Top Ten Tuesday is a feature hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week’s topic is: Best Books I Read In 2023

Gosh this is HARD. (It is always hard, even though every year I give myself one more book slot, heh.) And there isn’t a real rhyme or reason to how I picked the top ones, it was just a combination of rating, and then how fondly I remembered it, and these are the 23 books that won! (I also have been copying this exact post since 2018 and feel zero regrets. I mean am I efficient or WHAT?!) Also even better? I copied and pasted most of my little “summaries” from my reviews and wow I am getting it done. 

Also can we please talk about how hard it is getting to come up with synonyms that start with “T”? Thank goodness for the number four coming up, am I right?

I did find a new GIF because I mean. I had to do something, right?

Also, I decided to limit an author to one book. I honestly could have included two for a couple but I didn’t because this way more authors get a spot. I also decided not to include any books that won’t be published until 2024. Seems too rude.

The VERY (honestly guys it was so hard to choose these are all so freaking good- legit every book here is a 5 Star!) Honorable Mentions, in no particular order (also, there is only one mans on this list. Is that weird? How do your lists break down?):

These pictures link to Bookshop because affiliate links and supporting small bookstores, yay! And the titles to reviews or Goodreads, depending on whether I reviewed stuff!

The Top Ten

#10: The Temple of Fortuna by Elodie Harper:

Read this series. You won’t be sorry, and you will fall in love with these characters, find yourself immersed in their lives. Now, I need to go add Pompeii to the places I must, must visit in my life.

#9: Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas:  

If you love great characters with amazing chemistry, great historical atmosphere, and some horror elements thrown in, this will definitely be up your alley!

#8: Burrowed by Mary Baader Kaley:

Barely a week into 2023, and already we have a new favorite.

#7: Love & Other Human Errors by Bethany Clift: 

 Fell in love with this one, too! So could someone give Ms. Clift a big ol’ contract so she can write all the books for me to devour? Great, thanks.

#6: Hestia Strikes a Match by Christine Grillo:

As war rages on, this book shows us that there is still a whole life to live, and we can still find ourselves in the darkest of times.

#5: Chlorine by Jade Song:  

From the huge, life changing moments, to the quieter yet still important ones, this book brings so much emotion and loving attention to detail to Ren and her story. I am wholly in love.

#4: If Tomorrow Doesn’t Come by Jen St. Jude:

This book is stunning. I could gush about it all day, but instead, just read it for yourself.

#3: The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young:

June Farrow is going to be one of my favorite books of the year, and in basically my entire family’s Christmas stockings.

#2: The Blood Years by Elana K. Arnold:

There truly are not enough words to express how gobsmackingly beautiful this book is. Thank you, Ms. Arnold, for sharing your family with the world. It quite literally took my breath away.

#1: The Deep Sky by Yume Kitasei

I loved every bit of this story, from the characters and their very complex relationships, to the worldbuilding, to the excitement and mystery of the plot. I don’t want to give too much away because truly, you need to unravel these clues for yourself. And so many clues there are! In fact, I want to reread it so I can see for myself exactly all the breadcrumbs that the author left along the way. Also, I really really would love a sequel, if anyone wants to grant wishes?

Did any of these make your list? What was your favorite 2023 read?

Posted January 2, 2024 by Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight in Top Ten Tuesday , , / 24 Comments

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24 responses to “Transcendent Titles of ‘Twenty-Three”

  3. Haze @ The Book Haze

    I read the first book in Elodie Harper’s series and haven’t gotten to the next one yet. I should get on it! I’m also really looking forward to June Farrow, I’ve heard so many good things!

    Reply
  6. Rissi JC

    Looks like you had some great reads in 2023! I need to read more by Maurene. I read one by her a couple of years ago and it made me smile. Hope you have a great 2024, both with life and reading, too!

    Reply
  11. Greg

    Ooh here we go! I didn’t even do a list because honestly… did I read ANYTHING this year, and did I review anything? The answer to both of those is…

    Anyway Death of a Dancing Queen makes me think of a murder mystery or thriller based on an ABBA song, which honestly… we need? But I’m sure this isn’t that, but the title alone is yes to me. Nice to see Mike Chen on the list. Borrowed again the cover has me. And chlorine!

    Reply
  12. Sam@WLABB

    Look at you with a romance in your top books. The Clift book is a romance, right? An interesting mix of book, and it’s exciting that your found so many memorable ones.

    Reply

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