Everything I Read in Winter 2023
Over the past three winter months, I read ten books—seven of which were audiobooks! Of the ten books, six were fiction and four were nonfiction. I finished three of them in 2022 so I’m at seven so far for 2023. On StoryGraph, I set a goal to read 50 books and 15,000 pages in 2023, which feels doable now that I read audiobooks. Last year, I finished 30 books, and I could only manage that because I started reading audiobooks halfway through the year. Add me as a friend on StoryGraph: my username is cottoncashmerecathair!
READ NEXT: Everything I Read in Fall 2022
Everything I Read in Winter 2023 (December—February)
Fiction
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
I was heavily influenced by everyone else to read this book, which made a lot of folks’ favorite book list of 2022! It personally took me a while to get into it, and then there were sad parts that bummed me out. Overall, the writing was really good but it didn’t blow me away like it did for everyone else. It was just…fine? The story follows two best friends, Sam and Sadie, as they navigate childhood in southern California as best friends and then reconnect in college across the country in Boston. Both video game aficionados, they decide to team up and create a mega successful game and company to follow. Their journey continues as they navigate life with their newfound fame. It touches on important themes like friendship, disability, and how their pasts shaped their future.
The Displacements by Bruce Holsinger
Out of all the fiction books I read over the winter, I think The Displacements was my favorite! I’m still thinking about this book. It was recommended by a guest of the Bad on Paper Podcast, and I’m so happy I read it. The story starts in Miami ahead of the first-ever category six hurricane (weather events are my jam, haha). We meet an affluent family that has been tasked with preparing to leave everything they know. Due to a series of unfortunate events, they end up in a FEMA evacuation camp in Oklahoma. At the same time, we also meet a FEMA employee and a couple of folks living in Houston, who will also be affected by the hurricane and end up in the same FEMA camp as the family from Miami. The story is told from all of these perspectives and woven so brilliantly. It honestly felt like something that could truly happen in real life in the not-so-distant future, and this book made me never want to live in an area that gets hurricanes!
Nonfiction
Looking Up by Matthew Cappucci
Continuing the weather theme, I also read one nonfiction book that follows the life of Matthew Cappucci, a self-described “storm chasing weather nerd”. He’s in his 20s but has already had a ton of life experience; he’s wanted to be a meteorologist from a young age and created his own degree program at Harvard. He went on to eventually work for a major TV market in Washington, DC. I thought the most interesting parts were the storm chasing stories; he chases in the midwest every spring. He explains the science behind weather phenomenon really well. I felt a slight bit of arrogance in his writing at times but would still recommend for the vivid storm chasing details. (This was the first book I ever requested that my library purchase! I know it’s been checked out since I read it.)
Audiobooks
In A Holidaze by Christina Lauren
I really wanted to listen to a holiday-themed audiobook or two in December to get myself into the holiday mood, and this one came highly recommended from you on IG! I was lucky to get on the waitlist at my library before the holiday rush. I really enjoyed this novel that follows Mae and her family to their favorite cabin in Utah, where they spend every holiday together with two other families. The trip doesn’t go as Mae had hoped and she begs the universe to show her what will make her happy, and the next thing she knows, she’s in a car accident and wakes up in the plane on the way to Utah to relive the holiday again…and again... This book features time loops, family drama, humor, and a little bit of romance, of course! It was a cute holiday read.
The Holiday Switch by Tif Marcelo
I had time to listen to a second holiday audiobook before Christmas, and this book sounded cute and was available to listen to right away through my library! The story follows Lila, a high school student and book blogger, as she meets Teddy, the nephew of her boss. The two spend a holiday season together and learn more about each other than they were expecting. The main characters are Filipino-American as is the author, and I loved reading the book from that perspective!
The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot
Did you know a new, COVID-era The Princess Diaries book is coming out soon?! I decided to reread the entire series on audio in preparation for the next installment! They’re pretty short reads. I love that Anne Hathaway reads the first three books, too. I had TOTALLY forgotten how much they changed from the book to the movie…for one, it’s set in NYC—not San Francisco! The Princess Diaries follow Mia Thermopolis, a nerdy high school student that learns her father was a prince of a small European country, Genovia, and that she is the heir to the throne. The book is told in diary entries from Mia’s perspective as she deals with princess lessons from her grandmother (the queen) as well as changes that happen at school because of her family.
Princess in the Spotlight by Meg Cabot
This book is second in The Princess Diaries series and is also read by Anne Hathaway. Mia’s mom shares unexpected news that throws a wrench in things just as she’s starting to get the hang of being a princess and a high school student at the same time. She also has to continue to deal with her grandmother, princess responsibilities, AND a new secret admirer.
Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman
I saw this book recommended by so many people, so I was thrilled to catch it on audio through my library (can you sense a theme?! I love Libby). I loved it so much that I’m planning on buying a physical copy, though the audio version is easy to listen to—especially if you love British accents, haha (I don’t care either way but I didn’t hate his voice, which is always good). Did you know that the average human life span is only 4,000 weeks (~80 years)? This is the pep talk on time management that everyone needs to read (or hear).
You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero
Korri and I decided to listen to an audiobook during our drive to Utah and back in January, and he borrowed this one for us (he read this book a few years ago and enjoyed). We didn’t make it through the whole thing, so I finished it once we got home. This nonfiction book features tips and tricks to help you change your mindset, make money, and create a life you love. Overall, it was good but there was some fatphobia and a lot of the word “manifesting” that I could’ve done without.
Spare by Prince Harry
I was lucky to jump on the waitlist for Spare shortly after it was added to Libby! I think I ended up 13th in line for the audiobook? My library purchased more copies after a few days, so I got a copy myself pretty quickly! I will say that I’m not a huge fan of the British monarchy; I watched Downton Abbey, which is about as close as I got to following the British upper class LOL. I was just very curious to learn more about Harry’s upbringing in the monarchy. I found it extremely fascinating (though the war parts were long), and the last quarter-ish of the book was the most interesting to me since it’s most recent. It made me angry for how terrible the British press is to him and Megan (and were to Diana). I did not realize how much they sway the public’s perception of the royal family. His stories also do not reflect positively on his family based on how they treated him and Megan. I learned a lot and highly recommend listening on audio since he reads it!
