BEST BOOKS of 2023

2023 has been a busy year! I think I tried to get in a lot of the traveling I missed over the last couple of years. I traveled to Greece and Turkey in the spring, then France and England in June. Both trips were wonderful and we had absolutely perfect weather, mid 70’s the whole time. Back in the U.S. there was a weeklong family reunion in Lake Tahoe and a trip to Washington D.C. this fall. Lots of other smaller trips, and of course I spent several weeks in beautiful Sunriver, Oregon. Phew! In 2024, I hope to get more traveling done, but maybe not quite as much. I was also lucky enough to spend a lot of time with my 5 grandkids who are growing up too fast!

As for books, I’ve heard people complain that this wasn’t a great year for books, but I disagree. I read so many books I loved, and some I didn’t, but truly appreciated what the authors were trying to achieve. I also read some clunkers and had a few I couldn’t finish. Right now I’m at 153 books and will likely get in a couple more before the 31st rolls around. Still, I’m confident no other books will be squeezing in on this list. I shared My Favorite Debuts of 2023 on Tuesday and if you want to see my Underrated Gems or Hyped Books, you can find those on Instagram. (Where you can follow me to get ALL my reviews.)

For my Best Books of 2023, I’m only including fiction for two reasons. First, I just don’t read that much nonfiction and what I do read is usually on audio. I’ll be covering my nonfiction audio favorites on a post next week on Instagram. (I’ll also cover my favorite fiction audiobooks.) Second, choosing the best was plenty hard without throwing nonfiction in there, too! Now on with 2023 books.

Best Book of the Year / Best Debut of the Year

In Memoriam by Alice Winn
My Reasons: Believe me when I say that no one could be more surprised then me that my favorite book of the year is a World War I story, with a gay love story at it’s core. Never-the-less, this beautiful debut awed me. When I closed this book back in April, I knew I’d just finished my best book of the year. It proceeded to give me a huge book hangover took me months to get over. That this book is from a debut author who just turned 30 is in itself amazing and leaves me hopeful for more from Alice Winn. (my review)

 

Best Historical Fiction / Biggest Surprise Win

The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff
My Reasons: This is another book I thought I’d “try,” but didn’t have high expectations for. I picked up an early audio copy and could NOT STOP listening. This historical fiction takes place in and around Jamestown and tells the story of a young runaway servant girl. It seems like so little to build a story on, yet in Groff’s hands Lamentations grew in incredible, powerful ways, fully filling the narrative. She grew into a truly unforgettable character – a “hell no” woman on a journey of survival! (my review)

 

Favorite Family Saga / Favorite Classic Inspired Story

Hello Beautiful by Anne Napolitano
My Reasons: There’s some back and forth about whether this book is an homage to Little Women or not. I consider myself something of a Little Women expert and I saw many parallels, but either way this book was fantastic. The story of four very close sisters and the fragile man who touches all their lives is one I savored and didn’t want it to end. Just like with Little Women, I loved this family and think it’s a book I could read over and over again. (my review)

 

Best Coming-of-Age / Best Irish Authors Having a Moment

The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue
My Reasons: The first thing this book has going for it is that I’m always a fan of a dark coming-of-age story and that’s exactly what this is. It also very much has some sally Rooney vibes which is a big plus for me. I love that it is told from a point in the future when Rachel is looking back on her time at university and the often crazy choices she and her best friend d made. Finally, it’s another excellent example a the wonderful new group of Irish authors rocking the publishing world right now. (my review)

 

Best Dystopian / Top “Go To” Author

The Memory of Animals by Claire Fuller
My Reasons: I cam a Claire Fuller completist and that’s something I can say about only a handful of authors. I’ve read then all and she just keeps getting better and better. In 2021, her last novel, Unsettled Ground, was on this list and now The Memory of Animals. Besides her beautiful writing the thing I love most about Fuller is that each of her books is completely different from the others. In this she uses a horrific pandemic as the background for a heart wrenching story of a young woman forced to fend for herself in an uncertain worls. (my review)

 

Best Audiobook of the Year / Most Tears from Laughter

Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes
My Reasons: Let me start by say that this is a great story. In it, Haynes reimagines the legend of Perseus from the perspectives of three women in his life: his mother, his wife, and Medusa, the Gorgon he slayed. Haynes did all that in a wonderfully droll, sarcastic style. However, what put this book at the top for me was the audiobook’s narration by Natalie Haynes herself. I’m usually wary of authors who narrate, but she might be the best narrator I’ve ever listened to. Her tone, her voice dripping with sarcasm and humor made it truly an unforgettable listening experience. (my review)

 

Most Creative Book of the Year / “Just Go With It” Book

Shark Heart by Emily Habeck
My Reasons: Did I expect to love a book about a man turning into a great white shark? Of course not, but debut author Emily Habeck made it feel normal. People would get something that caused them to change into animals. It was easy to accept because that was only the catalyst for a much bigger story. That of a newly married couple and how they would navigate this transition, knowing that they’d reach a point where their worlds could no longer intersected. Also a story of survival and growth, all of it a metaphor for real loses to things like dementia, Alzheimer’s, and more. A beautiful story! (my review)

 

Best Non-Traditional Love Story / Most Angst

Talking at Night by Claire Daverley
My Reasons:  Usually romance is not my thing, but when you add in some angst and tragic dynamics getting in the way of love, then I can often be all in. That’s exactly what Claire Daverley delivered with this debut. For nearly 400 pages we follow Rosie and Will as they pull toward each other and then push away. It very much reminded me of Normal People and The Paper Palace, both books I love, so I’m already excited to see what will be next from this author. (my review)

 

Best Troubled Marriage / My Favorite “Maine” Book

Pete and Alice in Maine by Caitlin Shetterly
My Reasons: This book seems to be an underrated gem and that’s a shame because it’s yet another incredible debut. The story of a very troubled marriage, right at its breaking point as COVID lockdowns begin. The couple and their two daughters escape NYC, for their cabin in Maine. Yes, life is simpler there, but their marital problems have joined them in Maine. What I’d like to help readers understand is that this isn’t a story about the pandemic. It’s a story about a very fragile marriage, with lockdown as part of the setting. The danger to this marriage isn’t COVID. It’s themselves. (my review)

 

Best Quiet Novel / Favorite Character

The Caretaker by Ron Rash
My Reasons: This Book was a late in the year surprise for me. It takes place in the years in and around the Korean War, telling the story of a truly decent man who fights to do what is right for the people he cares about. It’s a quiet, morally upright story set against a backdrop of small town life, privilege, prejudice and want. Ron Rash is an author I’ve read and enjoyed before, but this one was extra special. It was one of thse books that I like more and more as time goes on. It’s another underrated gem that I highly recommend. (my review)

 

Most Haunting Novel / Best Immigrant Story

Wandering Souls by Cecile Pin
My Reasons: While this story was enhanced for me by listening, even if I’d read it in print, I know I’d still be a huge fan. Yet another debut author, Cecile Pin beautifully tells the story of three Vietnamese siblings who end up having immigrated to England without the rest of their family. I’ll never forget Ahn, who had to grow up quickly, the head of her now small family at only 16. I’ll also never forget the haunting voice of another of the books narrators. His sections pulled the story together and highlighted the tragedy of the boat people crisis in the aftermath of the Vietnam War. (my review)

 

Freshest Take on WWII / Best Book Read Due to FOMO

The Postcard by Anne Berest
My Reasons: In my life I’ve read so many WWII books that I almost never even consider reading one anymore. Thank goodness I broke that rule for The Postcard. This book is so much more than a WWII story. Yes, part of it is focused on the war and the awful things that happened to one family in France. It also follows that family for more than 70 years, showing how descendants from that time are still haunted by that most inhumane of wars.⁣ It truly a very unique take on a WWII story. (my review)
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What were your favorite books of 2023?

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