Going into 2023 I wanted to continue my love for reading. Reading is an excellent hobby, so I decided that in 2023 I would discover new authors and explore more genres. My reading goal for the year was 36 books, and at the end of the year, I had read 66 books. Throughout the year I read amazing books, some of which have become my favorite reads of all time. Here are my top 10 reads of 2023.
- Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
I typically do not read books in the fantasy genre, but I decided to give the book a try after seeing all the positive reviews. I flew through this book, and it instantly became my favorite read of 2023. I could not rave about this book more. It has been a long time since I have been so consumed by a book. The beginning instantly grabbed my attention. In one book I have become so invested in the characters. I saw a review of the book that compared it to a combination of Harry Potter and The Hunger Games, and I couldn’t agree more with this comparison. This was my last read of 2023 so I did not have time to get to Iron Flame, the second book in the series, but I cannot wait to read it in 2024.
- Beautiful World Where Are You by Sally Rooney
Throughout 2023 I read all of Sally Rooney’s books and this one was by far my favorite. I found that the author is excellent at telling a realistic story. I felt that the characters and storyline were very relatable. Sally Rooney has a way with words that is much different than other authors. The descriptions were precise and beautifully written. This book is not a page-turner. I believe the book takes time to read. This is a great option if you are looking for an excellent literary fiction novel.
- The Housemaid and The Housemaid’s Secret by Freida McFadden
These two books are part of The Housemaid series. They are both fast-paced page-turners that are part of the mystery and thriller genre. I could not put either of these books down. One of my favorite parts of the first book was the prologue because it instantly grabbed my attention and set up the rest of the book. After finishing the first book I had no hesitation in getting the second one. The third book in the series will be released in 2024 and I cannot wait.
- The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Growing up, I skipped the Harry Potter phase. I had never read the books or seen the movies, so my goal for winter break was to finally read the entire series. I found all the books to be excellent, but I enjoyed the third and fourth books the most. The introduction of Remus and Sirius gave more backstory which I wanted. The fourth book also had more world-building with the Triwizard Tournament. Overall, the series was very well-written, attention-grabbing, and full of amazing characters.
- Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
When I started this book, I was not sure if I would like it since computer coding is a big part of the book. The topic did not seem very interesting at first. I was completely wrong though. The addition of coding helped the story tremendously and set it apart from other books. You do not need an understanding of the topic to enjoy the book. The book spans a large majority of the characters’ lives which allows you to connect with them. I completed this book months ago and am still thinking about it to this day.
- Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
This is one of my favorite books of the year. It has incredibly funny moments while also rather low moments. I really liked Elizabeth and how she was able to stay true to herself through all that she went through. I thought that the chemistry would make it difficult to understand the story but that was completely wrong. Lessons in Chemistry gained a lot of attention and as a result, was made into a television show. I have not had the chance to watch it yet but maybe I will in 2024.
- Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson
Unlike the other books on this list, this book is not a fast-paced or attention-grabbing read. Pineapple Street is much more character-driven. Each character is distinct and likable in their own way. Despite it not being an attention grabber, I was very entertained by this book and still think about it to this day. If you are looking for a fun and easy read, then I would definitely recommend this book.
- The Inheritance Games series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Consisting of three books and a spin-off series, I found that I loved all the books. The first book in the series instantly caught my attention and I flew through the rest. The first book in the spin-off series was released in 2023 and it lived up to the originals. I cannot wait for the rest of the spin-off series to come out. I found the idea of the original books to be like the film Knives Out. This was a movie that I enjoyed so I am not surprised that I loved these books. If you enjoyed Knives Out, then maybe these are the books for you.
- The Maid and The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose
One of my favorite types of books is a light-hearted mystery and these books are just that. The Maid and The Mystery Guest are two books in a series. The main character Molly is quirky and likable. I was intrigued by the mysteries in both books and never saw the endings in either coming. These stories lack the darkness that commonly occurs in most mystery books which I enjoyed. More books in the series are expected to be coming and I cannot wait.
- Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Taylor Jenkins Reid must be one of my favorite authors. I will read any and all of her books. I especially love her books that pull from history. The band in this book is based on Fleetwood Mac. The writing style of this book was much different than the other books I have read. The story is written in an interview format. I was wary of this, but I quickly fell in love with it and felt it fit the story. On top of loving this book, I also loved the miniseries that was released this year. This is one of my favorite books to miniseries adaptations and getting to hear the music rather than reading it was amazing.