Five Books I Loved in 2023 | January to June
I am in a little bit of denial at the fact that we are halfway through the year 2023. How is that even possible? I suppose this is what happens when you spend most of your time with your nose in a book. According to Goodreads, I have read 122 books, 81% of my 2023 reading challenge goal of 150, and luckily, there have been some great ones in the stack I’ve been working through this year.
When I looked back at my list of read books, there were a few that stood out as certain favorites, and I’m sharing those reviews here today. They include two memoirs, a collection of essays, a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Hamilton, the musical, which I got the pleasure of seeing for the first time last August, and a novel that thrilled my senses and kept me on the edge of my seat and turning pages. I listened to them all via audiobook, most were read by the author, and I can’t recommend them enough.
Below are my five favorites from the first half of this year.
Unprotected: A Memoir by Billy Porter
I am blown away by this memoir. First of all, I read the Kindle book, and Porter's voice came through in his writing. All of his personality, wit, humor, and sass. It was all there. This book is the singular argument for why the arts should be available in every school system. Porter shows how a kid can find their place in visual or performing arts and have an eventual career in the field. He also demonstrated how participating in the arts can be used as a way to heal trauma. This is really a redemption story. Coming from a childhood filled with various types of abuse and a complicated relationship with his family, he learns to follow his heart and do what he knows he was meant to do - live boldly and brightly. This isn't just a chronological story about his life, though. He also intertwines thoughtful essays on relevant topics like COVID-19, the healthcare system and medical stereotypes, politics, racism, homophobia, and toxicity in families leading to the idea of chosen families. This was such a well-rounded memoir, moving and emotional. I'll definitely be buying a hard copy of this book.
The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet by John Green
I love the way John Green's mind works. I can relate to much of what he wrote about and enjoyed every moment of this book. I listened to the audiobook version, which I highly recommend because he narrates it. I laughed. I cried. It was one of the best non-fiction books I've read this year and maybe ever.
Hamilton: The Revolution by Lin-Manuel Miranda
If you're a Hamilton fan, this is an absolute must-read. LMM shares behind-the-scenes stories about how he wrote and produced such a fantastic musical, starting from just an idea to the sold-out show that's been seen by millions of people. He includes so many subtle tie-ins in this program, making it a technically perfect production. I sobbed at the parts where he talked about the personal stories of the cast and crew and how the Hamilton story brought comfort and inspiration to them. I also loved hearing the reaction of the cast members when they witnessed the initial audience response to the musical. This is so good!
A Living Remedy: A Memoir by Nicole Chung
I loved every moment of this book even though it made me cry on several occasions. Nicole Chung's writing is stunning and I resonated with a lot of what she shares. She writes about grief, race, faith, family, and her adoption and does so with a lot of humility and grace. This was a beautiful love letter to the two people who called her their daughter and how complicated relationships with parents, biological or not, sometimes are.
The It Girl by Ruth Ware
This book reminded me how much I love Ruth Ware. I'm not typically a mystery fan, although I do enjoy a good thriller, and this was the best of both worlds. You know April is dead at the beginning of the book and you know who has been charged and convicted of the murder, but Ware constantly delivers doubt on a silver platter with all the suspicious characters you meet. I was afraid that the story was becoming predictable and then Ware throws a huge plot twist into the mix... and then another. I couldn't put this one down and was engaged the whole time.
As a reminder, I review each and every book I read. If you’re interested in my reviews for all the books I’ve read in 2023, check out my Goodreads page.
