Walklover’s 75 Books Challenge for 2023

Happy New Year everyone! I had a slow reading year in 2022 - hope to rev up a bit this year.

Welcome back, Debbi!

Glad to see you back Debbi. I was starting to worry about you and your fella.

Hi Debbi. Happy New Year!

Happy reading in 2023, Debbi!

>2 drneutron: Thank you and Happy New Year!

>3 PaulCranswick: Just took me awhile to get started. Happy New Year!

>4 ffortsa: Happy New Year to you too!

>5 FAMeulstee: The vey same to you!

1. Give Me your Hand by Megan Abbott - This was a Hanukkah gift from Becca - Megan is one of her favorite authors. So glad she introduced me to her work. I really enjoyed this novel. Character development was terrific, the laboratory setting very interesting - and I also liked that she didn’t muddy the waters with too many extraneous characters. i would definitely recommend this - and plan to read more of her work this year.

2. the Flamingo by Guajing - I gave this book to Joe for the holidays (from his wishlist) - and found it back on my nightstand with a note reading “You’ll love this” - and I did. It’s an almost entirely wordless graphic novel story book - which speaks volumes. I don’t want to describe it because I think it’s a book that you should read without knowing anything about it - except that it is moving and lovely and meaningful.

3. Fifty Fifty by James Patterson and Candice Fox - I’m fond of Patterson’s Alex Cross and Women’s Murder Club series. This is a different character - Detective Harriet Blue - a former foster kid who has been through the wringer and needs to constantly fight her urge for violent revenge on those who wrong others. I’ll definitely check out Never Never, the first novel involving her.

4. Every Trick in the Book by Lucy Arlington - A lovely cozy mystery set in the small town location of a literary agency. The characters are well-defined, the setting is beautiful, the sub-plot is interesting - and the mystery is well-written. Would definitely recommend this one.

5. Loveless by Alice Oseman - A really good book depicting a young girl’s who finds herself - and realizes that she is asexual and aromantic. Through her first year college experiences and many conversations with friends, she finds that she can be content with her feelings and sexuality - as there are many different kinds of love.

6. Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat - I highly recommend this book - and this author - to all. Every word serves a purpose, every character is well-defined and interesting. Even with sad and uncomfortable subject matter, the fluidity of Danticat’s writing makes this a wonderful read.

7. Maid by Stephanie Land - Many might have watched the tv series adapted from this book. I only watched the first few and wasn’t really drawn to watch any others. I’m glad my neighbor loaned this to me as it was fascinating and well-written. I would definitely recommend it - a fabulous story about a single mother and her struggle to raise her daughter while raising them both out of the struggles they go through day to day.

>15 walklover: I've been meaning to read this for a long time - on my shelf, too.

8. leaving time by Jodi Picoult - I had stopped reading Picoult quite a few years ago when one of her books made me very angry and unsettled. A friend brought leaving time to me with excellent recommendations, so I thought I’d give it a try - and I’m very glad I did. Great character development, great storyline - and I learned a lot about elephants.

9. I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy - This book brings to light what it appears many child stars have experienced - living the life their parents have always wanted, while at the same time being the major salary earner for the family. McCurdy also suffered at the hands of her mother - physically and emotionally. It’s a very interesting book - not always easy to read because of McCurdy’s experiences - but important to read because of them as well.

10. Lemon Curd Killer by Laura Childs - This is #25 of Childs’ Tea Shop Mystery Books and, as always, she’s written an enjoyable story. If I could only read one Cozy Mystery author, it would definitely be Childs.

11. The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell - I love baking shows and I love mysteries - so this was a perfect choice for me (thank you, Becca). Well-defined characters, a few good twists and a compelling mystery.

12. Riverman: An American Odyssey by Ben McGrath - The story of Dick Conant, who paddled the rivers of America for most of his adult life - and the people he met along the way. McGrath was one of those people and when Conant’s boat was found drifting without him, McGrath decided to meet and many of those people as possible. I enjoyed this book and the way it reminded me that everyone you meet has stories to tell.

13.Unsolved by James Patterson - The grandchildren were here for a week, so a Patterson with its short chapters was perfect for the times I could catch a minute or two to read. This was one of his best in awhile - great mystery, really good twists, good character development. I would definitely recommend it.

14. Runaway by Alice Munro - This “is a book of extraordinary stories about love and its infinite betrayals and surprises” brilliantly written by Munro. I would have been happy to read each of the stories in a longer novel form. I loved this book.

15. Keepsake Crimes by Laura Childs - I’m a sucker for a good cozy mystery and can always rely on Laura Childs to come through with one. This is the first in her scrapbooking mystery series and I enjoyed it as much as all i’ve read (and I’ve read them all) from her Tea Shop series. Looking forward to finding the other four already written - and I’m sure I’ll hope for more after that.

16. Mothercare by Lynne Tillman - A well-written, but very dry, account of the many years Tillman and her sisters took care of their dying mother. Having had a poor relationship with her mother, Tillman opens up about her difficulties taking care of her while holding the memories of how badly her mother treated her.”On obligation, love, death, and ambivalence”

Hi, walklover. I’m enjoying all the short reviews. The Alice Munro is on my tbr shelf.

>27 jnwelch: Glad you like the reviews. Hope you enjoy the Munro.

17. The Sentence is Death by Anthony Horowitz - An interesting take on a murder mystery - I didn’t figure out who the murderer was until just a page or two before they were identified. Horowitz has done a great job with his main character (and the “star” of the series), Detective Hawthorne - showing his gruffness and everyday demeanor, but letting us in bit by bit to Hawthorne’ inner self.

18. The 8th Confession by James Patterson - I really enjoy Patterson’s Women’s Murder Club novels and this one lived up to the others. Quite a few murders - in more than one decade - make for a very good story.

19. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir - I loved The Martian - and the movie adaptation - so was excited to read this book. I have mixed feelings about it. It took me quite awhile to read because I was put off by the amount of scientific information and explanation - most of which I couldn’t relate to, which I had been able to do with The Martian. I’m glad I pushed myself to finish it though because I really enjoyed the story within all of the science.

20.The 23rd Midnight by James Patterson - After the work I had to put in reading Project Hail Mary, I needed an easy read - and this book fit the bill. It was a really good mystery and the main characters (The Women’s Murder Club) were as interesting and well-written as always.

Hey, much better half. Sorry to hear that the Project Hail Mary science wasn’t as relatable as The Martian’s. I can understand that -for the first one it was growing food and figuring out transport and communications.

>33 jnwelch: I did enjoy the other storyline a lot though.

21. The Library of Lost and Found by Phaedra Patrick - A delightful book regarding Martha and her coming to terms with her past (filled with secrets she has just discovered) - and how she determines to put herself first for the future.

22. Cross Down by James Patterson - Having just returned from two weeks taking care of the grandkids (it was wonderful), I knew I needed a book or three that would be any easy enjoyable read. This newest in the Alex Cross series was terrific. I’m really a fan of the Cross character, but liked that the majority of the story was told from the viewpoint of another of the recurring characters.

23.Photo Finished by Laura Childs - Another easy read for my tired brain. I’m a big fan of Child’s Tea Shop Mysteries - and am glad to have another series to follow as well. I’m not enjoying this scrapbooking series quite as much, but will definitely read the next in the series.

24. The Storyteller’s Handbook by Elise Hurst - This is mostly filled with beautiful illustrations intended to be used as writing prompts. As a creative nonfiction writer, they aren’t necessarily what I could use - but they could be of great help for a fiction writer.

25. Private Moscow by James Patterson - This is Book 15 in the Private series about a high level investigative agency and its owner, Jack Morgan. It was an easy read with good character development - and I enjoyed all of the time spent on Russia.

26. The Museum of Ordinary People by Mike Gayle - A lovely book which tells the story of Jess and how emptying her childhood home and finding an old outdated set of encyclopedias changes her life. She discovers The Museum of Ordinary Things in a warehouse - and becomes fully involved in its development and growth - and at the same time finds the love of her life.

27. Obsessed by James Patterson - I made sure to save this book for my first read after our vow renewal weekend as I knew that Patterson’s short chapters would be the only thing I could handle for a few days. So glad i did - and thank you to Becca for recommending it. It’s part of the Michael Bennett series and is a well-written psychological thriller.

28. Bleeding Heart Yard by Elly Griffiths - I’m a big fan of Griiffiths’ Ruth Galloway series - so I was looking forward to reading this. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. Most of the characters, in my opinion, were one dimensional and not well-developed. I didn’t really care who was found guilty.

29. The Last Remains by Elly Griffiths - I may have been disappointed by Bleeding Heart Yard, but I loved this one. I don’t want to give out too much, just that as always the characters are well-defined (and most of my favorites are back). Griffiths says this one is the last in the series, but I have my fingers crossed she will change her mind.

30. Lion and Lamb by James Patterson - Took me about a fifth of the book to really start enjoying it - but when I got there, I definitely did. Good plot and good twist.

31. Honey Drop Dead by Laura Childs - I’m never disappointed by my favorite cozy mystery author. This book was a delight to read.

32. Booked on a Feeling by Jayci Lee - A bit formulaic, but a fun read nevertheless. It involved bookstores, so of course I kept reading.

>45 walklover: Why is it that my library never has the first book in a mystery series?? I tried to find The Teaberry Strangler - no dice.

As you know, I completely agree with you about Bleeding Heart Yard and The Last Remains. Loved the second one. I hope that some day we get another Ruth Galloway adventure.

>48 jnwelch: Ditto on the Ruth Galloway!

>47 ffortsa: So sorry you can’t find it in your library. Maybe if you request they they get one - in my opinion, it’s the best cozy series of all I’ve read.

33. 23 1/2 Lies by James Patterson - This book contained three shorter than usual stories involving the Women’s Murder Club. I made it through the first one with a bit of a struggle, really enjoyed the second and thought the third came in second as far as favorable ratings go.

34. The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout - I enjoy Strout and grabbed this one from a Little Free Library on one of our walks. It’s the tale of three siblings and a life-shattering accident when they were quite young that affects them all in very different ways. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to any Strout fans out there.

35. Twisted Tea Mystery by Laura Childs - The Tea Shop Mystery books are my favorite cozy mystery series - and this newest by Childs is just as good as all the others. Her characters are so well-defined - it’s as if you’ve known them forever - and Childs’ mysteries are always well-written and not that easy to solve ahead of time.

36. Shooting Stars and Other Deadly Things by Nancy Tesler - An enjoyable read.

Thinking about you during the festive season, Debbi

>55 PaulCranswick: Thank you so much, Paul! Wishing you and your family all the best for a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year!

37. Good Night,Irene by Luis Alberto Urrea - I was drawn to this book after reading a review my daughter-in-law wrote. It’s the story of a group of women known as the Donut Dollies who served (literally and figuratively) overseas during WWII. Brilliantly written, it is based on the true story of the author’s mother.

38. Alex Cross Must Die by James Patterson - My favorite Patterson series - and this was one of the best in it.