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Annual Top 10 Lists
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Top 10 of 2023 (well technically the Top 11)
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In true form-I onlyThe Covenant of Water
This is the first time ever that I have read 8 of the 11. Four of them were in my Top Ten. Heaven and Earth I just read in January, and I am reading Covenant of Earth right now. I did not include Remarkably Bright Creatures in my top ten, although I really liked it. And Tomorrow x3, I can't remember if it was in my top ten or honorable mentions. So maybe it was 5/8 that was in top ten. But its nice to be so aligned with the group. Also, one of the honorable mentions, Carrie Soto is back, might have made my top ten as well. I always like it when I am aligned, but that is the nature of the group. That we have different tastes and different reactions. Nancy, I hope you find something to read.
I've read three (though I just Finished The Covenant of Water this week.Also read two of the honorable mentions.
Don't remember at all which ones I voted for.
I've only read three of the top eleven, but two more are definitely on my list. I feel unusually out of sync with this year's list lol (opposite of Amy). I didn't like two of the three I read very much.I did read two of the four honorable mentions. Lolita is brilliant and a five star read for me. I really enjoyed Hello Beautiful.
BC, did you like Covenant of Water?
I read four on the top 10 and two in honorable mention.Three in the top 10 also made my list.
I've read 7 of the top 11. I keep in mind that as far as I could tell, The Running Grave only had 3 votes. In a group this diverse many of us list books that no one else: 1) likes at all, 2)likes enough or 3) read that year.
I'm definitely out of sync with Demon Copperhead. I keep putting myself on waiting lists and checking it out of the library, but I haven't been able to make myself stick with it. Too depressing, I guess.
I am thrilled to see Lolita made HM. Not just because it was one of mine, but because it is a classic, not a recently published.Also pleased by that SciFi read Project Hail Mary there too. Love seeing genre reads reflected!
As for the actual top 10 - I read and included Hamnet in my top 10. I have 3 or 4 others in my TBR Towers, maturing.
I read 6 of the top 11, and 3 of the honorable mentions.
I read 12 of the 15. There was only one book (a series book) that I didn’t recognize and will probably never read. The other two might take a while. I might reread Lolita some day, since I was probably close to Lolita’s age when I read it the first time, or I’ll rewatch one of the films.Some of these have been in the list several times I think — project Hail Mary and Hamnet.?
Amy wrote: "This is the first time ever that I have read 8 of the 11. Four of them were in my Top Ten. Heaven and Earth I just read in January, and I am reading Covenant of Earth right now. I did not include R..."Tx3 is the one I own, so that would work for steeplechase - a book on a best of 2023 list. Berry Pickers and Birnam Wood are both on a couple lists too. I fell asleep reading Birnam Wood this morning (and didn’t get far at all), so it will be one of those 3.
I've read 6 of the top 11 and plan to listen to the audio of Tom Lake in the next couple of weeks. Of the 6 I've read, the only one I gave 5 stars to (besides Demon Copperhead) was The Running Grave, and that was because I am addicted to the series. I wouldn't expect someone who wasn't a fan to feel as strongly about it. I was underwhelmed by Hamnet, Remarkably Bright Creatures, Fourth Wing, and Babel. I admired what each of those authors had done but I felt like they all tried too hard. Hamnet tried too hard to be poetic/symbolic, Remarkably Bright Creatures tried too hard to be sweet, Fourth Wing tried too hard to please teenagers, and Babel tried too hard to get its anticolonial message across. Of the honorable mentions, I did read and love Project Hail Mary.
Anita wrote: "BC, did you like Covenant of Water?LOVED it. 5*****
Well, I wasn't crazy about "Hamnet" (the only one on the list I've read). I think the only other one on my tbr is "Project Hail Mary". Not sure if I want to read "Demon Copperhead" or not. Kingsolver is hot or cold for me, but the most recent was 1 star (I think), and I think I've only ever given out fewer than five 1 star ratings. May have been 1.5, but the fewer than five still holds for that, so I shy away.
ETA: "The Lacuna" was 1 star. I commented in my review it's my one and only 1 star rating ever.
I also lied. "Project Hail Mary" is not on my tbr. Maybe I was just considering it at some point.
By the way, I will plan to shelve these on the weekend.
I have read just one of these books! I read Remarkably Bright Creatures earlier this month. So, clearly none of my top 10 for 2023 made the cut. Apparently I read outside of the box, or behind the popular crowd. I am fine with that :)
I am with you Lyn, in or out of my box-and also just fine with it. Though my reading taste differs from a lot of the members the friendships found here have been a light in my life.
Book Concierge wrote: "Anita wrote: "BC, did you like Covenant of Water?LOVED it. 5*****"
Oh, good to know! I intend to read it, but had heard mixed reviews so wasn't sure. I will keep it on my list for sure.
Lyn wrote: "I have read just one of these books! I read Remarkably Bright Creatures earlier this month. So, clearly none of my top 10 for 2023 made the cut. Apparently I read outside of the box, or behind the ..."We are together on this, Lyn! Honestly, I originated this group so people could read together, but not have to read the same thing - - so I'm glad we still have people reading differently.
LibraryCin wrote: "Well, I wasn't crazy about "Hamnet" (the only one on the list I've read). I think the only other one on my tbr is "Project Hail Mary". Not sure if I want to read "Demon Copperhead" or not. Kingso..."
Demon Copperhead is a lot more straightforward than Lacuna, but it’s still quite long and depressing. I think you’re more likely to enjoy Project Hail Mary.
Yes, Demon Copperhead especially appeals to us literature majors, with how brilliantly it matches David Copperfield. It is rather depressing since it is all based on current-day problems.Some of the "popular" books I have read because of online or in person book groups choosing them because they are popular - a kind of vicious circle.
Robin P wrote: "Yes, Demon Copperhead especially appeals to us literature majors, with how brilliantly it matches David Copperfield. It is rather depressing since it is all based on current-day problems.Some of ..."
I've been thinking that one of my biggest problems with Demon has to do with how much I love David. Or more accurately, I think Dickens has more humor in almost every character and I haven't found that (so far) in the Kingsolver book. I do give Demon credit for his sardonic humor. I love his sarcasm.
I need to make myself finish this book!
Jgrace wrote: "Robin P wrote: "Yes, Demon Copperhead especially appeals to us literature majors, with how brilliantly it matches David Copperfield. It is rather depressing since it is all based on current-day pro..."I do want to read David Copperfield at some point just to see if I appreciate Demon more after reading it.
I read 5 of the 11 and loved all but 1 of them I I was diappointed in The heaven and Earth Grocery Store but gave 5 stars to Remarkably Bright Creatures,and Tomorrow X 3 I gave 4 stars to The Winners and The Covenant of Water.I plan to read Demon Copperhead, Hamnet and Tom Lake I read and loved Hello Beautiful but found that Project Hail Mary was not for me.
Anita wrote: "Lyn wrote: "I have read just one of these books! I read Remarkably Bright Creatures earlier this month. So, clearly none of my top 10 for 2023 made the cut. Apparently I read outside of the box, or..."Anita, this is why I enjoy PBT so much. We all like different types of books, but we are reading together.
Our "Top Ten" list reflects this, since I am sure that each of the top books did not garner that many votes - just a needed majority. When I was reading people's individual top 10 lists, I was struck by how diverse they were. Isn't that great!
Anita wrote: "Book Concierge wrote: "Anita wrote: "BC, did you like Covenant of Water?LOVED it. 5*****"
Oh, good to know! I intend to read it, but had heard mixed reviews so wasn't sure. I will keep it on my ..."
I loved it too, Anita. It would also fit for "authors of color" if you're looking to read it soon.
I agree with Holly. The diversity of the reading within this group is awesome. I have broadened my reading since joining this group, and explored genres I never would have considered before. I enjoy the discussions and the recommendations and the challenges. And have read many books I never would have found without this group. Thanks everyone!
Anita wrote: "Jgrace wrote: "Robin P wrote: "Yes, Demon Copperhead especially appeals to us literature majors, with how brilliantly it matches David Copperfield. It is rather depressing since it is all based on ..."David Copperfield is one of my favorite Dickens' novels. I am overdue for a reread.
My favorite Dickens should be pretty obvious to those who really know me - A Tale of Two Cities.
Holly R W wrote: "Anita wrote: "Lyn wrote: "I have read just one of these books! I read Remarkably Bright Creatures earlier this month. So, clearly none of my top 10 for 2023 made the cut. Apparently I read outside ..."You make a great point! It took only 4 "votes" to make our top 10 list this year which does speak to the great variety of titles that were nominated. Thank you for pointing that out!
Joy D wrote: "Anita wrote: "Book Concierge wrote: "Anita wrote: "BC, did you like Covenant of Water?LOVED it. 5*****"
Oh, good to know! I intend to read it, but had heard mixed reviews so wasn't sure. I will ..."
I didn't know that actually!! Thank you for the heads up. I may have to suck it up and buy it.
Lyn wrote: "I agree with Holly. The diversity of the reading within this group is awesome. I have broadened my reading since joining this group, and explored genres I never would have considered before. I enjo..."Thank you, Lyn!!! Your words warm my heart, truly.
Wow, I've read 6 of those, and really liked them. So proud of myself. I'm with Lyn and Holly. I remember when I joined PBT on Shelfari in 2008 and the tag was dragons. I had never read a book with dragons that wasn't a book I'd read to sons when they were young. I found books I loved with dragons because of this group!
None of these are ones I voted for this time! However, I've given 4 stars to two of them if I include the honourable mentions, and am waiting to get Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, plus there are a couple of others I'd like to read at some point. That said, there are at least 2 authors on the list who I've given more than one 5 star rating to, and at least one other I've given one 5 star rating to.I DNF one book in the 2-6 tie, and at least two books on the list are ones that aren't up my alley.
I'm used to this, but am surprised that 0 are ones I gave 5 stars to this time.
NancyJ wrote: "Demon Copperhead is a lot more straightforward than Lacuna, but it’s still quite long and depressing. I think you’re more likely to enjoy Project Hail Mary...."Thank you, Nancy! Good to know!
New here, but read and loved Demon Copperhead , Hamnet, and Remarkably Bright Creatures. Started and dnf or didn't like a couple more, and have a few more on my 2024 tbr lists.
And the shelving is done. I did not add in the honourable mentions. I checked back and it's been a few years since HMs were mentioned in the top 10 announcement and I did not add them to the shelf that year (2020), so I am doing it the same way this time.
https://www.goodreads.com/group/books...
ETA: Though in 2021 and 2022 there were way more than a top 10 because there were so many ties!
Play Book Tag
Books mentioned in this topic
Demon Copperhead (other topics)Hamnet (other topics)
Remarkably Bright Creatures (other topics)
A Tale of Two Cities (other topics)
Project Hail Mary (other topics)
More...
1. Demon Copperhead
Not terribly surprising given we previously anointed Barbara Kingsolver our favorite author.
Tied for the second through sixth spots are:
2-6. The Covenant of Water
2-6. Hamnet
2-6. The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store
2-6. Tom Lake
2-6. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
And the final group of tied titles for the seventh through eleventh slots are:
7-11. Babel
7-11. Fourth Wing
7-11. Remarkably Bright Creatures
7-11. The Running Grave
7-11. The Winners
There were three books that qualified for honorable mention and those were:
Carrie Soto Is Back
Hello Beautiful
Lolita
Project Hail Mary