My Top 4 Books of 2023

2023 is the year that I really got into reading again. When I was younger I actually used to get in trouble for staying up so late reading books in my room with my little BookOwl light up bookmark! 🤣 Nursing school took a toll on my brain and I didn't have the mental capacity to read anything for fun for a few years. In 2022, I picked up a Colleen Hoover book because of TikTok, and it helped me get into the fun side of reading. I think I ended up reading around 10 books last year, and this year I'm currently on book 16!

I don't have one specific genre that I favor but generally speaking the books that I enjoy have some form of underlying relationship element, whether it be a mother - daughter vacation, best friends, romantic partners or even human and pet/animal companionship. I even dipped my toes into the fantasy world (thanks again, TikTok) and I'm hooked.

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Now onto my top books of this year! In no particular order:

One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle

This novel is about a trip that was supposed to be taken by a mother and daughter duo, however after her mother has health concerns she ends up taking the trip on her own. She rediscovers herself while discovering another version of her mother from the past. There's a bit of time traveling elements in this book which is a common theme of Serle's. This book had me crying on the couch at times, but Serle's descriptive writing had me feeling like I was sobbing in Positano, Italy. When I finished this, I immediately added Positano to my traveling bucket list. I am also a fan of the fact that she included the actual restaurants and hotels of the city in her writing. I found myself searching up the locations and they perfectly match the images she portrays.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

This novel follows along with Tova, a widowed mother who lost her son several years ago. An investigation ruled her son's death as self inflicted but she never believed that to be true. She takes a job at the local aquarium where she used to bring her young son. Tova creates a friendship with an octopus named Marcellus that lives in his own enclosure at the aquarium, he's been there for years and has a tendency of collecting lost items that he deems 'treasures.' Throughout the story Tova finds she has a new family member that she never expected. One of the aspects I loved about this book are the exceprts from Marcellus.

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

Possible Spoiler *** WOW. The A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) series has me in a chokehold currently, but ACOWAR is my top book of the series. As you could guess, this book is about the war between the humans and fae. Again we follow along the journey of Feyre, Tamlin and Rhysand, this time including more of Elain, Nesta and the Inner Circle. I love Feyre and Rhys' relationship - he does nothing but empower her, a stark contrast from her relationship with Tamlin. So many things that I wasn't expecting to happen, happened. I don't think I can summarize this book without spoiling it so I will stop right here, but just know that you're in for a wild ride. This is my first fantasy genre series and I'm glad I gave it a shot. I'm almostttt to the halfway mark of the last book, A Court of Silver Flames (ACOSF). I've been reading it slowly because I don't want this series to end. Also note that this series is a tad spicy 🌶️ which I understand is a deal breaker for some readers, but I don't mind.

The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand

This is such a feel good story! Hilderbrand uses accurate locations of Nantucket and merchants in her books, which I appreciate. She even includes social media trends and phrases throughout, which made me feel like I was experiencing this in real time. Essentially this is a story of how Lizbet revives herself after breaking up with her longtime boyfriend. She accepts a job as the general manager of The Hotel Nantucket, which once stood as an abandoned and haunted building, now renovated to the nines by Xavier Darling. She is a driving force beneath the hotels possible success and faces several challenges between wanting to impress an anonymous hotel critic, watching the continued success of the restaurant she created with her ex while his new girlfriend attempts to take its accomplishments as her own, handling staffing issues, AND juggling a new romantic interest. Oh, and there's the whole 'ghost who haunts a hotel' aspect of it. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of Hilderbrand's summer novels.

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There ya have it! Out of the sixteen books I've read this year, these are the top dogs. If you've been considering any of these titles, I hope this post gives you the nudge to dive in. If you've already read them, what did you think of them and what are your recommendations for me to read next?

Happy reading!

Savannah Taylor