#2 Lyndsay's Library - My Must-Read Books Of 2023
To perhaps inspire a Christmas gift to a loved one or a gift for yourself over the festive period. Plus a couple of extra gift ideas for those book lovers in your life 📚🎄
Hello and welcome to the second edition of Lyndsay’s Library!
In this edition, I wanted to give you a round up of my favourite books of 2023. This list may come in useful for when you are searching for something to read over the Christmas period or perhaps as a gift for a loved one. I have read so many books this year (a wonderful benefit of travelling and not working!) and the ones I’ve listed below have stuck with me, each in their own way.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Elizabeth Zott is a chemist in the 1950’s, a time when women weren’t really expected to be chemists. But that’s exactly what Elizabeth does - she defies all expectations. Even her own. The story is all at once funny, unique, sad and inspiring - an absolute must read.
Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
As one of the biggest bands of the seventies, Daisy Jones and the Six are making waves. But the band and its members aren't without their drama. You are taken on a journey, their journey, as told by the members of the band in a surprising, yet engaging, way of story telling, making you fall in love one by one with each of the characters.
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
It was fascinating to read Elizabeth’s story, to understand her desire to do what she did, her accounts of living in Italy, in India, in Indonesia, and what she gained from each of her experiences, the people she met, the way she slowly began to peel back the layers and understand herself more fully. And above all, Elizabeth Gilbert is a fantastic writer, drawing you in, making you feel as if you are right there with her. It made me think, it made me question, it made me believe.
Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
The story travels through the lives of Frank and Cleo and the struggles of two people on completely different paths but entwined in matrimony. It touches on addiction, on struggles with identity and belonging, and on suicide. But all of this is done with grace, understanding and empathy.
Yellowface by R F Kuang
June is a novelist whose career didn't get off to the easiest of starts. Her friend, Athena, is also a novelist but one that rose to stardom immediately, until she died in a freak accident. This book tells the tale of jealousy, of loneliness, of fame, of the things people will do in the face of all of these things.
My Friend Anne Frank by Hannah Pick-Goslar
Hannah shares her own story from before, during and after the war, from the introduction of anti-Jewish laws in Amsterdam to being transferred to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp and of her continuous wonders around the fate of her best friend, Anne Frank, following her mysterious disappearance. Telling the tale of an innocent childhood being torn apart by war and the Nazi regime, it’s powerfully moving, heart-breaking and hope-inspiring.
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
The story is about Sam and Sadie and their passion for creating computer games. But really it’s SO MUCH more than that. It’s also about friendship and love and life, about growing up, about learning about yourself, accepting who you are whilst making sure to not blur the lines between reality and virtual reality.
The Success Myth by Emma Gannon
Emma questions myths around jobs, money, ambition, productivity and of course, success. Through her words Emma had the power to make me feel less alone as a lot of my thoughts and feelings were brought to life, making me realise I’m not alone. The book is deep and delightful, and a must read for anyone who is questioning their path in life and what a successful life means to them.
In Memoriam by Alice Winn
War seems a distant worry for Gaunt and Ellwood in the safety of their boarding school tucked peacefully away in the English countryside. They spend their days having fun with their classmates but underneath it all they are both holding a secret - their true feelings for each other. Soon enough, they are on the front line, torn apart, watching on at the tragedies of war whilst wondering if they will be next, if they will ever be reunited and if their forbidden love can ever be sparked.
Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead
Our main protagonist, Marian Graves, is a daredevil wannabe-pilot, and she will do anything to ensure her dreams come true. The story skips between Montana in the prohibition-era and Los Angeles in the modern day, leaving you wondering if the two are going to be intertwined in some way.
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
This memoir shook me to my very core and it will be one of those books that stays with me forever. Paul is a neurosurgeon who at 36 is faced with a terminal cancer diagnosis. He writes about his journey of becoming a doctor and life after his diagnosis. I wrote about this more here if you are interested.
Landlines by Raynor Winn
Raynor’s husband was previously diagnosed with a long term illness and they found that walking was a lifeline for him, but as his health was beginning to deteriorate again, they decided to tackle the Cape Wrath Trail on the west coast of the Scottish Highlands. Along the way they observed the wilderness, telling stories of the people they meet whilst desperately filled with hope of another miracle. This plus her other books, The Salt Path and The Wild Silence, make for a wonderful trio of books.
Go as a river by Shelley Read
Set between the 1940’s and 1970’s in Colorado, the novel brings to you the tale of Victoria and her coming-of-age journey. Exquisitely written, you become captured in the mesmerising words, of the perfectly described landscape, of the power of fate, and survival and love. I was transported to another world, one that I didn’t want to leave.
Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey
Hilarious and relatable in so many ways, we follow Maggie as she navigates divorce, friendship and that search for the elusive state we call happiness.
Talking At Night by Claire Waverley
Will and Rosie are opposites in every way but unexpected to both of them, they become drawn to each other. That is until one day their worlds are broken. You follow the path of each of them, through the various trials and tribulations of life, and you wonder if their love will ever be strong enough to be rekindled. If you enjoyed Normal People by Sally Rooney, then this is for you.
I’ve also enjoyed the Thursday Murder series by Richard Osman, I’ve made my way through all novels by Taylor Jenkins Reid and most of Colleen Hoover’s. I’ve enjoyed a few memoirs this year which is a category I haven’t really read before, and I should add that I also thoroughly enjoyed Matthew Perry’s autobiography, Friends, Lovers and The Big Terrible Thing. I was terribly saddened by the news of his death and I think this book should be read now more than ever. I haven’t read much non-fiction this year despite every year telling myself that I will. I honestly can’t seem to get into non-fiction in the same way I can fiction. Maybe 2024 should be my year of non-fiction but, in all honesty, there is no better escapism to me than reading a novel.
Book adaptations
If you find yourself with some free time, particularly in that weird space between Christmas and New Year, perhaps you can settle down to watch a TV show or two. Now, I can be a little sceptical when novels become movies or TV shows but I’ll admit that I’ve watched and enjoyed a couple of adaptations this year. Daisy Jones and the Six TV series is divine and the soundtrack stayed in my head for weeks. I’ve most recently watched the Apple Original of Lessons in Chemistry. The protagonist, Elizabeth Zott, could be one of my favourites ever and I was nervous around how she would be depicted on screen. Brie Larson however nails it and I thoroughly enjoyed watching. On a side note, one of my favourite books of 2022, It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover is being released as a movie next year which I’m very intrigued by!
Gifts for book lovers
I started my Christmas shopping this week and as I was browsing, I stumbled across some gorgeous gift ideas for book lovers which I thought I would share with you in case you are in need of any gift inspiration.
Papier have these gorgeous reading journals which contain space to review 32 books along with 8 pages worth of reading wish lists to complete. You can capture journal prompts for reviews or book clubs and also make a note of your most loved books. What I love about the Papier products is that they can be personalised, making them extra special. I would love this as a gift as I’m sure other book lovers would too. Imagine being able to flip through the pages, remembering all of those wonderful (or not so wonderful!) books that have filled your time and memory.
Everyone loves a novelty mug (I actually bought myself one recently from an independent book store in Kirkcudbright, Scotland!) and after a quick search on the internet, there are some great ones out there. The Literary Gift Company have a good selection for readers and writers and everyone in between!
Bookishly have various subscription models where for a monthly fee you can receive a beautiful surprise through the post. My favourite is the Classics Revisited - Book and Luxury Chocolate Subscription. It includes a modern book based on or inspired by literature’s best loved classics and a bar of artisan handmade chocolate, gift wrapped and delivered straight through the letterbox each month. They have other options, some with tea and coffee, so you can pick the best one for the lucky recipient. It’s literally the gift that keeps on giving!
I hope you enjoyed this edition of Lyndsay’s Library! I would love to know your favourite books of 2023 so please do add them to the comments below. I will soon be compiling my reading list for 2024 so any recommendations would be amazing!
See you next time 💜💫📚
