No.790: What I Read in December 2023

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#87. MAGPIE MURDERS by Anthony Horowitz // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

First line: “A bottle of wine.”

Anthony Horowitz’s writing comes highly recommended, so when I found a like new hardcover copy for $2(!) at the used bookstore, I couldn’t resist.  This is a book-within-a-book mystery, a technique that I found both unique and frustrating, ha!  All in all, I enjoyed it and will mostly likely continue with some of Horowitz’s back list.  3.5 stars, rounded up.

#88. LIGHT CHANGES EVERYTHING by Nancy E. Turner // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

First line: “I blame the beginning of the whole thing on Jane Austen.”

One of my absolute favorite books is Turner’s These Is My Words and this continues that world with a story narrated by Sarah Prine’s niece.  It was good, but not nearly as good as the first book.  There were a lot of plot lines to follow and some more believable than others.  3.5 stars, rounded up.

#89. AMONG THE SHADOWS by Bruce Robert Coffin // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

First line: “The bitter stench of urine and impending death permeated the small dingy bedroom.”

I picked this up solely based on the place – it’s a police procedural located in Portland, Maine – and I was so happy to discover that it was actually really good!  A little gritty, but well written with a satisfying ending that I did not predict.

#90. THE MANY LIVES OF MAMA LOVE: A MEMOIR OF LYING, STEALING, WRITING AND HEALING by Lara Love Hardin // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop)

First line: “Reading was my first addiction.”

From the description: “New York Times bestselling author Lara Love Hardin recounts her slide from soccer mom to opioid addict to jailhouse shot-caller and her unlikely comeback as a highly successful ghostwriter in this harrowing, hilarious, no-holds-barred memoir.”  Reviewing a memoir is always so tricky.  The beginning chapters of this book were really interesting, but I wanted more.  More back story, more introspection.  Our poor choices are rarely made in a bubble and I was hoping to read about the steps made to reach the bottom and then how she got back up.  There seemed to be little of the first.  I did appreciate the peek into the criminal justice system – lots of things to ponder there.  3.5 stars.  (And thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book!  The Many Lives of Mama Love was released in August 2023!)

#91. COME, LORD JESUS: MEDITATIONS ON THE ART OF WAITING by Mother Mary Francis, PCC // ★★★★★
(amazon)

First line: “I am quite confident all of us have a deep sense of expectation, joy, and wonderment that Advent is about to begin.”

Advent reading for the fourth time!  Still so, so good.

#92. FALLING by T.J. Newman // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

First line: “When the shoe dropped into her lap the foot was still in it.”

A fast, engaging read for my last book of the year.  T.J. Newman explores the question: “If you were a pilot, would you rather crash the commercial plane you’re flying or have your kidnapped family be murdered?”  Like most thrillers, you have to suspend your disbelief a bit, but I still found it enjoyable.

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MY UNREAD SHELF PROJECT

Unread Books as of January 1, 2023: 207
Books Finished in December: 6
Finished Books Donated/Sold in December: 0
Books Added: +5
Unread Books Remaining: 204

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2023 READING IN REVIEW

Total books read: 92
Fiction: 45 // Non-Fiction: 22 // Religious: 8
Rereads or borrowed: 2
Homeschool readalouds: 5
Netgalley: 10
Total pages read: 27,358
Total books read from my TBR: 75
Total books purchased: 70