"You must love working at the library. You get to sit there and read whatever you want all day." While that is my dream gig, life at the Mississippi Library Commission is much more involved with getting books and library services out to people in the state than whiling away the hours flipping pages. When we're not hard at work at MLC, some of us like to read and some of us don't, just like the regular population. For those of us who are book lovers and have the time in our lives to savor books, we do a lot of reading.
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We weren't able to share our "Books We Loved" list for 2022; life got in the way. Our favorite reads have been fun to share with you over the years, though, so we're pleased to take the tradition back up this year. You can look back at previous "Books We Loved" entries here: 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 juvenile and adult, 2016 parts one and two, and 2015. Remember: these aren't books that were necessarily published in the year of the list, just ones that staff read and enjoyed that year. Also, these are staff reads, not MLC recommendations, so please research each book before reading to make sure the content is something you personally will enjoy. Without further ado, here are the books we loved in 2023!
Hamra and the Jungle of Memories
Hanna Alkaf
I always look for Alkaf's books because I love how she blends Malay folklore and culture into modern fairy tales for kids. This middle grade book reimagines Little Red Riding Hood as a thirteen-year-old girl living through the beginnings of the COVID-19 pandemic. She joins forces with the boy next door on an epic adventure through the Malay jungles to save her grandmother. I loved every single minute of it.
Elisabeth Scott
The Wedding Date
Chenneville: A Novel of Murder, Loss, and Vengeance
Stephen King
Looking for a sorta non-horror King book? This one doesn’t have any fantastical elements, it’s a straight up detective novel with a beloved King character—Holly Gibney. You can read this one as a standalone (I did) even though Holly is featured in many other King books. It is delight—in that special Stephen King way. I listened to it on a long road trip and it was the perfect choice—although I found myself a bit more cautious at rest stops.
Shellie Zeigler
Cormac McCarthy
A deeply moving book exploring the nature of the subconscious and the relationships that remain with us long after they’ve ended.
Zach Burton
Delia Owens
It weaves a tale of mystery and coming-of-age against the backdrop of the North Carolina marshes. The narrative revolves around Kya Clark, a young girl abandoned by her family who grows up in isolation amidst nature. The storyline unfolds through two timelines: one chronicling Kya's upbringing and the other involving a murder investigation in the 1960s.
Terrie Elbatnigi
Dan Santat
Shirtaloon (aka Travis Deverell)
Shayne Silvers
The Weeds
J. Ryan Stradal
I love all his books—always food oriented—but this one is the best to date! I love the Minnesota settings. I have family there and it brings back wonderful childhood memories.
Shellie Zeigler
Tsukumizu
The apocalypse, but make it cozy. This series follows the day to day life of Chito and Yuuri, two girls exploring the ruins of civilization in a post-apocalyptic future. Despite this premise, the vibes are super relaxed, laid-back, and chill, making this a nice cozy read to snuggle up with.
Katie Gill
Kiersten White
This one still haunts me, but in a good way. It is creepy as all get out. But if you’re a fan of Stephen King, this might be up your alley. It also reminded me of the movie Nope in some ways. Read it!
Shellie Zeigler
Gene Wolfe
A collection of short stories from strange fiction author Gene Wolfe published in 1989. Experimental, fun, playful, reflective, and occasionally plain bad. Yet, overall, a celebration of creative and strange writing from an author who’s joy in the creative process seeps from the pages.
Zach Burton
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Melissa Agnes
I reviewed several possible selections on dealing with a crisis and this one felt the most modern, up to date of them all. I enjoyed it so much I attended one of Agnes’ online sessions about being crisis ready.
Kristina Kelly
David Grann
This nautical adventure by acclaimed nonfiction author Grann is part true crime, part adventure story, part a harrowing tale of survival, and part the worst coworker dynamics you have EVER seen. It twists and turns all the way up to the very end, remaining an enthralling read all the while!
Katie Gill
This book was a #1 international bestseller but a very difficult and intensive read. The author explores the ways in which biology and history have defined humans and enhanced our understanding of what it means to be truly “human.” Noted are the present-day facts that support the premise that one hundred thousand years ago, at least six different species of humans inhabited Earth. Yet today there is only one—homo sapiens. What happened to the others? This is the investigative subject presented.
John Krakauer
The 1996 Mount Everest climbing season was one of the deadliest on record, with twelve people dying on the mountain and eight perishing the same day in a blizzard near the summit. Journalist John Krakauer was on an expedition in that blizzard, writing a compelling account of the tragedy and the circumstances leading up to it.
Katie Gill
Thomas Merton
A philosophical/theological reflection on the contemplative lifestyle which Merton was all too familiar with. Often reflecting on the need of an internal revolution which must be necessarily undertaken before hopes of an external revolution can succeed.
Zach Burton
The Power of Positive Thinking
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale
The book emphasizes the impact of a positive mindset on one's life. Dr. Peale, a minister and motivational speaker, provides practical advice and techniques to cultivate a positive outlook and overcome challenges. The book encourages readers to replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations, visualize success, and believe in their ability to achieve goals.
Terrie Elbatnigi
The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper
Hallie Rubenhold
I listened to this audiobook on MLC’s hoopla app. Having consumed a number of films and documentary TV series around Jack the Ripper, the work by Rubenhold was a refreshing and eye opening read that informs the reader about the social constructs of that time, how they impacted the women who were murdered, and the investigation. You learn about these women as whole humans not simply the perception of them told in the media. As history is often constructed and told by the patriarchy, this work is a fresh take on a popular subject. Recommended for fans of true crime and gender studies.
Lacy Ellinwood
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