My Husband's Favorite Books of the Year

guest starring....my husband

Do you know that my husband does like 90% of the work that I get credit for? At the bookstore, I mean. He does not write my novels (though he does help with those) but he does run the store. You all listen to me yammer on about books all the time, so I thought you might be interested in the rest of the Books Are Magic’s household reading intake in 2023. Without further ado, here are Mike’s top books of 2023!

Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton

He says, and I sort of quote, “It’s a propulsive thriller about a group of people who use other people’s land to farm vegetables to sell. That’s not really it. It’s a page-turner that is completely engrossing. You will not want to stop.” He says it’s not really about vegetables, but it is about a terrible, awful billionaire.

Wellness by Nathan Hill

He says, “Wellness is everything. Heartbreaking portrait of a twenty-year marriage and a commentary of wellness culture, art, family, and how the internet is destroying our lives.”

Fireworks Every Night by Beth Raymer

He says, “Brutal family story that shows exactly what the empty promises of Florida did to people flocking there in the 80s and 90s. I was one of them.” (Ouch.) (I took this picture yesterday at our favorite restaurant in Florida, Dune Dog, a perfect place, so Florida is not without its charms.)

Gone to the Wolves John Wray

He says, “A story of friendship in the world of death metal. If you loved Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, this book is for you.” (He also says that you do not have to love or care about death metal. I asked.)

Literal angel Annie P

Tom Lake Ann Patchett

He says, “The warmest, most comforting hug you’ll get all year. It’s just the kind of book that makes you feel so cared for as a reader.”

Thanks, Mikey!