I’ve had the pleasure of reading pretty fabulous books this year. Many of them by authors I’ve never read before either.
As I reflect on my reading journey and the stories I encountered, selecting the top 10 books from my literary adventures in 2023 proved to be quite the challenge.
So, without further ado, here are the 10 books I enjoyed most in 2023 (in no particular order)…
We Begin At The End – Chris Whitaker
When was the last time you read a book that you just couldn’t put down? I started this book one afternoon and at 2.37am, I realised that I was not going to be able to finish it and I needed to go to sleep. As soon as I woke up, I was straight into it and back with Duchess and Walk and their heart-wrenching journey in a small coastal town, where the sins of the past cast long shadows on the present. This book had me laughing one minute and crying the next.
I will miss you Outlaw Duchess Day Radley.
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Wild – Kristin Hannah
A touching story about a little girl who emerges from the forest, alone and hungry, and the people who work tirelessly to uncover her identity and help her recover from the trauma of her past. You’ll need tissues for this one!
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pieces of Me – Kate McLaughlin
Could not put this one down! It was a pretty heavy read (childhood abuse, self-harm and a mental health condition) but I found this story so fascinating and cannot wait to read more from this author.
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
RecipeTin Eats Dinner – Nagi Maehashi
I’ve been following Nagi on social media for a number of years, and after making a number of the recipes from her website, I couldn’t wait to try some of the new and exclusive recipes in her first cookbook. Do yourself (and your taste buds) a favour and grab a copy of this asap!!!
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Daisy Jones & the Six – Taylor Jenkins Reid
Love. Love. Loved it! Sex. Drugs. Rock n Roll. This book has it all. And I refuse to believe that the characters in this book are NOT real people.
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Defending Jacob – William Landay
Every parents worst nightmare… your child is accused of murder and you know he didn’t do it. This was such a suspenseful read and I couldn’t put it down (finished in less than 24 hrs). I was totally caught off guard by the ending.
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Dictionary of Lost Words – Pip Williams
Finally got around to reading this book and I LOVED IT! This wonderful novel beautifully intertwines history, feminism, and the power of words. Set against the backdrop of the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this novel offers a compelling exploration of the stories that language forgets.
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Drowning – T.J. Newman
Wow! This book took me on a nail-biting journey from the first page to the last. The author’s background in the airline industry shines through, adding a layer of authenticity that elevates the story and adds a chilling sense of realism. Could not out this one down.
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
All The Dangerous Things – Stacy Willingham
What would you do if you woke in the morning to find that your child has gone missing during the night? Isabelle’s past comes back to haunt her as her search for her son leads to a shocking conclusion. Another fab page turner.
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pretty Girls – Karin Slaughter
First read of the year and my first time reading Karin Slaughter. What a story! So many twists and turns. The violence was quite graphic at times but otherwise I loved it.
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Let me know in the comments what books you loved this year? Have you read any of my favourites?
Keep track of other books I love in my Goodreads or #MelbourneMammaBookLove
Leave a Reply