My Top 5 Favorite Reads of 2023

I realize it’s the middle of February, but I just don’t feel right about sharing any of my recent reads until I wrap up 2023. That said, before I share my top 5 favorite reads of 2023, I should probably share my rating method because oddly enough I don’t think I ever have.

On a scale of 1 to 5 stars, 5 obviously being the best:

• A 5 is a knockout, standout, can’t stop thinking about, recommend it to all my reading friends, and want to talk about it whenever and with who ever happens to mention anything about it kind of a book. It’s a book I will likely revisit. One that I will definitely want to keep in my home library. And will only loan out to special friends that I know will treat it well and see it safely returned to me.
• Fours are books that I thoroughly enjoyed, and would absolutely recommend to a friend. They are books I loved that maybe had just one thing about them that I wasn’t completely crazy about, like maybe the ending fell flat, or there were to many unfinished side stories, or the main character was just a bit unlikeable. Fours are books I will likely keep in my home library but may not ever read again. I think fours make great book club recommendations because they leave lots of room for discussion.
• A 3 for me is a book I liked but didn’t love. To me, they are like a Hallmark movie. They’re enjoyable; but they’re not an oscar winner or even a nominee. You know what I’m saying? Threes are great palette cleansers. They are quick and easy, but likely not books I would recommend unless someone specifically asks for something light.
• A 2 is a book I likely only finished reading because I committed to reading it for book club. It’s a book that in any other circumstance I never would have even rated because I would have quit reading around the 100 page mark.
• I have never given a 1-star rating.

Of the 46 books I read last year, only a few garnered 4 or 5 stars from me. Am I getting stingier with my stars?

My 5 Favorite Reads:

1. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

I haven’t been this sucked in to a story since I read the Twilight series a million years ago. Fourth Wing is kind of like The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter with somewhat of a Game of Thrones vibe, and there are dragons! I honestly don’t think you have to be a fantasy reader to enjoy this one, but then again, I love a little fantasy from time to time so maybe I’m a little biased. There’s romance and politics and magic and dragons…..what’s not to love?!

2. Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

Iron Flame, the sequel to Fourth Wing, came out in November, and I cleared my schedule because of course I did. The first half of the second book moved a little slow, but the second half of the book picks up speed. And the ending…..well, let’s just say I’m still recovering! I can not wait for the third book to be released! This story and these characters have a chokehold on me!

3. The Life Council – 10 Friends Every Woman Needs by Laura Tremaine

I read The Life Council back in April of last year, and I still think about it all the time. This nonfiction book about female friendship gives voice to the unspoken feelings many of us have around navigating friendships in adulthood. The chapter on the empty chair made me feel all the feelings. This book had me reflecting on not only the kind of friend I am but the kind I want to be. And, it filled me with gratitude for the incredible women I’m lucky enough to call friends.

4. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Speaking of The Hunger Games, I revisited Panem this year, and I loved everything about this prequel but one thing that I can’t share without spoiling the story. I have always loved a villain’s origins story, so I thoroughly enjoyed this look at young President Snow. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes left me feeling heartsick which I think is a testament to great storytelling. While it’s a prequel to The Hunger Games, you can totally pick it up without having read that trilogy.

5. All The Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham

To be fair, I only rated it 4 stars because I LOVED her debut novel, A Flicker in the Dark, so much and this one just doesn’t compare. But honestly, if I wasn’t comparing it, I would give All The Dangerous Things 5 stars. This page-turning, psychological thriller about a child that goes missing in the middle of the night pulled me in from page one, and I absolutely did not see the ending coming.

I just started reading Willingham’s third novel, Only If You’re Lucky, and so far this one is very different from her first two books. I’m interested to see where the story goes!

Okay, your turn! Tell me all about your favorite reads of 2023!