2023 was a year where I read 160 books but only gave 5-stars to maybe six of them. I’m a bit of a hard reviewer, only giving five stars to something that I genuinely enjoy and I must take the whole story into consideration as both a reader and a writer when considering a five-star rating. My favourites are an accumulation of books from the 4-star, 4.5-star and 5-star categories because sometimes what I love most about a book is that there are things that aren’t perfect.

Below will be a list of favourites accompanied by a short blurb or summary and a link to my full review. So, let’s get into my favourite reads of 2023.

Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney – Adult Fiction

A family’s secrets are uncovered during a stormy night which forces them to stay inside their childhood home, but when things turn deadly the family members must reveal everything for the chance of saving themselves.

I Fell In Love With Hope by Lancali – YA Fiction/Poetic Prose

Review incoming. An incredible, heart-wrenching story about terminal illness, friendship and love in a hospital ward. Strung together with such beautiful language and emotion, this is a must read for all.

The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali – YA Historical Fiction/Historical Romance

A glimpse into a beautiful life of colour, food, customs and the fight for love amid a revolution. Showcasing the strength of character of a young girl in love and the decisions and actions that led her to leave Tehran, her family and her love behind. A heartwrenching story worthy of being read over and over again.

Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare – YA Fantasy (favourite reread in 2023)

Second in The Dark Artifices trilogy, the Los Angeles Institute suddenly becomes a hive of activity and the Blackthorns, Emma and Cristina must find out how to get answers without their resident warlock in the picture and without the clave finding out who they’re working with. Tensions run high, romances bloom, and the unthinkable takes centre stage in their lives.

If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio – Dark Academia

YA leaning, students in their final year at their exclusive, remote arts university find their lives thrown into chaos when the balance is upset, shifting the dynamics and relationships within their tight-knit group. A descent into destruction ensues but not without betrayal, death, love, and Shakespeare.

From Lukov With Love by Mariana Zapata – YA Sports Romance

The most surprising read of the year for me. I wasn’t expecting this YA leaning BookTok rec to be as good as it was. A story about passion and sports as an adult, the pressures of being the best, the significance of family and support with such a venture, the mindset of a struggling athlete and the impact love has on all areas of life.

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig – Dark Fantasy

An atmospheric dark fantasy full of power, political intrigue and a slow-burn romance, capped off with the looming presence of a monster over the protagonist’s shoulder the whole novel. The world feels palpable and rich and the silent timer ticking throughout the book makes the pacing and tension pull the reader along whether they want to reach the end or not.

Honourable Mentions:

Yona of the Dawn Manga by Mizuno Kusanagi – Manga (read 39 volumes and loved every bit of it)

The Body Keeps Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk – Non-Fiction Research (HEAVY TRIGGER WARNING – direct mention and dissection of trauma and PTSD in survivors of child abuse, sexual abuse, and combat)

You – The Story by Ruta Sepetys – Non-Fiction Novel writing guide (incredibly helpful and a fresh take on where to source your inspiration from, not to mention she’s one of my favourite authors so learning how she gets such vivid detail in her books feels like I’ve won the jackpot)

Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid – Sports Romance (Very enlightening and interesting, love me some tennis, but in terms of the personal story and how the reader can learn from the events of the book, From Lukov With Love is a little easier to relate to)

Dead Poet’s Society by N.H Kleinbaum – Academia Fiction (a perfect book based off a perfect movie, my only criticism is I wish there was more of it)

Lavender House and The Bell in the Fog (review incoming) by Lev A.C. Rosen – Queer Historical Fiction Murder Mystery (set in the 1950s, includes a variety of LGBTQ+ characters and showcases the realities of the time while providing some great mysteries to solve)