Instead of ranking my top ten books for 2023, I decided to share my top 23 books of the year. These are books I read in 2023, not books published in 2023. I did not assign them specific ranks, I’m just listing them in the order that I read them.
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Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Date Finished: 1/7/23
I’m sure this is on many lists this year. This is one book that actually lives up to the hype.
The Tudors In Love: The Courtly Code Behind the Last Medieval Dynasty by Sarah Gristwood
Date Finished: 1/17/23
A nonfiction look at the Tudors through the lense of contemporary views of romance and how they impacted history.
School Trip (New Kid bk. 3) by Jerry Craft
Date Finished: 2/18/23
I don’t read a lot of graphic novels, but I love this series. It handles difficult complex racial issues with sensitivity and humor. I love how the characters have evolved in this book and characters get called out on their actions.
Schooled by Gordon Korman
Date Finished: 3/24/23
I know this is an older one, but I read it with a class this year, it was so funny.
Fox Point’s Own Gemma Hopper by Brie Spangler
Date Finished: 3/29/23
I can’t believe I have two graphic novels on my list. Gemma is a baseball prodigy who is holding her family together after her mother leaves. The book captures the dynamics of teenage friendships perfectly.
Heartbreak Creek by Kaki Warner
Date Finished: 4/8/23
I love a good historical romance, and love the mail order bride trope because you get to see the whole relationship evolve and really get to know the characters.
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Date Finished: 4/30/23
This is another one that had been on my shelf for a while. Wonderful start to another great romantacy series by Sarah J. Maas.
My Name is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliviera
Date Read: 5/10/23
This is the story of a midwife turned surgeon during The Civil War.
The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams
Date Finished: 6/2/23
This book celebrate the power of books and how they connect a diverse group of people.
Carrie Soto is Back by Tara Reid Jenkins
Date Finished: 6/28/23
When retired tennis star Carrie Soto’s record is in jeopardy, she decides to make a comeback. Carrie is not really likable, but she is a fascinating character.
Exiles by Jane Harper
Date Finished: 7/8/23
This was another twisty mystery by Jane Harper and a great ending for the Aaron Falk series.
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
Date Finished: 7/15/23
This is the perfect summer read. It’s a fun enemies to lvoers romance set in Hawaii.
A Kiss for Midwinter by Courtney Milan
Date Read: 8/13/23
This is a holiday novella in the Brothers Sinister series. I always forget how much I love this series. Milan writes some of the best bantor in historical romance.
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jess Q. Sutanto
This is one of the funniest books I’ve ever read.
Forever and Ever, Amen: A Memoir of Music, Faith and Braving the Storms of Life by Randy Travis
Date finished: 9/4/23
This was an inspirational memoir about one of my favorite singers.
Go Tell the Bees that I am Gone by Diana Gabaldon.
Date Finished 10/4/23
The Outlander series dipped for me in the middle, but the last few have gone back to the glory of the early books.
Hang the Moon by Jeannette Walls
Date Finished: 10/17/23
Jeannette Walls knows how to write strong, interesting women. This is the story of a woman who inherits her father’s bootlegging empire.
Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See
Date Finished: 11/2/23
I have loved everything that I’ve read by Lisa See. This one might be my favorite. I found the history of Eastern medicine fascinating.
Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher
Date Finished: 11/5/23
Great for any fan of fairytales.
The Book Woman’s Daughter by Kim Michele Richardson
Date Finished: 11/27/23
As the title, implies this is the sequel to The Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek. Personally, I felt the sequel was better.
By the Book by Jasmine Guillory
Date Finished: 12/3/23
This was a contemporary spin on Beauty and the Beast with a spoiled celebrity and a book editor helping with his memoir.
The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan
Date Read 12/17/23
This book set during WWII features a cooking competition using rations. It’s unusually uplifting for the setting.
The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin
Date Finished: 12/24/23
This WWII novel shows the power of books even during the worst times.
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