jamaica, which I think adds to my rosy memory of it.
SPARE- I loved Prince Harry’s book, Spare. The entire time I was reading it, I couldn’t help but feel disbelief and appreciation for having such an unprecedented look into the life of a royal. With a clear focus on how the press has taken from him time and time again, Spare showed us that not everything is as glitzy and glamorous as it seems.
But this book isn’t all about the drama. Read my favorite non-drama moments from Spare here.
MY LIFE IN FRANCE- The inspiration for half of the movie Julie & Julia, My Life in France gives us a personal look into the life of Julia Child. She details her and Paul’s move to France, how she found her passion for cooking, and the difficulties of getting her cookbook published. From disagreeing with her dad’s politics to stumbling through learning a new skill, Julia’s book shows us that we’re not that different from each other across generations.
Honorable Mentions
I had a hard time picking my top 3 because there are so many books that I really enjoyed this year. Here are a few of my honorable mentions:
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
Smuggler’s Cove: Exotic Cocktails, Rum, and the Cult of Tiki by Martin Cate
Vladimir by Julia May Jonas
See you on Tuesday for my recap of What My Mother and I Don’t Talk About!
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