I’ve already done a couple posts throughout the year doing a roundup of my reads but now that 2023 is a wrap, I wanted to share my overall favorite books from the past year. I spent quite a bit of the summer re-reading one of my all time favorite scifi/fantasy series’ but for this list I’m going to focus on more current release books, and a couple new-to-me but older releases.
Fiction
Divine Rivals
This was a really fun read that is set in a fantasy world with some element of magic but ultimately the vibe of the setting is more early 1900’s, which I think is a cool time period to do fantasy within. Tons of fantasy novels tend to exist in the medieval-ish realm, which is enjoyable, but the change in venue and the way the magic elements were incorporated felt new and interesting. The love story is really sweet and it does end on a bit of a cliffhanger (not too painful), but no worries because the second book just came out last month! Ruthless Vows is the second book and I’ve downloaded it but haven’t started it quite yet!
Seven Days in June
This book wasn’t on any TBR list of mine, but it breezed into the free little library we have at our house mid-summer and I had just finished a book and it looked like an fun read so I snagged it. I don’t tend to read a lot of fiction set in contemporary times with the exception of my favorite crime novel series, and I definitely haven’t read any romance type books set in a current urban setting, so it was a departure from my normal reads, but I thoroughly enjoyed it! I loved the characters, the love story was interesting and sweet, with plenty of interest and a little bit of spice, and it had a very satisfying ending.
Destroyer (and Sanctifier)
This one is special to me because it’s by my friend Meg! Destroyer is her debut novel and it’s a duology, so the second book is coming out this spring! I, however, got to read an ARC of book two, Sanctifier, and it was just as wonderful as Destroyer, and tied up the story wonderfully. This is another fantasy novel, with a sort of 1800’s vibe, and while it included magical elements, the main character is an archeologist, so it has a cool mixture of science, magical skepticism, and lots of intrigue. Meg also has another fantasy novel coming out early 2024, a standalone novel titled The Frost Queen
Fourth Wing + Iron Flame
Probably unsurprising that these books are on the list since they’ve topped charts all year long, but after blazing through the Sarah J Maas universe (ACOTAR, Throne of Glass, and Crescent City), it felt somewhat difficult to dive into a new fantasy series that I fell in love with as much as I’d loved those books. I read Fourth Wing shortly after it came out and started getting glowing reviews, and fell for it just as much as the rest of the world (it seemed). Sweeping fantasy world, epic storyline, compelling characters, and some steamy spice made these two books potentially my favorites from this past year. I’m only halfway through Iron Flame thus far so no spoilers please! But even having not finished it yet, I feel confident in putting it on this list as well. If you loved the Sarah J Mass books, this series is a no brainer.
After That Night
The long awaited next book in the Will Trent series! I was introduced to Karin Slaughter many years ago with one of her standalone novels, but quickly fell into her Grant County/Will Trent series. Karin’s mystery/detective writing is absolutely brilliant and her attention to detail is so incredibly thorough, it really makes her books feel immersive and compelling. The pacing of her novels always feels quick and snappy, but in a way that allows you to fully absorb the story. I’m always impressed with how she brings a new and intriguing mystery to each of the installments in this series. The books never feel repetitive, despite the characters remaining largely the same. If you’re looking for a crime series with lots of books to devour, the Grant County/Will Trent Series’ are great.
Non Fiction
What Kind of Woman
I suppose poetry falls under the Non-Fiction umbrella? Either way, I’ve been following Kate J Baer on instagram for many years, and have even bought this book of poems as a gift for a friend, but never had my own copy. Well, I decided to treat myself to it while I was picking up Christmas presents at the local bookshop last month and it’s just such a wonderful collection of poem that speak to life experience as a women. Obviously they’re poems from her life perspective, and include details about her own life, but her writing feels so deeply universal. Her poetry feels relatable, conversational, raw, and approachable. It’s not pretentious in the slightest, or something you feel like you need a degree in english literature to comprehend. Just lovely, real life poetry.
The Confidence Code
I grabbed this book to read on the plane as it headed to a content creator retreat earlier in the year, and it was a surprisingly eye opening book that dug into the science of confidence, how women experience it differently (often less) than men, and how women can tap into confidence in a way that feels authentic to their lived experiences rather than as a replication of how toxic masculinity presents it. I deeply appreciated the science and studies behind the stories and recommendations the authors shared, which I think made the book feel less fluffy-self-help-y, and more prescriptive. It definitely helped me reframe some things surrounding my own experience with confidence
The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine
As the events of October 7th sparked debate globally surrounding Palestine, I wanted to fill in some gaps in my regional history, and this book in particular is recommended universally, so I immediately picked it up. It’s a mixture of history dating back to the late 1800’s, and the author’s own experience as a Palestinian with the impacts of the Israeli occupation on his own family. I highly recommend if you’re interested in learning more about the history surrounding the current occupation and Palestinian resistance effort.
Except for Palestine: The Limits of Progressive Politics
This is another book that’s on most lists for folks looking to gain more context on the current occupation of Palestine. This one offers some interesting insight into why liberals and progressives often will leave Palestine out of their efforts towards equality and liberation. It unpacks a lot of the zionist arguments surrounding Palestine, and I think it’s a really solid book for anyone with lingering questions about Palestinian resistance and liberation efforts or anti-semitism as it relates to the arguments against zionism.
