First book of the New Year

[Lisa]

I decided to end 2022 with a reread of a favorite book and read The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern again. And loved it again.

My first book for 2023 is Wonder by Emma Donoghue - I saw the movie advertised on Netflix, enjoy Florence Pugh’s work and thought I would read the book first. I have a horrible feeling that I’ve figured it out. But it’s a good book.

[Alwynne]

Paul wrote: "The Complete Short Fiction of Virginia Woolf for me - had read various of her stories in different collections, but have now read all of the pieces.

Here own New Year resolutions for 1931

To have..."

I'm planning to get to that collection this year too. I came across a list of some of her resolutions online, particularly in favour of her feelings about clothes and avoiding irritation!

https://twitter.com/arushisinha/statu...

I have the five-volume diaries so hoping to finally read them all the way through this year too.

[Debra]

Oh, I would love to read Virginia Woolf's diaries! I should add that to my list of New Year's "intentions" (which is currently empty).

My last book of 2022 was The Cemetery in Barnes and I am currently reading The Custom of the Country and Strega. My guess is that Strega will be the first book that I finish in 2023 since it is a much shorter read.

[Alwynne]

If you don't have much time Debra, you could try her Selected Diaries it flows really well - and you don't have to wrestle with long-winded descriptions of Leonard's political meetings.

[Stacia]

I just finished The Assembly of the Severed Head by Hugh Lupton. What a fabulous start to my 2023 reading. I absolutely loved it & highly recommend it.

Since some of you are in England, I will mention that a friend pointed out that Hugh Lupton is currently crowd-sourcing his next book through Unbound. One option that is available is a weekend in a yurt in North Norfolk with storytelling by the fireside on a Saturday night. How I wish I were in England!

[WndyJW]

I loved The Assembly of the Severed Head!! I’m so pleased to see it has another fan. I don’t remember how I heard about it, but I’ve not seen any discussion of it which I thought I was sad. I read it a year and half ago and I still think about it.

I’m going to look up Hugh Lupton’s Unbound book. How fantastic would it be to sit by a fire and listen to a storyteller?

[Nadine in California]

WndyJW wrote: "I loved The Assembly of the Severed Head!! I’m so pleased to see it has another fan. I don’t remember how I heard about it, but I’ve not seen any discussion of it which I thought I was sad. I read ..."

I've ordered a copy - I'm intrigued!

[WndyJW]

I hope you like it, Nadine!

[Phyllis]

I ended 2022 and began 2023 with two books I read for the upcoming 2023 Tournament of Books. Both were debut novels and not the type of book to which I am most attracted, but I found them both to do a good job at what it seemed to me they set out to do. Don't regret the time I spent with them.

last book of 2022: Olga Dies Dreaming
first book of 2023: Nightcrawling

[Stacia]

Wendy, I can't remember how I heard about it but likely it was your review that spurred me to get it.

Nadine, I hope you enjoy it!

Phyllis, glad to read your comments on both those books (ones I am considering but haven't read yet).

[WndyJW]

I had no intention of reading Nightcrawling when I read about it and read a few reviews that complained about the language, but then I read a chapter on the Booker site and was impressed. I found it raw, moving, and important. I’m so glad I read it.

I’m extra pleased that my review gave you the nudge for The Assembly of Severed Heads, Stacia!