Favorite Books of 2023

I read more books in 2023 than I have any year since I’ve been keeping track! My total number was 178, over 30 books more than last year. I think it was actually a little more than ideal as I tend to use reading as a coping mechanism, but at least it’s a healthy crutch.

I did a better job at reading nonfiction this year with 54 nonfiction books read out of the 178 (30%). I knew I was reading more on my Kindle this year but was shocked at the final total – 58% of my books were digital! I think that stems from reading more advanced reading copies (ARCs) and the Kindle daily deals. 

I was glad to get back to my historical fiction and history nonfiction reading. A solid 114 of my books were from these two categories (64%). The next highest total was romance books (24) but as you’ll see below, this is likely to change in 2024.

I didn’t do a great job at reading more middle grade or YA this year (only 8 books total), but that’s ok. I just don’t gravitate to those even though I want to read them! And they’re not as popular on #bookstagram. 

I am usually generous in my ratings (as an aspiring author, I know how hard it is to put a book in the world!) and had 10 five star reads and 57 (gulp!) 4.5 stars. That tells me I know my own readerly self very well. A full 40% of my books landed at 4 stars which is still good. I had 13 DNFs which made me happy as I am finally learning to stop a book when I don’t like it. 

My highest reading month was December with 22 books read (but some of these were Christmas novellas), followed closely by 21 books read in September. Even though those are two of the busiest months of the year, I coped by reading! 

See below for my favorite books of 2023 and let me know if we have any in common! I’ve also set some reading goals for 2024 to help me tailor my reading even more. 

All links are Amazon affiliate links. You can also purchase the books through my Bookshop.org shop (affiliate link). 

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Favorite Historical Fiction

Favorite Strong Woman in History Novels:

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

This book about a midwife in bitterly cold 18th century Maine was part thriller/mystery and part historical fiction and was a huge five star read for me. Lawhon is a master at creating strong women that endure the worst (her 2020 book, Code Name Hélène, was my favorite book that year!), and her portrayal of real-life midwife Martha Ballard is stunning. Outlander fans, Martha gives strong Claire Fraser vibes so this is the perfect book to read during Droughtlander! Read my review here.

An American Beauty by Shana Abé

This novel about the illustrious Arabella Huntington is an unbelievable rags-to-riches story. Beginning in the smoldering ashes of Richmond after the Civil War, I loved where this story takes the reader – to the mansions of Gilded Age New York City and the picturesque California shores. Read my Austenprose review here.  

Favorite Hopeful Historical Fiction Novels:

Most historical fiction is heavy and hard, but there are some that transcend the darkness to leave you feeling hopeful. 

All the Pretty Places by Joy Callaway

This beautiful book based on the author’s family history left me smiling. It deals with a hard time in history – the economic recessions of the late 19th century – but the earnest goodness in the main character and her love interest will restore your hope in humanity! Read my review on Austenprose here. 

Only the Beautiful by Susan Meissner

How can a novel about horrific events that occurred to a pregnant young woman in 1930s California and children with special needs during the Nazi regime ever end on a positive note? In the hands of one of the best historical fiction writers out there, Susan Meissner, it can. This book deals with hard history but is ultimately hopeful about the human spirit. Read my review here. 

Favorite 19th Century Novels:

The House is on Fire by Rachel Beanland

Living in Richmond, this novel has to top my list! It is a heart-stopping book about the 1811 Richmond theatre fire that took the lives of over 70 people. Beanland masterfully weaves between four different perspectives to tell a story that is powerful and captivating. Read my review here.

Crow Mary by Kathleen Grissom

Grissom is one of my favorite authors, and I love that she lives in Virginia! I raced through this novel about a real Native American woman who showed unbelievable heroism during a terrible massacre. Grissom brings this woman and the time period to life so vividly. Read my review here.

Favorite Early 20th Century Novels:

The Roaring Days of Zora Lily by Noelle Salazar

I love books set in the boozy Jazz Age, and this one based on the author’s own family is one of the best. The details about fashion and Hollywood along with the epic love story made it a huge win for me. Read my review here. 

The Bookbinder by Pip Williams

This novel set in Oxford during WWI was one of my favorites of the year, especially since we just went to Oxford last year. I loved the sisterly bond and the love story set amidst so much heartbreak. I’m glad to be learning more about WWI after so much focus on WWII over the last few years. Read my review here. 

Favorite WWII Novels:

The Little Wartime Library by Kate Thompson

I read a lot of WWII fiction (6 in December alone!) so this is always a full category. There was one standout this year because of its unique story and writing. British authors just write with a crisp, smart prose that I love, so this book by British author Kate Thompson about an unknown part of the war was my top winner. Taking place in a library located in an abandoned Tube station that has been turned into a bomb shelter city, I had no idea about this part of the Blitz. The characters are detailed and real, and since they are part of the working class, you get a real sense of what London was like for a majority of its citizens during this tumultuous time. I can’t wait to get back to London to visit the Bethnal Green Tube station! Even if you’re tired of WWII stories, I encourage you to try this one! Read my review here.

A Traitor in Whitehall by Julia Kelly

I adored this first novel in a planned series by a favorite historical fiction author! There was so much history included about the inner workings of the Churchill War Rooms where the government resided during the war. Having been there, I was captivated by this closed-room murder mystery! Read my review here. 

Favorite Mid-Century Novels:

A Shadow in Moscow by Katherine Reay

This book about two women spies for America was heart-pounding and thrilling. I loved how it weaved together the two stories into a shocking ending that I’m still thinking about. With some of it taking place in Washington, DC, I felt like I could visualize the characters and their surroundings. I just loved it and recommend it for any historical fiction fan! Read my extensive review on Austenprose here.

The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson

This story about two women caught up in a web of lies around a baby in 1950s Washington and Philadelphia was fast paced and redemptive. Plus I loved supporting Sadeqa, a fellow Richmond author! Read my review here.

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Favorite First Lady Books

In my Booking It Through History: First Ladies project, I’ve read at least two books a month on a different first lady. I’ve had some big wins and some months where it’s been hard to find any relevant book. 

Favorite Fiction:

Washington’s Lady: A Novel of Martha Washington and the Birth of a Nation by Nancy Moser 

This novel is a detailed look at the inner life of our nation’s first First Lady, Martha Washington. It gave me so much insight into her character and faith. Read my review here.

Monticello by Sally Cabot Gunning

This book about Thomas Jefferson’s daughter, Martha, was a literary tale that explores the dichotomy of Jefferson’s ideals. Read my review here. 

And They Called It Camelot: A Novel of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis by Stephanie Marie Thornton

This backlist gem about Jackie Kennedy was heartbreaking even though I knew the story! She lived such an amazing yet sad life. Read my review here.

Favorite Nonfiction:

Louisa: The Extraordinary Life of Mrs. Adams by Louisa Thomas

I found a new favorite first lady during this year, Louisa Catherine Adams. She was an amazing woman who is not well known in history but hopefully that will change! Read my review here. 

Lady First: The World of First Lady Sarah Polk by Amy S. Greenberg

Another first lady lost to history is the intelligent Sarah Polk who was the main reason her husband became president. She led an extraordinary life! Read my review here. 

The First Lady of World War II: Eleanor Roosevelt’s Daring Journey to the Frontlines and Back by Shannon McKenna Schmidt

This book takes the reader day-by -day through Eleanor Roosevelt’s courageous journey through the heart of the Pacific theater during WWII. It’s chock full of history about a little known part of the war. Read my review here. 

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Favorite History Nonfiction

The Confidante: The Untold Story of the Woman Who Helped Win WWII and Shape Modern America by Christopher C. Gorham 

I loved learning about a woman lost to history, Anna Rosenberg, and the important role she played in shaping FDR’s governmental policies. It would pair really well with the Eleanor Roosevelt book mentioned above. Read my review here. 

Mourning the Presidents: Loss and Legacy in American Culture by Lindsay M. Chervinsky and Matthew R. Costello

With my focus on presidential history, this book about how the nation mourned 12 presidents was fascinating. A must-read for any presidential history enthusiast! Read my review here. 

Presidential Grave Hunter: One Kid’s Quest to Visit the Tombs of Every President and Vice President by Kurt Deion

This part history, part travel memoir is a delightful look at Kurt’s quest and his family’s dedication to make that happen. Your kids will also enjoy this one and it may inspire a quest of their own! Read my review here.

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Contemporary Novels

Whew! That’s 36 books out of 178, the top 20% of the books I read in 2023.

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Reflections and Goals

After compiling this list, I have some reflections and goals for my 2024 reading. 

• I hope to write more this year so my reading will likely slow down. 
• Almost all of these books are 2023 releases, and while they were fantastic, I also have over 800 (!!!!) unread books on my physical and digital shelves just waiting for me to read them. I am going to make a concerted effort to clear some of these this year and read less ARCs (although I will still provide my most anticipated reads lists – coming next week!). 
• Things I love in my reading:
  • Time travel/loops/slips are a big win for me. I think it’s because I tend to ruminate on past decisions and wish I could go back in time to make the “right” one (even though all of these books show me that is a bad idea!). 
  • I love books written by British authors, particularly women’s fiction/romance novels. Something about the way they write is smart, crisp, and just strikes me the right way. I want to add more of these authors to my go-tos.
  • Books that are a retelling or a deep dive on a favorite character or author are huge wins for me. My favorite book this year and last year (Marmee) falls into this category so I need to find more of these. Although it has to be done right for me to like it (this category also gave me some of my most disliked books!). 
  • Historical fiction about strong women from history are some of my favorite characters. People like Claire Fraser (Outlander) and Martha Ballard (The Frozen River). 
  • I’m loving my First Ladies project and can’t wait to get to my favorite time period and first lady, the Civil War and Mary Todd Lincoln!
• Things I don’t love in my reading:
  • I am done with dysfunctional family stories. I just don’t like them in any form (books, TV shows, or movies). Two of the biggest books of the year were family stories that did not work for me but that I had to read for book club. I get mad when I read about families being so mean to each other! As someone who has lost both parents and is an only child, I hate seeing people throw away the gift of time with someone that you can never get back. I do enjoy family stories where there is not as much snarkiness and more of a redemptive arc.
  • I am also pretty much done with most historical romances (at least the ones not heavy on historical details). And with contemporary romances unless they have some heft or involve an older protagonist with kids and a past story. I read several 20/30-somethings in romance novels this year, and they were fine but not stand outs. 

 That’s a wrap on my 2023 reading! Do we have any favorites in common? What are your reading goals for 2024?

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