My Favorite Books from 2023

I spend a fair amount of my weekends and weekdays reading throughout the year. This year I set a goal to read 50 books and surpassed that by reading 57 books. I definitely enjoyed most of these reads but to be fair, I do not continue to read books that I do not enjoy. DNF is certainly a part of my book vocabulary.

Okay, out of the 57 I have decided to share what I consider to be my favorites this year. Each of these areon this list for different reasons. No genre is off limits for me. I tend to be a very varied reader since I am looking for something different depending on my mood or whats going on in my life. As such, this list is not in any particular ranked order. My Favorite for 2023 are as follows:

The Violence by Delilah S, Dawson

This book about a pandemic illness known as "The Violence" that causes the infected to experience bouts of rage attacking anyone in their path is on my favorites list because its wild! As we have all experienced there is a lot of unknown during a pandemic time. We follow three generations of women - A grandmother, a mother and her two daughtrers as they navigate this difficult time learning about themselves, their relationships and how to stay alive! This book is funny, scary, and quite unexpected.

Sweet, Soft, Plenty Rhythm by Laura Warrell

This is a story about Circus Palmer, Jazz trumpeter, and the woman who move in and out of his life. Its a story about dreams and desire. Its written in a kaleidoscopic way where each chapter is told from the perspective of a different character. Its on list llist because its fun to do a deep dive in other people’s business. What the author has been able to do is create these colorful characters so familiar who are longing for what we are all longing for but oh do they all go about it in a different way. This book is thoughfully written and I feel a accurate look at the human condition. If you are looking to be on the edge of your seat or for an action packed timeline then this isn't the book for you. However, if you are wanting to get lost in the minds of emotions of others longing for love and dreaming of more, then try this one on.

All Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby

S.A. Cosby has yet to let me down. This story like the others moves at the perfect pace to unfold a mystery that will make you hold your breath until the words form a resolution that leaves you satisfied. This book follows Titus Crowne newly elected and first black Sheriff of Charon County, Va as he works fervently to discover who is the serial killer terrorizing his small town. There are so many storylines in this book that all come together to quell the anxiety that forms with each chapter read. There are some heinous crimes described in this book and it deals prominently with some tough topics so careful. This book is hands down action packed and enjoyable.

Ripe by Sarah Rose Etter

I really liked this book. It is haunting, descriptive and honestly so believable. Etter does an amazing job at capturing the work hustle culture that has become standard today to live in place that are barely affordable with a backdrop of a world quickly falling apart around us. Cassie our main character is followed by a personal black hole that you are rooting for her to free herself from the whole book. Its dark and if you are already in a dark place the maybe this isn' the right time for you to fread this but it is good.

Drowning by T.J. Newman

T.J. Newman does it again! The moment you start this one you are already in it!! Almost immediately your anxiety level rises and we are along for the tumultuous ride to prevent our main character from drowning. If you like books that work to solve a most impossible problem then this is the book for you. There are some truly heart warming moments that help balance the impending doom. Not for you if you even remotely have a fear of flying.

How to Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis, lpc

This book was a quick read that packs a ginormous punch. I am not sure what I was expecting from this book but what I found was a nononsense guide for those with neurodivergent minds to tackling many of lifes tasks that they may feel they fail at time and time again. I immediately had to share passages from this book with my ADHD daughter and friends to show them they they are not alone in their experiences and that there is a way for them to live and manage the tasks of the everyday just like everyone else

BLK ART by Zaria Ware

I think this book was so needed. As a kid I found myself enamoured with western art but too wondered where the black and borwn faces were. This book has highlighted the many black faces who have been in the art and created the art all along. I felt such inspiration while reading this book. Written with wit and a bit of humor, this book takes on the art communiyt which can be quite stuffy and unwelcoming. I had to add this book to my permanent collection!

Killing Me by Michelle Gagnon

What a fun read…feels weird to say that about a book who’s main character is a whole mess on the quest to find a serial killer after escaping a different serial killer! It was funny, the mystery was intriguing and there were even a few twists and turns. There was the plot device and default super smart rich person character to help do the impossible and move the plot but it wasn’t egregious or harmful to the plot! Very entertaining!!

The Stranger in the Woods by Michael Finkel

I found this book about Christopher Thomas Knight, The North Pond Hermit, a man who lived 27 years alone in the main woods without interacting with human society utterly fascinating. While teh author gives us a look into the mind of a man who would do such a thing, the book also calls for the reader to examine what it means to exist in this world and what happens when the convential ideas of happiness and success don't fit a person. I liked this way more than I even thought I would.

Starter Villain by John Scalzi

Per usual John Scalzi delivers a fun creative peek into a crazy world where our main character finds himself suddenly a criminal mastermind. C'mon this book has smart talking cats! The writing is fun, witty and slowly reveals plot points aat just the right time. Is it John Scalzi's best..hmmm..probably not put that doesn't mean that this was not entertaining and a great escape.

The Reformatory by Tananarive Due

Wow!! What amazing writing that places you in to the minds and hearts of characters both good and evil. This book about system is ills and juvenile injustice told with a touch of magical realism is at times a horror story, at times a family drama, at times a work of historical fiction but at all times compelling. I swear there are to many moments I was on the edge of my seat. This book is excellent but be warned it is not for the weak.

Where the Forest Meets the Stars by

This book sat on my shelf for a while and now I'm wondering why I waited so long to pick it up since its become one of my most shared and favorite reads. This heartfelt story about three people battling there own pasts to survive in the now clash together to create a tale of love, loss, anger and growth. I felt that the characters were well developed and the bits of suspense and romance rummaging about the book do just enough to create strong emotions to keep you turning the pages. Lovely story when you are open to the idea and magic of happenstance and fate.

So there you have it. My top 10 books of the year. Picking these was harder than I expected it to be. There were so many more good books on my list. Honorable mention goes to “Yellow Face” by R.F. Kuang for giving me a main character that I loved to hate who had me yelling at the book while reading and “Never Whistle at Night” An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology for being an absolutely creepy page turning collection of short stories.

Here’s to hoping that 2024 will be just as fulfilling on the reading front if not more than 2023 has been. I am setting my reading goal for 50 books AGAIN in 2024 but If you would like to stretch your reading goal and read more ….

Here are some tips for reading more books: 

• Set goals: Set a daily goal, like reading for 30 minutes every day, or a monthly goal, like reading one book per month. 

• Track your reading: Keep track of your reading so you can improve your effort and avoid buying or borrowing the same book more than once. 

• Schedule reading time: Schedule reading time like you would schedule a meeting or coffee date. 

• Read multiple books: Reading multiple books at once can help you get through your To Be Read pile faster. 

• Try different formats: Try reading out loud, listening to an audiobook, or using a reading device. 

• Choose books that fit your interests: Choose books that you enjoy and try a new genre. 

• Carry a book everywhere: Take a book with you everywhere you go and read whenever you have the chance. 

Do follow along with me on Goodreads to see what I am currently reading or of course there will be another wrap up at the end of the year. In the meantime Happy reading!!

What are your reading goals for 2024??