My Favorite Books of 2023
Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and every newspaper known to man published December lists of the best books of 2023, so I thought, “why not me?” My list includes the best books I “read” in 2023, not necessarily the best books that were published. The first two top the list because they stayed with me long after I put them down. The rest are in no particular order. They are simply books I found the most engrossing and entertaining of those I read last year.
The Echo of Old Books by Barbara Davis
The first time I used the term “book hangover” was when I reviewed this novel. Reading the story about a pair of mysterious books evoked a feeling I couldn’t shake, and I found myself reflecting on the tale weeks after I put it down.
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
I found it difficult to find words to describe Ann Patchett’s latest. Engrossing, moving, a magical story I couldn’t stop thinking about–none of that quite captured how I felt about it. It’s the story of a family living on their Michigan cherry farm during the pandemic, and its depiction of family relationships is masterful.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
This book is everything you could want in a novel—fast paced, witty, touching in spots, and laugh aloud funny in others. Its portrayal of how women were seen in the 1950s and 1960s is more than believable, while other elements are intentionally fantastical.
The White Lady by Jacqueline Winspear
As a long-time fan of Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs series, I knew this standalone would be a winner. Its main character, Elinor, was a pre-teen in Belgium during WWI and is living in post-World War II Britain when the story opens in 1947. The tale moves between the two World Wars and details her role in both. If you’re a history buff, this book will fit the bill as not only engaging but also informative.
Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn
Buzzfeed’s one-liner says it all: “This Golden Girls meets James Bond thriller is a journey you want to be part of.” I described it as a rollicking read, an entertaining and imaginative book about four menopausal women in their sixties who are retiring from careers as deadly assassins.
Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher
This is an older book recommended to me by one of my newsletter subscribers. As the book jacket says, “The December solstice is … about hope, renewal, and rebirth,” and the friendships in Pilcher’s story reflect that spirit. It’s a heartwarming story about friends, family, and neighbors with scenery described so vividly that you will feel as though are there. I saw the waves crashing on the Cornwall coast and the snow falling in Scotland.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab
I couldn’t put this one down, and I can see why it is described as a genre-defying tale. It starts in 1714 in France, where young Adeline LaRue makes a deal with the devil. She will live forever, but no one will remember her. The story unfolds as she witnesses history, the good and the bad. Her meetings with Luc, the name she gives her devil, evolve and change through the years. I enjoyed it for the history lessons, the romance, and the beautiful writing.
Homer’s Odyssey by Gwen Cooper
Mesmerized is the word that comes to mind when I think of this nonfiction book. Homer, an indefatigable blind kitten, weighed only two pounds when the author adopted him. If you give this one a try, I predict Homer will capture your heart as he did mine.
There you have it, a few of my most enjoyable books from 2023. Could I name more? Why, of course, but these are top o’ mind. Now, I’m back to choosing books for 2024 from my ever-growing TBR list. Happy 2024 reading to one and all.
