What to Read This Winter — 2023 Books
Book Recommendations
New Release Books of 2023
WHAT TO READ THIS WINTER
After a VERY busy fall, I’m back with some excellent winter reading recommendations! Scroll through to see seven newly-published books by genre — all of which I loved. 🖤
How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair
Selected as the October pick for Jenna’s Book Club (aka the Today Show book club), this beautiful memoir has been marketed as a cross between Educated by Tara Westover and Born a Crime by Trevor Noah. However, in my opinion, the uniqueness of this story is something else entirely. A reflection on family, culture, self-discovery and power, How to Say Babylon recounts the author’s upbringing in Jamaica and her efforts to extricate herself from her father and his strict Rastafarian household.
I love reading first-hand accounts by authors who have completely different life experiences than me. I’m always fascinated to learn about other cultures, faiths and ways of life. I learned so much about Rastafarian culture and the make-up of Jamaica from reading this poetic and engaging memoir that centers on the experience of a strong, ambitious woman defying societal norms.
Starter Villain by John Scalzi
I’m a sucker for a good sci-fi story, so it’s perhaps no surprise that I loved this witty, fun and fast-paced story that reads like an adult-version of the movie, Despicable Me. When a down-on-his-luck teacher inherits his estranged uncle’s supervillain empire, hilarity ensues as the protagonist becomes acquainted with genetically engineered spy cats, unionized (and foul-mouthed) dolphins, and the many, many enemies of his late uncle.
If you’re looking for a light, fun and fast escapism read, I highly recommend picking up a copy of Starter Villain. You can definitely expect to see this one included on my ‘Top Books of 2023’ list!
Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison
While I’m generally not much of a horror reader, I was sucked into this story from page one. Combining humor, suspense, family drama and the supernatural, this sinister story will keep you turning pages far past bedtime.
After leaving home at age 18 to escape her deeply religious family (who may or may not run a cult), Vesper — the twenty-something protagonist — returns to her hometown for her favorite cousin’s wedding against her better judgement. Upon returning home, she’s forced to confront her family’s darkest sins and secrets and finds herself embroiled in a cataclysmic series of fantastical events.
The Country of the Blind by Andrew Leland
Yet another book that I learned so much from reading! In this sweeping memoir, the author embarks on an exploration of blindness and disability, as he provides a first-hand account of his gradual vision loss and how his degenerative eye condition — which has left him suspended between the binaries of sightedness and blindness — has impacted his family, sense of self and community.
In addition to recounting his own experiences, the author includes expensive research and informative discussion about the nature of blindness, the blind community and the organizations that (are supposed to) advocate on their behalf.
Good Night, Irene by Luis Alberto Urrea
If you’re a fan of wartime historical fiction and enjoyed The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah or The Alice Network by Kate Quinn, this book is for you! This heart-wrenching drama is based on the real-life experiences of the author’s mother, who served in the Red Cross during WWII alongside an elite group of women tasked with providing American soldiers with coffee and donuts behind enemy lines.
I loved this story’s focus on feminine-power as it sheds light on a group of women oft-forgotten by history. This was my first book by Luis Alberto Urrea and I look forward to reading more of his work, as he’s truly an exquisite writer.
The Future by Naomi Alderman
You likely know Naomi Alderman from her hit book (and recently adapted TV show) The Power. Her latest novel is another dystopian / speculative fiction powerhouse set in the not-so-distant future where a small group of tech billionaires (who are knowingly destroying the planet with their mega-corporations) are determined to use their wealth and privilege to predict the future — and thus, ensure their survival amidst the mess they’ve made. That is, until a group of insiders hatch a plan to reset course and hopefully save humanity.
While I absolutely LOVED this well-crafted story, I could have done without the message board interludes filled with biblical lore — I found myself mostly skimming those parts, eager to find out what was going to happen next in the thrilling plot line.
Wellness by Nathan Hill
A novel about the realities of marriage and family life combined with the endless pursuit of health, wellness and optimization, this Oprah’s Book club selection follows a curious couple through the ages. From falling in love to raising a child and trying to maintain their “spark,” the protagonists attempt to juggle their careers and family life in this highly entertaining, comedic and often-relatable story.
While I often shy away from listening to long books on audio, I really enjoyed this audiobook! It seemed to fly by.
That's all for now! Stay tuned for more book recommendations as well as my ‘Top Books of 2023’ list. And in the meantime, hop on over to The Bookmarkparty Shop to check out my bookish merchandise and gifts for book lovers.
