2023 Reading List
Book List 2023
From fantasy to fiction, this list has it all! Read below for titles and reviews of all the books I read in 2023.
Rating Key
★: Absolutely awful, do not read. Not worth your time whatsoever.
★★: This wasn’t horrible, but it’s not my cup of tea.
★★★: This is an approachable book and I understand why it’s popular. I enjoyed it.
★★★★: This was a great book. I would definitely recommend it, but it’s not in the running for my favorite.
★★★★★: OH MY GOSH GO PICK UP THIS BOOK RIGHT NOW I’M IN LOVE
Fantasy
A Day of Fallen Night, Samantha Shannon ★★★★. A prequel to Priory of the Orange Tree, A Day of Fallen Night was even better than the original (in my opinion). It’s sultry, it’s powerful, it’s fantastical, majestic, feminine, Sapphic, it’s everything a woman could want in a fantasy novel. A Day of Fallen Night is definitely not a novel for children, it’s very much for an older audience, maybe late young adult years. The story walks us through the conflict and some of the history of the Priory. I loved the main characters of this novel even more than the characters from Priory of the Orange Tree. I was deeply connected to the femininity of this novel and the innate power that women possess within the book. I cried about five times in the first five chapters and found myself fiercely rooting for the protagonists to find their loved ones and come into their own power, which they all do in incredibly unique, personal ways. This was such a lovely book.
Annihilation, Jeff VanderMeer ★★. I will begin by saying that this book was very, very weird. It was a futuristic, dystopian, body-horror/thriller/psychological exploration that left me feeling very strange in my own body. For those interested in horror (body horror, in particular) I would recommend this book, but it definitely wasn’t my cup of tea. The book is mysterious and did very well to keep me hooked, however, and for those reasons I would recommend it within the aforementioned genres.
Elements of Cadence Duology, Rebecca Ross:
A River Enchanted ★★★. This book was an easy and quick read. It follows the story of Jack, a bard estranged from his home-a strange and fantastical island with fae, spirits, and magic that steals from the user every time it is utilized. It’s an enemies-to-lovers romance with the addition of being a mystery about several missing children. It was interesting, which is about all I can say for the book. If you’re looking for something fluffy and easy, this would be a great choice for you. The writing is amateur, the worldbuilding is thin, and the characters could use a growth arc. However, I did stay up late reading this book and there’s no harm in a fluffy novel every now and then.
A Fire Endless ★★★. This book was the second book in the Elements of Cadence Duology, and I think this book was even better than the first, though they are both very similar. A Fire Endless delves deeper into the system of magic we come to know and love in A River Enchanted, with Jack and Adaira growing closer and into their own power. This book was a great conclusion to the duology and filled me with warm fuzzy feelings as the characters grew into their love with one another and began to more fully respect the nature (spirits) around them. This was a good, warm duology and I would recommend you read it on a cold night by a fire.
Fourth Wing, Rebecca Yarros ★★★. Fourth Wing is a good, solid fantasy novel (written like a YA book, but with a dash of spice) with some good, solid fantasy tropes. It’s got an underdog, a badboy, a love triangle, fights to the death, dragons, and a secret mission that leaves the main character (Violet) questioning where her loyalties lie. I tore through this book in about seven hours. It was good enough to keep me hooked for that amount of time, but this book really does fall into some classic YA fantasy tropes (though I believe it is meant to be intended for an adult audience due to some mature scenes). I’ll read the next book when it comes out, but I’m not waiting with bated breath. I will admit that Yarros does break norms by creating Violet with a chronic illness that influences her day-to-day life and limits her physical abilities. Violet is required to be resourceful in different ways due to these differences, and I would call her “scrappy”. Decent book, nothing amazing.
Oathbringer, Brandon Sanderson ★★★★. Oathbringer was such a wonderful addition to The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. Each of the books in this series is a true undertaking, they are full of so much description and lore that it’s hard to remember it all. They’re well-written, suspenseful, and full of character development. In Oathbringer I was excited to see many, many strings coming together that have been intertwining throughout the series. I’ve loved reading this series, and Oathbringer provided me with a much needed release of emotions. We spent more time with some of my favorite characters (Kaladin, Wit, Shallan), and learned to love some new characters. I highly recommend this series to anyone who is a devoted reader and looking for a reading project that will be a fun challenge.
The Bone Season Series, Samantha Shannon ★★★★★. The series “The Bone Season” by Samantha Shannon is one of my all time favorite book series. I read it a year ago, and I reread it this year and it is absolutely incredible (perhaps even more so) the second time reading it. This series is truly beautiful and keeps me on the edge of my seat throughout. This series is truly incredible, with LGBTQ+ representation, discussions surrounding class and race, climate change, and all manner of ethics and politics, the worldbuilding within this series is stunning, it has my heart in a death grip.
The Bone Season ★★★★★: The first installment of “The Bone Season” was published 10 years ago, when Samantha Shannon was 21. It’s my personal opinion that Shannon is a bit of a writing prodigy, she is a phenomenal artist and writer and consistently wows me with her work. We are introduced, in this book, to a futuristic republic (the Republic of Scion) situated overtop of our real world in London, England. The main character Paige Mahoney, is what the Republic considers to be “Unnatural,” as she has abilities that enable her to interact with the spirit and mental realms of those around her. Paige participates in a “syndicate” of “Voyants” (clairvoyant people with abilities similar and different from hers). Soon, she realizes that Scion isn’t what it seems, and the world around her is called into question.
The Bone Season 10th Anniversary Revised Edition ★★★★★: Samantha Shannon republished The Bone Season in 2023 to account for the decade of writing experience that she obtained between publishing the first book and finishing the seven book series. The rewrite is extensive, with a more mature writing style, a more clearly defined setting, and more of the favorite characters we love so much. The budding romance in this book is even more meaningful and playful, allowing us to really see why Paige began falling for her love interest in the first place.
The Pale Dreamer ★★: This is a novella, technically a prequal, to “The Bone Season” series. In my opinion, this is the worst of Samantha Shannon’s writing. However, it is still a great introduction to the series and I would recommend reading it, just to get some more time with Paige.
The Mime Order ★★★★: This is a wonderfully satisfying second installation in this incredible series. Paige is out in the world again, equipped with the knowledge of Sheol I and the mysterious origins of the Republic of Scion. We get to see her participate in the Syndicate and just overall become more of a badass (as though she wasn’t enough of one already). This is where the character interactions and relationships begin to deepen, with beautifully done development and conflict, this is a wonderful book. HOWEVER, it has a WICKED cliff hanger at the end, so make sure you have The Song Rising on hand when you finish it, you’ll need it.
The Song Rising ★★★★: The third instillation in this series introduces us to Paige’s shortcomings in a very real and very caring way. Paige is in a position of leadership and she grapples with it (she’s only 19!). Her struggles deepen her relationships with those around her, and ruin her relationships with others. The Song Rising is one of those books that makes me wonder if the author might actually kill off my favorite characters (but then she doesn’t! Yet).
The Mask Falling ★★★★★: Oh my goodness this book. THIS. BOOK. This book has my heart in a death grip. It’s sensual, loving, thrilling, beautiful, mysterious, it is everything I want in a book. This book made me cry and laugh and the ending filled me with a deep sorrow. I cannot wait for the next book in the series to be published. Luckily, Samantha Shannon created a playlist of the mysterious “Book 5” that is widely available on Spotify and soothes my heart. Paige is separated from all of her loved ones at the end of this book (which, let’s be honest, is a common theme for her), but she is separated in a way that is gut wrenching. If you can’t handle a cliff hanger, do not read this book until the next one comes out. But… read it. And suffer with me.
Poetry
[one love affair]*, Jenny Boully ★★★. one love affair is a collection of poems about a girl and two lovers- both of whom are wrong for her, one of whom is older and gloriously toxic, this is the “one love affair”. The poetry in this collection is mostly prose poetry. It definitely puts the reader in the mindset of the 24 year old speaker clinging to the idea of someone rather than acknowledging who they truly are. It has death, drugs, and beautiful repetitive, cycling metaphors. It’s lovely in a sad, lingering kind of way.
Calenday, Lauren Haldeman ★★★★. Calenday is a book by the lovely Lauren Haldeman. In a reveiw on the back of the book by Sabrina Orah Mark, it says, “Calenday reads like a lost diary, lying facedown in the middle of a small, blue glowing nursery somewhere on a planet far, far away. On the cover is Earth, drawn by a child.” This is a wonderful way to describe this ethereal, otherworldly collection. Haldeman separates everyday perspectives from normal perceptions of reality in this collection, providing a way for the readers to see the ways in which life is incredible, insane, and intimately our own. Calenday is an upbeat collection about motherhood and life coming into an existence, and ends with a gut-wrenching poem about the death of Haldeman’s brother, which will leave you in tears. Once, Haldeman told my poetry workshop at UVA that she dreamed she watched a star enter her 12 hours before she went into labor with her child. That is what this collection feels like.
Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, Ross Gay ★★★★★. What can I even say about this absolutely amazing collection that I haven’t already said? There is no book that I could recommend more. This is the book I did my honor’s thesis on for the Distinguished Major’s Program at UVA, I’ve written over a hundred pages on how incredible this collection is. It makes me feel human, and lovely for my humanness. The book is about nature, it’s about connection, love, grief. There are no words I could use to describe the emotional impact this collection has had on me. Read it. Read it again. Read it 20 times. Just fall in love with it over and over and over.
Coyote Doggirl, Lisa Hanawalt ★★★★. Coyote Doggirl is a wonderful collection, but is absolutely for adults. It is also a beautifully illustrated graphic collection. The main character, Coyote Doggirl is a survivor of sexual assault that leads her to take off into the wilderness with her horse and best friend, Red. She curses, she fights, she’s funny and clever and unusually trusting. She’s a survivor in all senses of the word. When she’s separated from Red, she fights to get him back and, ultimately, makes peace (her kind of peace) with her situation. I love this collection, but it is not for those easily offended, and not for kids. Highly recommend.
I hope this finds you well: Poems, Kate Baer ★★★★. This collection is a beautiful and emotional foray into the online world of being a woman. The author Kate Baer, takes messages, both nasty and lovely that people send her on her social media platforms and creates erasure poems about femininity, body image, politics, and the concept of loving in the modern era. This book, in particular the unedited messages, made me cry so many times. I highly recommend this collection to anyone that is opposed to the patriarchy, is a woman, or cares about women. It’s such a lovely collection.
Instead of Dying, Lauren Haldeman ★★★★★. Instead of Dying is a beautiful, beautiful poetry collection about the experiences of grief. The author, Lauren Haldeman, is open about the death of her brother, Ryan, and this is a testament to her love for him. While the collection itself is about a murder, it doesn’t get bogged down with unnecessary heaviness or details about the death itself, it gives light and life to the beloved (in this case the brother) and allows the reader to walk through grief in a way that feels like having your hand held. For anyone suffering the death of a loved one, in particular those of us who have had loved ones forcibly taken away, this book is such a tremendous help and light. This collection is a wonderful testament to love and the experience of learning to live again when the person you love is no longer with you on this plane of existence. The collection has a few motifs, including: prisms/light, imagination/rewriting histories, science, birth/death/life cycles and grief.
Rocket Fantastic, Gabrielle Calvocoressi ★★★★. Rocket Fantastic is an adult novel about surviving toxic relationships, gender, sex, life, and the darker side of the psyche. All of this is done so well. I’ve read Rocket Fantastic so many times and every single time it teaches me something new and wonderful. Calvolcoressi decided to create a masterpiece of mystery and love and lust with this collection. The Beloved’s gender is never revealed, denoted only by a symbol that is read by a sharp inhalation of breath, which is one of the most beautiful ways to explore gender that I have found thus far. With beautiful and repetitive cycles found throughout the collection, it’s a treasure hunt and a narrative that pieces itself together as you explore more and more of the poetry. Gorgeous collection. Do not read if you are easily offended, struggle with those who are gender non-conforming or are apprehensive about the concept of sex.
Spawn, Marie-Andrée Gill Translation: Kristen Renee Miller ★★★. Spawn is a lovely collection translated from the original French by Kristen Renee Miller. Spawn is a coming-of-age collection set in the speaker’s hometown in the Mashteuiatsh Reserve and the shores of Lake Piekuakami. The speaker loves fiercely, and is well aware of their place in the nature of settler-colonialist Canada. The translator mentions in a note at the end of the English edition, that she was delicate in translating the text from “one settler language (French) to another (English)”. This translation is beautiful. The text could be read as one book-length poem, but the sections and poems stand on their own as well. This is a good collection for those just diving into poetry, teenagers, and those hoping to amplify marginalized voices.
The Hurting Kind, Ada Limón ★★★. Ada Limón is currently the poet laureate of the United States. (Read here to understand why this matters.) Her most recent poetry collection The Hurting Kind contains some poems that are my personal favorites, including “Against Nostalgia” and “The End of Poetry.” Ada Limón is a poet of the modern era. Her poetry is intimate, it is comforting even as it is existential. Her love poetry burns with passion, and she describes love in a way is both achingly romantic and practical. I cannot recommend her work enough.
The Wild Iris, Louise Gluck ★★★★★. The Wild Iris is a stunning collection of poems about love, death, the nature of mortality, liminal spaces, God, precious and fragile humanity. It is stunning, heart-wrenching, filling and terrifying. This collection is one of my all time favorites. It’s very much a book that can be read many times, and new information and interpretation will be gleaned from it. I adore this collection. Read it read it read it.
Young Adult
The Folk of The Air Series by Holly Black ★★★
The Cruel Prince ★★★. I reread The Cruel Prince this year after seeing it become popular on BookTok. This book is about a human girl (Jude) whose parents are murdered in the first scene. Jude and her two sisters are then spirited away to Elfhame, a fae world that lives parallel to the human world. The Cruel Prince starts off pretty rough, but in the last 200 pages is an enemies-to-reluctant-allies-to-lovers book that really gripped me. I would recommend this book to older teens and those who are just beginning to read fantasy and need something incredibly approachable. The worldbuilding has a lot going on that is not well explained and, at times, the main characters are just plain unlikable, but it adds to the charm of the novel.
The Wicked King ★★★. This book is the second installment in The Folk of the Air Series. It has some delicious slow-burn romance, continues the enemies-to-lovers storyline that we came to know in The Cruel Prince and is a good book. I wasn’t as intrigued in the storyline of The Wicked King as I was in the storyline of the first or last books in the trilogy, but it was a really good intermediate book that allowed us to see the character growth of several members of Jude’s family. The book had betrayal, longing, heartbreak and tension, and it was a good second book in the series. However, I don’t feel as though much happened in this book, I’m struggling to remember the plot points, but I do remember several wonderful scenes that made me love Cardan more than I already did.
The Queen of Nothing ★★★★. This book was, hands down, the best in the series. I thought the plot was immensely clever and we got to see more of the folk. This installment has a vagabond meets spy meets queen meets seductress meets cold hearted killer storyline that made me really come to like Jude as a main character more than I already did. Additionally, Cardan has finally found his place in this book, really coming into his own and finally demonstrating himself to be the mature ruler we all hoped he would be. There’s war, love, trickery, riddles and loyalty in this book. I read it in just a few hours and it was truly a lovely read, I might even be inclined to read the series again just to get to this book.