All the books I loved in 2023…

My top 10 books of the year… and maybe a few more..

All the books I loved in 2023…

My top 10 books of the year… and maybe a few more..

I’m slow on reflecting on the year that was 2023. It was honestly a very challenging year for me in so many ways. Many that were invisible or not so obvious to others. I’ve described it as a difficult internal year, after the last several difficult external years. It was hard being in my body, hard being in my mind, hard not understanding what was going on for me and to me. On the outside things looked, and were in many ways, great. Big and adventurous! But internally I really struggled. I still don’t understand it all but I’m grateful to still be standing. Still be loving. Still be pursuing my dreams and living in connection with my beautiful family who I am more grateful for than ever.

And there were books! So many books! I’m so grateful to past me for the book reading habits that are now so ingrained in my days and life. Getting lost in books has saved me on several occasions over the past few very challenging years. Books have been a constant companion, inspiration (sometimes a challenge also) and have brought so much joy to my life. Sharing here I hope to inspire you and encourage you to find some wonderful books to get lost in too.

To wrap up my reading for 2023:

I read 125 books.

Approximately a quarter of the books I read were non-fiction.

My most read genres were romance, contemporary fiction, historical fiction, self help, fantasy and young adult.

Narrowing down to a top 10 was extremely challenging but I actually did it! Somehow I came up with a top 10. Admittedly I fortuitously had 10 5 star reads for the year so it worked out! In no particular order, these were all books I loved and got a lot out of this year. They may not be the most amazing literature ever or the most popular or current books but they were my personal favourites. Enjoy!

Now for the books!

My 5 star reads from 2023:

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding by Holly Ringland

Crescent City: House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J Maas

Crescent City: House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J Maas

Indigo Ridge by Devney Perry

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

The Myth of Normal by Gabor Maté

The Yield by Tara June Winch

Raising Our Children, Raising Ourselves by Naomi Aldort

2000 Miles Together by Ben Crawford

Honourable mentions:

These are books I thoroughly enjoyed that didn’t quite hit the 5 star mark but still deserve a mention as they are fantastic reads.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

The Good People by Hannah Kent

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Hold On to Your Kids by Gabor Maté

Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

Next to You by Hannah Bonam-Young

Weyward by Emilia Hart

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Lim

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

I’d love to hear if you’ve read any of these and what your thoughts are on them. Also if you have posted your top reads somewhere I’d love to read them! Full permission to forward them on or tag me somehow!

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