Andrew Welsh-Huggins is a Shamus, Derringer, and International Thriller Writers-award nominated mystery author of eleven books with more in the works. He’s based here in the Columbus area. Although we had corresponded, I only met Andrew for the first time when I moved home to Ohio. Andrew was the first one to send in a list of his favorite books read during 2023. Thank you! You can find more information at Welsh-Huggins’ website, https://www.andrewwelshhuggins.com/

Crying In H Mart, by Michelle Zauner. A moving memoir of Zauner’s life as a half-Korean, half-American woman finding her way in the wake of her mother’s tragically young death from cancer. (It’s also a mouth-watering read thanks to multiple descriptions of Korean food.)

Five Decembers, by James Kestrel. A World War II historical epic, an edge-of-your-seat crime novel, and a romance: this book has everything. I could hardly put it down.

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, by Michelle Zevin. Sort of as if Ann Patchett had written Ready Player One. A beautiful novel of friendship set in the world of mid-aughts video gaming production and bouncing between Boston and L.A. Not a gamer? No worries. This book is an engrossing, clever, and touching read regardless.

Heat 2, by Michael Mann and Meg Gardiner. A fantastic concept: Mann, who directed the 1995 thriller “Heat” starring Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino, and acclaimed thriller writer Gardiner, teamed up to write a literary prequel and sequel. Excellent read, especially if you’ve seen the movie, but in my estimation a fun, exciting read regardless.

The Stranger Inside, by Lisa Unger. A journalist turned stay-at-home mom with a tragedy in her past launches a podcast investigation into the possibility of a vigilante killer with ties to what happened to her. Another twisty thriller from a master, reminiscent of Lisa Gardner and Karin Slaughter’s stand-alone books. 

Thank you, Andrew.

Tomorrow is Thursday, and we’ll all talk again about “What Are You Reading?” Then, next Wednesday, we’ll have another Favorites list of 2023. Thanks, everyone!