Day 12: Mark as Read

The 3 best books I re-read this year and my favorite book of 2023

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I never used to re-read books, but something happened to my brain and focus the last few years. Maybe it’s grief, maybe it’s hormones, maybe it’s some long-term covid effects, maybe it’s years of chronic stress. Probably all of the above.

Whatever the reason, I’ve found myself taking u-turns back into familiar plots to visit known characters more and more. The bonus here is I’ve never had a great long-term memory when it comes to things I’ve read. Within a few weeks, I’ve pretty much forgotten everything that happens. So, by the time, I pick the book back up a few months (and a handful of other stories) later, it’s basically a new book to me.

I do, however, remember the feelings I have after reading certain books, which is what brought me back to these three (well, really, four) favorites and will probably bring me back again and again.

MY 3 FAVORITE RE-READS

As with all stories I’m drawn to, they have a few things in common: relationship-driven plots supported by a colorful cast of characters, cozy worlds with an immersive sense of place, and a deep, big-hearted humanness balanced with cheekiness, cleverness, and charm.

1. Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

   I probably loved this book an extra amount because I have built and run a business with someone very close to me and I live in Los Angeles , which makes the world of this story extra cozy and familiar feeling. But if you love creative process and stories of friendships that span a lifetime, you will love this.

2. Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

   A strong female protagonist surrounded by a delightful cast of characters (including a dog whose persistent personality and lovability is only matched by my own real life dog), stubbornly refusing to accommodate societies expectations and limitations (for herself and others), while expertly weaving together principles of science with lessons for life. I loved it. I loved all of it. I have not watched the television show, so I don’t know how I feel about that.

3. Still Life by Sarah Winman

   I am currently halfway through this re-read and boy is it beautiful. A beautiful story of lives woven together and the beautiful ways we find family and take care of each other. Beautiful prose. Beautiful art studies and an Italian village you feel like you’ve stepped into. Also a parrot named Claude who is, among many other things, beautiful.

And…..

MY FAVORITE BOOK OF 2024

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

A man wakes up alone on a spacecraft and doesn’t remember anything.

That’s all I’m going to say.

Well, I’ll say a few more things, but only about the book, not about the story.

This is not a new book, but it came highly recommended by two friends whose tastes tend to overlap with mine quite well. Which is why I trusted their recommendation despite the fact that I don’t consider sci-fi my genre of choice. If you feel the same, don’t let that stop you.

This book holds two of my favorite characters– maybe of all time. I loved spending time with them. I miss them. I feel homesick for the story. I literally cried when the book was over. And, in between, I laughed out loud, I was so damn charmed, and so taken by surprise. I loved the way the story unfolded and was revealed through the lost memories and limited portal of a first person narrative.

So much humanity, so much heart, and, also, yes, there was a lot of science and if I hadn’t been reading this at night right before bed, I probably would have appreciated that part much more because the level of creativity and imagination based on reality is mind-blowingly brilliant.

Next time I’ll read it during the day. Because there will definitely be a next time.

Your turn!

What were your favorite books this year?

Do you re-read books or are you always on to the next?

Note: Each of these books are linked with affiliate links that will take you to my Bookshop shelves. If you have a local bookstore, you prefer to support, I support that.