2023: A Year-In-Reading

January

We All Want Impossible Things, Catherine Newman

If you love your friends, motherhood, the messiness of middle age and dying, then this is the book to read. I have loved Catherine Newman for a long time–it’s so random, but she writes a great occasional blog (which introduced me to Wednesday Cake!) and has a soft spot for teenagers. I cried and laughed when I read this one, and then immediately called my bestie.

Black Cake, Charmaine Wilkerson

I read this one in a couple of days. Couldn’t put down this family saga held together by secrets and recipes. I immediately thought of some other great texts that would build out a ladder for this one, including Staceyann Chin’s The Other Side of Paradise, among others.

Everyman, M. Shelley Connor

This one came recommended by Son of Baldwin. More Southern family Black drama and super queer. I was HERE FOR IT! I related to the main character’s search to learn her family secrets, her journey back to the South from Chicago, and the storylines that branched from that one. If you read this one, might be good to take notes so you can keep the many people straight.

February

After the Rain: Gentle Reminders for Healing, Courage and Self-Love, Alexandra Elle

Speaks to my heartbrokenness after a tough break up and the work I’m doing to heal myself and never abandon myself again. I particularly appreciated the affirmations throughout and have written some down on post-its to remember this work is worth it. Also makes a great gift.

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, Gabrielle Zevin

My bestie recommended this and I was taken by the hard friendship that was the throughline of the book and the video games that brought and kept them (sorta) together.

Love and Rage: The Path of Liberation Through Anger, Lama Rod Owens

Lama Rod really helps figure out how to live with our anger and radically accept our lives, our heartbreak, and our healing.

March

Any Where You Run, Wanda M. Morris

Marrying the Ketchups, Jennifer Close

June

Dyscalculia, Camoghne Felix

July

Hijab Butch Blues, A Memoir, Lamya H.

Goodbye Earl: A Revenge Novel, Leesa Cross-Smith

August

Remember Us, Jacqueline Woodson