2023 in books

It seems that, overnight, everyone on the internet has become a reader. The irony of this is not lost on me -- something I was teased mercilessly about as a child has now become something "aesthetic" that others strive for. I have tried over and over - since 2017 - to create and stick with a bookstagram, but the pressure of it all feels a bit too daunting for me. But the beauty of a booming book platform is that I am exposed to so, so many more books than I would if I stayed in my own little bubble. Thus, 2023 in books. 

My reading goal was 150 books and 40,000 pages. I rounded the year out at 175 books and almost 58,000 pages. Sheesh! That's the most books I've read in a single year in my life. Without further adieu, here are my favorite books from each month of 2023: 

January: Babel: An Arcane History by R.F. Kuang (5 stars)

Easily one of the best books I've read in my life. The first half of this book is intense character and world building, but once it takes off, you won't be able to put the book down. 

*Honorable mention: Yerba Buena by Nina LaCour*

February: Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (4.75 stars)

I am a sucker for a book that doesn’t have much plot and focuses on major character development. This book makes you think about life, love, friendship, obligation, racism, disability, and death in ways that I’ve seldom thought of before. For most of this book, I could feel my heart in my throat or in my chest. There’s not a lot of movement, but I was so happy to soak in every second with Sam, Sadie, and Marx. 

March: Heartstopper by Alice Oseman (5 stars)

Oh boy, do I love these books?! The tender coming of age love story between Nick and Charlie just makes my heart sing. I love, love, love these books and display them prominently on my classroom library. Based on how many kids have devoured them, high-schoolers love them, too.

April: Big Swiss by Jen Beagin (4.75 stars)

Wow, what a weird book. This is definitely one of the most unique books I've read and it kept me thoroughly gripped the entire time. I loved it! 

May: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver (5 stars)

This book, man. This book taught me so much about addiction and life in the Appalachian mountains. The characterization in this is so, so divine. I was thoroughly gripped and think about this book all of the time.

*Honorable mentions: The Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros and Happy Place by Emily Henry*

June: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (3.75)

Oof, this was a dry reading month. Bookstagram really got me with this one! It was a fine fantasy read but I truly didn't get the hype.

July: The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune (4.75 stars)

My GOD this book wrecked me. Destroyed me. I was not expecting to love this book as much as I do. My favorite thing about this book (aside from, well, everything) is that the characters' queerness is simply part of their personality rather than defining it. So often these days, a characters' queerness is all they bring to a table. I find that to be so discouraging -- we as individuals are so much more than the components of what makes us who we are. This book is beautiful, beautiful, beautiful and I cried like a baby after.

*Honorable Mention: True Biz by Sara Nović*

August: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah (5 stars)

I was, I think, the absolute last person to read this book. Mostly because I tend to be bored out of my mind by historical fiction. But this book, like every book of Kristin Hannah's that I read, broke me. I sobbed. It took me 50 or so pages to get into it, but once I was in, I was in! 

*Honorable Mention: Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune* 

September: Things We Left Behind by Lucy Score (5 stars)

Looking back, this maybe wasn't a 5 star read (especially in comparison to the others that I've rated that highly) but I clearly was feeling my feelings in the moment. Especially with how horrendous book 2 was. I loved this and will definitely be re-reading! 

*Honorable Mentions: Maus by Art Spiegelman, Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas*

October: Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe (4.25 stars)

The Sackler Family is my Roman Empire. This was a thorough dive into the Sackler's and their history and it left me simultaneously satisfied and wanting for more. The audacity of these people, truly!

*Honorable Mentions: Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Perez, Good Morning Monster by Catherine Gildiner, Several People Are Typing by Calvin Kasulke, The Woman in Me by Britney Spears* 

November: Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros (4.25 stars)

See, this one I liked much better. But the ending -- be for real!! 

*Honorable Mentions: Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo* 

December: Dune by Frank Herbert (5 stars)

WHAT A BOOK! I listened to this one for 84% of it and finished the rest during winter break. The world building, the characters, the conflicts, the twists, the turns! This is fantasy done at its best. Can't wait to read the rest! 

*Honorable Mentions: The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman, The Fragile Threads of Power by V.E. Schwab, Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry, and Yellowface by R.F. Kuang*

2023 was one for the books. Literally! Here's to 120 books and 75,000 pages in 2024!