2023 is ending in a blur of bad news. Wars are raging in Israel and Gaza, while the Ukrainian struggle with Russia shows no sign of ending. As we enter the new year, perhaps we should turn to books that show us worlds very different than the one we live in today.

 Here are five books I’ve read this year that took me to different places and other times. I’ve written about most of them in my blog posts. These are not necessarily the best books of the year, but they offer a wide range of viewpoints. All of them are recent books that can be found in many libraries and bookstores in several formats. And any one of them will start you on a new journey to a world free from the troubles of today.

Brave the Wild River: The Untold Story of Two Women Who Mapped the Botany of the Grand Canyonby Melisa Sevigny (2023) After being told by several experienced rivermen that women would not be safe trying to navigate the Colorado River, these two botanists made the trip and proved them wrong.

Daughter of the Dragon: Anna May Wong’s Rendezvous with American Historyby Yunte Huang (2023). A Chinese-American woman from Los Angeles became a sensation in silent films and a star in both Europe and America.

Empress of the Nile: The Daredevil Archeologist Who Saved Egypt’s Ancient Temples from Destructionby Lynne Olson (2022) When the building of the Aswan Dam threatened to destroy Egypt’s treasures, one stubborn woman fought to save them for future generations.

Agatha Christie: An Elusive Woman by Lucy Worsley (2022) Who is the writer who outsells Shakespeare year after year? Agatha Christie, of course. Her life story helps us to understand how she attracts so many readers.

The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies by Allison Goodman (2023) Life during Regency England was difficult for women, but this lively mystery story introduces twin sisters who triumph over cruel husbands and brothers.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!