The number of books I read last year is approximately 30. The challenge in 2023 was to read A to Z book titles. I only completed 16 alphabets and though I didn’t quite successfully finish that challenge I was very happy with the progress. I found some great books. Honestly for me the best part was going through a ton of recommendations to compile a list of books that I wanted to try and read for the challenge.

Without wasting your time, here are my favourite books I read in 2023.

Favourites in Fiction

A Man Called Ove – Fredrik Backman

I did not think I would love this book this much. This is the story of our grumpy old protagonist Ove, who is a stickler for rules and principles and does things the right way regardless of how everyone else around him feels. We witness how his life changes when he meets his new neighbours Patrick, his pregnant wife Parvaneh and their 2 girls.
Ove grows on you as we know more about him. I loved the flashbacks, I loved Ove’s interactions with Parvaneh — his confrontations with Parvaneh are absolutely hilarious, and I laughed at the various circumstances that leads Ove to show his disappointment in everyone and everything.

The author tells a heartwarming story and I ended up smiling more than I anticiapted.

Recursion – Blake Crouch

After a long time I felt the suspense filled anticipation of what will happen next in the story. I think this book wasn’t even in my original list of books to read. I honestly don’t remember how but I am glad it made its way into my TBR last year.

The premise of time-travel is a tricky one and a lot of things can go wrong in its execution. The science behind the whole time-travel stays in the zone of unbelievable, and you will need to suspend logic for it. But the plot doesn’t veer too much out of the defined parameters. Every time something happens to our characters at least I felt it was within the bounds of those parameters. This in itself made the book engaging and you are invested till the end.

This was an absolute roller coaster and I thoroughly recommend it.

Tomorrow And Tomorrow And Tomorrow – Gabrielle Zevin

This book took me out of my 3 month reading slump.

There isn’t a single specific reason why I enjoyed this book. Maybe it had something to do with the whole game development and programming background in which the plot is set in. The all-nighters are very relatable. I loved the realistic portrayal of the female protagonist working so hard to win recognition for her work in a field dominated by men. Our characters were flawed in their own way and these flaws defined their actions throughout the story. Their friendship wasn’t perfect and their growth had a natural progression. They didn’t just wake up one day and redeem themselves. I felt satisfied with where the author left it off. It was optimistic but more importantly realistic.

One word for this book – refreshing.

Favourite in Non-Fiction

Shockwave: Countdown to Hiroshima – Stephen Walker

The author manages to show all aspects of this world event as it progressed akin to watching a movie. You know what happens yet you are desperately hoping it ends differently.

So many things were happening behind the scenes before the bomb dropped. So many people were involved. So much planning. I was left with a grudging respect.

Act 4 was difficult to read, it created a visceral image and it left me with a feeling of helplessness. Of course nothing I feel could ever change what has already happened but I sincerely pray that we learn from the past so that innocent lives on both sides are not lost.

Favourite Book by an Indian Author

Zen – Shabnam Minwalla

The book balances 2 love stories, takes us on a small history lesson of Bombay/ Mumbai, there is a dash of initial freedom struggle, gives us a wonderful insight on the politics of religion and the struggles of inter religious marriage, throws in a mysterious ghost , and a big fat Indian wedding in the background. When you finish the book you will feel like you just watched a Bollywood movie. The love stories are set in two different era’s but it’s not really the main focus. It’s cute and I didn’t end up rolling my eyes every few pages so that was a big plus. The major plot moves around the undercurrent of religious discrimination that is still very much prevalent even now, and how sometimes it’s easy to manipulate others and break the peace that takes so much effort to build. The author navigates that well through the school debate scenes.

The book got the pulse of 2019 Mumbai just right and the 1935 Bombay felt unknown and fascinating. I definitely enjoyed reading it.

Honourable Mentions

The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart – Holly Ringland

Honestly I selected this book for L among all the others just because of the book cover. I have never been the type to pick books based on cover alone but this time I couldn’t hold back and I do not regret it. The illustrations and the meaning of flowers and how it was used to convey emotions in the book was something I loved from beginning till the end. Maybe even slightly more than the story itself.

When I started reading this book I was riveted. The book shows how domestic abuse affects the victims and I could feel myself wanting to protect little Alice. We see her grow, and create her new circle under the watchful eye of her grandmother (who I wasn’t a fan of). Some scars need a lot of time to heal and the healing starts with acceptance. It’s also true that women can be each others greatest advocate. My interest in the middle waned a little as the plot started becoming more predictable but the author managed to make the Australian desert feel dreamy and ethereal. I wish the book focussed a little more on all the “Flowers”. I will recommend if you are looking for a female centric plot.