Finally getting to Book Review #1 for 2023. It started slow, a combination of leading off with a dense non-fiction book and just ramping up outside activities. But I have cruised through my last few books and look forward to keeping a strong pace.

As always, thanks to anyone who recommended these, and I hope my reading experience helps you.

Inverting the Pyramid by Jonathan Wilson: I had my eye on this for a while as a certified soccer nerd. If you are a keen observer of the TV show Ted Lasso, this book makes multiple appearances. This came as a gift for our family Christmas book exchange. I really enjoyed learning about the history of soccer tactics. The first two-thirds entertained me more than the last bit, which really focused on individual coaches and teams more than overall strategies. But that is kind of the trend as the game becomes bigger and the world gets smaller.

The Littlest Library by Poppy Alexander: I am a sucker for this specific genre – British woman finds purpose (and probably love) after moving to a small, quirky village. This served as a perfect tonic after the information-filled soccer book. Jess, the main character, finds hope in her complicated life by turning an old telephone box into a small library. Of course, there is a complicated thing with a hunky guy, village politics and the weight of her late grandmother. But, you’d be amazed at how it all works out in the end! I love this stuff.

The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams: The second book I received for Christmas did not disappoint. Pip Williams paints a sprawling world combining the creation of the original Oxford English Dictionary and the women’s rights movement in early 20th century England. We follow Esme through many twists and turns. I found myself captivated by so many parts of the story, many of them directly related to real-life events. I found the resolution a little forced, but I had already bought in at that point so it only left a little bit of a bad taste that may just be my sensibilities and not any defect in the book.

Writers and Lovers by Lily King: Oh, man. I loved this one. I forget where I got this recommendation, but I am grateful to whoever shared this one (unless I just randomly found it). The topic – a writer struggling with her personal and creative life – spoke to me as well as the 1997 setting. That paid off when she seamlessly weaved a popular Ben Folds song into a piece of the narrative during the later stages. There is so much insight and humor in this book that you can’t help but root for Casey even when she seems like she’s making choices that make you want to shake some sense into her. If you invest in this character, you will feel rewarded at the end.