My Top 10 Books of 2023
‘Twas three days before Christmas; the holiday tizzy! Not one mom was reading, ‘cuz she was too busy! But stacked by her bed with immaculate care was the stack of great books that did lead her RIGHT HERE!!!!
You’re welcome, guys. You’re welcome! It’s here at last! I’ve been writing this annual post for so many years now, and every single time, I looooove doing it. It’s always a thorough pleasure, especially when my reading year was nothing short of spectacular.
Some of you might recall that 2022 and 2021 left something to be desired in my personal reading life. Book after book, I found myself flooded with feelings of mild disillusionment and general ambivalence. Was it me? Was it the books? Was it the state of the world? Do I even like to read anymore?! Felt like all of this, honestly.
But I’m thrilled to report that 2023 broke the spell of mediocrity in my book life! Even during a year of launching my own book, feeling overwhelmed sometimes by #Bookstagram, and knowing the other side of the industry a little too well… I am turning the calendar on this year with a big sigh of gratitude, contentment, and revitalized love for these beautiful, bound little things that have long been a massive and essential part of my life.
With every next book I grabbed in 2023, I was extremely selective! I stopped reading a book if I didn’t love it. I followed my own moods and whims much more than I trailed bestseller lists and internet buzz. Sure, most of these books below are pretty big titles, but still. Every one hit me at just the right time in such an authentic way. Each one touched something special within me. They are treasures I won’t soon forget!
In rapid-fire form, though, really quickly—I’m going to tell you about the three books I read in December. I loved all three!!! Four stars across the board!!!
I’m so happy I squeezed this one in! My thriller-loving heart was craving just one more juicy winner to close out the year. The Quiet Tenant did NOT disappoint! Serial killer. Small New York town. Perspectives of multiple women. Need I say more?! This one lured me in deep. It’s incredibly dark and wickedly good. Perfect chilling vibes for winter.
Josie Silver writes with such tenderness, magic, and artistry, all while delivering a fresh, fun book that feels so hip, relatable, and contemporary. This dreamy New York tale centers around the delicious vanilla gelato recipe (yep) that star-crosses our adorable leads, Iris and Gio. Family dynamics, loss, grief, emotional abuse, and more are also woven into this meaningful romance. I loved this book and highly recommend it!
I reached for this book as research for my own bookish novel idea! Guys, it was so much fun! When world-famous romance author Sarah Hollenbeck becomes a Christian, she feels convicted to steer away from writing the steamy, sex-filled books for which she is known. For great Christian fiction with dollops of romance and plenty of fabulous pop culture references, pick this one up!
And now… are we ready?!
Let’s go!!!!!!
I couldn’t decide on a rank for these, so here they are in no distinct order. For the full review of each book, click on the cover image, which will shoot you back to the corresponding monthly blog post in which I featured it.
Drumroll for the top 10!!!!! With some gift-giving notes if you just happen to pop into Barnes & Noble these next couple days as you blitz through the last of your shopping list!
1. For the magical-hearted, romcom-loving woman in your life. The Good Part crashed in to give my own heart a big squeeze last month. I loved everything about it! Twenty-six-year-old Lucy Young is eager to get to “the good part” of her life, but when she time-hops forward to the forty-something life she always wanted, she wonders if it’s all she dreamed. Or maybe it’s even more than she ever imagined? Obsessed!
2. For literally any human with a pulse. I finished this book, tears streaming down my face, in a royal plush white robe in the The Plaza Hotel, which felt perfectly dramatic and unforgettable. I will never be the same. On one hand, I wish I wouldn’t have waited so long to read this masterpiece! On the other, the moment was perfect. This epic historical fiction sister story and sweeping tale of love, war, family, courage, redemption, and everything… Well, books like this just don’t come along every day, or every year. Published in 2017, this book will be read for hundreds of years. I know it.
3. For the strong woman of God in your life who loves a great, gritty memoir. Beth Moore’s voice, truths, and most of all, finally, her full story within these pages make up something sacred, that’s for sure. I felt every scene; I cried many tears. I felt challenged, inspired, and prayerful. I’m still thinking about it! You knocked it out of the park, Beth. I love you, your love for Jesus, and that you were bold enough (as always) to tell it all.
4. For the one who loves dark humor, God, and brutal honesty about traumatic events. This book is insane and incredible. Probably my favorite nonfiction book this year. Harrison Scott Key tells the years-long story of his wife’s repeated infidelity with a brilliance, grace, generosity, and incisive self-awareness that simply took the breath out of me. It is a very heavy read; if you are triggered by marriage troubles and/or adultery, skip this one. But if you want to dive in head-first and get smacked in the soul as a sure result, treat yourself to the raw experience of this book. Oof, in the very best way! We even get a chapter from his wife at the end.
5. For the lover of five-star thrillers and sensational writing. Rarely do I insist that you must do the audiobook… But you must do the audiobook for this one! I actually did a little of both hardback and audio, because I love Jewell’s writing so much—but the audio is just special. It’s performed with podcast interview snippets and British accents and I would just be remiss not to tell you how fantastic it is. Two forty-five-year-old women strangers and birthday twins tumble into one of the BEST thrillers I’ve read these past COUPLE years! This one is a standout. Go in blindish and thank me later!
6. For the book-obsessed, the cynical, and the brave. LOL. Something about this book is just SO wildly addictive! The absolute train wreck of the year that none of us could stop watching (reading). When one writer steals another super-famous dead writer’s manuscript and publishes it has her own, we are invited into the shocking, cringy darkness of this misadventure. I loved the look at the dark side of publishing and the critical questions this novel asks of us all—about race, art, politics, publishing, plagiarism, and friendship. The main character is a fright and absolute pain in the behind, but we MUST know of her end!!! This is such a sharp book.
7. For the true-crime-podcast-binging reader in your life. A struggling mother. A toddler kidnapping. A true crime podcaster here to solve everything. This psychological thriller is just a WOW, as is everything so far from Stacy Willingham. She really has a crazy talent for the moody, the mysterious, and the unpredictable. I love her writing, I love her characters, I love her plots. And I’m elated to have the ARC of her next release, Only if You’re Lucky, loaded up on my Kindle as a first read of 2024! Huge fan, Stacy. HUGE!
8. For the gal who loves fun vacation reads, reality TV, and sizzling fictional chemistry. Christina Lauren books are just so much fun! My favorite three are probably The Unhoneymooners, My Favorite Half-Night Stand, and this one! What a cute gift stack that would be! Anyway, in The True Love Experiment, one smoking-hot documentary filmmaker ends up producing a reality TV show, and frustrated romance writer Fizzy is cast as the lead. The humor, the sparks, and the tightly plotted story just dazzle from there. I loved this one! FYI, all of their books contain open-door steam.
9. For your friend obsessed with romance and audiobooks. This one surprised me! A fellow book club babe picked it for August as a “book to make you laugh.” And it did! But it also did so much more. Written by my favorite audiobook narrator, Julia Whelan, this book offers a unique and fascinating look inside the audiobook industry. I gobbled up this insider scoop! Then, on top of THAT, we get the most endearing, witty, heartwarming romance laced throughout and anchoring the whole story. This book still has me smiling! I loved it. FYI, a bit rated-R.
10. For anyone who yearns for the classic romcoms and loves How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Devon might be a dear friend of mine, but that doesn’t mean she has to be on this list. In fact, she will probably hate me for it. Baha! But it’s here because it’s so wonderful—and because we need more books like it! Cassidy’s attempt to lure Jack with dating tips from the 1950s: it’s a premise made of pure gold, and even better, it DELIVERS! I just adored it. The romance, the plot, the fall NYC setting… It’s wonderful and a total favorite of mine from the year. A few open-door scenes, FYI.
Merry Christmas, everyone!!!! I’m so thankful for the gift of sharing these monthly posts with you for the duration of 2023. Thank you for reading. Thank you for being here! Can’t wait for all the great reads ahead in 2024!
What were your favorite books in 2023?
Did any of these make your list?
Based in Orange County, California, Stephanie Mack is a longtime writer, wife to one, and mom of three little girls. She has been blogging at MOMentary Insanity® since 2014. Her work has also been featured on Scary Mommy, Faithit, Coffee + Crumbs, and more. She holds a Master of Professional Writing degree from USC. When We Blinked is her debut novel.
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In 2024, one specific piece of writing advice has persisted in reaching my ears. Through the Booked Solid podcast, landing my dream agent, and my ever-trustworthy author friends, the message echoes: Get out of the slush pile.