This year, I set a goal to read 35 books. I went over my book goal of 35 and ended with 37, 11 of which were read this quarter. I am going to talk about those 11 books and give my rating, the dates read, and a brief description of what I liked about the book. I tried my best to give a spoiler warning for any descriptions I felt really gave parts of the book away. Let me know if you have read any of these or want to discuss more! I have added some paid Amazon links to all of these books if you are interested in getting any yourself. You can always add me on GoodReads too at @c.pathofgrace . I am so proud of beating my book goal this year!!
What My Bones Know, Stephanie Foo
Dates read: September 14 – October 7, 2023
Stars: 5
Wow…I really felt this book deeply. It was very eye opening. I try really hard to not compare my trauma experiences to others and try to have their narrative help to explain mine, but I really resonated with all of Stephanie’s words. It really freaked me out to my core when Stephanie talked about not having memories of trips but of painful trauma moments, or conditional love from a parent, healing, etc.
This book gave me a really interesting look at what someone may go through with a diagnosis of c-PTSD. It was fascinating and I feel like, even though I do not have that diagnosis, I was able to learn about trauma and how I can better cope and learn to heal from my experiences.
One of my favorite quotes was “Perhaps the only real thing that was broken was the image I had of myself—punishing and unfair, narrow and hypercritical. Perhaps what was really happening was that, along with all of my flaws, I was a fucking wonder.”
The House Across the Lake, Riley Sager
Dates read: October 7-8, 2023
Stars: 4
Of course, a thriller mystery. I really have enjoyed Riley Sager books in the past, and this was no different! It for sure had an…interesting element in the third act, but the mystery was so good! Really great twist at the end. This book had me so captivated that I finished it in a day.
There were a ton of red herrings, which I normally am against, but everything really fit together well by the end. I fully went and added the rest of Riley Sagers books to my “to read” list after finishing this one!
Daisy Jones & The Six, Taylor Jenkins Reid
Dates read: October 10-15, 2023
Stars: 5
I was so so SO excited to finally get to read this book. I am a lover of Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks, and this book was heavily influenced by their story. I had read Gold Dust Woman in summer 2022, so I was more familiar with what really went on between all of them. Obviously, this book is NOT the story of Fleetwood Mac…HOWEVER it is easy to see similarities and personalities that are shared details. I really enjoyed reading this and loved watching the show afterwards!
I was bummed that a lot of the songs from the book did not make it to the show, as well as details and characters changing, however it made me feel better that Taylor Jennkins Reid herself was part of the show. This was such a great read for any fan of music, especially 70’s rock.
The Grownup, Gillian Flynn
Dates read: October 16, 2023
Stars: 5
The fact that this was only a short story is CRIMINAL. It was weird, because on one hand I was like wow I would have loved to see this get fully fleshed out as a full 300 page novel, but at the same time, Gillian Flynn is so talented that it was perfect as a 62 page short story. I really loved how she was able to tell an entire story beginning to end in such a short amount of time. Really well done, I would highly recommend this, Gillian Flynn fan or not!
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, Cheryl Strayed
Dates read: October 16-27, 2023
Stars: 5
This book made me feel so emotional. To start, Cheryl is 26 years old when she embarks on this journey. As a reader who has a tendency to put themself into every main character that she reads, it made it feel that much more personal. It had me question how someone MY age could go through this, let alone in the late 90’s with limited resources and technology. It was incredibly empowering to read about her journey, and you could really feel everything she experienced and went through.
As a means of healing herself and coming to terms with life trauma, what better place to force yourself to be alone stripped to your basic instincts? Brilliant and moving book.
The Vanishing Half, Brit Bennet
Dates read: October 31 – November 8, 2023
Stars: 5
I was really captivated by this book. I think the storytelling style was really interesting. Typically, I don’t love books that go back and forth to different perspectives, but I really felt like these were knitted together so seamlessly and made complete sense for the book.
Such an incredible story of multi-generational trauma and how every decision you make will impact your family generations down the line. This book was so moving and socially fascinating to me. If this is not on your list, you should absolutely add it.
The Shards, Bret Ellis Easton
Dates read: November 9 – 27, 2023
Stars: 4
What a read!! I loved American Psycho, so when this book came out in January, it was immediately added to my list. Despite taking me until November to read, tis book was grossly brilliant. It left me spending 20 minutes on Reddit after I finished it trying to see what other people thought about the ending. I still do not have an opinion.
However, this book was so gross and gory but the psychological storytelling had me hooked. I was constantly trying to figure out the mystery of this serial killer all over LA in the 80’s. It was a long read and had moments that were a little redundant, but if you read and or watched American Psycho, you will for sure enjoy this.
The Paris Apartment, Lucy Foley
Dates read: November 28 – December 4, 2023
Stars: 4
This was another great mystery. Seems fitting that I started the year with a Paris mystery and ended with one as well. This reminded me a little of House of Anubis (please tell me someone remembers that Nickelodeon show) in that Jess was living in this creepy old house-turned apartment building with secret passages, hidden doorways, and neighbors who were hiding secrets.
I thought at first that there were too many characters and in no way would everyone be wrapped up and tied in with someone else, but at the end, everything was masterfully summed up. I really liked this read!
Eight Hundred Grapes, Laura Dave
Dates read: December 5 – 12, 2023
Stars: 3
Honestly, I was disappointed with this one. I have enjoyed Laura Dave books in the past, but I just felt like there were too many overlapping plot points that just didn’t line up or make me connect as a reader. I feel like it was trying to do what The Divorce Party did really well, which was discuss family secrets and how the truth eventually comes out. I did not like how the book ended, and was just generally confused about the plot the whole time.
Land of Milk and Honey, C Pam Zhang
Dates read: December 13 – 21 , 2023
Stars: 4
I really enjoyed this read. The writing style definitely felt advanced for me and used so much imagery and description, but I was still able to grasp the meaningfulness behind the plot and the characters. I love a dystopian read, and this really hit home in our “eat the rich” era. This book was so thought provoking and was a brilliant story. It reminded me a little of the movie Soylent Green, in the sense that it shows what humanity will do under the pressure of famine and deconstruction of society. Really wonderful read.
Know My Name, Chanel Miller
Dates read: December 22 – 31 , 2023
Stars: 5
I was blown away by this book. I think this is the single most important book I have ever read. I found myself crying several times and feeling triggered, but kept going. This book and Chanel’s actual story was so moving and incredibly difficult at the same time. I can only hope that her pain and growth will continue to be the catalyst for court reform for how we treat victims and perpetrators of SA and SV. I am moved deeply by this book and am incredibly grateful and proud to have read her words.
Up Next…
Of course, I already have book lists built for 2024 (and 2025). Here are the books I have upcoming in Q1 of 2024!
Why We Swim by Bonnie Tsu, Into the Water by Paula Hawkins, The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf, Zero Days by Ruth Ware, The Guest List by Lucy Foley, One Step Too Far by Lisa Gardener, You Shouldn’t Have Come Here by Jeneva Rose, Book of Knives by Lise Haines, and Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman.
I have set my book goal for 36 books in 2024. Wish me luck!
Caroline's Path of Grace 
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