Well-Read Episode 131 - 2023 Superlatives Well-Read

We’re back with our superlatives episode – one of our favorites of the year!
 
Books and other media mentioned in this episode:
Halle’s InstagramWomen’s Prize for FictionHell Bent by Leigh BardugoThe Covenant of Water by Abraham VergheseLonesome Dove by Larry McMurtryFrom the Front Porch (podcast)Book of the Month Club
Most TimelyAnn: Spare by Prince HarryHalle: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Most DisappointingAnn: The Cloisters by Katy Hays and Under Lock & Skeleton Key by Gigi PandianHalle: Happiness Falls by Angie Kim and Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld– Miracle Creek by Angie Kim– Saturday Night Live (TV)
Favorite RereadAnn: Ninth House by Leigh BardugoHalle: Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid and The Guncle by Steven Rowley– Daisy Jones & the Six (TV)
Biggest SurpriseAnn: Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree and Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa SeeHalle: The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen– The Undermining of Twyla and Frank by Megan Bannen
Least FavoriteAnn: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros and The Scourge Between Stars by Ness BrownHalle: Mean Baby by Selma Blair
Book That Lived Up to the Hype:Ann: How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle ZevinHalle: Happy Place by Emily HenryBest DistractionAnn: The Last Word by Taylor AdamsHalle: Katherine Center books– Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center– Hello Stranger by Katherine Center
The Book That Ended a Mini Reading SlumpAnn: Homecoming by Kate MortonHalle: Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler
Most UnputdownableAnn: What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall and Look Closer by David EllisHalle: None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell and Drowning by T.J. Newman
Better Late Than NeverAnn: Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid and The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine ArdenHalle: The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline and My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Book That Has Stayed With MeAnn: The Museum of Ordinary People by Mike GayleHalle: Someday, Maybe by Onyi Nwabineli
Book That We Didn’t Think We’d Like, But Then We Did!Ann: The Deep Sky by Yume Kitasei and Gods of the Wyrdwood by RJ Barker– Mistborn by Brandon SandersonHalle: Shark Heart by Emily Habeck
Author(s) we discovered in 2023 that we’re most excited to read more from in 2024Ann: Nilima Rao, T. Kingfisher, Heather Fawcett– A Disappearance in Fiji by Nilima Rao– Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett– Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather FawcettHalle: Sarah Adler and Jessica Joyce– Mrs. Nash’s Ashes by Sarah Adler– You, With a View by Jessica Joyce
Hidden Gem:Ann: A Death in Denmark by Amulya Malladi and Role Playing by Cathy Yardley and Better the Blood by Michael BennettHalle: Talking at Night by Claire Daverley and Chance of a Lifetime series by Kate Clayborn– Normal People by Sally RooneyBest Audiobook Experience of the Year:Ann: Kala by Colin Walsh and Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley– Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline BoulleyHalle: The Woman in Me by Britney Spears, narrated by Michelle Williams
Our Favorite Non-Book Media Property of the YearAnn: “Planet of the Bass” by DJ Crazy Times (song)   Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (film)   Barbie (film)   The Shop Around the Corner (film)   Remember the Night (film)   Bob’s Burgers (TV)Halle: Lessons in Chemistry (TV)   Daisy Jones & The Six (TV)    The Bear (TV)    The Great Canadian Baking Show (TV)    First Draft (podcast)    Sentimental Garbage (podcast)    –The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue    – You’ve Got Mail (film)    – Sleepless in Seattle (film)
The Book We Recommended the Most This YearAnn:  Last to Leave the Room b