Here’s my December 2023 Reading Wrap Up. How was your last reading month of the year?
December 2023 Reading Wrap Up
Out of 8 books read, I had two 5-star reads, three 4-star reads, two 3-Star reads, and one 2-star read.
My most memorable fiction read this month is An Astronomer in Love by Antoine Laurain, a gently told adventure and love story. One of my nonfiction reads will go on my lifetime favorites list. I read (audio format) Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown in preparation for the movie release on Christmas Day.
I’m limping into the end of the year because of my eye surgery. But there’s also a great deal to be grateful for! Wishing you health, happiness, and a tall stack of 5 star reads in 2024!
***This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
Titles are Amazon affiliate links or my linked reviews.
ARC=Advanced Readers Copy (complimentary copy for review before pub date)
An Astronomer in Love by Antoine Laurain
5 Stars. Historical fiction (1760 and current day). Astronomy. Quietly compelling, thoughtful, and memorable. Perfect for my last read of the year! My review of An Astronomer in Love here.
Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown
5 Stars. Nonfiction (1930s), Competitive rowing. Teamwork. Coming-of-age. Inspirational, heartfelt, and thoughtful. I read via the audio format and it’s my opinion that the narrator enhances the reading experience. My review of Boys in the Boat here.
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
4 Stars. Historical fiction. Midwifery. Well written, but contains difficult content (rape). I read this the week before Christmas and it was too heavy. Not yet reviewed.
Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles (ARC)
4 Stars. (ARC) Historical fiction, Interesting history of a group of international women headed by millionaire Anne Morgan to help rebuild devastated French communities just miles from the front during WWI. (Pub Date: 4/30/2024) Review coming soon.
Once Persuaded, Twice Shy by Melodie Edwards (ARC)
4 Stars. (ARC) Modern reimagining of Persuasion by Jane Austen. Women’s contemporary fiction. (Pub Date: 2/27/24) Review coming soon.
From a Far and Lovely Country by Alexander McCall Smith (ARC)
3 Stars. (ARC) Cozy Mystery. Diverse read. Botswanna. My yearly comfort read (#24 in the gently written series!). Who else is still reading the series? Review coming soon.
The Ins-N-Outs of In-N-Out Burger by Lynsi Snyder
3 Stars. (ARC) Nonfiction. Part memoir and part history of an iconic fast food restaurant chain. A nostalgic read (and meal) for me and other residents of Southern California. I’m not sure if this will interest someone who has not frequented IN N OUT or doesn’t have nostagic memories of eating there. Review coming soon.
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
2 Stars. Historical Fiction. Diverse read. Although an award winner and a popular book appearing on many “best of” lists, this did not match my reading tastes. I DNFed at 87% because of child abuse content. Not reviewed.
QOTD:
Did we read any of the same books?
Did you have a favorite December read?
December Blog Posts
Most Memorable Reads of 2023
An Astronomer in Love Review
Audio Books I’ve Enjoyed
Merry Christmas (Greeting)
Gift an Author: Write a Review
Ten Bookish Wishes For You
The Boys in the Boat Review
Love and Lavender Review
Winter 2023/2024 TBR
Three Historical Fiction Mini-Reviews
The Little Liar
Joyful Review
A Winter by the Sea Review
Books as Gifts 2023
The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale Review
Happy Reading Book Friends!
“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.”
~Rainer Maria Rilke
“I love the world of words, where life and literature connect.”
~Denise J Hughes
“Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones.”
~Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
“I read because books are a form of transportation, of teaching, and of connection! Books take us to places we’ve never been, they teach us about our world, and they help us to understand human experience.”
~Madeleine Riley, Top Shelf Text
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I have The Frozen River on my wishlist for when it’s out here. Would imagine not till winter 2024 now but you never know! Alexander McCall Smith was knighted in the New Year Honours and is now a Sir!
I wonder if Sir Smith will ever end the Ladies Detective series?!?!
You definitely had some stand out reads in December! I am still reading through the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, but am not as far along as you. I always love them when I read them, but the timing has to be right. I am waiting for An Astronomer in Love to come in from the library. I’m looking forward to it. Happy New Year!
The last few Ladies Detective have been rather meh. The last good one I read was the one about Unexpected Sisters. And then that whole character was dropped, never mentioned again. Odd.
Oh, after I read Astronomer, I wanted to read more by him, so I read a novella, The Red Notebook, which was sweet! Keep it in mind for Novellas in November!