Happy New Year's Eve, Everyone!
I hope you all are enjoying a fun and safe New Year's celebration. It's a bit cliché to say, but wow, 2023 really flew by, didn't it? This year was a whirlwind, filled with significant moments in both my personal and professional life. Time just seemed to zoom past! I'm not one to rely on superstitions, but I've always had a soft spot for even years. So, here's to hoping that 2024 brings a more peaceful and steady pace.
For those who caught my earlier blog post this month, you'll remember that for the first time, I took a stroll down memory lane, recapping every BOTY from 2012 to 2022. And now, the moment has arrived to reveal my pick for 2023!
The Selection Process:
Every month, I dive into a plethora of stories and emerge with a Book of the Month (BOTM), chosen through a tournament-style bracket. These monthly winners then compete in a year-long showdown. It's a battle of the books where each month's pick vies for the top spot.
The Competition:
Wow, what a year for books! I know, I know, it sounds overused - every book lover says, "I read some amazing books this year." But, trust me, this year was genuinely amazing. I set a goal to read 75 books, but guess what? I smashed that goal and ended up reading 85! That's right, 85 books! 🎉
Out of these 85, I picked 12 standout Books of the Month (BOTMs) and, because it was just too hard to choose, I also selected 12 Honorable Mentions. Each one of these books brought something special to my year.
BOTM Picks:
Jan: "The Dead Are Arising" by Les Payne
Feb: "Age of Vice" by Deepti Kapoor
Mar: "Lunar Love" by Lauren Kung Jessen
Apr: "The School For Good Mothers" by Jessamine Chan
May: "Geekeralla" by Ashely Posten
Jun: "Unmasking Autism" by Devon Price
Jul: "The Conneyllys Of County Down" by Tracey Lange (ARC!)
Aug: "Lady Tan's Circle of Women" by Lisa See
Sep: "Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi" by S.A. Chakraborty
Oct: "Yinka, Where is Your Husband?" by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn
Nov: "Correction" by Ben Austen (ARC!)
Dec: "Our Missing Hearts" by Celeste Ng
Honorable Mentions:
Jan: "A Magic Steeped on Poison" by Judy I. Lin
Feb: "Cultish" by Amanda Montell
Mar: "Four Treasures of the Sky" by Jenny Tinghui Zhang
Apr: "Maame" by Jessica George
May: "Find Home (Hungary 1945)" by Dean Cycon (ARC!)
Jun: "The Final Empire (Mistborn #1)" by Brandon Sanderson
Jul: "Dreambound" by Dan Frey (ARC!)
Aug: "Did You Her About Kitty Kart?" by Crystal Smith Paul
Sep: "Myth of Normal" by Gabor Mate
Oct: "The Road to Somorrostro" by Julia Slack (ARC!)
Nov: "The Shadow of Banshee Hill" by Fionn Mac Meldrum (ARC!)
Dec: "Our Missing Hearts" by Celeste Ng
And now, the moment you've all been eagerly awaiting!! The grand reveal of this year's Book of the Year!!!! 🌟
The Winner: "The Dead Are Arising: Life of Malcom X" by Les Payne & Tamara Payne
For the second year straight, a nonfiction title has clinched the Book of the Year! 'The Dead Are Arising' was my top pick in January, and it remained unbeaten throughout the year. My journey into relearning history, especially parts misrepresented or omitted in school, led me to this book. I was intrigued because my knowledge of Malcolm X was limited to his portrayal as the 'villain' compared to Dr. King.
This book is a masterpiece of research, possibly the most thorough I've ever encountered. It traces Malcolm X's life in chronological order, starting from prenatal events. It enlightened me about his life and the cultural happenings at each stage, providing essential context. The book excels in portraying Malcolm as a multifaceted individual, celebrating his achievements and acknowledging his mistakes. Tragically, Les Payne passed away before finishing this book, and his daughter Tamara Payne completed their joint effort.
I highly recommend 'The Dead Are Arising.' If you're to read just one nonfiction book in 2024, make it this one!
Dear readers, thank you for joining me on this literary journey and for taking the time to explore my Book of the Year selection. Wishing you all a joyous New Year and a peaceful start to 2024!
Happy reading!
Bobbi
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