I’ve read 42 books thus far in 2023, so very close to my target of reading 50.
I thought I would reflect on those 42 books and draw attention to my favourites from this year, so far.
See below my five favourite books that I’ve read so far in 2023.
1. Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover
After serving five years in prison for a tragic mistake, Kenna Rowan returns to the town where it all went wrong, hoping to reunite with her four-year-old daughter. But the bridges Kenna burned are proving impossible to rebuild. Everyone in her daughter’s life is determined to shut Kenna out, no matter how hard she works to prove herself. The only person who hasn’t closed the door on her completely is Ledger Ward, a local bar owner and one of the few remaining links to Kenna’s daughter. But if anyone were to discover how Ledger is slowly becoming an important part of Kenna’s life, both would risk losing the trust of everyone important to them. The two form a connection despite the pressure surrounding them, but as their romance grows, so does the risk. Kenna must find a way to absolve the mistakes of her past in order to build a future out of hope and healing.
My rating: ★★★★★
Ok, I think this one may just be my favourite Colleen Hoover novel. I went in quite apprehensively as the blurb was showing a storyline/trope that I had never read before and that I didn’t have very high hopes for. However, the book evokes a lot of questions and discussion, as well as thinking of putting myself in the shoes of the main female character, the love interest and the family as well. What would I do and how would I react if I was in any of their shoes? The story is told incredibly well and one that I’ll remember for a long time.
2. Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
New York is slipping from Cleo’s grasp. Sure, she’s at a different party every other night, but she barely knows anyone. Her student visa is running out, and she doesn’t even have money for cigarettes. But then she meets Frank. Twenty years older, Frank’s life is full of all the success and excess that Cleo’s lacks. He offers her the chance to be happy, the freedom to paint, and the opportunity to apply for a green card. She offers him a life imbued with beauty and art-and, hopefully, a reason to cut back on his drinking. He is everything she needs right now. Cleo and Frank run head-first into a romance that neither of them can quite keep up with. It reshapes their lives and the lives of those around them, whether that’s Cleo’s best friend struggling to embrace his gender identity in the wake of her marriage, or Frank’s financially dependent sister arranging sugar daddy dates after being cut off. Ultimately, this chance meeting between two strangers outside of a New Year’s Eve party changes everything, for better or worse.
My rating: ★★★★★
My final book for January was a book that I had requested for Christmas and was so excited to read. And just as I had suspected, it did not disappoint. In fact, I would be surprised if this book doesn’t end up in my top books of 2023. It’s not a happy story by any means, but then my favourite books usually aren’t. This tells the story of a 25 year old British girl trying to stay in New York as her visa is running out (relatable) and marries a man in his forties to do so. Their love story unfolds and with it comes issues with alcohol, drugs, depression, grief, money, success (and lack of) and so much more. There are quite a lot of trigger warnings but this book felt so raw and real and I loved every page.
3. Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
It is 1985, in an Irish town. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, Bill Furlong, a coal and timber merchant, faces into his busiest season. As he does the rounds, he feels the past rising up to meet him – and encounters the complicit silences of a people controlled by the Church.
My rating: ★★★★★
I went into this book not knowing what to expect other than being set in rural Ireland. However, this short book inspired me to look deeper into the goings on of the Catholic Church and the Magdalene Sisters which I have added to my long list of things to watch. Amazingly written and left me with a lot of intrigue and questions as to what actually happened in these Laundries. I’ve also heard rumours that a movie adaptation is in the works and that Cillian Murphy may be up for the role of Bill Furlong which would be incredible.
4. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing. But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute take a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans; the lonely, brilliant, Nobel-prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with – of all things – her mind. True chemistry results. But like science, life is unpredictable. Which is why a few years later, Elizabeth Zott finds herself not only a single mother, but the reluctant star of America’s most beloved cooking show Supper at Six. Meet the unconventional, uncompromising Elizabeth Zott.
My rating: ★★★★★
Obsessed. That is the one word that comes to mind when reviewing this book. It’s unlike any romance or fiction book I’ve ever read and that’s why I think I loved it so much. I never saw myself reading a book about Chemistry and I’m sure you’re probably thinking you wouldn’t want to either, but believe me this is about so much more than chemistry. It’s funny, sassy, full of feminism and one of the best books I’ve read so far in 2023.
5. Happy Place by Emily Henry
Two exes. One pact. Could this holiday change everything? Harriet and Wyn are the perfect couple – they go together like bread and butter, gin and tonic, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. Every year, they take a holiday to drink far too much wine with their favourite people in the world. Except this year, they are lying through their teeth, because Harriet and Wyn broke up six months ago. And they still haven’t told anyone. But the cottage is for sale so this is the last time they’ll all be here together. They can’t bear to break their best friends’ hearts so they’ll fake it for one more week. But how can you pretend to be in love – and get away with it – in front of the people who know you best?
My rating: ★★★★★
I’ve read all of Emily Henry’s books and didn’t get the hype with Beach Read and You and Me on Vacation, but when Book Lovers came out last year, I loved it. So I just had to get my hands on her latest release, Happy Place. I picked this up in Amsterdam as it was available in paperback and devoured it in a few days. Definitely my favourite Emily Henry book to date. If you want a summer romance for 2023, look no further.
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