It is finally that time, everyone. The month of 2023 reading reflection! Kicking it off with my Top Ten Books of 2023!
I'll dive a little bit more into this in my "Looking Back at 2023" post, but I admit, for a short time, I was worried this list wouldn't include any fiction books in. I got there eventually, but this was a year where the nonfiction books really brought their A-game. Truly, all I was looking for this year were well-written books.
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
This is the only book on this list that I technically rated 4 stars, but I truly believe it could be a 4.5 or 5 star read on a reread (I actually wanted to reread it in December, but wasn't able to get to it.)
We follow Sophie, the eldest daughter, as she is cursed out of the blue to turn into an old woman, and then has to deal with the mysterious wizard's Howl's antics. I loved all the characters, but especially how out-there Howl was and how done-with-Howl Sophie was! Their dynamic was so good. There were also way more tiny details that connected to each other than I expected, thus wanting to reread it.
But what I truly love about this book is how you know well in your heart that if this book was written in a different perspective, the book would be completely different. Yes, this sounds obvious, but you know some authors write perspectives all the same. Jones' sense of voice and making sure her characters only know what they were supposed to know was top tier.
Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega & illus. Rose Bousamra
One of two graphic novels on this list as well as one of two middle grade novels! Marlene is a middle school girl who hates the hair saloon and the process of getting her hair straightened. Her journey of learning to love her hair and learning that there's no such thing as "bad hair" nearly brought me to tears!!
Iveliz Explains It All by Andrea Beatriz Arango
The other middle grade novel on this list that also made me teary-eyed. This was a novel-in-verse about Iveliz who had a lot going on in her life, from her grandmother moving in, trying not to get in trouble in class, and what happened the past year. This little book covered so much, it was all tackled so well, it never felt like too much. I am so happy this book exists for kids, especially kids with mental illnesses who can see this story come to life and have a happy ending.
Sissy: A Coming-Of-Gender Story by Jacob Tobia
One of several memoirs on this list! I didn't know much about Jacob Tobia's life or work before I picked this up, and my enjoyment was still the same! I can't say much more about it, but if you're looking for a trans memoir, definitely pick it up!
Eight Kinky Nights by Xan West
Every year I see people post "favorites of the year" lists in December, and I never understand, because I'm still discovering favorites in December!
I did not expect a kinky romance book to be one of my top 10 reads of the year, but here we are! This is a sapphic, friends-to-lovers romance, about two life long friends being roommates for the first time since college. One of them just got out of a bad marriage and wants to learn more about kink, while the other is a kink educator who offers 8 lessons over the course of Chanukah.
The reason why this made my list is not because of the romance style, but the characters!! And the communication of the characters in and out of the erotic scenes! And the characters being able to fully be their authentic selves around each other without judgement! This book destroyed me in the best way.
The Seven Necessary Sins for Women and Girls by Mona Eltahawy
This feminist manifesto was everything! Mona Eltahawy talks about the 7 traits women and girls are not supposed to have or express, like anger or ambition. This was so well written, so well thought out! I highlighted many passages in this one!
Sitting Pretty: The View from My Ordinary Resilient Disabled Body by Rebekah Taussig
Rebekah Taussig's memoir as a woman who uses a wheelchair absolutely blew me away, not because of any dramatic turn her life took, but just because of the writing. This memoir was just! So well written! And I highly recommend the audiobook as she reads it and does a phenomenal job!
¡Hola Papi!: How to Come Out in a Walmart Parking Lot and Other Life Lessons by John Paul Brammer
Continuing the trend of "well-written memoirs," Hola Papi! is a series of essays in which Brammer recounts important scenes of his life. It's funny and heart-warming, what more do you need?
A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft
I feel like every year I consider if YA is the age category for me, and then I find a book that keeps me hooked. A Far Wilder Magic is a YA fantasy novel sucked me in and would not let me go.
Wes and Margaret are unlikely team mates during the annual hunt for the mythical creature, the hala. Wes is an in-training alchemist who has run through all possible teachers except for one. Margaret is busy maintaining the house for her distant mother who is an eccentric alchemist. They two clash, but must work together.
This was just so delightful. The atmosphere, the characters, it all culminated beautifully. I only hope the rest of Saft's works are as good!
Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe
And now, the best book I have read all year, possibly of all time. Gender Queer is Kobabe's graphic memoir that really just shone a mirror right at my heart, then ripped out my heart and had forced me to look at it every week for the past 52 weeks.
You read that right, I have no-joke, no exaggeration, thought about this book every week in 2023, as I read this book the first day of 2023. EIr story hit me way harder than anticipated and absolutely leveled me.
It does also need to be said that this is one of the most challenged books in the US. Banning books is barbaric and exclusionary and helps no one but those trying to keep people down. If you like reading, you should be vocal, either online and/or in person, about how harmful these practices are.
What was your best book of 2023? Have you read any of these books? Let me know in the comments below!
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