My Favorite Books from 2023

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

ABOUT THE BOOK: Barbara Kingsolver is one of my favorite authors, so as soon as this book arrived at my library, I checked it out ... and it did not disappoint! Demon Copperhead is a modern retelling the classic novel David Copperfield by Charles Dickens. Set in the Appalachian Mountains, it tells the story of a boy (Demon) born who is born to a teenaged single mother. As he grows up, he faces countless challenges but never gives up.

WHY I LOVED IT: This was the first book I read way back in January 2023, and it was the perfect way to kick off an amazing year in books!I loved this novel, and a year later, I'm still thinking about it frequently. If I was forced to pick my most favorite book, this one would probably be it ... but please don't make me! The issues this book deals with (childhood poverty, addiction, child labor, foster care, and more) are truly devastating, and ones that feel so relevant to real life, too. Many of the challenges Demon faces are harrowing, but the story also felt hopeful, and I found myself rooting for him throughout.

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The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas

ABOUT THE BOOK: If you're a fan of gothic horror or thrillers, I think you'll love The Hacienda just as much as I did! The book tells the story of Beatriz, a naive young woman whose home was destroyed and whose father was killed during the overthrow of the Mexican government. Beatriz and her mother are left with nothing, and she seeks security by marrying a handsome and wealthy man she meets at a dance. After moving to his countryside estate, things go downhill quickly, and Beatriz discovers that something is not right with the hacienda.

WHY I LOVED IT: This book has been described as Mexican Gothic (which I loved) meets Rebecca (one of my all-time favorite books), and I think it lives up to the hype! I couldn't put this novel down ... it's dark, has a creepy atmosphere and sinister characters, and the tension builds as the story unfolds. And although I wouldn't describe it strictly as historical fiction, the setting takes place at an interesting time in Mexican history. I loved it!

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Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice

ABOUT THE BOOK: I've read lots of wonderful reviews for Moon of the Crusted Snow recently, so I had to pick it up! This short novel tells the story of Evan Whitesky and his small Anishinaabe community. When the community loses its power, it also loses its connection to the outside world. With winter just around the corner, and with few answers as to what's going on, the community's leaders struggle to keep everyone from panicking. The arrival of an unexpected visitor only makes things worse.

WHY I LOVED IT: This post-apocalyptic book had me hooked from moment one! It's a bit of a slow burn, layered with creeping tension and building suspense that never lets up. While the subject matter is dark, the love Evan feels for his family and his community keep it from becoming too bleak. Definitely one of my favorites from the year, and I'm eagerly awaiting (and have already preordered) the sequel, Moon of the Turning Leaves, which comes out in February 2024!

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A Tidy Ending by Joanna Cannon

ABOUT THE BOOK: If you're looking for dark psychological thriller that hooks you right from the start, check out A Tidy Ending! This book centers around Linda, a socially awkward woman with a traumatic past. She leads a quiet life that revolves around working part-time at a charity shop, spending time with her overbearing mother, and cleaning up after her husband Terry (who starts keeping strange working hours around the same time young women begin turning up missing). Yet Linda yearns for more, especially after flipping through the glamorous catalogs addressed to her home's previous resident.

WHY I LOVED IT: This book was an absolute page turner for me ... I couldn't put it down and finished the whole thing in less than one day! It's hard to describe the plot (which is more interesting than it sounds) without giving the story away, but I will say that it had me gripped from the beginning straight through to the shocking ending (what a great twist!). I loved this book so much that I read both of Joanna Cannon's other novels this year, too!

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The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune

ABOUT THE BOOK: Craving an uplifting fantasy? Then you're sure to love The House in the Cerulean Sea! This novel tells the story of Linus, a case worker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. He leads a lonely life, spending his days overseeing the well-being of children in government run orphanages and his evenings with his indifferent cat. One day, Linus is summoned by Extremely Upper Management and given a top-secret assignment, which leads him to the Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children and their caretaker live. What happens next changes his life forever.

WHY I LOVED IT: This is such a sweet, moving story ... you might even say magical! I'd heard so many wonderful things about this book, and it truly lived up to the hype. This book is about love and belonging and finding family where you least expect it. I'd recommend it to anyone, but I think it would especially resonate with people who are struggling to fit in or going through a difficult time. This book also has a sequel, Somewhere Beyond the Sea, coming out in September 2024 ... make sure to preorder it if you've already read this one!

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Better Left Unsaid by Ahmed Tufayel

I received an advance copy of Better Left Unsaid from NetGalley / Amazon Publishing UK / Lake Union Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

ABOUT THE BOOK: If you enjoy family dramas, Better Left Unsaid is a must read! After their mother's death, Imran, Sumaya, and their younger brother Majid have drifted in three very different directions. But when Imran's wife is attacked and the footage goes viral, he begs Sumaya to return to the UK from New York to help him. Living together again after so many years resurfaces all their old problems, and the secrets they thought were long buried threaten to come out.

WHY I LOVED IT: This was such a wonderful, heartfelt book focused on difficult family dynamics ... I was moved to tears more than once! The story follows the lives of the older two siblings (along with the older brother's wife): the brother whose path is more traditional; and the sister whose path breaks many of their culture's norms. Both siblings are struggling with the lives they've created, as well as relating to (and really hearing) each other. I found the characters (especially Sumaya) very relatable. The younger brother, who pops up later later in the book, was refreshingly candid and somehow the most well-adjusted of all the siblings!

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Woman without Shame by Sandra Cisneros

ABOUT THE BOOK: Looking for a book of poetry filled with heart and humor? Then you'll love Woman Without Shame! It's been 28 years since author Sandra Cisneros published a book of poems, and this collection chronicles her journey as a woman and as an artist through bluntly honest and frequently humorous meditations on memory, desire, love, and her path toward self-awareness.

WHY I LOVED IT: I always feel like I should read more poetry than I do. It's definitely a weak spot in my reading, and Woman Without Shame was such a pleasant surprise that inspired me to change that. The heartfelt, often raw poems cover a variety of topics, including self acceptance, ageism, sex, and romance, as well as Cisneros' life as an artist. There was also plenty of humor, and I found myself laughing out loud more than once!

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The Family Izquierdo by Ruben Degollado

ABOUT THE BOOK: A tight-knit family is struggling with misfortune in The Family Izquierdo. Their beloved patriarch has had a emotional breakdown and is dying; the oldest son Gonzalo's marriage is falling apart; and a daughter fears her nightmares are real and becomes a shut-in. After Gonzalo finds a strange object in his parent's backyard, the Izquierdos consider it proof that a jealous neighbor has cursed them. Faced with a troubling past and uncertain future, the family's love for each other, along with a divine presence, comforts them and helps them carry on.

WHY I LOVED IT: This is such a heartfelt book! It's told as a series of interconnected stories, and each one paints a deeper picture of this multi-generational Mexican American family, both as a whole, and through their individual struggles. Parts of the book are very sad, but there's plenty of humor too, and you really feel the family's immense love for one another. I enjoyed the Spanish interwoven throughout (definitely learned some new words!), and I thought the bittersweet ending was perfect.

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Little by Edward Carey

ABOUT THE BOOK: Little is an unforgettable tale of an orphan who (against the odds) transforms herself into the legendary Madame Tussaud! Tiny, strange-looking Marie, who is born in a Swiss village in 1761, becomes an eccentric wax sculptor's apprentice after her parent's deaths. He soon sweeps her away to Paris, where they meet a bossy widow and her quiet son, and together they create a sensation with their wax heads featuring the likenesses of Paris' most famous citizens. Eventually, the talented Marie befriends a princess and is called to Versailles to become her tutor. Outside the palace walls though, a revolution is brewing, and the mob is demanding heads!

WHY I LOVED IT: This is such a unique and special book! It wasn't on my radar until I attended the San Antonio Book Festival, and I didn't know much going in (it's basically a fictionalized account of the life of Madame Tussaud's life ... with quite a few liberties taken). My heart broke for Marie. The odds were stacked against her, but she never gives up, and the book is ultimately uplifting. I also loved all the drawings interspersed throughout the book. Definitely one of my faves this year ... it's perfect for fans of historical fiction or anyone searching for a one-of-a-kind tale!

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When I'm Gone, Look for Me in the East by Quan Berry

ABOUT THE BOOK: Estranged twins go on an epic quest in When I'm Gone, Look for Me in the East! Tasked with finding the reincarnation of a great lama (a spiritual teacher who may have been born anywhere in Mongolia), a young monk Chuluun and his twin Mun (who has rejected the monastic life they once shared) join a small group on a journey across their homeland. As they traverse Mongolia's vast landscape from urban Ulaanbaatar to the Gobi Desert and the ancient capital of Chinggis Khaan, Chuluun and Mun (who can hear each other's inner thoughts) face questions of faith, brotherhood, and love, and their relationship is tested.

WHY I LOVED IT: It's hard to adequately describe When I'm Gone, Look for Me in the East ... this beautiful book is unlike anything else I've ever read, and I absolutely loved it! It's one of those stories where you can immerse yourself in the characters and learn something new at the same time. I don't think I've ever read a book set in Mongolia before, and this novel is full of fascinating historical details. At its core though, the story is about the brother's evolving relationship, and their questions around faith. If you read Quan Barry's previous book We Ride Upon Sticks (another book I recommend!), you'll recognize her dense writing style, even if the subject matter is very different.

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Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

ABOUT THE BOOK: Travel from Vancouver Island in 1912 to a moon colony 500 years later in Sea of Tranquility! Following his exile from polite society, 18-year-old Edwin St. Andrew travels to Canada. While wandering the forest one day, he's shocked when he unexpectedly hears the notes of a violin echoing in an airship terminal. Two centuries later, Olive Llewellyn travels to Earth, leaving behind her family and moon colony home. She's promoting her book, which contains a strange passage about a man who plays his violin in the corridor of an airship terminal as a forest rises around him. Meanwhile, Gaspery-Jacques Robert is hired to investigate an abnormality in the Canadian wilderness and discovers a series of upended lives: the exiled son of an earl driven to madness, a writer trapped far from home while a pandemic ravages Earth, and Garpery's childhood friend from the black-skied Night City, who has discovered a way to disrupt the universe's timeline.

WHY I LOVED IT: While I may have struggled to describe this book concisely (in a way that actually makes sense lol), Sea of Tranquility is a book that has stayed with me all year! It's one of those stories that's hard to capture in a single paragraph ... you just have to read for yourself. The plot is very unique, and while difficult to describe, the various threads of the story become clear as you read the book. There was something so beautiful and touching about this story, too! I'd recommend it to anyone, especially if you're a fan of speculative fiction.

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The Ferryman by Justin Cronin

ABOUT THE BOOK: Appearances are deceiving in The Ferryman! As the outside world deteriorates, citizens of utopian Prospera enjoy long, fulfilling lives until the monitors embedded in their arms (which track their physical / mental well-being) dip below 10 percent. Then they retire themselves and take a ferry to the Nursery, where their memories are erased and their bodies are renewed for a new life. Proctor has enjoyed a successful career as a ferryman, yet all is not well. He's been dreaming (supposedly impossible in Prospera), and his monitor's percentage has been steadily dropping. One day, he's called to retire his own father, who delivers a cryptic message before being wrestled onto the ferry.

Meanwhile, unrest is building with the Support Staff, the men and women who keep Prospera running smoothly, and rumors of a resistance group called the Arrivalists are spreading. Proctors soon finds himself questioning everything he once believed in and struggling to discover the truth.

WHY I LOVED IT: The Ferryman quickly earned a place on my 2023 favorites list! It's hard to talk about this book without giving anything away, but I found the story to be incredibly gripping with many unexpected plot twists (it was hard to put this book down). As the book progresses, important elements of the story are slowly revealed, and it takes a while to figure out what is really happening, but even then you're not entirely sure. The world-building was excellent ... you can really envision the seemingly perfect Prospera, as well as the less than idyllic island that the Support Staff inhabit. If you're a fan of speculative fiction or thrillers, check it out. I think you'll love it, too!

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Now Is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson

ABOUT THE BOOK: If you're looking for a unique coming of age story, don't miss Now Is Not the Time to Panic! Frankie Budge is a lonely, 16-year-old aspiring writer from Coalfield, Tennessee who's just trying to make it through the summer. When she meets Zeke, a talented young artist who recently moved in with his grandmother, romantic and creative sparks fly. The two friends create an unsigned poster with striking images and an enigmatic message: The edge is a shantytown filled with gold seekers. We are fugitives, and the law is skinny with hunger for us. As the posters begins popping up everywhere, rumors of satanists, kidnappers, and more lead to a panic with dangerous consequences.

Twenty years later, Frances Eleanor Budge is shocked to get a call from a journalist that threatens to upend her quiet life. She's writing about the Coalfield Panic of 1996 ... does Frances know anything about that?

WHY I LOVED IT: Now Is Not the Time to Panic is one of those rare books that I knew I was going to enjoy almost immediately! I absolutely loved the characters. As someone who grew up in the 90's, far from a big city, I could really relate to Frankie, who didn't feel like she fit in within anyone until she met Zeke. The sense of place was wonderful, too ... the author captured that small town feeling so well, including pre-internet isolation and how quickly rumors spread. I also thought the juxtaposition of Frankie's current life to her teenage years was very effective and showed the lasting power of secrets so well.

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Maame by Jessica George

ABOUT THE BOOK: If you're looking for a poignant coming-of-age story, don't miss Maame! Maddie is stuck. Her overbearing mother spends most of her time in Ghana, leaving her alone to care for her father (who has advanced stage Parkinson's). At work, her boss is a nightmare, and she's the only Black person in every meeting. So when her mother returns home, Maddie seizes the opportunity to move out of the family home. She finds a flat share and finally starts living, saying yes to afterwork drinks, pushing for career recognition, and throwing herself into online dating. But when tragedy strikes, she must face her family's true nature and the perils (and rewards) of putting her heart on the line.

WHY I LOVED IT: I loved this book, which is equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful! Maddie is such a compelling, lovable character, and the book deals with some serious issues (racism, mental health, and more). My heart ached for Maddie, whose family responsibilities have taken over her life. I found myself rooting for her as she stepped (awkwardly at times) into her new life, and finally found the confidence to stand up for herself at work and with her family.

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Dust Child by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai

ABOUT THE BOOK: Difficult decisions made during the Việt Nam War have lasting implications in Dust Child! It's 1969 and Trang and Quỳnh are desperate to help their parents pay off debts. A friend convinces them to join her in Sài Gòn, where the sisters become bar girls, drinking, flirting, and more with American GI's in exchange for money. After meeting a charming American pilot, Trang is swept up into a romance. Decades later, Dan (an American veteran) returns to Việt Nam with his wife Linda, hoping to heal his PTSD and reckon with secrets from his past. Meanwhile, Phong (the orphaned son of a Black American soldier and a Vietnamese woman) searches for his parents and a way out of Việt Nam. He grew up being called “the dust of life,” “Black American imperialist,” and “child of the enemy,” and he dreams of a better life for his family in the U.S. 

WHY I LOVED IT: If you're interested in the Việt Nam War or a fan of historical fiction, you have to check this book out! The story travels between past and present, and it really takes a nuanced look at each character's actions during the war, as well as the war's lasting effects on both the Americans and the Northern and Southern Vietnamese people, who were on different sides of the conflict. Trang and Phong's stories are especially heartbreaking. I did think the ending wrapped up a little too quickly and perfectly, but overall, I love this book!

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The Mountains Sing by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai

ABOUT THE BOOK: A family perseveres despite harrowing circumstances in The Mountains Sing! The Việt Nam War serves as the backdrop for this multigenerational tale, which follows the Trần family before, during, and after the war. As the Communist government's Land Reform sweeps the North, Trần Diệu Lan (who was born in 1920) is forced to abandon her family farm and flee with her six children. Years later, Diệu Lan's granddaughter Hương comes of age while her parents and uncles follow the Hồ Chí Minh Trail to fight in the Việt Nam War, a conflict that tears apart her country and her family.

WHY I LOVED IT: After Dust Child the previous month, I couldn't wait to read more of Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai's writing, and her first book, The Mountains Sing, was next! This is such an beautiful and heartbreaking book. You can tell that the author is poet, because her writing is so lovely and descriptive. This is definitely a difficult story to read, but an important one that's told from the Vietnamese perspective. The story centers on Diệu Lan and Hương, with Diệu Lan recounting her life before the war, as they wait for their family members to return after the war. Despite the painful circumstances, this is ultimately an uplifting tale, and you can feel the family's love for one another and their country. If you haven't read either of the author's books, I'd recommend reading this one first!

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Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

ABOUT THE BOOK: A long ago romance intrigues a family in Tom Lake! When Lara's three daughters return to the family's Northern Michigan orchard in the spring of 2020, they pick cherries and beg their mother to tell them about her past. As she shares the story of Peter Duke, a famous actor she shared a stage and romance with at the Tom Lake theater company, the daughters are forced to reconsider everything they thought they know about their relationship with their mother and their own lives.

WHY I LOVED IT: Tom Lake was such a lovely novel! I listened to this book on Everand, and it was read by Meryl Streep, who couldn't have been more perfect as Lara. This book is a bit of a slow burner, and it took me a while to get into it. Lara's story was such a pleasure to listen to though, especially as more and more layers of her history were revealed. I also love the family dynamics, and it was fun to see the daughter's assumptions about their mother challenged.

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Trespasses by Louise Kennedy

ABOUT THE BOOK: A school teacher is caught between a passionate affair and allegiance to her community in Trespasses! Despite facing daily reports of violence while living in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, Cushla leads a fairly quiet life. She lives with her mother, teaches at a Catholic school, and works at her family's pub. One night at the pub, she meets Michael, a protestant lawyer who's known for defending IRA members, and they soon begin an affair. But when her student's father is savagely beaten, the viscous attack sets off a chain reaction that threatens everyone and everything that Cushla values most.

WHY I LOVED IT: As someone who came of age in the 90's, I've always been fascinated by the Troubles. I also read this book shortly before traveling to Northern Ireland, so this was a timely read. Trespasses has lots of rave reviews, and the gripping story was even better than I expected it to be. I felt an overarching sense of dread while reading this book ... you just know that something bad is going to happen, but you don't know when or what the consequences will be. The historical details and the idea of living with everyday violence were both captured so well. This is one of those rare books that I keep thinking about even though I read it months ago!

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Weyward by Amelia Hart

ABOUT THE BOOK: The lives of three extraordinary women intertwine in Weyward! In 2019, Kate flees London and her abusive partner for Weyward Cottage. She inherited the ramshackle cottage from her great aunt, and as she settles in, she begin to suspect that her aunt had a secret. In 1619, Altha is awaiting trial for the murder of local farmer who was trampled by his herd. She's been accused of witchcraft. Altha's mother did teach her magic, although it was rooted in knowledge of the natural world, not spell casting. But Altha knows that unusual women are considered dangerous, and it will take all of her powers to regain her freedom. In 1942, Violet is trapped in her family's grand, crumbling estate as World War II rages. She longs for an education and for connection to her mother, who died years ago and is rumored to have gone mad. The only traces Violet can find of her are a locket engraved with the initial W, and the word weyward scratched into her bedroom's baseboard.

WHY I LOVED IT: I loved this book, and it's one that has stuck with me! It's a testament to three women who survived (and thrived) against the odds, and I thought their stories (although difficult) were handled so beautifully. The author also did a lovely job of wrapping the three women's love of the natural world into the story. I listened to the book on Everand, and the narrator did a wonderful job with the three characters. This was one of those books where I couldn't get enough, and I found myself looking for any excuse to keep listening!

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The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

ABOUT THE BOOK: Hear Britney's story in her own words in The Woman in Me! From her rise to pop stardom to her relationships, motherhood, conservatorship, and so much more, this memoir is Britney Spears' story of freedom, fame, survival, faith, and hope.

WHY I LOVED IT: I rarely read nonfiction, and even more rarely, memoirs ... what can I say, I love the escape of a novel! But I couldn't resist listening to Britney Spears' new book, and it really lived up to the hype. Her story is very sad and painful (my heart really broke for her), but I think it ultimately felt hopeful. Britney sheds a little light on her rise to fame, and her joys and struggles along the way, but much of the book focuses on her conservatorship (and the events leading up to it). This is a pretty quick read, so even if you're more of a fiction reader like me, I'd highly recommend checking it out! I listened to the audiobook (on Everand), which is narrated by Michelle Williams. She does an amazing job of capturing Britney's voice.

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The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

ABOUT THE BOOK: Love sustains a community in The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store! In 1972, workers in are digging a foundation for a new development in Pottstown, Pennsylvania when they discover a skeleton in a well. Who it is and how it got there are long-held secrets of the residents of Chicken Hill, a run down neighborhood where African Americans and immigrant Jews once lived side by side. Moshe and Chona Ludlow live on the hill, where Moshe owns an integrated theater and Chona runs the Heaven & Earth Grocery Store. When the state begins searching for a deaf Black boy with plans to institutionalize him, Chona and Nate Timblin, the Black janitor at Moshe's theater and a leader of the Chicken Hill's African American community, work together to keep the boy safe. As Chicken Hill's residents struggle to survive on the margins of white, Christian America, and the truth about the body is finally revealed, it becomes clear how love and community sustains the neighbors even in harsh times.

WHY I LOVED IT: Somehow, The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store is the first book I've read by James McBride, but it certainly won't be the last! This book is such a gem. All of the characters are so well developed, and it was interesting to find out their back stories as the book progressed. Parts of the story are quite upsetting, but the book somehow manages to be uplifting at the same time. I just loved it and can't wait to read more of the author's books.

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The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson

ABOUT THE BOOK: A Dakhóta family struggles to preserve their way of life in The Seed Keeper! Rosalie Iron Ring was raised by her father, a former science teacher, who shared with her stories of the plants, stars, and origins of the Dakhóta people. One day, when Rosalie's father doesn't return home from checking his traps, she's told that she has no family. She's sent to live with a foster family in Mankato, where she befriends rebellious Gaby Makespeace. Two decades later, Rosalie (who is now a widow and mother) returns to her childhood home in the woods. After spending years seeking solace in her garden, as her white husband's farm was threatened by drought and a predatory chemical company, she's looking for somewhere that she can finally belong.

WHY I LOVED IT: This is such a beautiful, painful book, and one that I'm still thinking about weeks after I read it! The story is told through the perspectives of four strong women who have faced generations of trauma and a constant struggle to preserve their way of life. My truly heart ached for Rosalie, and I thought the way the author brought history to life (both on a large scale, and the history of her ancestors) through her story was amazing. I listened to the audiobook on Everand. The story is fairly complex and layered, and while the narrator did an wonderful job, and I think I would have enjoyed the book even more if I had actually read it myself!

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