It’s time for my annual book review! I’ll tell you about my reading this year and my 12 favorite books.
I did it! After 4 years of not reaching my reading goal, I read 50 books this year. (Granted, my goal was 65(!) books in some of the years.) It’s not the most books I’ve ever read (see 76 in 2018 and 64 in 2019), but it was a solid year of reading that I’m proud of.
Book Stats of 2023
Here are my stats for 2023:
- Books Read: 50
- Pages Read: 16,891
- Average rating: 3.3 stars
- Audiobooks: 8
- Fiction: 43
- Non-fiction: 4
- Memoirs: 3
- Romance: 11
- Young Adult: 5
- Shortest Book: 213 pages, Before the Coffee Gets Cold
- Longest Book: 450 pages, This Tender Land
- Average Length: 337 pages
See all 50 books that I read on Goodreads.
Favorite Books of 2023
It looks like I gravitated toward lighter contemporary fiction this year, especially ones exploring relationships. Here are 12 of my favorite books this year and the ones I recommend. Under each book, you’ll see the genre and three words I used to describe the book.
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
One of the main characters is Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus at the Sowell Bay Aquarium. This story is about unexpected friendships and healing from loss with a dash of mystery. If you like heartwarming fiction, you’ll enjoy this book.
- Contemporary fiction
- Friendship, heartwarming, hope
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
This fiction book will linger long after you finish it. Zevin’s detailed writing style brings you deep into the characters and this world she created, one you’ll be fascinated by even if you don’t play video games. I enjoyed the way love and friendships are illustrated in many facets.
- Contemporary fiction
- All-encompassing, relationships, video games
Something Wilder by Christina Lauren
While I read romance fiction here and there, I find them too cheesy and with lackluster writing most of the time. But this book landed as one of my favorites this year because it’s a fun adventure as a Wild West treasure hunt. If you’re looking for something light-hearted, check this one out.
- Romance fiction
- Adventurous, surprising, light-hearted
Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man by Emmanuel Acho
Emmanuel Acho started a video series to address systemic racism and his conversations have evolved into this insightful book. Fighting for black lives may not be a headline topic for media these days, but it should be an ongoing conversation. Acho speaks with open-hearted understanding and clarity to help answer questions you don’t know who to ask. If we are to make the world a better place for all, this book, along with curiosity, is a good place to start.
- Nonfiction
- Educational, compassionate, thoughtful
Central Places by Delia Cai
A 27-year-old Chinese woman, Audrey, brings her white fiancé to her tiny hometown in Central Illinois to meet her immigrant parents, which makes her confront the person she was and the person she wants to be. This book tells the story of going home again, the one you escaped for bigger and better things but also adds the complicated element of growing up in two cultures. Audrey is not a likable character but the book is well-written and if you keep reading, you’ll see how Audrey can grow.
- Contemporary fiction
- Family drama, prickly, insightful
This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub
“A 40-year woman with a dying father is drifting along when she finds the chance to travel back in time to the day she turns 16.” This one is a love story, and your heart will feel so full when you enter the world of Alice and her father.
- Literary fiction
- Time travel, family, affection
Happy Place by Emily Henry
I’m sure you expected this book to be on the list if you’ve read my past book recaps. Emily Henry’s romance novels are witty and easy-going, and it’s nice to enjoy books like this occasionally. While I still love her previous books, Beach Read and Book Lover more, this one is an entertaining read. Happy Place is about Harriet and Wyn, the perfect couple who broke up but will pretend they’re still together on their annual vacation with their best friends.
- Romance fiction
- Light-hearted, witty, friendship
This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger
This epic novel is not something I would usually pick up or maybe even enjoy, but that’s the fun of book club picks! Set during the Great Depression, It’s a story about four orphans on a journey – physical and spiritual – that brings them to various obstacles and strangers.
- Historical fiction
- Adventurous, epic, youthful
Banyan Moon by Thao Thai
Centered around the Banyan House, a lake house in Florida where they all once lived together, this debut novel introduces us to Ann Tran, her grandmother Minh, and her mother Huong. At the beginning of the book, we find out Grandmother Minh has suddenly passed and Ann and her mother are estranged. The book shares all three of their stories while also delving into the beauty and complexity of the mother-daughter relationship.
- Contemporary/historical fiction
- Family, warm, harmony
The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer
Clover is a death doula, meeting people at the end of their lives to help them find peace. But Clover’s gift to the world comes from a heavy past that she needs to learn how to process. I loved this book because I didn’t know much about death doulas and the way the author weaves Clover’s story, personality, and emotions is masterful. This book approaches the sometimes taboo subject of death openly and beautifully.
- Contemporary fiction
- Heartfelt, thoughtful, romantic
Maame by Jessica George
Another debut novel, this coming-of-age story follows Maddie, a 25-year-old in London. This book seamlessly touches on many topics, like the complexity of love, the waves of grief, racism, and the power of support. Ultimately, you’ll remember what it’s like to grow through experiences. This book is sometimes heavy and raw, but Maddie’s humor and the hope of redemption also keep you reading and cheering Maddie on.
- Contemporary fiction
- Emotional, bildungsroman, somber
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Ambition, love, and science. In the early 1960s, Chemist Elizabeth Zott was the only female on her team and seemingly the most competent. This fiction novel is about how she fights through the things that aim to hold her back, because of her love of science and the hope to inspire other women. This book is something different, introducing a unique character and story structure, but you’ll be dazzled by the way things fall together. It’s also now a show on Apple TV, which I also recommend.
- Contemporary/historical fiction
- Inspiring, feminist, entertaining
Reading Goals for 2024
I finished reading 50 books with about a week and a half to go, so I think it’s a doable goal for me. Here’s to 50 great books in the next year!
What was your favorite book this year? Send me a recommendation!
P.S. Here are my book recaps for 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017.
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