The Almost Best Books of 2023

[@stanbrown32]

I recommend Catherine Fox's Lindchester Chronicles, beginning with the first book, Acts and Omissions. She describes contemporary Britain through a cathedral town and the neighboring city, including a wide mix of queer and straight characters. It is extremely uplifting.

[@SupposedlyFun]

That sounds fascinating--thanks for the recommendation.

[@KurtAnderson812]

I was having brunch with a friend yesterday and we were discussing books. I used the phrase, “it’s a tiny little thing, you can dunk it in your coffee” and I had to laugh because it was never something I would have thought to say about a book until I found your videos 😂

[@SupposedlyFun]

Ha! I love that. I don't know why that saying amuses me so much.

[@catherinejager3264]

Teddy doing the “toddler thing” is adorable 😂

[@SupposedlyFun]

He really is a cutie!

[@josie8997]

Has Joel tried any Cat Sebastian? She does fantastic M|M historical romances, all steamy (on the lower end I'd say), very character focused, very deep, believable relationships and cozy and all the audiobooks are fantastic

[@LibroParadiso-ep4zt]

"The Almost Best Books" title made me smile. It's pretty funny. I may be the only booktuber who has never read a Steinbeck or Dickens book. I think this means I'll be exiled :)

[@SupposedlyFun]

If it's something that interests you, they will always be there when you're ready. No need to exile anyone!

[@pancakeday4866]

I so enjoy watching your wonderful family booktube videos. And your matching jackets do not go unappreciated! Thank you so much for frequently posting. This one reminded me I haven’t read Melissa yet! Not sure how that one got by me.

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you so much for the kind words. They mean a lot to us!

[@spexi513]

I think this is an excellent video idea ! I’d been saving your best books video for one of my walks, but it’s raining all week so I’ve yet to watch it, but now I’m kinda glad I get to watch this one before that. Blahdiggityblah, talk about a ME Show . Ps: I was hoping Teddy WOULD start snoring 📖🪱💚

[@spexi513]

Been raining all week. Idkw I’ve no edit option anymore 🤷🏽

[@SupposedlyFun]

It would feel like a countdown of sorts to watch this before the actual best video, so I get it! And I was a little surprised Teddy didn't start snoring myself.

[@ReinReads]

A Solitude of Wolverines sounds interesting. My library has Alice Henderson’s whole Alex Carter series on audiobook so will be checking them out. Reminds me a bit of one of my favorites, The Animal Dialogues by Craig Childs.

[@SupposedlyFun]

I hope you enjoy the Henderson books! We'll have to look into Childs--thanks for the recommendation.

[@readingbytheriver5752]

Hi Teddy and his people. A Solitude of Wolverines was the December choice for the Naturalist Book Club with Heidi and Doris. Wouldn't have chosen it on my own but I enjoyed did enjoy it. I look for pairs - thinking Grapes of Wrath and Whose Names are Unknown. One of our topics for the Neighbor Hood Book Club is to reread a book we didn't like in High School. Thinking the "pairs" are perfect for this task. Another great video. Thank you.

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thanks! I agree that Grapes of Wrath and Whose Names Are Unknown make for a perfect pairing.

[@readandre-read]

I also really enjoyed Boulder, Trespasses and Address Unknown in 2023. I got Absolution and The End of the World is a Cul de Sac in my Christmas haul and they are patiently waiting on my book cart. Teddy trying not to fall asleep is adorable.

[@SupposedlyFun]

Teddy really is a cutie. I'm jealous that you have The End of the World is a Cul de Sac!

[@barbaraboethling596]

Thanks guys. You're a great team. When you mentioned mysteries in Natl. Parks, I thought of the Anna Pigeon mysteries by Nevada Barr. The main character, Anna, is a crime solving ranger who gets shifted to various parks, and it gets pretty interesting..

[@SupposedlyFun]

Someone else mentioned Barr in a comment! Thanks for sharing. I've always meant to try that series and it got away from me somehow.

[@user-yg6ft1iu1i]

Absolution is my Pulitzer pick for this year, you heard here first

[@SupposedlyFun]

It's a solid prediction!

[@Tisaya]

Book recommendation: MM romance: N R Walker - Pieces of You/ Me/ Us And another one: Broken by Nicola Haken < read in 2019 and it stayed with me ever since. Very, very emotional.😢

[@karenmoore4430]

The new Matt Cain book One Love is out in the UK on 18th Jan if you are interested. Happy New Year to you bothxx

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thanks--I have a copy pre-ordered with Gay's the Word since I don't want to wait for a US release. I'm so excited!

[@KierTheScrivener]

Whose Names Are Unknown made my favourite classics of 2023 (classics is my biggest genre). I am picking up Absolution in January or February.

[@SupposedlyFun]

I'm so glad you liked it! And I hope you like Absolution as well.

[@jenniferwilson8131]

The audiobook for Trespasses was excellent.

[@SupposedlyFun]

I really liked it as well.

[@azu_rikka]

Claire Kells and Alice Henderson sound interesting. I love the combination of crime and nature, something I have never come across!

[@SupposedlyFun]

It does sound like an interesting blend!

[@jordana99]

I have Absolution on hold as I have read her other books! Who is the author of the dustbowl book, Sonora ?

[@SupposedlyFun]

Sanora Babb wrote Whose Names Are Unknown.

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

I started making a list of 24 books I want to get to this year. However, with each best of video I watch; the list gets longer. It’s now 43! Absolution is on that list. I’m also making a list of nonfiction, which is only 10. 🍀👋☘️📚📖☕️🇮🇪📕

[@SupposedlyFun]

Best of videos are ruining my TBR as well. 🤪

[@MJ-in-Canada]

This may sound ridiculous but I’ve never read any Tess Gerritsen books because I don’t like the cover art. Maybe it’s time I put aside that obstacle.

[@SupposedlyFun]

I've learned over time that bad cover art isn't necessarily a reflection on the book--but it's surprising how it can be off-putting sometimes.

[@MJ-in-Canada]

I could hear, “Never judge a book by its cover” when I looked at her books and yet I ignored that old saying. The cover art is no reason to ignore what could be a very good book. I need to get over it.😁@@SupposedlyFun

[@marjoriedybec3450]

I noticed that two of your almost-best books were female authors writing male love stories. Do you think you could make a video about your opinions on cultural appropriation? When is it okay? When isn't it. I know that when its icky, one senses it. You both are sensitive and very respectful. I am too. I'm curious what books you've read that have made you cringe. Or what examples you have of authors who have done it well.

[@jordana99]

That is interesting!

[@SupposedlyFun]

So in these cases, it doesn't really feel like cultural appropriation to me. I've found that when I have read a m/m romance written by a man, it focuses on the sexual parts of the story. When it's written by a woman, the characters are deeper and the relationship between the two protagonists is much more considered--and since that's what I want when I read a romance, I tend to like the ones with female authors a lot more. And I think Joel is the same way. The only thing that ever offended me is when a character said that he's HIV-negative by saying that he's "clean"--which is more of a cultural stigma that an author accidentally perpetuated rather than appropriation. And the author apologized for using that term.

[@marjoriedybec3450]

@@SupposedlyFun Thank you for the thoughtful reply. I'm a writer so the topic is very important to me.

[@SupposedlyFun]

@@marjoriedybec3450 Of course!