The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Do you have a favorite 2023 book? This year I curated my favorite books by themes, debut authors and favorite authors. My recommendations include creating a wife app, searching for a father, and books about books.

I’ve been sharing piles and piles of favorites at Library Book Pairing events at Suttle Tea, Dudley’s Bookshop Cafe, BrownBag Popcorn, and PCA Art Gallery by matching a scene, event, or place with a specific tea, dessert, popcorn, or art piece.

Favorites include “The Mystery Guest” by Nita Prose in which the murder takes place in the hotel’s tearoom floor. I matched art and tea (Mint Meadows) with “North Woods” by Daniel Mason. I paired “Romantic Comedy” by Curtis Sittenfeld with sea salt and white cheddar popcorn, and “The Trackers” by Charles Frazier with creamy ranch popcorn. Explore more of my book pairings on the DPL Catalog under DPLpaigeb.

Do you enjoy reading a book that takes you to an amazing destination? My favorites included, “The Wishing Game” by Meg Shaffer, “For Twice in My Life” by Annette Christie, and “What You Are Looking for Is in the Library” by Michiko Aoyama. More traveling with historical fiction included, “The Wildest Sun” by Asha Lemmie and “Homecoming” by Kate Morton. I explored a variety of favorite books that take place in New York City including, “The Spectacular” by Fiona Davis, “Crook Manifesto” by Colson Whitehead, “Lush Lives” by J. Vanessa Lyon, “A Winter in New York” by Josie Silver, and “The Leftover Woman” by Jean Kwok. Also, in NYC with a side of true friendships, “Someone Else’s Shoes” by Jojo Moyes and “The Wife App” by Carolyn Mackler.

Family Secrets / Mysteries: “Happiness Falls” by Angie Kim, “Just Another Missing Person” by Gillian McAllister, “What Meets the Eye” by Alex Kenna, “Symphony of Secrets” by Brendan Slocumb, “The Puzzle Master” by Danielle Trussoni (with puzzles in the book), “The Death of Us” by Lori Rader-Day, “The Fiction Writer” by Jillian Cantor, “Hot Springs Drive” by Lindsay Hunter, and “Zero Days” by Ruth Ware. Mysteries with unique writing styles: “West Heart Kill” by Dann McDorman and “The Biography of X” by Catherine Lacey.

Romance: “Picture Perfect Autumn” by Shelley Noble — I always appreciate a romance story surrounded by art — especially when the main character is searching for inspiration and discovers an amazing photographer and an art school.

Do you remember reading books by Sophie Kinsella? My favorite is “I’ve Got Your Number.” She has a wonderful new book titled “The Burnout.” Two more: “The Sweetest Revenge” by Lizzy Dent and “Until I Met You” by Amber Rose Gill.

An introduction to new authors: A few I heard speak, share their stories, and talk about their writing style: “Y/N” by Esther Yi, “Let Us Descend” by Jesmyn Ward, “Yellowface” by R.F. Kuang, “Innards: Stories” by Magogodi oaMphela Makhene.

Favorite authors with new books: “Family Lore” by Elizabeth Acevedo, “Demon Copperhead” by Barbara Kingsolver, “The Vaster Wilds” by Lauren Groff, “Lady Tan’s Circle of Women” by Lisa See, “The Blonde Identity” by Ally Carter, “Day” by Michael Cunningham, “The Fraud” by Zadie Smith, and “The Librarianist” by Patrick deWitt

Nonfiction: Sometimes my nonfiction reading was filled with history and other times it was filled with animals: “Opinions” by Roxanne Gay, “Of Time and Turtles” by Sy Montgomery, “Astor” by Anderson Cooper, and “The Art Thief” by Michael Finkel.

Hope and Honesty — Memoirs/Biographies: “Why Fathers Cry at Night: A Memoir in Love Poems,” “Letters, Recipes and Remembrances” by Kwame Alexander, “Year of the Tiger” by Alice Wong, “King: A Life” by Jonathan Eig, “How to Say Babylon” by Safiya Sinclair, and “A Living Remedy” by Nicole Chung.

Poetry: “Above Ground” by Clint Smith, “Musical Tables” by Billy Collins, “Rose Quartz” by Sasha taqwseblu LaPointe.

What books are on your TBR pile? Start the new year off with a debut author or a cozy mystery book. Join the Winter Reading Challenge at Deschutes Public Library January 1 through March 20, via the Beanstack app. #DPLWinterRead.