There are so many great books out there, as well as many different lists to cultivate new ideas – Reese’s Book Club, Oprah’s Book Club, Goodreads book lists from the everyday reader, etc. There is no shortage of favorites, but I have put together my own reads from 2023. Here are my top 10 favorite fiction books from 2023:
If you are looking for nonfiction, check out my top 10 favorite nonfiction reads of 2023!
In her debut novel, Audrey Ingram transports you back to the Mobile Bay – to the Alabama bayou. The River Runs South was a fresh take on love, loss and the courage to start over. It also weaves a timely commentary on Alabama's fragile ecosystem. If you are looking for a little romance, strong female lead and beautiful scenery, pick up this book!
Set on the Korean island of Jeju, The Island of Sea Women follows Mi-ja and Young-sook, two girls from very different backgrounds, as they begin working in the sea with their village’s all-female diving collective. I love to scuba dive, and Lisa See drew me into this wonderful world of historic free diving!
If you’ve read Ready Player One, then welcome to the same genre. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin is about friends – often in love, but never together – who join forces to create a successful video game. I couldn’t put it down and it appears a screenplay is also in the works!
After rumors begin to spread of a species of hyperintelligent, dangerous octopus that have developed their own language and culture, marine biologist Dr. Ha Nguyen is sent to study them. The stakes are high: there are vast fortunes to be made by whoever can take advantage of the octopuses’ advancements. Ray Nayler’s novel is intriguing, thrilling and left me on the edge of my seat waiting for a sequel (I hope)!
Harriet Reed, a novelist on the brink of literary stardom, is newly engaged to Edward Holbeck, the heir of an extremely powerful family. And even though Edward has long tried to severe ties with them, news of the couple’s upcoming marital bliss has the Holbecks inching back into their lives. And the rules of engagement are simple: trust no one. This twisted game of cat and mouse had me guessing until the very end. Ready or not, here they come!
6. Yellowface
What is cultural appropriation? Authors June Hayward and Athena Liu were supposed to be twin rising stars: same year at Yale, same debut year in publishing. But Athena's a cross-genre literary darling, and June didn't even get a paperback release. Nobody wants stories about basic white girls, June thinks. When June witnesses Athena's death, she steals Athena's just-finished masterpiece. So what if June edits Athena's novel and sends it to her agent as her own work? This timely novel by R.F. Kuang makes a great book club choice!
The case is closed, but has justice really been served? Holly Jackson’s novel is a fast-paced, young-adult thriller. Nancy Drew, look out! Pippa Fitz-Amobi is the new detective on the scene, digging into a 5-year-old murder-suicide of local teens. Or was it? A sequel has already been released too with Pippa back into the world of mystery!
In this captivating dual narrative novel by Karma Brown, a modern-day woman finds inspiration in hidden notes left by her home’s previous owner, a quintessential 1950s housewife. As she discovers remarkable parallels between this woman’s life and her own, it causes her to question the foundation of her own relationship with her husband - and what it means to be a wife fighting for her place in a patriarchal society.
The Glitz. The Glamour. The Heartbreak. Gill Paul weaves together the lives of Maria Callas, world renowned opera singer, and Jackie Kennedy. While there is certainly artistic license taken, Jackie and Maria is an interesting take on the lives of two famous women.
From neuroscientist and bestselling author Lisa Genova, Every Note Played is a harrowing look at ALS, the powerful exploration of regret and what it means to be alive. Accomplished concert pianist, Richard, and his now ex-wife, Karina must try to reconcile their past before it’s too late.
Comment below with your favorite books of the year! I'd love to add them to my reading list.
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Oh so many good ones!!