Happy new year, Keeper Upperers! It’s that wonderful time when we’re all fresh eyed and full of hope for the year to come. I’ve been thinking a lot about what I’ll be reading in 2023, so here’s a little sneak peek for you.
Trying something new for book reviews in 2023
So, I’ve been at this Keeping Up With The Penguins lark for a few years now. Once I’d read my way through the original list of 109 books I intended to read, I started… winging it. There’s a whole wide world of books out there, and I want to read them all!
The thing is, ‘winging it’ goes against my nature. I’m a planner, a plotter, a schemer. I started making little rules for myself – like only reading Black books during Black History Month, or queer books during Pride – to give myself some structure. Next thing I know, I’m a slave to the calendar, and reading something just because the date says I “should”.
This is all a long-winded way of saying: I’m trying something new. It’s a halfway bet between structure and random chance. I’ve decided to use a TBR jar to choose what I’ll be reading in 2023.
What’s a TBR jar?
It’s really not as weird as it sounds. I’m going to write the titles of books I want to read down on slips of paper, and then draw them out at random.
It’ll be my usual mix of… well, a little bit of everything. Classics, thrillers, romances, fiction, non-fiction, hefty tomes and slim novellas. It’s just that I won’t be reading them in any particular order, or choosing specifically which to read when (unless I decide I want to, in which case, I reserve the right).
What’s in the box jar?
I haven’t finalised the list at the time of writing, but here are a few titles I’ll definitely be throwing into the jar.
- My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix
- Middlemarch by George Eliot (yes, I’m already terrified)
- The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler
- Growing Up Aboriginal In Australia by Anita Heiss (ed)
- The Silent Treatment by Abbie Greaves
- A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder by Holly Jackson
- Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
- The Five by Hallie Rubenhold
- When You Are Engulfed In Flames by David Sedaris
What about new books released in 2023?
There are also a few new releases that I’m already really looking forward to! I’ll definitely be getting my greedy hands on these if I can, and sharing my thoughts right here:
- Pageboy by Elliot Page
- How To Sell A Haunted House by Grady Hendrix
- The Only One Left by Riley Sager
- Spare by Prince Harry (normally this one wouldn’t pique my interest, but that title!)
- Quietly Hostile by Samantha Irby
- Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto
- Exes & O’s by Amy Lea
- The Witches Of Vardo by Anya Bergman
- The Silence Project by Carole Hailey
- The One And Only Dolly Jamieson by Lisa Ireland
It’s going to be a great year, don’t you think?
January 7, 2023 at 5:48 AM
I love this idea! I tried out a TBR jar a few years ago, but I also tried to do a reading challenge and still make a list for myself that same year so….suffice it to say: I only drew one title out of the jar. 🤣 I think I may start a jar this year and just start throwing in all my unread titles every time I have a few minutes to spare and then utilize the jar for my 2024 reading. I might be thinking too far ahead, but I’m with you on needing a plan!
January 11, 2023 at 2:39 PM
Any minute now, we’ll be staring down the barrel of 2024 – so planning ahead is definitely a good idea! 😅
January 9, 2023 at 9:51 AM
I have a good feeling about this year too, even if it’s coming from the very low bar of the last few. Middlemarch is a tome, but damn, it’s such a great book. I’m also very much looking forward to the new Grady Hendrix and Riley Sager. And agree with you re ‘Spare’ – normally don’t have any time for the royals, but interested in this one.
January 11, 2023 at 2:39 PM
I have been watching all the coverage of the release of Spare like 🍿☕️🍿☕️ I feel sorry for every other author who has a book coming out this week, though!
January 18, 2023 at 5:52 PM
As you can imagine I shall not be rushing to read that one.
Currently reading this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Quiet-Power-Introverts-World-Talking/dp/0141029196
which is excellent and I can highly recommend if it hasn’t been part of your reading history already
January 30, 2023 at 1:09 PM
Oooh, I’ve heard of that one, and I think I might even have a copy floating around somewhere – excellent prompt, cheers PhiL!
January 18, 2023 at 11:44 AM
Just THANK you Sheree, you are a fantastic inspiration l have this huge once upon a time popcorn can which is almost full with 3 by 5 card “da books l want to read before l cross over” the can is more than ten years old
What a riot!! HAPPY and HEALTHY new year, aquiles
January 30, 2023 at 1:09 PM
Hahahaha cheers Aquiles, and same to you! 😀
January 19, 2023 at 5:47 AM
That is quite a lovely idea! I like planning ahead a little (giving a geographical theme each month, for example), but I could be more spontaneous within that!
January 30, 2023 at 1:08 PM
Yes, definitely! Happy reading, Marina Sofia 🙂