Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly bookish meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl that features a different bookish topic every week.
Today’s topic is Favorite Books of 2023.
Happy New Year 2024, everyone!
2023 wasn’t the best reading year for me because I felt like there were way too many books I read that I didn’t like, did not finish, or otherwise felt lukewarm about. But there were a few books that were amazing and some that have found a place as my all-time favorite books in my heart.
I hope 2024 will be an incredible reading year for all of us with lots of great books!
Top Ten Favorite Books of 2023
Top-Bottom, Left-Right:
- Labyrinth’s Heart by M.A. Carrick – The third and final book in one of the most incredible trilogies I have ever read. The world-building and magical system in this book is so rich and detailed, the authors ended up creating a real-life divination deck that reflects the one in the book. They had a very successful Kickstarter launch, but I missed it and I’m sad.
- Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros – One of the most hyped books I’ve read this year. At first I was skeptical, because it can’t be that good, right? But it is! The plot kept moving, there was so much action and drama and emotions, I just couldn’t stop reading! Admittedly there were a few cliches and eye-rolling moments, but everything else was so good it’s worth overlooking the problems.
- Jade War by Fonda Lee – I read both the second and final book in this trilogy this year and they were both so good. I mean, the whole series is amazing! The scope of the books, the story, is so vast. The character development is incomparable. This might be one of the best books in terms of character development. It’s just so good.
- Morning Star by Pierce Brown – I read books 2 through 5 of the Red Rising series this year, and I’m currently waiting on the 6th book. The whole series is great, but I think the 3rd book is my favorite so far. I’m hesitant because the 5th book left me on an uncertain note, and I’m holding back my heart until I read the 6th book and know that my beloved characters are doing okay.
- Barbed Wire Heart by Tess Sharpe – This is the second book I’ve read by Tess Sharpe and I have to say that I am loving her writing and her books! They have such bad-ass young female MCs, and the stories are so compelling and completely just sucks you in.
- This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub – This one hits me in the feels. It’s a time-travel story, which I love, but ultimately, it’s the everyday mundaneness of the story that gets me. It’s the things you take for granted.
- The Book of Koli by M.R. Carey – The first book in another amazing series. It’s so interesting from beginning to end, and I love how technology is presented as artifacts in the story, and I love seeing how the characters learn to work with the technology.
- Sooley by John Grisham – This is not your typical John Grisham story. It is not a legal thriller, it’s a story about an athlete. I’m not typically a fan of sport stories, but this one… It’s not really about the sport, anyway, it’s about the people.
- Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes – This one hurts. Those of you who have read it know what I mean. I have so much awe and respect for the author’s portrayal of Charlie and the way he changes throughout the book, and yet he’s still the same character talking to us. So masterful.
- The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin – This was such a powerful story about the importance of books and community, how could I not love it?
Did you read any of these books? What did you think of them? What were your favorite books in 2023?
Fourth Wing has been on like half of the lists this week that I’ve read so far. It must have been amazing!
Here is my Top Ten Tuesday post.
It was really good! I hope you like it if you try it!
Fourth Wing also made it to my list. I need to read Jade War soon, I read the first book in the series a while ago and loved it, but I’m scared of reading the sequel.
Here is my TTT post
Omg I know what you mean! I get so scared for the characters and I don’t want anything to happen to them, and I know if I don’t read the next books, that means they’re still safe!
I haven’t read Fourth Wing for the same reason you were skeptical. I have several friends who keep telling me I need to read it, too. I’ll get to it someday soon xD
Glad you were able to find some books you enjoyed this year! And here’s to 2024 reading 🙂
Add me to the list of people telling you to read it! <3 I hope you love it!
So many people have been saying Fourth Wing! I’m really curious about it, but getting a little scared of the hype, haha. Looks like a great list!
Satisfy your curiosity and read it!! If you end up not liking it, at least you’d still have the satisfaction of knowing! Lol!
I’ve only read Fourth Wing and surprise surprise, it also made it to my top list.
My TTT: https://laurieisreading.com/2024/01/02/top-ten-tuesday-favorite-and-most-surprising-books-of-2023/
I know! I love that so many of us have it on our lists!
Based on title alone, The Last Bookshop in London intrigues me! One I need to read more about. 🙂 I didn’t have a great year (or two!) of reading in 2023, either. Here’s hoping 2024 is fabulous for us both. Thanks so much for visiting my website today. I appreciate this!
I hope you do read The Last Bookshop and that you love it! Yes to a fabulous 2024 for us! <3
Oops, I think I might’ve commented already and it’s just in moderation or something… that or I dreamed it, which also seems possible. Sorry if this is a duplicate!
I’m a bit scared of the Fourth Wing hype, but so curious about it too. I have a copy, so I just need to get round to it…
I’m excited on your behalf and I’ll be looking out for your thoughts when you read it!
I’m so happy to see Jade War on your list! That whole series is just plain awesome. 🙂
Omg yes!! It’s amazing!
Fun list! I haven’t read Flowers for Algernon in ages, but there is no forgetting the heartbreak of that ending. It might be time to re-read that one. Happy reading in 2024!
Here’s my TTT for the week.
Flowers for Algernon is so haunting. Happy reading!
As you noted on my post we have two books in common – Fourth Wing and The Last Bookshop in London. Like you I will be reading some more of Madeline Martin and I have already read the book following Fourth Wing. Its amazing that it was liked by so many readers.
Yes, it is! I’m excited to read more Madeline Martin too, and I’m looking forward to the next book in the Empyrean series!
I’ve seen Rebecca Yarros’ books on so many lists today. I’m definitely adding it to my TBR. It looks right up my alley. I’m glad you enjoyed these books and I hope you have a fantastic 2024! Thanks for stopping by my blog!
I can’t wait to see what you think of Fourth Wing! I hope you love it when you get to it. Happy 2024 to you!!
It looks like you had a good reading year. I really want to put The Last Bookshop in London higher on my TBR — it’s showing up a lot in today’s posts.
I hope you love it too when you get to it!
I am getting better at figuring out what I like with books, and what I need to avoid. For example, I have been avoiding war type books for about 5 months, still not ready for them. Happy New year!
I get it. I used to enjoy reading true crime and now I have to take it sparingly. I hope you always enjoy whatever books you choose to read. Happy New Year!
I loved Fourth Wing as well. Happy 2024!
Happy 2024 to you too!
I read Flowers for Algernon so long ago, but it’s a book that has stayed with me. I have not read any of your other favorites for the year, but several are on my TBR or wish list. The Book of Koli has been on my TBR quite a while. I really need to make time for it. And The Last Bookshop in London is high on my list to read. I hope 2024 is filled with wonderful books for all of us!
I am so excited for you to read The Book of Koli and The Last Bookshop in London! I hope you love them as much as I do. Happy 2024!
Awesome list, Haze! And I love seeing Book of Koli, I love that series so much😁
Yay! I’m so happy you loved The Book of Koli too!
THE LAST BOOKSHOP IN LONDON is one I’ve been meaning to read. Historical fiction with a focus on books? What’s not to love!
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
Exactly! I love bookish books! Happy 2024!
Thank you for visiting my blog. I was away on a New Years’ family reunion and just got back in town. You’ve been busy reading and catching up on your reviews. I must read A Christmas Carol. I watched the video The Man Who Invented Christmas this year for the first time and recently listened to Bill Bryson’s A Secret History of Christmas. He also mentions A Christmas Carol.
Ooh, more Christmassy stuff to KIV for next year! A Secret History of Christmas sounds interesting. I hope you had lots of fun at your family reunion!
I haven’t read any yet, but there are a few on your list I would like to!
Here’s hoping for a fantastic reading year in 2024!
Yes! I hope you have an amazing 2024!!
Fourth Wing is on all the lists this week. 🙂 I hope you have a great 2024!
I know! I love that so many people loved it! I hope you have a wonderful 2024 too!
Awesome list! I’m currently working through Labyrinth’s Heart and am loving it so much. I remember Flowers for Algernon absolutely breaking me in high school, and I’ve got Fourth Wing on my TBR. And nothing makes me happier than seeing Morning Star on this list!
I hope you’re enjoying Labyrinth’s Heart! I’m still waiting on the 6th book for the Red Rising series. I can’t take the suspense. I’m worried about all of them!
Oh yes I LOVED This Time Tomorrow! That made my list for 2022, actually! Amazing book, glad you loved it too. I really need to read Fourth Wing and The Book of Koli- they have been on my shelf for far too long, glad to see you enjoyed them so much too!
Yes! I hope you love Fourth Wing and The Book of Koli when you read them!