As the year comes to an end, it is a great time to look back at all the books I read and see which ones I enjoyed the most. With so many amazing books to choose from, I was eventually able to bring it down to my ten favorite reads. Keep reading to find out the ten best books I read this year!
A Lot of Reading in 2023
As I write this article, I am amazed that I was able to make time to read 50 books this year. This is something I have failed to do for the past couple of years for a multitude of reasons. I am proud of myself for getting back to reading 50 or more books and hopefully continue this trend.
My reading list includes old and new books. There is no real pattern as to how I choose what to read. Sometimes, I will come across a book on a list and add it to my never-ending reading list and eventually get to it. And other times, a novel is too popular to ignore.
And between all those books are my favorite authors and series that I am always looking out for. With so many genres and authors to choose from, it can be difficult to choose what to read. Sometimes I want to reread a favorite novel and then think about all the amazing books I haven’t read yet and make a tough decision.
The Ten Best Books I Read This Year
- Deacon King Kong by James McBride
- Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
- Interview with the Vampire (The Vampire Chronicles, #1) by Anne Rice
- Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel
- The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
- Carrion Comfort by Dan Simmons
- The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
- The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
- A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
- Crooked Manifesto by Colson Whitehead
Vampires in 2023
Two of novels on the list are vampire novels and that was intentional. I love zombie and vampire novels and sought them out when looking for new books to read. Carrion Comfort and Interview with the Vampire were both amazing books that I couldn’t put down. Reading Interview with the Vampire while flying to New Orleans was fitting as it takes place there.
New Books
Besides vampire novels, another goal of mine was to read new novels this year. As someone that covers books, I come across a lot of intriguing books and add them to my reading list and eventually get around to reading them. It also helped that I am a big fan of Emily St. John Mandel. And after reading The Midnight Library, I will also be reading novels written by him often.
A Classic Thriller
The Silent Patient might have one of the best plot twists of a thriller novel that I recently read. It is about a woman who doesn’t talk after murdering her husband. Psychotherapist Theo Faber transfers to the Grove to help Alicia Berenson talk again and find out what actually happened on the day of the murder.
The novel uses the same format as Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None with a great twist. I have read a bunch of novels that have adapted Christie’s most popular novel and love the different approaches that authors come up with. And this novel is one that I recommend if you enjoyed the classic.
A Wizard of Earthsea
When you are talking about the best fantasy novels of all time, you can’t forget Ursula K. Le Guin’s A Wizard of Earthsea. It is the novel that inspired Harry Potter, created a magic system many novels have adopted, and was one of the first to imagine a wizard as someone young and not someone who is old and wise. These are just some of the things that make this a must read and I loved every second of it.
Conclusion
These are the ten best books I read in 2023. I enjoyed most of the books I finished and these are the ten that stood out the most. There were a few others that I could have included but these are the ones that I loved and can’t stop thinking about even months after reading them. How many of these books have you read or plan to read? Let us know in the comments below!
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I don’t think many people are really interested in what you read…besides and as I said earlier, you name books for promoting them…
I actually love hearing what books my peers had on their wow list. It might be a book I missed and that would be terrible. Keep the lists coming. Thank you.
Bobbie
That’s your “nasty” opinion, Anonymous. I appreciate all recommendations, be they promotional or not. Thank you Ahaqir. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I dont know if your comments are actually valid. I read The Silent Patient, it was so good! My daughter in law and my daughter also read it. We all thought it was an excellent book. We knew we would see it on some “must read” lists.
I don’t think other people are really interested in what you think about what other people are really interested in.
I can’t go on your opinion as our taste s differ. Eg you didn’t
mention John Grisham. So therfore I sweep away your comments and advice.
I very much am. I am always looking for ideas from other people and he gave some really good ones.
I enjoy learning the favorites of others. Communication about books is a passion of mine. Thanks. Here are a couple stand-outs from my reading in 2023:
Beneath a Scarlet Sky
Demon Copperhead
The Book of Lost Names
The Client
Best book of 2023 by new author is getting rave reviews & highlighted on J Merrill Publishing FB page & is 🔥. Mirror of Refining Insight is different from any book I’ve ever read, but suggest you read no more than a chapter a day to get the Deeper understanding & choose topics that peak your interest from the Table of contents.
Why would you just now be getting around to reading Interview With A Vampire? It’s been around forever. Anne Rice was writing vampires before vampires were cool. She made them cool.
My faves are The Color of Water, Harlem Shuffle, The Agitators, W. Somerset Maugham’s Collection of Short Stories and Never Marry in Morocco.
I also love hearing which books others love. Thank you.
I had forgotten about A wizard of Earthsea. What a fabulous book.
It will be interesting to know what are the academic qualifications Ahaqir have.
Stockholm – Sweden.
I like to see the book recommendations even though I know I won’t have the money to buy or time to read them. I think the first comment came from a very disgruntled person, who was having a bad day. Thanks a lot.
Each one has a different choice.
Whatever books one reads, you grow by each reading.
I found your picks interesting and hope to get around to some of them. Thank you. I don’t care why you do it. You obviously enjoy reading. I see what you do as a service to other readers.
I’m not a fan of Vampire books, But Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire was an exceptionally good book. You made me want to pick up a copy of the Silent Patient. I’m sure it will be a very good read.