9 books I read in 2023 is a short post about the books that I’ve read during 2023. I first published this kind of a book review post in 2020 and then again in 2021 and in 2022. I read two more books after I published my book review post in 2022 so let’s first mention those two books from 2022. Don’t worry, I won’t divulge the actual content of the books I read. Thus, you can check this list without any fear of spoilers.

2 remaining books from 2022

S. Cousens: This time next year

I started reading this book at Trieste airport while waiting for my London flight in November 2022. I managed to finish it, again at the Trieste airport after I returned from London while I was waiting for Flixbus coach to Croatia. It was a rather fun and interesting story about New Year’s encounters of the two main protagonists Quinn and Minnie. I won’t say much more about the plot apart from the fact that this book really was unputdownable.

Richard Paul Evans: The Christmas Box

It is a very moving and touching story. Prepare tissues when you are reading it. You should really read it, especially if you are a parent.

9 books I read in 2023

V. Grimaldi: Il est grand temps de rallumer les étoiles

I couldn’t find English translation of this French bestseller. It’s about a single mother who is broke but goes on an adventure camping trip to the northern Europe with her two daughters. The book is rather realistic and interesting.

Dean Nicholson: Nala’s World: One Man, His Rescue Cat, and a Bike Ride around the Globe

A must for all travelers who have cats or just love cats very much. A guy rescues a stray cat during his bike ride around the world and then shares their adventures on Instagram and later in a book. There are a lot of Nala’s photos (the cat) in this book too.

I read two Croatian murder mystery books which were surprisingly well written and interesting. I say this because they were written by new authors. One of them even had some references to my favourite British murder mystery TV series Midsumer murders. Those books are Ubojstvo na Mrežnici (by Anđelka Kliment) and Umorstvo u Klinča Selu (by Tamara Lovey).

Jenny Colgan: The Bookshop on the Corner

I really liked this book. It’s set in rural Scotland. It’s about a former librarian who sets up a small library in a van. I love it when I come across a book that has a good story and it’s set in a beautiful location.

Miika Nousiainen: Facelift

I discovered this Finnish book in my local library. Of course, it was a Croatian translation. I found parts of it hilarious. I recognized some of its locations because I visited Helsinki in June. I recommended it to my Finnish friend who was unfamiliar with this writer.

Suzanne Snow: The Cottage of New Beginning

This was an easy read, but clichéd and I wouldn’t actually recommend it. There are far better rom-com books out there.

E. Blyton: The Famous Five: Five on a Treasure island

I read this book and the whole Famous five series when I was 9. Then , I re-read the entire series several times during my childhood. I have some other titles from this book series as well but I didn’t have this first book until last Christmas when Santa left it under the Christmas tree for me. So, I finally re-read it again this year. I adore Famous Five books and blame them for a lot of my childhood wishes and dreams.

R. Osman: The Thursday Murder Club

Great story, interesting characters and excellent plot twists. All in all, a wonderful whodunit book that I read in only 2 days! If you like Mrs Marple, you’ll love this group of retired people who manage to solve several murders. I’d love to get my hands on the other books in this series but since I usually borrow books from the local library and not buy them, it’s unlikely that I’ll manage to read the sequels.

Have you read any of these books? What did you think about them? Would you recommend me some of the books that you have read?