.png)
At the end of the year, it's so fun to reflect on My Year of Books. I set a reading goal for myself on Good Reads at the beginning of the year. In 2023, I set a goal of reading 35 books, and completed it in the final days.
This year, I read (& LOVED!) my first fantasy books, mixed in a few self-help non-fiction reads, lost myself in many romance and thriller novels, and enjoyed listening to a few audiobooks on my walks and drives.
Here is a quick recap of my favorite 2023 reads (in no particular order):
The Book of Lost Names - Kristin Harmel
If you are a fan of reading novels based in the Holocaust, you must read this book! Eva Traube was a graduate student during the war and was forced to flee Paris when her father, a Polish Jew, was arrested. She fled to a small Free Zone town where she was involved in forging identity documents to help children flee to neutral Switzerland. She started to document the real names of the children she helped escape to help preserve their identity, as they were too young to really remember who they are. As you can imagine, her work was illegal and would've been a death sentence if caught.
This book is full of action, bravery, and of course, a little romance. I loved this powerful story!
Local Woman Missing - Mary Kubica
Calling all my suspense/thriller lovers - this one is for you!
Shelby Tebow was the first to go missing. Shortly after, Meredith Dickey and her little girl Delilah go missing just a few blocks away. The neighborhood doesn't know if the two incidents are related. Now, 11 years later, Delilah returns, and she will help you uncover what happened to the others. This book changes perspective between a few key characters and flashes back and forth as you piece together clues to find out what happened on that dreaded day 11 years ago.
I couldn't put this book down. The ending will shock you!
Atomic Habits - James Clear
This was definitely one of my absolute favorite books of the year. I listened to this one on audiobook, and I would recommend it to everyone. James Clear talks about habit formation in this book - strategies for forming good habits, breaking bad habits, and how habits aren't just what you do, but contribute to who you are and how you identify yourself. There are so many tangible things that I took from this book and immediately applied to my life. Highly recommend!
Daisy Jones & The Six - Taylor Jenkins Reid
If you love a book turned into a tv show, I would definitely recommend Daisy Jones & The Six! I love just about every Taylor Jenkins Reid book because every novel she writes is so unique. This one is no different, as it is written in the style of a script - which might not be everyone's cup of tea, as it takes some getting used to, but I ended up loving this book!
Daisy Jones & The Six is set in the sixties. Daisy went to L.A. to try to make it as a musician, but gets caught up in the life of a rockstar - sleeping around, drugs, and clubs on the strip. Her voice and stark beauty is starting to get noticed by important people in the industry. At the same time, a rock band called The Six, led by Billy Dunne, is starting to catch popularity as well. A producer helps Billy and Daisy meet and ultimately brings them together to form Daisy Jones & The Six.
This book is full of love, heartbreak, drama, and a lot of music. I would also recommend watching the TV show after you finish the book!
A Court of Thorns & Roses; A Court of Mist & Fury; A Court of Wings & Ruin - Sarah J. Maas
Besides Atomic Habits, a Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) series were probably my favorite books of 2023 (at least the first 3 books highlighted here!). A Court of Thorns and Roses was my first introduction to the fantasy genre, and this series immediately captured my heart.
Although the beginning is a little hard to get into because you are learning a new world, new characters and creatures, the plot line of this book quickly captured my attention and never let it go. The end of all three of these books is unlike anything else I've ever read, and still to this day I find myself thinking about this series. This series truly has it all - romance, heartbreak, spice, action, thrills, suspense, magic, adventure... the list goes on and on. I would highly recommend this series!
By a Thread - Lucy Score
This book is a classic romantic comedy through and through. Ally Morales is living paycheck to paycheck, working at a pizza diner, when her life changes in the blink of an eye. Dominic Russo and his mother come into the diner for lunch one day and Dominic gets Ally fired from her job. Dominic's mother, the owner of a high end fashion label, chases Ally out the door to offer her a job. Now, Ally works for Dominic - and as you can image, things start to heat up.
The banter between Ally and Dominic is one of my favorite parts about this book. It's funny, spicy, and of course filled with romance. Definitely recommend this light-hearted read!
Happy Place - Emily Henry
In true Emily Henry fashion, this book just warms the soul. The nostalgia of going to the same beach house with your best friends every summer alone pulled me into this book. But, the plot, of course, has its own tea - Harriet and Wyn used to be the perfect couple. A few months before the annual summer trip, they split up but never told their friends. Now, for one last summer at the beach house before it's sold, they have to pretend to be together for one week. But, in true romance fashion - one week together, changes everything.
This classic romance is sweet, nostalgic, and of course a little dramatic. I loved this one!
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder - Holly Jackson
For my nail-biting thriller gals - this one is for you! As the first book in a series of three, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder is a true mystery thriller that will hook you quickly and keep you on the edge of your seat. Follow Pippa around town as she tries to uncover the true killer of a murder that happened in her town years ago.
This book is fast paced, will grab your attention in the first chapter, and will throw you multiple curve balls. You can read my full review of this book here.
One True Loves - Taylor Jenkins Reid
One True Loves is a romance novel about the ultimate love triangle. I know, love triangles are very common among romance novels, but have you ever heard of a love triangle between a presumed dead husband, a grieving wife, and a childhood crush turned fiancé?
This book is completely heart wrenching, devastatingly beautiful, and emotion-filled. It's hard to put into words. But you know it's a good book when you are sad that it's over. You can read my full review of this book here.
--
These are just a few of my favorite reads from 2023. Stay tuned for what's on the to be read list in 2024! There are some good ones coming!!
Comments