Having read 31 books this year, some were bound to be on my list of favorites. Of these 31 books, five of them felt like near perfection, each earning a 5/5 rating.
I would like to preface that 4/5 of these books I read over six months ago and so my memory is a bit rusty. Regardless, hopefully, I can convince you to read at least one of these books.
Top Five Favorite Books of 2023
5. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
I had zero intention of reading this book at first.
I was walking outside and came across a stack of books and I spotted this gem. And who am I to say no to a free book?
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid has historical fiction, contemporary fiction, romance, secrets, and a strong female lead.
The Evelyn Hugo herself, of course.
This story starts in the 1950s with the aspiring actress, Ms. Hugo, working her way to make it on the big screens. Evelyn will stop at nothing to make her name the biggest Hollywood’s ever seen. She will also not let anyone get in her way.
Back in the modern day, Monique Grant, a low-life reporter, has been chosen by Evelyn to tell her story. But why?
Even as the reader, hearing of Evelyn’s Life by Evelyn herself, her secrets are still kept hidden until the very end. Follow her through the decades, her seven husbands, loss, grief, and success as a Latina woman in 20th-century America.
I quickly realized that Evelyn Hugo was gonna surpass all of my expectations and I wasn’t disappointed one bit. She is the powerful icon we all need to read about at least once.
4. Bloodmarked
I will never get enough of the Legenborn series. I need book 3, ASAP!
Bloodmarked is the second book in the Legenborn series, written by Tracy Deonn. Follow Bree Matthews, an almost 17-year-old girl attending UNC Chapel Hill who comes across an exclusive group on campus. However, they use a magic that only she can see.
We follow her as she sneaks her way into the mysterious club but catches the eyes of many people who view her as a threat. In book 2, Bree dives deeper into the power that is her Root and works to control it all the while being hunted.
There is only so much I can say without spoiling the book since it is the second in the series, but both are worth reading at least once. I will never get enough of hearing about Bree.
There is a love triangle, and while romance is a somewhat pertinent part of the story but I can confidently say it is so much more than that.
There are secrets, fight scenes, monsters, plot twists, and a powerful female lead. Need I say more? Bree will encounter friends, foes, and her past all while trying to keep herself alive.
Both books get five stars and trust I will be reviewing book 3 as soon as I can get my hands on it.
3. I Fell In Love With Hope
Now is when the waterworks come in.
I Fell In Love With Hope, written by Lancali, follows a group of teens who are followed by death. Living in a hospital, knowing time is something they don’t have, they make it their mission to have one last heist.
This book tore my heart out, handed it back, and then ripped it right out again. To say I simply cried is an understatement.
We follow the main protagonist, Sam, as they experience friendship, heartbreak, grief, and love. I Fell In Love With Hope is more than just about kids wanting to make the most of their time left. It is about finding light in the dark, or better yet, finding comfort in the dark.
Sam swears to never love again after a tragic accident from their past but Neo, Coeur, Sony, and a new girl refuse to let that be. Adventures, Shakespeare, and rooftops brought them together but death will pull them apart.
I found this story to have been beautifully written with a somewhat close balance of laughter and tears. Will I read it again? Absolutely.
I must say that there are a lot of tough subjects mentioned so I highly suggest checking the trigger warnings before reading. While this book isn’t for the faint of heart, I will say it is likely still worth the read.
2. The Book Thief
Fewer tears than before, but I was completely winded by this book. Just when I thought I had myself gathered, I would turn the page and be forced to close the book for the next few days. My heart just kept shattering.
The Book Thief is a historical fiction piece by Markus Zusak that takes place in 1939, Nazi Germany. The story follows Liesel as she enters the world of thievery and she finds her love for books and words.
Liesel’s hunger for more books keeps her strong during such times when death is knocking on everyone’s doors. She is determined and that determination will test everything she thought she knew.
This book switched perspectives between Liesel and Death itself which I found to be so intriguing. Liesel, being just a little girl, of course, sees the world through a different lens than the being that is forced to see the chaos up close, daily.
There are cute moments, depressing moments, and completely gut-wrenching moments. There is adventure, despair, and of course, loss.
Zusak has such a way with words that I forgot I was even reading. The characters hold so much depth that made it feel like I was right there with them and not just reading words on a page.
The Book Thief was a bittersweet experience that I can’t recommend enough.
1. A Little Life
Now I want you to forget everything I said about the last two books. I Fell In Love With Hope and The Book Thief were near-nothing compared to the emotions I felt while reading A Little Life. If someone told you they didn’t cry, chances are they were lying.
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara follows four friends from college as they embark into the adult world. Willem, JB, Malcolm, and Jude must make their way in a world that so desperately tries to tear them apart.
This book follows this group from college till old age and the reader gets to see the characters grow (and get torn to pieces).
Tears aren’t a strong enough word. I’ll argue that it was more like waterfalls and I was forced to take many breaks because I simply couldn’t even see the pages.
A Little Life deals with success, failure, life, death, pride, addiction, all of it. Now if you are to take one thing away from this post, let it be this: read the trigger warnings! Not just for this book, but for all books that have them (please!)
After page 100, my heart was ripped from my chest and I didn’t get it back until a week after I finished the book. Do with that what you will.
Overall, despite the heartbreak, I will forever regard this book as one of my favorites. Jude’s story is not one I will ever forget and I don’t ever want to.
