BEST BOOKS OF 2023 + HONORABLE MENTIONS | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

In this video, Jesse shares her top five books from 2023, which include dark, eerie, and culty reads that are both gripping and thought-provoking.

Key Insights

• ✍️ Finding a balance between beautiful writing and a coherent plot enhances the reading experience.
• 🫠 Exploring unsettling topics with respect and empathy can create gripping and emotional non-fiction reads.
• 👻 Presenting bite-sized information on dark subjects allows readers to choose their level of engagement.
• 💨 YA books that break away from trends, such as "House of Hollow," can stand out and provide unique reading experiences.

Transcript

hey hi hello welcome back to my channel I'm Jesse and today I'm bringing you my top five books that I read in 2023 it was incredibly hard to only pick five books because I've had an amazing reading year where I've read so many books that I love so I will be doing a little bit of an honorable mentions section at the end of this video because there's... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What sets "A History of Odd Places" apart from other books with beautiful writing?

Unlike many books that focus solely on atmospheric writing, this book strikes a balance, combining beautiful writing with a coherent plot and well-developed characters, creating a harmonious reading experience.

Q: What makes "Dark Archives" such a gripping read despite its unsettling subject matter?

The author approaches the topic of books bound in human skin with respect and aims to give a voice to those whose skin was used. The book elicits a range of emotions, including anger, fascination, and sadness, making it impossible to put down.

Q: How does "Gory Details: Adventures from the Dark Side of Science" manage to engage readers despite covering disturbing topics?

The book presents information in bite-sized chapters, offering enough to spark curiosity without delving too deeply into the topics. This allows readers to choose whether to investigate further, potentially avoiding overthinking and spiraling into negative thoughts.

Q: What makes "House of Hollow" stand out in the YA genre?

This dark fairy tale-esque story captivates readers with its nonsensical and flowery writing, surprising plot developments, and exploration of sisterhood. It breaks away from underwhelming YA trends and provides a unique and enjoyable reading experience.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• "A History of Odd Places": A detective searches for a missing children's author and stumbles upon a legendary hidden community, resulting in a captivating plot with beautiful writing and satisfying resolution.

• "Dark Archives": This non-fiction book delves into the unsettling history of books bound in human skin, offering a gripping and respectful exploration of the topic and evoking a range of emotions.

• "Gory Details: Adventures from the Dark Side of Science": Covering creepy and disturbing topics, this non-fiction book provides bite-sized information on various dark aspects of the world, making readers question their own experiences and knowledge.

• "House of Hollow": A dark fairy tale-like story follows three sisters who mysteriously went missing and can't remember what happened. As they search for their missing sister, they uncover a haunting and nonsensical world.

• "The Poppy War": This epic historical fantasy trilogy begins with the story of Ren, a talented young woman who joins a military school and discovers her extraordinary abilities, amidst morally gray characters and a rich political world.