Best of 2023
A list of my favourite books of the year
I rated a lot of books high this year - anything from 4.5 stars to 5 stars are ones that really impressed me. This list has a mix of ratings but each book was chosen because they weren't just brilliantly entertaining to read, they had a lingering staying power.
01
The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka
This was my first read of 2023 and remains my top. Dark, funny and utterly unique. It's as vivid and beautiful as its cover, with clever and thought-provoking writing. Maali Almeida has become a new favourite literary character for me.
02
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab
Schwab's writing floats across the page and I was completely swept away. Incredible atmosphere, unique magic, a story full of mystery and heart-ache. I loved every page.
03
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
When I say this book had me laughing out loud, I mean I kept re-reading sections and laughing over and over at them. The characters are fantastic, the mission is super interesting and I loved it.
04
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
This is the first Leigh Bardugo book where I get the hype. I've read Six of Crows and Shadow and Bone and I liked them, but this one... this one I love. Magical, dark, modern and delicious.
05
He Who Drowned the World by Shelley Parker-Chan
I loved it. The prose is stunning, the characters raw and human, and the world-building is steeped in history. Shelley Parker-Chan had me trapped in this world and I wasn’t ready to let go. This is a fantastic duology.
06
If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio
Utterly compelling, beautifully crafted storytelling and all that is rich about Shakespeare's works. I loved the atmosphere of this novel and couldn't look away. I only wish the female characters were given as much importance as the male characters but if you want to get obsessed with a book, this is dark academia at its best.
07
The Last Tale of the Flower Bride byRoshani Chokshi
If you loved The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, you'll fall straight into this one. The prose is as lush, the world both cruel and lovely, and the characters are wrapped in magic. From the first to last page, I was enraptured.
08
Locklands by Robert Jackson Bennett
I loved the prose of this one more than the previous two books, everything just felt more dramatic and spectacular and the emotional moments really hit home for me. This is a really special series that deserves all the praise it receives.
09
Morning Star by Pierce Brown
I cried. Took time away from the book to recover after certain scenes and recommended it like mad to friends. The writing is consistently powerful and the allegiance you feel to the characters is not to be underestimated. A stunning trilogy.
10
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
This book was as iconic as Daisy Jones and The Six were supposed to be. It takes you on a ride. Every moment is both glamourous and seedy, and impossible to look away from.
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