2023 Reading Roundup

In a bid to reduce my screen time, I’ve set myself the challenge of reading 100 books by the end of the year. The nature of my job means I spend the majority of my day staring at a computer, which is swiftly followed by never-ending scrolling sessions on TikTok and Instagram. Eventually, I decided enough was enough, and that one of my main goals this year would be to majorly reduce my screen time. This did then lead to the internal debate on whether or not a Kindle counts as using a screen, but that’s an issue for another day. As of the 10th of April, I’m on book number twenty six, and I’m feeling optimistic. My screen time has gone down, and my number of books read is rapidly going up. All of this to say, as a result of my book bingeing, I’ve decided I want to round up my favourite five books from last year so that I can do the same in December of this year. What’s the point in discovering one hundred (fingers crossed) new stories if I can’t share my favourites?

It’s time to cast my mind back and share my top five reads of 2023. For me, 2023 was all about my Kindle. Having just moved out of my childhood home and into a flat, space was limited. (I have since dominated the living room with shelves of books). So please excuse the lack of pretty, colourful covers.

The Grace Year - Kim Liggett

Starting with the book that was potentially my favourite book of the year is "The Grace Year" by Kim Liggett. With a Handmaid’s Tale sort of vibe, "The Grace Year" is a story of sexism and dehumanization of women in a fictional society. While I know that sounds depressing and not particularly uplifting, this book had me gripped from start to finish. The basic premise is focused on a yearly pilgrimage of sorts, which forces sixteen-year-old girls to spend a year on an isolated island to release their seductive, poisonous magic. If they survive the ordeal, they can return home renewed and ready to take up their roles as wives and mothers.

I went into this book a little naively, thinking it would be like the Hunger Games, with a trial and a fight to the death. Instead, what unfolded was a tale of how women are pitted against each other for the favour of men. There were even some elements of horror that took me by surprise, but ultimately only encouraged me to read on, desperate to know if characters would survive. This was one of those books that stuck with me for a long time afterward, and I’ve also re-read it since and enjoyed it just as much. While I wouldn’t recommend this for a spot of light-hearted reading, I would urge anyone who enjoys dystopian literature to give it a read.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes - Suzanne Collins

On the topic of the Hunger Games, another one of my top 2023 reads was "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" by Suzanne Collins. After seeing the film in cinemas twice, I was desperate to read the book. While I loved the original trilogy for its themes of romance and survival, "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" is focused more on politics, power, and the lengths that people are willing to go to gain it. This was another book that had me completely gripped, despite knowing what was going to happen. I was fascinated by Coriolanus’ inner monologue and how unabashed he was in his thought processes. Collins expertly manages to make you sympathize with Coriolanus, and even at certain points root for him, before swiftly pulling you back down to earth with the brutal reality of his character. Another book that I’m sure I’ll be returning to in the future.

A Good Girls Guide to Murder - Holly Jackson

Mixing up genres a little, next up we have "A Good Girls Guide to Murder" by Holly Jackson.

I have to admit I was a little hesitant when going into this book. I’m a self-proclaimed thriller/murder mystery lover and have read a lot of books within the genre. With AGGGTM being YA and the main character being a Sixth Form student, I wondered how intense the story could get and if the more adult themes would be excluded. It turns out I had nothing to worry about. Despite being written for a YA audience, the story doesn’t feel like it’s lacking the thrill of a more adult murder mystery. The plot is outstanding, the writing is engaging, and I didn’t see the ending coming at any point. While the next two books in the trilogy are also a good read, nothing tops the first. It’s safe to say that I’m more than excited for the TV adaptation that’s being released in the Spring.

The Castaways - Lucy Clarke

Speaking of TV adaptations, another 2023 favourite of mine was "The Castaways" by Lucy Clarke. I’m a big Lucy Clarke fan and I’ve read a number of her destination thrillers. Having just read "The Hike" and "One of the Girls," I wouldn’t be surprised if one of them makes the 2024 edition of this blog post. "The Castaways" is filled with tension and high-stakes drama, making it a genuine page-turner that’s hard to put down. The writing is sharp and engaging, and you’ll constantly feel like you know what’s going on, only to have the rug pulled out from under your feet again.

The ending particularly kept me on my toes, never sure if we were going to get a happy ending or a sad one. If you’re after an exciting read, this one is for you.

The Bridge Kingdom - Danielle L. Jensen

Last but not least, we have "The Bridge Kingdom" by Danielle L. Jensen.

This was one of those books that I picked up as a 99p offer on my Kindle, and I had zero expectations going into it. Little did I know it would become one of my favourite books. "The Bridge Kingdom" perfectly filled the hole that the "A Court of Thorns and Roses" series left. The writing was rich, and the world it was set in was detailed and spellbinding. I loved the theme of spy intrigue and found myself genuinely rooting for Lara and Aren despite all of their obstacles. I often find that more recently released fantasy books struggle to stand out from the crowd. It can sometimes feel like I’m reading the same tropes and plots on repeat. However, "The Bridge Kingdom" manages to stand out entirely on its own and suck you into an entirely new story. The third instalment of the series is ready and waiting for me to dive into on my newly stocked bookshelves!

There we have it, my top five books of 2023. While I have changed my mind a good few times while writing this blog post, I can confidently say that these are worthwhile reads and ones that I will be frequently returning to.