It’s been a bumper year of reading for me. My plan at the start of 2023 was actually to read a bit less than 2022 (I did a masters and recorded three series of the podcast in 2022, so that might indicate why). But I failed massively in that plan. Although in my defence, I read more for pleasure than anything else. So no regrets!!
All this to say, for my annual roundup of my favourite reads, I have decided to split it into two different newsletters - fiction and non-fiction - because I just couldn’t whittle it down. My non-fiction and memoir list will come into your inbox tomorrow.
As is now the tradition (in it’s 4th year), I give away one book from the list to a lucky subscriber. Just reply to the email (or comment on this post if you are reading in the Substack app) telling me which of the books on the list you would most like to receive and I will pick a random winner and send one over to you from Bookshop.org. Only subscribers in the UK I’m afraid. This giveaway isn’t associated with anyone or this platform (etc etc) just me, spending my own money to spread some bookish love. I’ll be giving one from each list away so feel free to reply to both.
We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman
I laughed, I cried, both so loudly my daughter came into the bathroom to check I was ok (I was reading in the bath). The utterly heartbreaking and deliciously funny story of Ash, supporting her best friend Edi, in a hospice, in the last weeks of her life. It is the most incredible ode to friendship and grief and the crazy things we do when our heart is breaking. Catherine was on the podcast - we laughed so hard - check it out here.
Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan
This a short and sweet punch in the gut. A young girl dies on a council estate in London in the 90s and the community begins to point the finger. This is not the book you expect it to be and it’s beautiful.
Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent
Another Irish writer, and like Megan Nolan, another true crime style novel but a very different vibe. I completely feel in love with Sally Diamond, who defies stereotypes. Dark and pacy, this is a book about hidden truths and the legacy of trauma.
I feel like I listened to Tom Lake at the exact moment I needed it. Read by Meryl Streep in the audio version (heaven), a family on a cherry farm in Michigan with their three grown daughters back to stay during lockdown, are bored and anxious, picking cherries. They ask their mother, a former actress, to tell them the story of how she spent a summer dating a man who became one of the most famous actors of his generation. It’s a delightful, gentle story of first love, how lives are changed and families are born.
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
I adore Curtis Sittenfeld but I was so excited when I knew her next novel would be a romantic comedy, a genre I love. Set in the intense world of live broadcast comedy (on a show which is essentially SNL), successful tv writer Sally is sick to death of seeing mediocre looking men dating incredible accomplished and gorgeous women. It would never happen the other way round. Or would it? Hilarious, sweet and with Sittenfeld’s trademark deft at writing inside worlds we don’t usually get a glimpse of, I gobbled this one up.
I Have Some Questions For You by Rebecca Makkai
Successful film academic and podcaster Bodie returns to teach a class at the boarding school in New Hampshire she had been a scholarship student at in the 90s. But the return brings back memories of the death of classmate Thalia and the man Omar, who was convicted of her murder. As a true crime podcaster, Bodie finds herself unable to let it lie and begins to wonder if she perhaps knows more about the crime than she first realised. I read quite a lot of ‘true crime’ style novels this year and this one absolutely stood out from the crowd.
Ghost girl, Banana by Wiz Wharton
In 1966 Sook-yin is exiled from Hong Kong to London to restore family honour. In 1997 Sook-yin’s daughter Lily embarks on a journey to uncover a family secret and receive a mysterious inheritance. Set in the last days of the British empire in Hong Kong, this is an epic family drama across decades and continents. A brilliant debut from Wiz Wharton, I can’t wait to read more from her.
Hello, Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
A sweeping story about the Padavano sisters, set in an Italian-American neighbourhood of Chicago in the latter part of the 20th century. A close knit family of four very different sisters, a man who joins the family and a rift that tears them all apart. So tender and moving. For anyone who enjoys a good family saga like the Casalet Chonicles or Little Women.
Another novel about sisters, this one set in contemporary north London. Hana has the perfect job, home and husband. Her little sister Mira dreams of life as a writer but is stuck working in a cafe and lacking inspiration. Until she overhears an argument between Hana and her husband which sparks an idea. But is it ever ok to borrow from your sister? This is a gorgeous story of two sisters, their very different ways of dealing with loss and desire and asks deep questions about the blurry line between fact and fiction. This is Huma Qureshi’s debut novel, and she is one of my favourite short story writers. Huma was a guest on Not Too Busy To Write podcast - you can listen here.
Clearly a few themes this year - true crime, families secrets and a bit of falling in love!
Don’t forget to let me know which one you’d love to receive in the post and I also want to know if any of this list made your favs this year too.
We All Want Impossible Things set the bar so high for me this year (and why can't I tag her here?!) I took Romantic Comedy out of the library and regretted not buying it - PURe JOY. Adding these to my overwhelming TBR pile Penny xo
So many good recommendations! A few have been on my list for a while but ordinary human failings is top of it! 💕