Year two of a good habit
Sometime in 2022, at the advice of a writing mentor and novelist, I deleted my Goodreads account. Like most people, I’d felt free to post critical reviews or mark them “did not finish,” the ultimate diss. It was a bad habit, though understandable, since I wasn’t writing a novel when I created my profile and I certainly didn’t think anyone would ever take my notes seriously. Gently, my mentor suggested that since I might meet some of these writers one day, I should focus on celebrating what I liked. You never know, we decided.
This comment led me through many pleasant fantasies of meeting up with Zadie or Lionel or any number of authors at warmly lit cocktail parties in New York. Back in reality, I remembered that Anne Bogel, the blogger/podcaster behind What Should I Read Next, had designed book log, and since her whole brand is stylish and meticulous, I bought a copy. I was pleased with how well the organization and anonymity worked for me.
My Reading Life has a page for 100 books and works continuously. As soon as I fill one book, I buy another copy and keep on logging. I am utterly honest in my private book, but at the end of the year, I like to humble-brag my reading stats, share the authors of my 5 star picks, and hear from you what you’ve read this year. My 2022 books are here.
This year’s reading stats
I buy books frequently, probably once a week or so, far more than I’m able to read. I usually have 20-50 unread books lying around the house. When I finish a book, I celebrate by auditioning a few of the unread ones. Whichever book makes me read the longest wins!
I’ve often wondered if this is a waste of money, or if I’m bad at choosing books, but even if those concerns are true, oh well! I like that I support many stores and publishers and authors. The wider a net I cast, the more books I’ll try, and the more I’ll try, the more I’ll love.
But enough about my “system.” On with the books!
Books I finished in 2023
Five-star authors FICTION
Five-star authors NONFICTION
…and one 5-star given retroactively
East Germany’s decline as a failed romance. I can’t stop thinking about Kairos by Jenny Erpenbeck.
Tell me all about your books! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and Blessed Hanukkah and alllllll the rest. Much love! JESS
That's a nice presentation, especially with the graphs and the pics. We read quite different books and you read quite a bit more, though I'm trending higher the past few months. This made me think of a couple of things -- how many were audiobooks? And did you keep track of where you got the idea to read a particular book -- on a whim, a blog or Substack post, a friend, the news, a re-read. I don't keep track of it, but I think mine come from scattered all over. Happy New Year!
I love reading these types of posts, even if we're a quarter through the new year. Keep this up every year, your list is spectacular.