Reading at recess #1: My top 5 books of 2023 so far
And some other stuff I've loved this year
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Welcome to my new mid-month issue of The hallpass! While the post I send out the first week of the month will remain the same (my rambling thoughts and a few links), these mid-month posts will be a little more fun. And even though the series is called “Reading at recess,” they won’t always be all about books. Please feel free to leave a comment and share your thoughts.
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My top 5 books of 2023 (so far)
5. A Living Remedy by Nicole Chung
Nicole Chung’s second memoir is about the year she unexpectedly lost both her parents—first, her father, to diabetes and kidney disease, and then her mother, to cancer during the pandemic while Nicole wasn’t able to visit. It’s a beautiful and heartbreaking exploration of grief, and not only the grief that comes from losing someone, but from all the other moments and hopes that must be grieved along the way.
I’ve been in my memoir era this year as I’ve been working through my own grief, and this was such a healing book to read. I haven’t read the author’s previous book but I loved this one so much that I instantly put it on hold at the library.
4. Happy Place by Emily Henry
Harriet and Wyn broke off their engagement months ago, but they end up on their annual getaway with their friend group and decide to pretend they’re still together. Romantic chaos ensues.
Emily Henry books just make me happy, even though this wasn’t my favorite of her’s. Somehow I always plan a vacation of my own right after her new book releases each year, I download it to my Kindle, and I finish it within the week. It’s a perfect system. I loved the friend elements in this one almost more than the romance.
3. Old Enough by Haley Jakobson
Sav is a college student who has recently come out as bisexual and is trying to make the most of her sophomore year. However, when her best friend from home gets engaged and needs her to attend the wedding and everything leading up to it, Sav is confronted by memories from her past that she can’t shake. (TW: sexual assault)
This book was equal parts fun and serious, with a found family full of good feelings and a relatable main character. I thought the descriptions of trauma and trauma responses were approached with great care and despite the often difficult subject matter, it didn’t feel too heavy.
2. Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
Our main character, a 26-year-old white woman named June, witnesses her friend Athena Liu die in a freak accident. Then she steals Athena’s book manuscript about the nearly-unknown contributions of Chinese laborers to WWI and publishes it as her own. Is that a problem?
I don’t think I’ve had this much fun reading a book in a long time. Kuang has written a brilliant examination of the publishing industry, cancel culture, racism, appropriation, etc. It’s satirical and funny and so addicting. I read it in three days.
1. Big Swiss by Jen Beagin
Greta moves into a decrepit farmhouse in a small town after ending her engagement and finds a job as a transcriptionist for a sex therapist named Om. Soon, she becomes infatuated with one of his clients, a woman she nicknames “Big Swiss” since she doesn’t know her real name. But one day, she recognizes a voice at the dog park and can’t resist introducing herself.
I feel like I’ve been talking about this book to everyone I know because that’s how obsessed I am with it. It’s absolutely unhinged and ridiculous but also has some deeper themes, and I loved every second of it. HBO is making it into a show with Jodie Comer as Big Swiss.
Some other things I’ve loved this year
I haven’t watched enough TV or played enough games to do a top five list, but here are some of my favorites so far.
TV shows
Fleishman is in Trouble: The postpartum episode in this alone is so good and important, but the whole show is incredible. One of my favorites of this year and possibly ever.
The Bear, season 2: This is a show about a chef and a restaurant, and the food scenes are very nice. Where it really shines, though, is in its exploration of mental health and family dynamics and personal growth. 10/10.
Games
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom: I had my doubts about whether this game could be better than Breath of the Wild. It is. I have over 45 hours of play time and I haven’t even unlocked the whole map.
Wylde Flowers: Basically, a farming sim with magic and no fighting. Plus, it’s voice-acted! Gaming is such a good form of self-care for me and this one is relaxing and has so much to do. It’s only thing on this list that came out last year but I spent a lot of time playing it this spring.
Adding these to my TBR now. Love your newsletter!