Best Books of 2023
I didn’t read many books this year. With editing and writing so much, I didn’t have much energy for reading for pleasure, as well as still not finding a good spot in my routine to read. I think I’m going to start trying to read after lunch every day and just carry a book wherever I go. I did that as a kid and I miss it. I want to get back to being excited to read.
I set my reading goal to my normal 25 books. I also want to follow through with last year’s goal of reading 80% of my owned books. The plan is to read some of the chunkier books as audiobooks to lighten the load and plan ahead the books I want to read for the month.
My Reads for January are:
Also currently reading:
A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab (audiobook)
Every Day Magic: A Pagan Book of Days by Lucy Starza (reading it by the day)
The Elements Encyclopedia of the Celts by Rodney Castleden (for my Celtic mythology study)
Some of my most anticipated releases for 2024 are:
Prince of Endless Tides by Ben Alderson
Breeze Spells and Bridegrooms by Sarah Wallace & S.O. Callahan
Hunt Me! (I Crave the Chase) by Fae Quin
I’m Not Your Pet by Fae Quin
You’re Not My King by Eryn Hawk
If you want to see my full TBR list, follow me on StoryGraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/sierrajwrites
Along with my normal reading, I am planning to study Celtic mythology and folklore this year; I want to read more manga: and I have a few different-for-me reads that I would love to read.
Those books are:
Urban Homesteading: Heirloom Skills for Sustainable Living by K. Ruby Blume & Rachel Kaplan
The Mystery of Edwin Drood by Charles Dickens
The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde
The Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle
Despite not having much energy for it, I read some great books this year and enjoyed my time reading them. This list is not in any particular order so I hope you enjoy me sharing my favorites from 2023.
1. Fiorenzo by Sebastian Nothwell (historical romance, NA)
I read this book both as a beta reader and as an ARC (advanced reader copy).
I knew if any book would rival Oak King Holly King as my favorite book of all time, it would have to be by the same author. This book captured everything I love about Sebastian Nothwell’s writing. This book is truly a masterpiece. I connected to one of the MCs, Enzo, more than I have to any other of his characters, his traits very similar to my own, even his violent-minded tendencies. It was an honor and a pleasure to read this book and was definitely my favorite read of last year.
2. Fae Quin (MM romance in different genres, NA)
Recommending an author here because her books made up about a third of the books I read in 2023. Fae is an incredibly sweet human with an amazing writing style that makes her characters seem like real people. My favorite book of hers I read last year was probably Possess Me! (I want you to), but You Can Count On Me was a close second and I am so excited about her planned releases for this year.
3. The Fox and the Dryad by Kellen Graves (fey fantasy, NA)
(Note: in the same world as their Rowan Blood series, but so far in the future that it is a complete standalone that you can read independently)
While I enjoyed Prince of Sorrows, I adored this book so much. I enjoyed the tension, the jumping between the fey world and the modern world, the banter and snark between the MCs, but also the tenderness. I will miss these characters, but it has gotten me excited to get back into the Rowan Blood world.
4. The Sun and the Star by Rick Riordan & Mark Oshiro (urban fantasy, YA)
This book validated 11-year-old me on why Nico di Angelo was my favorite character. It had true original PJO vibes, but I was also not prepared to get so emotional. It was lovely to return to the world of Percy Jackson and Will and Nico’s story was adorable and heart-wrenching.
5. The Dragon’s Betrothed vol.1-2 by Meguru Hinohara (manga, 18+)
I don’t know where I saw this manga, but I knew when I read the summary that I had to read it. The bond between the characters is so sweet and turns to a fiery passion. Chiharu is also very relatable to me as a fellow writer and the setting is just so cute and cozy. I’m excited to see where this story goes.
I always enjoy talking about books and I hope you guys like it as well. The book I reread the most in 2023 was, of course, my own debut novel, Sky Heart. Links to it are available on my ‘Books’ page and its sequel, Ice Heart, should be available for pre-order this month. Release date is April 16, 2024.
Happy reading!