December Reading Wrap Up | 2023

[@angelahampson391]

First and really loving that cardigan 🎉🎉🎉

[@SavidgeReads]

Awwww thank you. I’m having a cardigan phase. Lol.

[@MJ-in-Canada]

A word of warning that the “cardigan phase” is a slippery slope. I got into it and never got out.🤣 @@SavidgeReads

[@gazcarr28]

I love a good cardigan

[@gillwoolley6515]

Totally agree on Mistletoe Malice, awful characters, housekeeper excluded. I 'm a huge Cazelet fan and didn't see the connection.

[@SavidgeReads]

I don’t think mum did and she’s a Cazelet fan, Kate is reading those books now. I would like to head to them this year too. Not the new fugly editions though.

[@joangavrilik3009]

So glad you enjoyed The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store - my #1 read of 2023

[@SavidgeReads]

It’s a corker. Will definitely be in my top ten, maybe even top five.

[@fozzymup268]

Thank You Simon for a fantastic year of videos. Looking forward to seeing what's to come in 2024! Best Wishes for a happy and healthy 2024! 💕🎉

[@SavidgeReads]

Awwww thank you so much, here's to a fabulous 2024 for us all!

[@cynthibook]

I hope you'll have an amazing 2024 ! Thank you for all the great videos in 2023.

[@SavidgeReads]

Here’s to an amazing 2024 for all of us!!!

[@littlemisswitchy2736]

Absolutely in love with that cardigan ❤Also never knew there was such a thing as a short story advent calendar, I'm definitely going to get one for next December 😊🎉

[@SavidgeReads]

Ha. This old thing?!? It actually is an old thing. Hahaha. I’ve had it for ages just don’t get it out enough clearly. I’ll be doing the Short Story Advent Calendar again this year.

[@cherylynlarking191]

Hope your New Year is wonderful. I have read all Beryl Bainbridge books - she lived up the road from me in the early 1990's in Camden ( when I first came to London and she shopped in M and S near me). the Bottle Factory Outing was superb.

[@SavidgeReads]

I looooove The Bottle Factory Outing. It’s a great book isn’t it. She was originally from round here and there’s a wonderful northern nature to her writing, plus some of her books are set around here.

[@janepeacock3704]

PS - Thank You 🙏🏻 for enhancing my reading 📚 & making me laugh 🤗🤭 & lots more 😘

[@SavidgeReads]

Awwww thank you Jane. That’s a lovely, lovely thing to say

[@janepeacock3704]

My pleasure 🤓👍X

[@tammyripp998]

Agreed, McBride's book is spectacular & Happy New Year!

[@SavidgeReads]

And a very happy new year to you too!

[@luminyam6145]

Excellent video, thank you.

[@SavidgeReads]

Thank you for watching.

[@nathansnook]

party for one in your bedroom! mood for 2024 👀👀👀 Last Night at the Lobster was also in my december wrap up! was very much for the vibes more than anything. loved that you kept reading till the very end for 2023! wishing you a sexy reading year in 2024 bb!!!

[@SavidgeReads]

I might occasionally allow a plus one into my bedrooms parties in 2024. We shall see. Hahahaha.

[@susprime7018]

Looking forward to The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, because I loved The Good Lord Bird so very much.🎉

[@SavidgeReads]

I’m looking forward to heading to his backlist in the coming weeks, months and years.

[@alexandralewis7798]

Just picked up the heaven and earth grocery store on kindle for 99p off this recommendation this morning. Perfect timing. Finished Weasels in the Attic last night and needed a new book. ❤❤Happy New Year!

[@SavidgeReads]

Hope you enjoy it as much as I did, give it 80 pages and you will be IN, a very Happy New Year to you too.

[@alexandralewis7798]

@@SavidgeReads well, I wasn't expecting that two chapters in I would be laughing out loud at the advertisement fiasco. I never laugh audibly while reading, even when things are funny, but it was so unexpected that the laugh burst out of me on that part. Half way through the book now. Really enjoying it. Great recommendation. Can't wait for your 2023 roundup.

[@krisprepolec5616]

I heard a great interview with James McBride on the Book Riot podcast. I am still #118 on the library holds list :-/ My husband did a re-read of the complete Flashman series last fall. One of the books features the Harper’s Ferry incident with John Brown, so we watched the Good Lord Bird adaptation by Ethan Hawke. Incredible! I now need to read that book as well :-)

[@SavidgeReads]

I have The Good Lord Bird and McBride’s short stories on my shelves ready for when I next want to give him a read, which I don’t think will be in the too far distant future.

[@Linds709]

I felt the same way about in memoriam. I thought I was the only one!

[@SavidgeReads]

Phew, finally, someone else is out there! Hehehe.

[@gailhewitt1467]

Thank you for all the content in 2023 - you've introduced me to books that once upon a time I wouldn't dream of picking up. I bought Heaven & Earth Grocery Store as a 'to me, from me' Xmas present (among many). I'm now so tempted to treat myself to a New Year gift by ordering The Storm We Made.

[@SavidgeReads]

I would heartily recommend you get yourself that New Year's present to you. I love a gift from me to me, I try and do them quite regularly. I am thrilled you got that Christmas gift for yourself, you are in for a treat.

[@mradcaqbdb]

Happy New Year, Simon and Chris! Simon, you’ve definitely sold me on My Government Means to Kill Me and The Storm We Made! I will be looking to get to both in January. I had a copy of In Memoriam, but it never felt like a book I could get into, so I rehomed it without reading it. 🤷‍♀️ I do that sometimes. I listened to that Alexandra Benedict book over Christmas 2022 and I agree with all of your comments about it, but it was still fun. Not brilliantly written, but fun. 🤷‍♀️ I’ve since read this year’s Christmas novel by her and felt much the same. I hope there will be a repeat of the Savidge takeover of H&H in 2024 and that COVID doesn’t get in my way this time! 🙏🏻 Please let there be enough lead time for me to plan a trip!

[@SavidgeReads]

If we do a Harris and Harris weekend again we will definitely give in more lead in time. I would love to it was an absolute highlight of my year. I’ll avoid the new Alexandra Benedict book I think hahaha. Hope you enjoy My Government Means to Kill Me and The Storm We Made.

[@ReadingIDEAS.-uz9xk]

Best wishes with your reading choices in 2024.

[@SavidgeReads]

And to you!!

[@shawkitty2524]

Love the cardigan! New for Christmas? Great color and looks comfy!

[@SavidgeReads]

Not new no. Have had it a while. I did get myself a new one for Christmas that you’ll see in my next video. I’m in a cardigan phase.

[@janepeacock3704]

I actually gasped when you held up “In Memoriam” !! 🤣 Not that I’ve read it (yet), but because like you I’ve heard/read so much hype/praise for it etc. I won’t be reading it for a while as I have a big tbr pile; we shall see 😌 x

[@SavidgeReads]

Loads and loads of people love In Memoriam and I am very very glad they do. Lol.

[@janepeacock3704]

Indeed 😌

[@clairebanks1903]

Thank you Simon A very Happy New Year to you and your family Enjoy!😍🎉📚

[@SavidgeReads]

And a very happy new year to you and yours!

[@curioushmm9027]

happy new year simon....

[@SavidgeReads]

And a happy new year to you too!!!

[@angelinegeary298]

Been lovely watching you in 2023 and meeting you at Harris and Harris I read books you recommended that I would not read so thank you and yes love the cardigan xx

[@SavidgeReads]

Lovely to meet you too! Always lovely to hear people have headed to books they might not have otherwise from watching the channel, that warms the cockles of my heart!

[@cindyhaiken5644]

You did say nibbles!!😂😂😂 I am so interested that you DNF’d Chain Gang All Stars. I did not like it but I thought you would. Completely agree about Mistletoe Malice, which I had expected really to like. James McBride is amazing. Just amazing. I highly recommend Deacon King Kong. If you liked Stewart O’Nan’s writing, there are three books he’s written about a single family that are richer and more complex than Last Night at the Lobster (start either with Henry, Himself or Wish You Were Here). One day you and I can have a proper chat about In Memoriam, but at the end of the day as you say not every book is for every person. A happy, healthy, laughter filled 2024 Simon!

[@SavidgeReads]

I look forward to that chat with you Cindy. Hahaha. That would be a delight. I’m really looking forward to heading to James McBride’s backlist of books. I have his short stories on my shelves so that’ll be next. I may try more O’Nan, I may not. If I do I’ll head to one of those.

[@leeh4343]

Happy New Year to you and Chris! 🎉

[@SavidgeReads]

Happy New Year to you and yours!

[@Penny-ws4mz]

Thank you for brightening my 2023 and for being fair to December, it does deserve hauls & round-ups too! 💜 Your comments on The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store has qualified it for my list of book club suggestions for the next time it's my turn to suggest reads. PS. Love your bright and beautiful cardy - not book related but deserves a mention

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahaha, mention away - this cardigan has had lots of love. I am currently hunting for one that will make me look like Bagpuss, hahaha. Hope you and the book club enjoy The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store.

[@katrinamuritala3207]

Happy new year to you I’m hoping next year will be better for me

[@SavidgeReads]

Here’s to a fabulous New Year for us all!

[@starstuffpuff]

I adored The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, it was my favorite read of 2023. What an incredible book! I also dnf-ed Chain Gang All Stars, for virtually the same reasons you did. I really loved In Memoriam. I just placed a hold at the library for The Storm We Made, it sounds wonderful. I'm very intrigued by My Government Means to Kill Me, but my library doesn't have it yet, I might suggest they purchase it. Happy New Year, Simon!

[@SavidgeReads]

I don't know if My Government Means to Kill Me has been published anywhere but the US (which you may well be in so this could be a pointless start to this reply, ha) so it could be hard to get hold of. Anyway... Glad you loved In Memoriam, I am very much in the minority. The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store I will be talking more about in another video very soon, wonder what that could be hahaha.

[@LaughingStockfarm1]

Love this channel, love you, have a brilliant New Year!

[@SavidgeReads]

Awww thank you so much, very Happy New Year to you too!

[@marjoriedybec3450]

Happy New Year. TY for all the good times.

[@SavidgeReads]

A pleasure. Happy New Year to you too!

[@GregHarness]

Happy New Year, Simon! I plan to read both "The Storm We Made" and "The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store" in January.

[@SavidgeReads]

I would highly highly highly recommend that Greg!

[@triciapearce8545]

Happy New Year, Simon 🎊 When you insist and demand I read a book there is no resistance! I preordered The Storm We Made immediately 😂

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahaha, I promise that the lack of resistance you had will be totally worth it!

[@DanielleK207]

I find your videos so calm and relaxing. Happy New Year!

[@SavidgeReads]

Awwww thank you very much. Happy New Year to you too!

[@sbeale276]

Happy new year to you, hopefully full of good books! I agree with you about the Christmas express, too many analogies it really did grate and the shoehorning in of the main character’s sexuality. Also i think this along with many books recently it was sold as a cosy Christmas read and that is not what you get, it was the reason or one of them that i picked it up because i thought it would be agatha Christie ish. But no it wasn’t that. I did get to the end of it, but not one sadly that i would recommend or would give trigger warnings about to others at least. My tbr is growing ever bigger with some great recommends there that i will be adding. Thank you as always 😊

[@SavidgeReads]

The book does have trigger warnings in it at the start and rightly so, so people should be able to spot that if they pick it up... which I wouldn't recommend they do. Haha.

[@sbeale276]

@@SavidgeReads yes i did see the warning at the beginning i should i have known! Yes indeed, i saw your dnfing video about this one and totally agree. I think i may start dnfing more this year as i tend not to but there are so many books that i want to read, life’s too short for books that aren’t doing it for you. 😊📖

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

Happy New Year to you and Chris 🎉❤🥳🍀🤗🤩😘 I’ve only read two on your list Cutting Season The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store I did buy a copy of In Memorium for a friend at Christmas but I haven’t read yet myself. Do you have books you didn’t get to this year that you want read next year? 🍀👋☘️🇮🇪📚📖📕☕️

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahaha. I think all the books in my library are ones I want to get to next year hahaha. Too many books too little time. Happy New Year, here’s to a fab 2024… when I will be back in NI.

[@traceymills5113]

I am with you on In Memorium. Every time I got to those lists I didn’t recognise a name. There is a storyline later that I think is predictable and done much better elsewhere. It felt like writing 101 where the teacher has asked for certain tropes to be discussed. I liked the writing but think this is an author at the start of her journey. I think it lacked the originality I was hoping to see but then can you be original on a war story? Happy New Year Simon to you and your fab mum. Added The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store. Sounds great!

[@cecilialau_]

I fully support the new dnf era. And I know you know this, but I just wanted to say that you are allowed to criticise In Memoriam/any book - even if so many liked it. I can only applaud being genuine and honest about personal opinions. The Storm We Made sounds utterly amazing - and I know I can trust your reviews and therefore have to let this move up the tbr amongst the very top. I really enjoy educational fiction that includes complex behaviours and self-reflection. Happy New Year, Simon, thank you for being you 💜🥳

[@SavidgeReads]

Ha, I am more than happy to say what I like about books and will always be honest about them, I have no qualms on this front. I think for me with In Memoriam the surprise has been how cross some people have got that I don't like it when they love it... and in a quite forceful manner. That is fine though, if I chose to put my thoughts out on the internet I can't be annoyed if people don't like them and respond. Ha. It is really no biggie, I just thought worth a mention though.

[@cecilialau_]

@@SavidgeReadsoh defo worth a mention. We need to consider why we feel the need to react the way we do - especially towards other ppl’s opinions on books. Bc it’s supposed to be subjective btw. Haha. I get ow it’s nice to enjoy the same things but I can find other things that would imo make more sense to have a visceral reaction to. But oh well. Good to know you’re taking it so chill

[@TKTalksBooks]

Jealous of your sweater! 😂

[@SavidgeReads]

It is one of my favourite slouching about cardigans. 100% cosy!

[@susanna.reader]

I just finished In Memoriam and came back to look for your review of it because honestly, I didn't like it that much either. I felt at a distance from it all the way through and never really felt emotionally connected to the characters. I also kept getting all the side characters mixed up. I just didn't fall in love with it like everyone else seemed to. I'm not a big fan of WWI fiction anyway, but I had high hopes for this one because I loved the film Benediction which was set around the same time and had similar (but real life) queer characters.

[@SavidgeReads]

Mine isn’t really a review as I didn’t finish it. I guess it’s more my thoughts on why I didn’t. I wanted to really love it, alas didn’t. Never mind. We can’t live every book.

[@carolewatson2113]

I’ve just finished In Memoriam and found it really absorbing. I think everyone seems gay at the start as Alice Winn has a lot to say about boys at private boarding schools? I think you’d enjoy the twist halfway through and the character Maud if you ever pick it up again. HNY!

[@carolewatson2113]

I mean,in terms of who is really prepared to battle society for their love of another man, and who isn’t.

[@SavidgeReads]

I may pick it up again, I may not, we shall see. a book can't be for everyone and I am thrilled it has found so many readers who love it (almost to a 'you can't not love it' level hahaha) I am just not one of them and thats ok lol.

[@pippin1969]

Total agreement with certain views on In Memoriam…..is everybody gay😂 but, I pushed through and wow, the poignancy and horror of the scenes at The Font are still making me think about the book

[@SavidgeReads]

Ooooh interesting! Maybe it’s one I will head to at some point this year. Maybe. Maybe not. We will see. Lol.

[@GreenBitterfly]

I meant to comment at the time but have only just got around to it, following on from Murder on the Christmas Express, I'd bought The Christmas Jigsaw Murders by Alexandra Benedict for my Mum for Christmas, thinking it would be a good Christmas themed read, and when flicking through it after it'd arrived, I realised how poor the writing was in my opinion, I ended up not giving it to my Mum as I didn't want her to feel she had to read it.

[@SavidgeReads]

Ha. Well hopefully you passed it on to someone or somewhere that would enjoy it in some way.

[@latebloomerdiaries4219]

I was extremely disappointed by Murder on the Christmas Express. There were aspects of it that I liked, like the Kate Bush scavenger hunt, and I thought it had promise when I read the excerpt online, but on the whole I was so disappointed. All reveals from the identity of the killer to the twist to the how-and-why behind the first death just were such letdowns. Also the murder victims were beyond unpleasant... they were awful! And I was like "oh my God, you're asking to be murdered" while I was reading which is ironically very victim-blamey, and I say ironic because the story deals heavily in the topic of rape and of course victim-blaming is commonly called out in response to rape culture... all this to say, the characters were so horrid I didn't care about them receiving the justice they are due under the law. Even the supporting characters were generally unpleasant. I was more invested in whether or not the sleuth would get home in time for Christmas, truth be told. It would have been better had it just been a story about people trying to get home for the holidays.

[@SavidgeReads]

Yeah the Kate Bush scavenger hunt was a good idea, though I did think (and I wouldn't have bothered hunting the anagrams) that maybe it was a bit distracting and overkill really. I didn't get far enough to be bothered by everything else, so I can't comment on that. I am planning on being a much quicker DNF'er in 2024.