THE BOOKS I DID READ IN 2023: PLUS THE FAVORITES OF 2023 IN BOOKS
This year, like many years prior, reading was pretty much non-existent. Especially when I visit the monthly roundup posts of my peers and find they read ten, twelve, fifteen and so on books in one month. I’m always impressed by this, but even when I am reading I never read more than 3-5 books. Still I did read a few books, mostly ones I finally finished reading this past year, so we’re jumping on our annual best of or favorite books of 2023 publication. Because no matter how few, we’re glad to celebrate books.
LIST | BEST OF 2023: THE FAVORITE FILM AND TV SHOWS FROM THE YEAR
THE BOOKS I DID READ IN 2023: PLUS THE FAVORITES OF 2023 IN BOOKS. Talking the Books I Read in 2023, and giving a ★ to the ones I enjoyed most! #Favoritesof2023 #Bestof2023 #BestofYear #BestinYear #FavoriteReads #TopTen #TopTenList… Share on XI should clarify something. Since I read so few novels, this is really more of a roundup of the books I did read, and I’ll add a star to those that I consider favorites. Reading as few books as I did means creating a full-on list of favorites would result in something boring. At least, probably so. Some of these are books I started in another year and finally buckled in to finish them. (Because it was ridiculous that I let them sit incomplete.) Others are ones an author sent me because I adore her novels. Some I bought. However they came into my possession, here are the few best of year books I read and did enjoy, and why I did will be included.
THE BOOKS I DID READ IN 2024 plus FAVORITE BOOKS of 2023★
MAKE THE FIREFLIES DANCE★, RACHEL BATEMAN
I received this one from the publisher, and it is a surprisingly charming YA novel. It’s a kind of Cinderella type story, only instead of a lost slipper, there’s a kiss! Goodreads
A ROYAL CHRISTMAS, MELODY CARLSON
I asked to be included in this review mailout and was fortunate to receive a copy from the publisher. The book was an easy and fast read, which I appreciate, and something that would appeal to Hallmark movie fans. Goodreads
HAPPINESS FOR BEGINNERS★, KATHERINE CENTER
This one did surprise me. Greatly. I wanted to like Katherine’s books because they are always so colorful and contemporary which is my favorite. But a reader just never knows. I loved the plot, and most of the characters, too. It was a lovely thing to read. Goodreads
TEXT FOR YOU★, SOFIE CRAMER
As a story, this novel is darling. It misses some of the charm by keeping its protagonists apart for so long, but I forgive it in this story because it’s charming. The film, while it fixes this, misses some of the ways this novel works. Goodreads
ALONG FOR THE RIDE, SARAH DESSEN
The first I ever read by Sarah, this one is entertaining, but it doesn’t stand out as being my most favorite. Goodreads
ALL THE RIGHT REASONS, BETHANY MANGLE
I received this one in 2022 (I think) and felt so bad I didn’t finish reading it more promptly. The story is easy reading and has as bit of drama here and there. For me, the romances didn’t work, but I like the concept and enjoyed that the novel was short and easy to binge read. Goodreads
THE TOURIST ATTRACTION, SARAH MORGENTHALER
Didn’t adore this one. It’s cute, but I think some of the “comedy” feels on repeat and some of the characters just weren’t really memorable. But for a read that doesn’t require much from the reader (meaning it’s not some episode historical fantasy that you must pay attention to each detail), it may be a fun read. Goodreads
THE MAID, NITA PROSE
This is one I was all set to love… and I did, or at least portions of it. Then certain twists came in, and a certain element closes the novel that just feels “convenient” so I knocked down a star or two. I’m still curious and hope to read book two, but this one didn’t work as well as I anticipated. Goodreads
ONE TRUE LOVES★, TAYLOR JENKINS REID
It’s quite accurate to say that these past three years haven’t been my year of reading. But I can say that I finally read a couple of the authors I’ve been curious about for a while, including Reid. This probably isn’t a novel I’ll re-read, but it did surprise me how much I enjoyed the novel while reading. The concept is unusual (a woman about to re-marry learns the husband she lost five years ago is still alive), but I think it works. Also, the movie is a solid adaptation. Goodreads
AFTER SHE FALLS, CARMEN SCHOBER
Another one I started in 2021? Or 2022? I cannot remember at this point. But I finished it – finally. I have reservations about this one (same as anything), but admire that it’s a different look and concept for its Christian fiction market. The plot follows a woman leaving a bad and abusive relationship, and rediscovering her love of MMA. Goodreads
THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT★, JENNIFER E. SMITH
Cute and fun and worth the read, this one is another favorite by an author I already enjoyed. Goodreads
MEMORY LANE, BECKY WADE
This is the first novel Becky published outside of her three set series with Bethany House. Memory Lane follows a guy with memory loss and the woman who he falls in love with. The story is very Becky Wade and charming, but I did actually find the character of Jude (the hero’s brother) quite interesting, and we get his story in 2024. Goodreads
Have you read any of these? Which 2023 books do you recommend? Which ones should I read yet? Which books did you love in this past year? Let’s learn all about your favorite books of 2023! Which of these authors do I need to read more by? Sound off below. Let’s meet in the comments.
Thank you for visiting; please come back again soon.
Linking up with That Artsy Reader Girl January 2: Favorite Books of 2023
One True Loves a new Reid novel? Or an older one? I loved Daisy Jones, and Like Malibu Rising. Where does it rank?
Happy New Year!
My Favs of 2023
One True Loves is one of Reid’s older releases and I liked it. I haven’t read more by the author, but I’m glad to know your favorites! I think I would like to try another by her. :)
2023 was a similar reading experience for me -very few reads but still some of them turned out well. I’ve heard about Happiness for Beginners – is there a movie/ TV adaptation as well? Oh well, hoping that ’24 turns out to be a better reading year for both of us!
I hope 2024 is a great reading year, too! I always want to read more, but I’m stuck in this weird don’t-want-to-sit-and-read phase. ;) This fall I did actually read 3 or so books, and I thought maybe that would carry into December, but it didn’t. Maybe January! :) And yes! Netflix made Happiness for Beginners into a film. It was pretty good though a little different than the novel.
I’ve heard good things about The Maid.
It will be interesting to see what your read count is for 2024. I go in cycles, too.
Here is my Top Ten Tuesday post.
I’ll be quite curious to see if I read more in 2024, Lydia. I did read 3 or so books during the fall and was hopeful that’d carry into December, but it didn’t. Oh, well! Maybe I’ll pick up something again now that January is here and there’s no more “stressful” holiday things to think about. :)
The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight and Happiness for Beginners are on my TBR so I’m glad to see you loved them!
Hope you enjoy, Lindsey. :)
I’ve read a couple of Sarah Dessen’s books and found them thoroughly enjoyable — realistic characters behaving in teen-appropriate ways, facing issues and learning from them. All the things I want in teen fiction, and none of what I don’t!
(My TTT is here for this week.)
I now that “none of what I don’t” want feeling about a book, Rachel. I have read too many books, across lots of genres, that have things that feel more like “just because” rather than good storytelling. I’ll have to read another by Sarah! I enjoyed “Along for the Ride,” though it took me until 2022 (which is when I think I initially started the book) to give one of her novels a chance. ;)
Right? “Let’s shoehorn some smut or gore so people won’t get bored.” Lazy writing, that.
The two I have read by Sarah Dessen are Saint Anything and What Happened to Goodbye. I just picked up used copies of several of her books at the used book store, and I think one of them was Along for the Ride…
So well said! I have this pet peeve about content that’s there “just because” rather than to serve a better or “bigger” story purpose. I mean it’s in so many things that I don’t ever (or rarely) get to avoid it, but I still find it annoying. ;) I’ve heard What Happen to Goodbye is a good read, but don’t think I’ve heard much about “Saint Anything”!
I’ve read the Sarah Dessen book, Jennifer E. Smith, and Taylor Jenkins Reid, and really enjoyed them. I’m glad to see them on your list!
Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed them and I was pleasantly surprised by Taylor’s, so that is always a reader plus. :)
I’ve been told I need to read The Maid and after seeing it pop up on so many lists I’ll have to get to it asap!
I hope you enjoy The Maid, Lauren. :)
Well the books you did read all look great. Katherine Center is a favourite of mine, I have The Maid on my shelf to read. I don’t see a star beside it but I’ll still read it one day. Many blessings for the New Year.
Thanks, Kathryn and I hope you enjoy The Maid! And I’m glad to hear so many say good things about Katherine Center’s novels. I’m excited to read more for sure. :)
I don’t think that I’ve read any of these books, but I used to read lots of Sarrah Dessen. I’ve still not read any TJR books, maybe this year!
I read VERY little this year, Caroline, but am glad I read a couple authors, like Sarah and TJR, that I have been meaning to give a chance. I hope 2024 is a fabulous reading and life year for you. :)
I enjoyed Along For the Ride years ago. Happiness for Beginners was good, but I’ve enjoyed other Katherine Center books even more. She’s such a wonderful writer! The Maid was fun and I’m looking forward to the second book. Loved the narration. Great list!
YAY! Excited at the prospect of better novels from Katherine. :) I too anticipate The Mystery Guest. The Maid wasn’t a favorite in the end, but I liked it well enough to still be curious! :)
I remember loving Along for the Ride when I read it. Glad you got to read it in 2023!
Same! That’s the first I ever read by Sarah despite her books always seeming as if they’d be interesting. :)
I tried Memory Lane on audio and couldn’t stand the narrator. I then switched to trying to read it, but my experience was already tainted, so I ended up Dnfing it. I hope to give it a good amount of time and try it again.
Ugh. I know that feeling, Cindy! Not audio specifically, but just trying to read a book that “feels” tainted after some event. I try not to let things affect my reading, but it has been, especially in the last 2-3 years, which is maybe why when I do pick up a novel now, I tend to go in “blind” without even reading the book synopsis! ;)
Rissi, I do the same! I don’t want any spoilers!
And sometimes that’s hard to avoid with all of the social media chatter about books. :)
I read THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT this year too. It also ended up as one my of favorites. :D Happy 2024!
Jennifer’s books or those I’ve read, have been so sweet and fun. I’m looking forward to reading more by her! :)
I was fortunate to receive an ARC for The Maid, and like you, I felt let down by the book. It was missing something for me, and I always feel like I’m in the minority when I say that. I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who was let down. I hope that you have a wonderful 2024.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/my-twelve-favorite-reads-of-2023/
You were not, Pam! I liked a lot about “The Maid,” but in the end it wasn’t a favorite. I am still curious about the sequel, so we’ll see if I like that better. ;)
Great list! I really enjoyed Memory Lane by Becky Wade. Can’t wait for book 2.
Happy New Year!
I’ve REALLY eager for book two of Becky’s new series. Especially since the next lead character (aka a side character from Memory Lane) was one of my favorites! :)
Great list. I have heard of a couple of these books but haven’t read any of them.
Thanks so much for visiting, Sarah. :)
I loved One True Loves, I listened to the audiobook without reading the synopsis (I chose it because I had already read the author and I like her style). And I almost cried at work, I usually listen to audiobooks at work, but I didn’t expect this one to be so emotional
I was surprised how well I enjoyed One True Loves. I want to give another of Taylor’s a chance, too, but don’t really feel drawn to other of her novels. Do you have one to recommend? :)
Well, my favorite is the most famous, Evelyn Hugo. I only read her historical novels, Evelyn, Daisy, Carrie and Malibu. What I like is that the protagonists are complicated women, they make mistakes but you still empathize with them, they are all famous and the way the author narrates their professions (actress, athlete, singer) is so realistic that it makes you want to search in google to watch the movies or listen to the songs the authors mention.
Is so different from One True Loves,
I’ve heard SO much about Evelyn Hugo, and some studio (Netflix maybe) has the rights for a film adaptation too. I saw Malibu once at a store, but didn’t pick it up. I was intrigued by One True Loves, so reading more by Taylor is definitely something I’m curious to do. And I don’t mind flawed characters, but I do still like to LIKE the characters, so I’m glad to hear Taylor does well in writing these types of characters. :)
I don’t read much romance, but I do really like Center’s books. I also read and enjoyed HAPPINESS FOR BEGINNERS this year.
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
I did too! Such a different (for me) read. :)
Great list, and happy new year! I’ve only heard of The Maid, and it seems like the feedback is kind of in the middle on this one. It’s still on my TBR, and I’m curious about the TJR book too! These all look super cute, and I’ll definitely be checking some of these out, so I appreciate the heads up.
Hope you find some new ones to enjoy, Leah! And let me know what you think of “The Maid” if you read it. I liked part of it, and then it just didn’t quite work for me. But what I did like is enough to make me curious for the sequel!! :)
I loved Memory Lane and am so excited for book two! Happy New Year! :)
I’m really excited for book two as well, Ashley; I loved book two’s hero in “Memory Lane.” :)