I’m back again with my 2023 favorites. Today’s focus- books! I love reading, and wish that I had more time for it last year. I read 16 books, and these were my favorites (in no particular order).
My favorite books of 2023:
1. Happy Place by Emily Henry
This is Emily Henry’s fourth novel and the third that I have read. I’ve also read Beach Read and People We Meet on Vacation, both of which I loved. So, I had some high expectations for this one. Happy Place (shop on Amazon) follows Harriet and Wyn, a couple who have broken up but pretend to be together on a vacation with their friend group.
Something I love about Emily Henry’s writing is how she infuses depth into stories that, on the surface, can seem to be run-of-the-mill rom-coms. This book was no different. I fell in love with Harriet and Wyn’s story, and their friend group. Overall this book was my favorite read of 2023, and one that I would definitely re-read in the future. It was the winner of the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance in 2023, so it seems I was not the only one who loved it. Plus, the cover is so cute (not that you should judge a book by this)! As a pink-lover, I’m a big fan.
2. The Summer I Turned Pretty Series by Jenny Han
I’ll be honest, I read this series (shop on Amazon) solely because of the Amazon Prime series of the same name that came out in 2022. These books were fun and quick summer reads. The writing definitely felt like it was targeting a younger audience, but the books were still really entertaining.
3. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
This one was a re-read for me! I love The Alchemist (shop on Amazon) and haven’t read it since I first did around 2019 or 2020. This book, which is about a shepherd boy’s quest for a treasure, has some incredibly memorable quotes and messages. I’m happy I re-read it and will definitely be doing so again in the future.
4. Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle
This Christmas-themed novel by Sarah Hogle (shop on Amazon) follows Bettie Hughes, a woman obsessed with her public image who recently lost all her money. After playing “All I Want For Christmas Is You” backwards, she accidentally conjures Hall, the Holiday Spirit.
Clearly, this book is quirky and probably isn’t for everyone. However, I ended up loving it! Sarah Hogle’s writing never fails to make me laugh, and this book was no exception. This book was a very fun, heart-warming, and festive read- perfect for the holiday season.
What's your reading goal for 2024?
Mine is to read 60 books, which is a lot more than what I read in 2023. I figure even if I don’t hit that goal, a higher number will help me stay motivated to read more- which is a good thing. Wish me luck!
If you’d like to change up your reading routine for 2024, check out some reading challenge ideas.
