My 2023 Bookshelf Favorites

Wanted to wrap up 2023 with my book post for the year. This year, the pages whispered, the characters danced, and there was imagination taking flight. It was fiction as a genre which trumped my reading list, as I immersed myself into all its vibrant hues. As they say, fiction is a gateway to far-away horizons, a source of laughter and tears, and a treasure trove of wonder. So here’s an ode to the Top 7 fiction. Also bringing in some of the favorite quotes.

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, Gabrielle Zevin, This book was truly unique. It follows the lives of Sam and Sadie, two friends who met as children in a hospital and bonded over video games. They had flaws, dreams, regrets, and passions.?It is a book that celebrates the power of games, not only as a form of entertainment, but as a form of expression, connection, and transformation. It is a book that blurs the lines between reality and play, and shows us that both are equally meaningful. The Quote : “What is a game? It’s tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow. It’s the possibility of infinite rebirth, infinite redemption”.

The Covenant of Water, Abraham Varghese. A profound narrative, set in Kerala that spans over 70 years, following the stories of three generations. This evocative tale weaves together the intricate threads of family, love, and destiny against the backdrop of a world intricately connected by water, symbolizing the fluidity of life itself. Water, the elixir of life, transcending generations, has its own covenant, a covenant of love, care, and stewardship. You’ll long to go to Kerala, you’ll be nostalgic about Big Ammachi as she plays the protagonist when she’s 12 years and grows on you as your own grandmother. The Quote: “When it’s all done, when life is almost over, what do you want to remember?”?

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Light from Uncommon Star, Ryka Aoki.? The novel follows the intersecting stories of three characters: Katrina, a young transgender violinist struggling to make her way in the music industry; Lan Tran, a former refugee who runs a donut shop and dreams of opening a Vietnamese restaurant; and Shizuka Satomi, a violin teacher known as the Queen of Hell who has come to Earth to learn about human emotions. As their stories unfold, they each have with their own struggles and fears while discovering unexpected connections and sources of strength in one another. A reflection: “Sometimes, the most uncommon stars are hidden in plain sight.”

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Hello Beautiful, Ann Napolitano. It follows the lives of four sisters: Sylvie, the dreamer; Cecelia, the artist; Emeline, the nurturer; and Julia, the leader. Their lives are intertwined with William Waters, a lonely and troubled young man who finds solace in basketball. The novel skillfully weaves themes of mental health, resilience, loyalty, and forgiveness throughout the novel, creating a rich and emotional portrait of a family that asks: Can love make a broken person whole? The book is a homage to Little Women, but also a unique and original story that will stay with you long after you finish it. The Quote: “Everything ends. That’s nothing to be sad about. What matters is what starts in that moment."

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The Unforeseen, Vandana Srivastava. An engaging collection of short stories with an unexpected twist at the end, a bit magical like the O’Henry and Roald Dahl types. There are twelve short stories, with twelve themes: Innocence, Hope, Luck, Fear, Belief, Trust, Misery, Love, Passion, Greed, Destiny and Life.?Each story has a unique background and will take you on different voyages of human experiences. Sometimes endearing, sometimes shocking, but always captivating. A book totally recommended for those who enjoy short stories, and just in case you don’t, make this your first! A reflection: “The Unforeseen is the most beautiful gift life can give us. Have the courage to embrace it.”

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The President is Missing, Bill Clinton & James Patterson. A thriller that plunges the reader into the heart of a national crisis, as the President tries to stop a devastating cyberattack that could wipe out America's digital infrastructure and expose its secrets. The novel co-written by President Bill Clinton and James Patterson, is a gripping story that will keep you on the edge until the very end. If you are looking for a book that will make you question, wonder, and fear, this one could be it. The Quote: “Mourn your losses later, after the fight’s over. When you’re in the fight, fight.”

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Lessons in Chemistry, Bonnie Garmus. This is a historical fiction novel set in the 1960s, about Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant chemist who is denied a PhD due to sexism. She ends up working as a host of a TV cooking show, where she uses her scientific knowledge to teach viewers about the chemistry of food. Along the way, she also challenges the social norms of the time, and finds love and purpose in her life. The novel is witty, charming, and informative. The Quote: “Cooking is chemistry. And chemistry is magic. And magic is science. And science is power.”

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This year, I could do only 18, of my target of 25 books I had set for the year. But what the heck, my glass is half full, at least not empty! Do share your good reads of the year and also if any of these were yours.