I've read 51 books so far in 2023. That's fewer than last year, but still about a book a week: https://reading.chatterjee.net/
Some of my favorite reading memories this year include book festivals in Kolkata and Berkeley, exploring new-to-me indie bookstores (Champaca, Borderlands, and Perelandra), writing gushing reader fan mail, and so many long walks powered by audiobooks.
Of of the books I read this year, here are the ones that will stick with me…
I loved two fresh and startling new translations out of India that tell stories about class and cities:
"Mohanaswamy" by Vasudhendra is a Kannada novel about a gay man from small town Karnataka, and the Bengali-language Chandal Jibon trilogy by Manoranjan Byapari is a little like the dark underbelly of a Satyajit Ray film.
Gave up on María Gainza's OPTIC NERVE (2014) about 25 pages in this arvo (was anyone else bored by it?) & then almost didn't bother with PORTRAIT OF AN UNKNOWN LADY (2022), but now I can't put it down. No sign/evidence of second novel syndrome. Beguiled by the voice and the story. And exquisitely translated by Thomas Bunstead.
Books of 2023: "Bad Kids" by Zijin Chen ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
Killer children always creep me out, but this one was done so well that I don't mind. The sinister nature and the twist and turn that this psychological thriller takes readers on will have you guessing up till the very last page. Mystery fans will immensely enjoy this one and have a hard time but enjoy guessing what crazy and creepy things will happen next. @bookstodon