The Cosy Librarian

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (2022)

I’ll start off strong with Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Gamus, because it is such a genuinely enjoyable read. It is honestly wonderful. Just thinking about this book makes me feel good and I find myself already missing main character Elizabeth Zott. Set in the 1960s, we meet Zott at the beginning of her academic career, cut short because by the most unfair circumstances. Her story unfolds as a life lived on her own terms, no matter the roadblocks placed in her path. The description of the 1960s era brings to much vibrancy to the story, particularly the experiences of women in science and how their lives were shaped by the the constrictions and limitations on their choices.

While the book draws on the very real discrimination of women, it is a somewhat idealistic version of how one woman responds to these circumstances and is able to affect change in her own life and the lives of others. However, it is *only* one woman’s story and I don’t think it is meant to be believed that all of the events in the story would actually happen, but rather it is an entertaining version of ‘what if?’. What if we could thrive in spite of the barriers that exist in our lives? In truth, this is a far more complex question, however Elizabeth Zott’s quick mind and intelligence is so inspiring that it results in a satisfying story from beginning to end. It’s hard to pick one favourite for the year but I think this is the best book I’ve read in 2023.

The Right Girl

I did not know where this book was going but I knew I liked it. The story is set in a slightly alternate reality, where most things are the same world we are used to but it is heavily influenced by an app called BBest – a more intense version of Facebook. BBest will advise you on your career, relationships, hobbies, or anything you want. Our protagonist Freya loves how much her life has improved since following the advice of BBbest. After many years of feeling lost in the world, she now runs her own little florist business and is engaged to her perfect man. But as the story unfolds, there is something sinister going on and she must decide if she wants to lose everything or stay unaware in her happy bubble.

The plot of The Right Girl is perhaps ever so slightly far-fetched but I think it works for the story. If you can put that aside then it is a unique story with some big brother George Orwell 1984 type vibes. I also love how the story seems light-hearted but goes in a thoughtful direction with some real truths. In addition, it has some well thought out and interesting characters who bring extra satisfaction to the book. A great story.

Exiles by Jane Harper (2022)

I think I’ve discovered the perfect suspense story for those of us who like a mystery with a solid plotline and interesting characters but don’t want anything gruesome or violent. Exiles is the third in a series of Harper’s books centred around investigator Aaron Faulk. However, I didn’t realise it was part of a series until I’d almost finished it so you can definitely read it as a standalone book! In the latest instalment, Faulk is visiting friends in a small town in South Australia where a mother disappeared one year earlier during a busy fair, leaving behind her six-week-old baby. We walk alongside Faulk as he uncovers pieces of the puzzle to expose what happened that night, and the truth behind the small town and those who live there.

I love how this story gradually unfolds, pulling together all the characters and events until the answers are revealed. The relationships between the characters are equally engaging and give fullness to the story, alongside the mystery. The sense of community is strong, but not in a sugary sweet kind of way; instead, it is an authentic reflection of people who live in each other’s lives and have a long shared history. I didn’t guess the mystery but it would’ve been just as good even if I had!

The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth (2020)

Sally Hepworth gets it right every single time and The Good Sister is now my favourite of all her books. We meet Fern, a 28-year-old librarian, living a small but contented life, centred around her work at a public library and her twin sister Rose. Flashbacks from the past reveal that Fern and Rose had a difficult childhood and now Rose is Fern’s only close relationship. However, a chain of events lead Fern to question if this is the life she wants for herself and if everything she believes about herself is true.

Fern is the most wonderful character- authentic, thoughtful and flawed, with a fascinating perception of life. I loved seeing the world through her eyes. Her challenges with sensory processing, feeling overwhelmed with noise and light and difficulty with social cues gave a real insight into her life. Fern is a brilliant unreliable narrator because she sees life through such a specific lens and that is all the information the reader is given. This perspective works so well in the story coming to its conclusion as more pieces of the puzzle fall into place. This is the type of story that leads us to question what we believe about ourselves and whether we can trust our own version of what’s happened to us.

Normal People by Sally Rooney (2018)

I think I may be the last person on earth to be reading Normal People so I probably don’t need to make any introductions. However, on the off chance that you haven’t read it yet, Normal People is the story of Marianne and Connell’s relationship, beginning in their final year of school and continuing into their 20s. They are both coming to terms with who they are and what they want in life, always returning to each other in varying ways. Reading Normal People feels so intimate as we are inside both Marianne and Connell’s minds as they navigate their individual lives. As readers, we hear their most vulnerable thoughts about themselves and each other. I can’t think of another book I could even compare to this one. It is also now a TV series and I have heard that it captures the book perfectly. Although I will need some time in between reading the book before I watch it because I don’t think my heart could take the emotional drama! I found Marianne and Connell’s story to be so touching and deeply profound, I know I’ll be thinking about them for a long time to come.

Ghosted by Emily Barr (2022) (Young Adult)

I was truly surprised by this book – I expected from the cover that it would be a light-hearted romance, perhaps a little on the woo-woo side. It turned out to be so much more than that. It’s definitely one that you don’t want to know too much about as part of the enjoyment comes from the story revealing itself as you turn the page. I will just say that the two teenage protagonists, Ariel and Joe, are both going through some uniquely difficult times and their stories merge in a very unusual but interesting way. The story’s success is largely due to the excellent characters who are real, honest and evolve with the plot. It is a little slow to start but it picks up at around 100 pages in and is so worth the read.

One of us is Lying, Karen M. McManus (2017) (Young Adult)

I got the strongest The Breakfast Club movie vibes from this book and it was the best thing ever. The high school setting with the core characters – the jock, the popular girl, boy from the wrong side of town, the serious smart girl, the unpopular boy – and they are all in detention together. This is the perfect setup for this trope. One of us is Lying goes in a different direction than the usual teen drama because one of the kids in detention doesn’t make it out alive and the rest of the group are suspects in his death.

What made it so good? Well for me it was how well we get to know all the characters and I liked their individual stories. I had a soft spot for Nate who has been kicked down by life in his 17 years. I loved the transformation of popular girl Addy as she finds her feet and grows into a confident, self-assured version of herself. The LGBTQI storyline was done well as part the plot and added to the tension between characters. Plus, the mystery at the centre of the book fueled all the characters’ stories and kept the book moving at a fast pace.

Can’t wait to read the next one in this series!