J.J. Sorel's 3 favorite reads in 2023

I stumbled upon this quirky book at a secondhand book fair. After reading it, I understood how it managed to hold a solid spot on the bestseller list for quite some time. 

Now in her mid-30s, Eleanor, who’s lived a sheltered life, is refreshingly oblivious to social media. Her astute observations, once she jumps online, mainly to stalk a pop star, yes, it sounds crazy, and it kind of is, are hilarious. She dissects popular trends and, through witty inner dialogue, exposes just how absurd that world has become by its blind adherence to popular, at times, ridiculous trends. Despite her naivety about the world at large, her colorful, often unfiltered language reveals an erudite mind. 

Eleanor gradually shares a dark childhood secret with a work colleague, who befriends her, unleashing a rollercoaster of emotion: from dark humor to profound pathos and everything in between.

Books that can convey such a broad spectrum of emotion are rare, and kudos to Ms. Honeyman for creating this little gem. In my humble and unscholarly opinion, her portrayal of this, at times, disengaged being could be a modern-day Camus, where just the mere act of existing is enough. That is until one scratches the surface. This is one of those timeless tomes that will remain on my bookshelf, unlike the quick reads I occasionally digest when seeking light diversion.

Yet again, Liane Moriarty has made it onto my list of favorite reads for the year. From page one, I fell under its spell. 

Nine individuals meet at a secluded health resort for various reasons like weight loss and life rejuvenation. Amidst luxury and self-care, they anticipate challenges ahead, but they don’t expect the New Age equivalent to a Dominatrix, who seems to enjoy shaming their weaknesses and dishing out torturous discipline.

Here we discover a disparate bunch of characters, some of whom are bigger than life, that, in the wrong hands could quite easily descend into caricatures. But as each character slowly unravels, they reveal vulnerabilities and spill those messy emotions and feelings that as humans, we strive to keep hidden.

Moriarty skillfully dissects what defines our humanity. This exploration primarily occurs through the lens of some rather negative yet strikingly familiar traits, which almost makes one wince despite making for an irresistible read. As with all her books, humor and drama collide, delivering an emotionally charged narrative, the kind I enjoy.

Here is a harmonious blend of story, character, and an unforeseen twist, where the reader is left questioning who the baddie might be all the way to the surprising end.

It’s a story about toxic relationships, the dark side of marriage, and all those juicy, scandalous details that make for a page-turner. At its core, this psych thriller is about people taking control of their lives. Whether the law is on their side or not, they plot against the hidden malevolence lurking behind suburbia’s locked doors and those pristine houses with flawless façades. 

This book marked my introduction to this author’s work, and once I started, I was hooked. Her choice of words was just right, avoiding an overload of unnecessary detail that can sometimes bog down the flow. McFadden’s writing seems effortless in her ability to communicate emotion, narrative, and finely tuned characters in one engaging tale. Only the truly talented can make their art look easy when indeed, it’s anything but.