Ten Reads From 2023 That I Loved
"There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island." ~ Walt Disney
A few years ago, I set a goal for myself: to read 100 books every year until I die. It’s my favorite goal: it’s fun but also pushes me a little bit.
With the close of 2023 behind us and the anticipation of a new shelf of “books I’ve read” appearing on my Goodreads, I like to look back on what books really mattered to me this year. So, ladies and gentlemen who care, here’s ten books that I loved in 2023.
The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman
If you haven’t read the Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman, you are truly missing out on life. A group of pensioners (the British term for senior citizen) who solve murders while making you laugh out loud. They’re fantastic “who-dunnits” that will you keep you guessing till the end. The latest in the series, number four The Last Devil to Die had me bawling. Even if you’re not a mystery reader, you’ll like these.
You Never Forget Your First by Alexis Coe
My favorite biography of the year, this look at George Washington is unlike any other I’ve read. A beautiful narrative on the life of our first President that doesn’t shy away from the darker side of his life while also celebrating the good he did. In other words, a holistic approach to a biography.
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower
The feel of Jane Austen, but with the snark of the modern age. These books are a delight to read, pulling you into the neighborhood of St. Crispin’s where Emma gets up to all sorts of shenanigans and finds true friends.
Original Grace by Adam Miller
A gorgeous look at what it really means to be saved and why we need Christ.
The Spy and the Traitor by Ben MacIntyre
An intense true story of a KGB man who turned in the Cold War. It reads like a novel and the research is impeccable. I found myself ignoring household tasks just to find out what was going to happen next.
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sara J. Maas
While I love the story of the series A Court of Thrones and Roses, this book was so much more to me this year. Why? It opened the door (ha) to more adult-style romance books for me. I’d always shied away from explicit sex scenes in books, shelving many after beginning them. But the liberation I’ve felt reading whatever I like this year has been mind blowing. I’m a 36 year old woman who has given birth four times and had sex thousands of times. It was time for me to grow up and set the prude aside. And goodness—I’m so glad I did. So this book wins for a fun story, gorgeous world building, character arcs worth talking about, and my literary liberation.
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
Historical fiction at its finest. The story of a female spy for MI6, Code Name Verity will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. You’ll laugh and cry and gasp in shock. I highly recommend this book to any history or WW2 enthusiast—especially for the fantastic female character at the center of the story.
Hello Stranger by Katherine Center
Yes it’s a romance novel, but oh-so-much-more. A portrait artist, Sadie is diagnosed with Face Blindness after suffering a seizure. In other words, she can’t recognize or even see faces. It’s an in depth look at what love really is and how we see each other.
The First Five Pages by Noah Lukeman
I hesitated to include this, as it’s really only a book for writers. But it made such an impact on me this year. I finished the first draft of a novel in 2023, and I’m working on revisions right now to prepare for agent queries. This book gave me a step-by-step guide on how to revise, what to look for, and excitement to begin working on draft two.
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
This book is on thousands of 2023 shelves on Goodreads and for good reason. I was immediately taken by the characters (including the octopus) and the beautiful prose made me slow down and just enjoy the journey. A beautiful work of contemporary fiction for dozens of types of readers.
Well, there you have it. There are so many other books that earned five stars from me this year, but these ten really stood out. As my 2023 reading year has ended, 2024 brings on a new list of TBR and excitement to learn, feel, and escape into the pages. What can I say—reading is my superpower.
You're amazing! Love reading this. I immediately bookmarked The Thursday Murder Club series for Freddy — everything about it sounds like it was made for him (and I'm sure I'll love it too).
Thrilled for you and your literary liberation via ACOTAR! I started the first one over the holiday break but had a hard time getting into it. Sounds like I need to give it another try!