The Book Nook Chronicles

Dear Readers,

How is 2023 almost halfway over?

My life has taken some shifts in the work department since January, not in position or company, but in location. A once heavily remote position (due predominately to the pandemic), I am now expected to be in the office four days a week. This has resulted in adding a commute back into my every day, which has weirdly created a designated reading time for me before and after work.

Ironically, but not surprisingly, my commute has morphed into my favorite part of each day – especially when I get a seat. For anyone who understands the CTA (or any form of an urban metro system), there’s a sense of serendipitous magic when you land a seat during the rush-hour commute. You know you are going to have a solid day when you secure one of these stained, carpet-lined plastic thrones. Rush-hour train cars are one of the busiest places in any city – which creates a pocket of privacy in its constant chaos.

Since January, I’ve read 10 books. That’s 8 more books than this time last year and 3 more books than this time in 2021. For me, that’s a record worth celebrating. I have a collection of titles I would like to tackle during the second half of this year to meet my goal of 23 reads in 2023. Here are 7 books I’m looking forward to the most:

The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic by Breanne Randall

Instagram’s algorithm promoted a reel posted by Breanne Randall about her debut novel, The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic about a month ago. She is describing her book as a Gilmore Girls meets Practical Magic mashup, so you best believe I’ll be reading this one wrapped up in a comfy flannel and a frozen margarita in hand.

Snowflake by Louise Nealon

I snagged this book when my local Barnes and Noble closed in April (they were downsizing and I’m not sure where the new store ended up). As an international bestseller written by an up-and-coming Irish author, I knew I had to read it.

Home Work: A Memoir of My Hollywood Years by Julie Andrews with Emma Walton Hamilton

Julie Andrews’ movies were a bonding force between me and my late maternal grandmother. I even tried to walk down the aisle to an instrumental version of Edelweiss, but alas the Catholic church was not here for it. Little did I know, my husband and I got married on Andrews’ birthday so we unknowingly added a little nod to her anyways. I plan on reading this in October during my husband and I’s anniversary vacation to Germany, which in an odd way, also feels very fitting.

Me vs Brain by Hayley Morris

Hayley Morris is a constant source of joy for me when I jump onto Instagram (I know she’s a TikTok star, but I’m old-school with my personal social media accounts). I can’t wait to read the thoughts of my fellow overthinking, body-positive feminist.

White Feminism by Koa Beck

I have had this book on my shelf for about two years now and I have meant to read it during Women’s History Month each year. Since that plan hasn’t worked thus far, I’m just going to read it sometime in the second half of this year.

The Plum Trees by Victoria Shorr

I haven’t read a WW2-inspired book in quite some time, but I saw this book on my Barnes and Noble run (mentioned above) and fell in love with its cover. Yes, I know the saying says not to do that, but I don’t care.

We Are the Brennans by Tracey Lange

I’ve had this title on my TBR for a while and think it will be a fun, very on-brand read for the remaining part of my year.

I’m leaving the 6 remaining reads of 2023 up to fate, kind of like the way my latest read by Samantha Irby fell into my lap (full review of Quietly Hostile up next weekend!) If you’re ever interested in keeping up with my endless TBR list, you can find it here on my Bookshop.org TBR page.