Kicking off my annual book review post to catalog and review all of my reads throughout the year. You can see everything I read in previous years on: 2018’s list, 2019’s list, 2020’s list, 2021’s list, and 2022’s list! For loads of what-to-read inspiration, scroll down for my 2023 reading list with mini reviews for each book, and see what’s up next in my reading queue!
Spare by Prince Harry. What kismet that this book was released on my birthday, I downloaded the audio version right away and jumped in. Highly recommend listening to this one, as it’s told by Prince Harry himself, I felt like it brought the stories to life in a deeper way than reading it would have. I know there are lots of opinions and mixed reviews on the book, but ultimately I loved it, give me all the royal dirt and I eat it right up.
These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant. I kept comparing this book to Kristin Hannah’s The Great Alone – it has a similar desolate setting deep in the woods and very short list of characters that make up an intense, moving story. Cooper and his daughter Finch live in isolation in a remote cabin, hiding from the mistakes of Cooper’s past. Events unfold that threaten their cover and force them to make tough decisions. This was such a moody, gripping story that felt like the perfect read for winter.
Lucy by the Sea by Elizabeth Strout. This book starts at the beginning the pandemic, where the newly widowed Lucy finds herself leaving her NYC home and fleeing to sleepy, coastal Maine with her ex-husband where they share a home throughout the early lockdown months. It was a character-driven story that had me deeply invested in their complex relationships.
Lost and Found in Paris by Lian Dolan. Opened this book up to stave off my wanderlust, it was cheaper than plan tickets to Paris! The main character, Joan, is jilted by her husband and finds herself saying yes to a job as an art courier that takes her to Paris. She’s on the rebound, finds an unlikely date in her seat mate on the plane, and starts a flirty romance that is interrupted when she realizes the art she was carrying has been stolen. They race around Paris trying to recover it, with a hint of DaVinci Code-esque clues woven into the storyline. It was a cute read, I had a few problems with some of the decisions that characters made, but overall a fun, light story.
The Club by Ellery Lloyd. Picked this book up because I feel like I’d been seeing it everywhere, the neon typeface drawing me in. Taking place at the launch party of an exclusive, members-only club for elite celebrities, and opening with a murder that unravels throughout the book, it was a little bit mystery, a little bit thriller, and a lot of celebrity-inspired drama.
The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager. This was a delightful, page-turning thriller set on a moody New England lakefront and full of lively celebrity characters. I enjoyed the book so much right up until the very end. Without giving away any spoilers, I found the explanations for the disappearance and drama that had centered the storyline to be a bit outlandish and unsatisfying. I love when thrillers wrap up neatly, with reasonably explained solutions, and this just didn’t fit the bill unfortunately!
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. When I first heard about this book I wasn’t convinced it was going to be for me. The plot surrounds two friends who make video games, and videos games just aren’t my thing, but I’m SO glad I gave it a chance because it was one of my favorite books I’ve read in years. The writing and character development was top notch, I was absolutely heartbroken when I finished it because I didn’t want it to end.
Stone Cold Fox by Rachel Koller Croft. Wow, this book was so juicy, wicked, and tense. The main character is on the surface a total villain, driven by her con-artist upbringing, but she was also a really complex victim. I yo-yo’ed back and forth between shock and sympathy for her right up until the last pages.
Currently Reading: Maame by Jessica George
