My 2023 in Books: From Satisfying Mysteries to Quirky Sci-Fi

This was a strange reading year, because hiking the PCT had a massive impact on what kind of books I was reading and how I was reading them.

For example, I read almost 20 books on my kindle, which was a new experience for me, and one I didn’t hate, although nothing can replace the joys of paper books. I haven’t opened my kindle since getting off the trail, but the appeal of library books I can’t get anywhere else my end up changing that.

Similarly, I listened to a lot of books. This isn’t necessarily new, but the proportion of books I listened to while on the trail was 50%, which is much higher than usual. I still count this as reading, but I do find that the books I enjoy on audio are just different. A good narrator and the right setting can take a mediocre book and make it a great read, and other times, this is reversed and a great book can become unreadable with a bad narrator.

Overall, I discovered a couple truly great books, read a wide variety of genres (including a LOT of mysteries), and some of these books truly got me up mountains. In fact, I credit The Final Revival of Opal & Nev with getting me through my first 20 mile day, and A Race To The Pole with helping me survive hiking in 100 degree heat for a week. There is nothing like listening to stories of people losing limbs to frostbite while hiding under a TINY bush for shade to give you some perspective.

I didn’t rank the books below, but these are simply a selection of my favorite books this year. I have starred the books that really blew me away in some way, and if I listened to it, it will have a note saying that as well (so you know the narration is good!)

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Quality Fiction

What Strange Paradise by Omar El Akkad* – Two children, a refugee shipwreck, a Mediterranean island. This read like a modern day fairy tale, but with real world commentary woven through it. Audiobook
This Is Happiness by Niall Williams – Rural Ireland, an old love and the arrival of electricity. Beautiful prose and a beautiful book. Audiobook
A Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell – A Jewish family escapes to northern Italy during the final months of World War 2. Winter sets in.
The Final Revival of Opal & Nev* by Dawnie Walton – A black woman, her white British songwriting partner, the mysterious and deadly end to their punk career and an oral history. Daisy Jones & The Six vibes but with a harder edge. Audiobook

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Fun Mysteries

Murder and Mendelssohn and Murder in Williamstown by Kerry Greenwood – Late 1920s Australia, a rich heiress turned amateur sleuth and a cast of the most delightful characters. Truly the best historical cozy murder mysteries out there.
Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn – 4 women in their 60s and 70s retire from their jobs as assassins but have to save their own lives when their old employer comes calling.
The Rising Tide by Ann Cleeves* – The most recent book in the Vera series, Ann Cleeves writes mysteries so full of atmosphere you can almost feel it. Also check out her Shetland books which are incredible. Audiobook

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Great Nature Writing

– The Arbornaut: A Life Discovering the Eighth Continent in the Trees Above Us by Meg Lowman – A memoir and a science book, come to learn about trees, stay to read about a resilient and fascinating life.
– The Brilliant Abyss by Helen Scales* – Everything you never knew you wanted to know about the deep ocean. One of the best science books I have read. Audiobook
– Children and Other Wild Animals by Brian Doyle – Essays about everyday moments in nature. Doyle’s distinctive writing style works perfectly here.
– My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell – A British family with a nature-obsessed young boy moves to Greece in the 1930s. Life happens, menageries are acquired, and chaos ensues.

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Eclectic Non-Fiction

– Ten Steps to Nanette by Hannah Gadsby* – A childhood and early adulthood in Tasmania by a comedian discovering who she is. Lots of hard things. This was perfectly written and narrated. Audiobook
– The Secret Life of Groceries by Benjamin Lorr – The shrimp industry, long haul truckers and why we all love (or hate) Trader Joe’s. I think about what I learned in this book daily. Audiobook
– The Futilitarians: Our Year of Thinking, Drinking, Grieving, and Reading by Anne Gisleson – Existential texts, friends and a meeting every month. Gisleson’s personal story is interwoven beautifully as well.
– Race to the Pole: Tragedy, Heroism, and Scott’s Antarctic Quest by Ranulph Fiennes* – Scott vs. Amundsen. Men vs. Dogs. A story many think they know, and a reality that is far more complex. This passionate and well researched account of the Scott expedition by another polar explorer truly blew me away. Audiobook

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Quirky Fantasy and Science Fiction

– Carry On by Rainbow Rowell – A chosen one, a prophesy, and his dark, mysteriously attractive nemesis. This satire of Harry Potter was very fun.
– A Psalm for the Wild-Built and A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers – A tea monk who needs a break, a robot with a lot of questions and a world I wish I could live in. I love Becky Chambers with all my heart, and these two novellas are just beautiful.
– Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree – An ogre, a coffee shop, and a lot of love. This book was a sweet and hilarious little story and one I truly enjoyed.

To the new year and new books!