Margie Bunting doesn’t realize how many followers she has at Lesa’s Book Critiques. Readers tell me they enjoy her reviews. Family and friends have said she reads books they enjoy. So, thank you, Margie, for sharing your reviews on Thursdays with us, and thank you for sharing your. list of favorite books read in 2023. NOTE: When I previewed the blog, there are some formatting issues. I’m sorry. But, you’ll still enjoy Margie’s reviews. The fault is with the website user, I’m sure.

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Lesa, I am so thankful to you for another opportunity to reflect on my favorite reads of the year. I
managed to finish 165 books in 2023, not as many as in 2022 or during the pandemic, but that’s OK.

MYSTERIES: A hefty number of the books I read each year (maybe 40% or more?) are mysteries, so I’ll
mention my standouts in the mystery genre first.

Lee Goldberg astonished and delighted me at every turn with his creativity in CALICO, an exceedingly
clever mashup of police procedural and historical Western adventure, with a healthy dose of science
fiction. I guarantee you’ve never read anything like it. The story focuses on disgraced homicide detective
Beth in the desert town of Barstow, CA. She is investigating a recently deceased man whose bones and
clothing prove to be more than 100 years old and a local chef who disappeared the same day, but whose
soon-discovered skeleton is also 100+ years old. The rest of the plot focuses on the man who
disappeared and what happened to him in the 1880s silver mining town of Calico.

What makes Lou Berney’s DARK RIDE extraordinary is the specificity with which he makes his
protagonist special. It is 23-year-old former foster child Hardy (“Hardly”) Reed’s voice that describes the
narrative, replete with keen observations, on-the-nose descriptions, and self-analysis. To observers,
“Hardly” appears to be a loser, with no ambitions beyond his low-level job and his stoner friends. But,
noticing two young children with blank faces and cigarette burns outside a government building, he is
shaken out of his complacency with an overwhelming urge to save them and puts a plan into action with
a motley band of supporters. The result is often humorous, heartbreaking, and unforgettable.

THE LADY FROM BURMA is the fifth in an outstanding series by Allison Montclair (aka Alan Gordon!)
about two women affected by their experiences in World War II who form a marriage bureau in London
after the war. Gwen was institutionalized after losing her husband and labeled a “lunatic” and is still
trying to regain custody of her young son from her in-laws. Iris served in an intelligence unit, still has
military contacts, and dates a low-level gangster. Together they look for suitable matches for clients, but
they also become involved in dangerous police investigations, some involving the Crown. Sparkling
dialogue, an intriguing mystery, and credible plots are hallmarks of this author. Every book in the series
deserves your attention, so start at the beginning and continue through this excellent addition.

We all know Louise Penny, famous for her Chief Inspector Gamache Mysteries, and she is especially
notable for maintaining the quality of her series throughout the years. The last 50 pages of number 18,
A WORLD OF CURIOSITIES, are almost unbearably suspenseful, ending in a breathless conclusion. This
story involves memorable characters, unmitigated evil, child abuse, buried treasure, mysterious artwork,
a historical mass shooting, mistaken identities and, of course, multiple murders. And then there are the
Three Pines characters we have learned to (mostly) love, with Armand Gamache—brilliant thinker and
family man–at the center of the action.

Seasoned San Francisco Police Sergeant Adam Plantinga’s THE ASCENT is far different from my usual literary
fare, but I tackled it after enjoying his two outstanding non-fiction books about police work, and I’m glad
I did. It’s the story of a harrowing maximum security prison break, caused by a freakish technology
glitch. The focus is on retired police detective and unjustly imprisoned Kurt Argento’s attempt to save
himself and the governor’s daughter, two state troopers, and the prison nurse and chaplain, using his
mad skills in the face of almost impossible odds. The book is unrelentingly propulsive, shocking, and full
of graphic violence. I admire the author’s insightful descriptions, self-assured writing style, and adept
combination of both personal experience and research, together with the creativity that makes this an
unforgettable read.

I coined the title EXQUISITE BOOKS last year for a category of books that defies description, but has
nuanced characters, unexpected details, an absorbing writing style, and a life-affirming conclusion.

In THE MINUSCULE MANSION OF MYRA MALONE by Audrey Burges, Myra’s loss of her grandmother
Trixie when Myra was only five led to a lifelong obsession with Trixie’s mini-mansion (“don’t call it a
dollhouse”). She works on it nonstop, as her friend Gwen uses her marketing skills to help her promote
it into wild popularity to meet financial difficulties. Alex works at his family’s furniture store, where
comments from customers lead him to discover that the living quarters he has furnished himself are
duplicates of rooms in Myra’s mini-mansion. How reclusive Myra and appealing but damaged Alex come
together is fascinating and tinged with magical realism. The plot is original, astonishing, and full of both
humanity and suspense. An amazing accomplishment from a debut author!

In Meg Shaffer’s magical THE WISHING GAME, Lucy is a single teacher’s aide whose dearest wish is to
adopt Christopher, a 7-year-old, traumatized orphan in the foster system, and the feeling is mutual. But
because it will take money for her to pursue this dream, Lucy participates in a lucrative contest at Clock
Island, the site of her favorite childhood book series. Many puzzles and trials await her and three other
contestants, and she will have to face her worst fears. At the beginning of the book, I had the same
glorious feeling I had when I read this type of fantasy/adventure series as a child, but as the story
progresses, there are more mature themes to ponder. This impressive debut author is one to watch.

The third book in AJ Pearce’s Emmy Lake Chronicles, MRS. PORTER CALLING, is hands-down my favorite
in the series to date. Emmy is an advice columnist for the Woman’s Friend magazine who is devoted to
responding to women struggling to survive and thrive in World War II London by offering realistic,
creative information about cooking, fashion, war work, and personal issues. But when the magazine’s
new owner tries to turn it into a society periodical and to substitute her own frivolous columns for most
of the “grim” letters and the reader contributions, Emmy initiates a strategy of resistance. Most of the
characters are grounded, sincere, and easy to root for. In particular, the children of Emmy’s housemate
are not stereotypes and don’t whine or act out, but rather are refreshingly funny, curious, and flexible.
The emotions are real, Emmy’s narration is heartfelt and quite clever, and the story is delightful.

If you’re in the mood for something different, incorporating a creative, tongue-in-cheek plot, original
characters, and clever word play, I highly recommend MURDER YOUR EMPLOYER: McMASTERS GUIDE
TO HOMICIDE, VOL. 1 by Rupert Holmes (yes, the Piña Colada Song composer/singer). At the fictional
McMasters Conservatory, students in the 1950s learn to “delete” their horrible bosses through a
comprehensive curriculum ina lavish setting. The story follows three students from their ultra-painful
experiences with their employers through their education and their “graduation” into the real world to
apply their newly learned skills. The cost of failure is their own “deletion.” Holmes’ depiction of the
campus, instructors, studies, and rules is detailed, ingenious, and often hilarious (maybe not life-
affirming), and the suspense of the students’ quest to execute their goals is palpable. Come on, where is
Volume II?

Sometimes I’m in the mood for a good YA novel, and DONUTS AND OTHER PROCLAMATIONS OF LOVE
by Jared Reck has everything I look for: interesting and authentic young characters who develop in
unexpected ways, older characters who are not stereotypes, a strong plot, and an impeccable writing
style that expresses humor, friendship, family dynamics, teenage angst, and loss with equal credibility.
Oscar doesn’t know he’s bright because he wants only to start working full-time for his grandfather’s
food truck. Lou is president of the student council, on the Homecoming Court, and obsessed with
getting into an elite college. But they find themselves working together on a project where they can
each contribute their skills, and . . . you need to read what happens next and marvel at the author’s
ability to build convincing relationships and an absorbing plot.

With HAPPINESS FALLS, Angie Kim delivers an extraordinary, intelligently written novel that is a worthy
successor to MIRACLE CREEK. It opens with a Korean-American family’s realization that the father is
missing after his morning hike with his disabled 14-year-old son. Autistic and with a rare genetic disorder
that affects his communication and motor skills, Eugene has run home alone but is unable to tell his
mother what he has witnessed. His college student sister narrates the book, which culminates in an
investigation that may threaten to separate her brother from his family. The family, which also includes
another brother, is depicted in loving detail, but what intrigues me the most is the question the book
explores regarding whether Eugene and other nonspeakers are capable of learning to communicate in a
meaningful way, and whether society’s expectations are much lower than they should be.

All who enjoyed Steven Rowley’s THE GUNCLE should be thrilled with THE GUNCLE ABROAD. It’s been
five years since Gay Uncle Patrick took care of his niece and nephew for a summer when his brother
Greg’s wife died. Now Grant, 11, and Maisie, 14, are finding it difficult to come to terms with the
impending wedding of their father to a titled Italian woman. Patrick is back working as an actor again,
after a decade mourning his first love and not long after breaking up with his most recent boyfriend.
Soon he will be making his Broadway debut, but first he volunteers to take Grant and Maisie on a 3-
week tour of Europe prior to the wedding. Patrick regales the children with his self-imposed rules and
love languages as they travel. His clever banter with almost everyone is one of the highlights. But his
character is genuine, his emotions run deep, and he has an unmatched rapport with the children. This is
a charming, entertaining, life-affirming story about the power of love. Publishing in May.

And now for a few NON-FICTION titles (all related to show biz) that I especially loved this year.

My top pick is MUSICAL THEATRE FOR DUMMIES by Broadway pianist, conductor, performer, writer,
Sirius XM show host, and all-around Broadway expert Seth Rudetsky. With wit, panache, and an endless
list of behind-the-scenes anecdotes, Seth covers what it takes to stage a musical, the roles of those
involved—creators, performers, backstage staff, musicians—how to land a role and, of course, the
fantastic shows. Best of all, he includes dozens of links to one-of-a-kind performances (mostly YouTube)
that you can watch to enhance your enjoyment of the book. If you think you know everything about
Broadway because this is a “Dummies” series book, don’t be fooled. There is something here for every
musical theatre fan.

Other recommendations are THE BIG BANG THEORY: THE DEFINITIVE, INSIDE STORY OF THE EPIC HIT
SERIES by Jessica Radloff, a must for every serious TBBT fan, and BEING HENRY: THE FONZ AND
BEYOND, a lovely autobiography by Henry Winkler.

Finally, I am including my FANTASY pick, EMILY WILDE’S MAP OF THE OTHERLANDS by Heather Fawcett.
In this sequel to last year’s EMILY WILDE’S ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF FAERIES (which was on my 2022 favorites
list), Emily has published her Encyclopaedia and won tenure as a dryadology professor at Cambridge
University. She is now putting together a book of maps of all known Faerie realms and their doors, but it
turns into a search for a door that connects multiple realms, not to mention the researcher who
disappeared while searching for it decades ago. Again, she is joined by fellow scholar Wendell, who is no
longer a competitor. Their adventure is both exciting and whimsical, featuring both friendly and vicious
species of Fae, enchanted inanimate objects, talismans, and eccentric characters.

There are so many more remarkable books I read in 2023, and I wish I could list them all. Here are just a
few, which are definitely worth more than just an “honorable mention.” The Predictable Heartbreaks of
Imogen Finch by Jacqueline Firkins, The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger, Inheritance by
Nora Roberts, Georgie All Along by Kate Clayborn, The Second Ending by Michelle Hoffman, Guilt Strikes
at Granger’s Store by Terry Shames, Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan, Resurrection Walk by
Michael Connelly, and new mystery series entries by Ellery Adams, Sarah Stewart Taylor, Linda Castillo,
Deanna Raybourn, Kate Carlisle, Paula Munier, SJ Bennett, and more.

My full reviews (not nearly as detailed as Lesa’s brilliant reviews) were all posted on Lesa’s Book
Critiques, but they are probably easier to find on Goodreads under Margie Bunting.

I appreciate the recommendations of all of you who follow Lesa’s wonderful blog—please keep them
coming, as they have led me to many terrific reading experiences. Thank you, Happy New Year, and
here’s to more wondrous reading in 2024!