It’s A Wrap !

Cheers to another incredible journey around the sun!

As 2023 gracefully bows out, it’s time for a heartfelt recap of the year’s literary adventures. From the enchanting worlds recommended by friends to the gems discovered through the buzzing whispers of social media, my bookshelf has been a portal to diverse tales. Join me as I reflect on the pages turned, the wisdom gained, and the simple joys found within the covers of my favourite reads from 2023.

Let the bookish recommendations unfold!

People of the Book – Geraldine Brooks

This literary masterpiece unravels the mysteries of a rare illuminated manuscript through the hands that have touched it across centuries. A spellbinding tale intertwining history, art, and humanity, revealing the profound impact of a single artefact on generations.

Join the spirited Dr. Hanna Heath in Geraldine Brooks’ “People of the Book,” a riveting historical fiction saga. Hanna, a dedicated book conservator, unravels the compelling history of the Sarajevo Haggadah.

The narrative seamlessly shifts between Hanna’s revelations and the tumultuous events shaping the Haggadah’s fate, from war-ravaged Sarajevo to its haven in the National Museum. Imagining the Haggadah’s vivid past, Hanna, guided by mentor Werner Heinrich, unearths clues—a black girl in an illustration, bloodstains, a white hair, and a butterfly wing. As she globetrots, aided by friends, the novel unveils the Haggadah’s enchanting journey, fusing fiction with its captivating real-life secrets.

It is a riveting book spanning 500 years and the Haggadah’s journey and stories associated therewith.

Honestly, this book captured me at the outset, and I could not put it down.

The Chancellor – Kati Marton

I am not one that is politically motivated and to be honest I am somewhat wary of all politicians: making promises they cannot keep, questionable ethics and overall ineptitude.   This book was my book club’s read and I must say that if there ever were a politician that I completely revere, it would be Angela Merkel.

Kati Marton delves into Merkel’s remarkable journey with beautifully scripted accounts. With insider insights and fresh revelations, Marton unveils the enigma behind Merkel’s unexpected rise. From deftly confronting Russian challenges to pioneering social policies, Merkel’s political brilliance shines through. Marton skillfully navigates through Merkel’s diplomatic dance, deftly confronting and managing figures like Putin and Trump.

This impressively researched account paints a private Merkel as a powerful role model. It’s not just a political biography but also a peek into successful leadership, proving that Merkel’s story is nothing short of extraordinary.

If only all politicians were like Angela Merkel. Truly, I have absolute and complete respect for this remarkable woman!

The Marriage Portrait – Maggie O’Farrell

As many friends and family know, I am a sucker for historical fiction. I simply love all things WWII, Tudor era, and ancient Rome… this novel set in the Renaissance and di Medici era in Florence Italy is rich with visuals and historical facts is particularly intriguing.

Embark on a journey to 16th-century Florence with Lucrezia, the spirited third daughter of the grand duke. Branded untameable by her family, she finds solace in her own world of drawings and secret observations of her father’s menagerie. When her sister Maria’s death alters her fate, Lucrezia, at a tender age of thirteen, is thrust into an unfamiliar court and an unexpected marriage to Ferrara’s ruler.

As she grapples with the pressures to secure the Ferranese dynasty’s future, her destiny unfolds dramatically. Fast forward to a gripping opening where Lucrezia suspects danger in her marriage, setting the stage for a narrative that artfully unravels her captivating journey.

Despite critics dismissing “The Marriage Portrait” for perceived verbosity and one-dimensional characters, I wholeheartedly disagree. The narrative’s richness, especially in describing fabrics, dresses, art and music, not only adds layers to the story but serves as a symbolic reflection of power dynamics.

If you enjoy historical fiction and novels depicting life during the di Medici era… this is for you!

Demon Copperhead – Barbara Kingsolver

This book caught me by surprise. I had little expectations or back-story to set out reading it.

Nestled in the southern Appalachia mountains, “Demon Copperhead” unfolds the raw tale of a boy, his roots tangled in a singlewide trailer and a legacy of copper hair from a father long gone. Armed with a sharp wit and survival instincts, Demon bares his soul in a no-nonsense narrative.

From foster care and child labour to love’s wreckage and heart-wrenching losses, he faces the stark realities of a world indifferent to rural struggles. Barbara Kingsolver, channelling Dickens, adapts a Victorian epic to the modern South, echoing anger, compassion, and the potent magic of storytelling.

Demon Copperhead is a voice for a new generation, navigating the complexities of beautiful, cursed hometowns.

To be honest, this is not exactly a light read, but the compelling storytelling and the evolving story made this book hard to put down.

The Reading List – Sara Nisha Adams

This book truly has been one of my favourites. The Reading List unfolds a poignant narrative centered on a mysteriously circulated list of recommended novels discovered in a West London suburb library.

Celebrating the enduring joys of literature in an era marked by technological distractions, the novel traces the unlikely friendship between Mukesh Patel, a discreet widower in his seventies, and Aleisha Thomas, a perceptive teenager navigating her summer responsibilities at the Wembley library.

As the two traverse the list’s literary offerings, the story delves into the complexities of their emotional landscapes, exploring themes of intergenerational camaraderie, grief, and the enduring significance of libraries in a digital age.

Not only the discussions of each book, the underlying question of WHO left the list was a mystery to unravel.

Beautifully written and has inspired me to re-read or read the books on the list. The books were:

• To Kill a Mockingbird
• Rebecca
• The Kite Runner
• The Life of Pi
• Little Women
• Pride & Prejudice
• Beloved
• A Suitable Boy.

Though I had read many, many more books over the year, these were the ones that profoundly stuck with me.   I hope that if you haven’t read them yet you do delve into them… do let me know what you think!

Happy reading!

Xoxo~ Sandra