My Favorite Books So Far - 2023

It has been a really good reading year for me so far. I've not only been able to read a lot of books, but I've also enjoyed so many of them!

Today I am sharing my favorite book each month and I would love to hear some of your favorite reads so far from 2023!

Tress of the Emerald Sea

Because I knew this book was a different style than Brandon Sanderson's other books (and whimsy is not always my favorite style), I was little wary that I wouldn't like this one as much. I'm happy to report that after reading it, this is now one my favorite novels by Brandon Sanderson!

I love Tress so much. She is such a fantastic character with such great growth. I love the crew she gets to know and the love story in it. I also really loved the ending, it blew my mind and wrapped everything up exactly right. I know some people don't love Sanderson's humor (I've seen people complain about it in Stormlight as well), but I actually love it. The humor in this book was sometimes juvenile (because of Hoid and how he was in this book), but that didn't bother me and I did laugh a lot.

The Downstairs Girl

This is an historical fiction following 17-year-old Jo Kuan who works as a lady maid while secretly writing an advice column to a local newspaper.

I absolutely loved this book from start to finish! I loved the themes, the characters, the Miss Sweetie plotline, the romance, and strong ending.

What Alice Forgot

This is a Chick Lit with a thriller feel. It's main plot revolves around an unreliable narrator who has amnesia, and I thought it was so well done.

I was one hundred percent committed to Alice's life and marriage. I loved seeing how losing her memory helped her reconnect with her separated husband and struggling oldest daughter. I loved the side plots of her sister's infertility and her adopted grandma's romance. I was very worried that I would hate the ending, but I actually loved it.

The False Prince

I had previously read some of Jennifer A Nielsen's historical fiction and loved it all. As a fantasy book, this was very different but just as good.

The book was fun from start to finish. It felt a little like Anastasia meets the Selection, but with boys, and it was such a fun ride. The plot twist at the end was a little obvious to me, but that did not lessen my enjoyment at all.

The Unknown Beloved

This is one of my favorites by Amy Harmon so far! The time period was very well done, the mystery/thriller aspect kept me hooked, and I loved the romance. I also really loved the aunts and how well their personalities came through. My favorite part was that it felt like a cleaner thriller (while it has some violence and language and a fade-to-black scene, it has very little language and sexual content than most thrillers I try).

There is some description of how "the Butcher" cut up his victims (it is based on a real serial killer). I am a wimp and cannot handle gore usually, but this didn't bother me at all.

I would highly recommend to anyone who loves historical thrillers, especially with some romance thrown in.

The Screaming Staircase

I watched the adaptation on Netflix, loved it, and then when I found out it was a book, I immediately put it on hold at the library. I liked the adaptation more overall, but the book was very well done and, in some places, better than the show. I am glad I read it and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

I am a little wimpy, so I appreciated that it was never too scary or grotesque for me while also having a spooky atmosphere and tension. The show felt a lot scarier to me. It's also very clean (no sex, scant swearing, not a lot of violence considering its kids fighting ghosts), which is something I appreciate.

It was fun to see the differences from the show, but it is very similar plot-wise, so if you have watched the adaptation, there won't be a lot of surprises for you

I have loved the books I've read so far this year and can't wait to read more in the remaining months!

What have been some of your favorite books so far this year? Let me know in the comments below!