Hey there, book lovers!
I hope you’re all suitably full of wine, leftover turkey sandwiches and more cheese than a Hallmark Christmas movie! Over here in the Bookish Blonde household, Christmas has been as delightful as always, with plenty of new books gifted to the bookshelf. But now is of course the perfect time to reflect on my favourite books of the year.
2023 has been a fantastic year for new releases, and some absolutely stunning debuts! Personally, it’s been a year for varied reading and discovering some new favourite authors, so when it came to collating my top 5 books, I couldn’t possibly put them in order! So let’s dive straight in!
‘Weyward‘ by Emilia Hart
Told over three timelines, this story follows three special women through the trials set for them by the men in their lives, and society in general: 2019’s Kate, escaping from her abusive boyfriend; 1942’s Violet, whose father is determined to keep her under strict lock and key to save her from hereditary ‘madness’ her mother apparently suffered from; and 17th Century Altha, who is awaiting trial for witchcraft. As the three stories begin to intertwine, the powers of women and nature collide to a brilliant climax.
This was the first book I read this year and it has remained a firm favourite. I was lucky enough to read an ARC way back in January while I was in Portugal, and I just could not put it down – my boyfriend was sick of me pulling out my Kindle everytime he nipped to the toilet or went to get a drink, but it was so worth it!
‘Go As A River‘ by Shelley Read
In 1948, Victoria Nash is living on her family’s peach farm in Colorado when she meets a mysterious stranger in town. Their connection is instant; she has never met anyone like him. Unfortunately, people like him aren’t welcome in this town and their relationship is under threat before it can really begin. Victoria soon finds herself having to escape the danger of her hometown, but cannot escape the pull of her family and their beloved farm.
This debut was undoubtedly the most stunningly heartbreaking book I read this year, and I was fully immersed in Victoria’s desperate struggles. It also inspired me to read more about the true story of Iola’s sumbersion in 1962 after the development of the Blue Mesa Reservior – a fascinating and devastating story if you’re interested!
‘New Yorkers‘ by Craig Taylor
In this non-fiction collection of personal stories, Craig Taylor spent five years living in New York and taking accounts from all kinds of New York residents. Each of their stories is unique and some are truly inspiring, some sadly hard-hitting, particularly those told over the Covid period.
I was lucky enough to visit New York this year with my family, and had an incredible time. I started reading this book as soon as I got there and finished it a few months after my trip, as I tended to dip in and out of it but everytime I read it, it took me straight back to the bustling streets of New York, or onto the subway, or into a classic corner diner. I loved it and would highly recommend it to anyone who has been or is planning to visit the Big Apple!
‘The Last Time I Lied‘ by Riley Sager
This novel’s premise is a tried and tested classic: three girls go missing one night at summer camp, while one girl sleeps soundly in their dorm room. Years later, Emma is painting her troubles away when she is invited back to the camp for its reopening. She decides this could be the perfect closure, but all is definitely not as it seems: the owner of the camp and her sons are behaving suspiciously and there is conveniently a camera outside Emma’s dorm. Will the mystery of the missing girls finally be solved, or is history about to repeat itself?
This was Riley Sager doing what he does best: creeping me out! I loved the perfectly-timed flashback scenes and I absolutely didn’t see the ending coming! I’m planning to keep reading everything Sager sends into the world – and I would definitely recommend you do as well!
‘The Drift‘ by C.J. Tudor
Three separate narratives follow Meg, Carter and Hannah as they battle a blizzard and the end of the world! Meg wakes up on a broken cable car with a group of strangers and a dead body in the corner; Hannah and a group of students on their way to ‘The Retreat’ are stuck on a coach after it crashes in the snowstorm; and Carter, living in a luxurious cabin in the mountains with a group of other residents, seemingly has safety from the storm, until the power goes out and it becomes clear they are seeking shelter from more than just the weather.
This was an incredibly tense thriler and I couldn’t put it down. I actually finished it before work one morning, having woken up early just to read more! This was my first C.J. Tudor novel but it definitely won’t be my last!
Final thoughts on the best books I read in 2023
As I said, this was a very good year in my reading book! I enjoyed a variety of genres and discovered new authors – and was a very lucky girl in terms of publishers’ gifts! I hope you’ve all had a similarly fantastic year and are looking forward to plenty of great reading in 2024.
Let me know what your favourite books of 2023 were in the comments!
Back soon (well, next year!)
Bookish Blonde x
Bookish Blonde 