Let’s be real; there’s a ton of books out there, mountains of them, in fact. From bestsellers everyone’s just raving about, to the romantasy novels that that one friend keeps recommending. But with so much to choose from, how do you find the books that really matter?
Well, that’s a big question—but we’re here to at least tell you about the essential reads of 2023!
Fourth Wing
Calling all fantasy lovers and hopeless romantics~! If you’re out searching for a book that will leave you begging for more, look no further than Rebecca Yarros’s “Fourth Wing.” This great debut novel blends fantasy with heart-pounding action, a slowburn romance, and a plot that’s just brimming with delicious suspense. The banter is a real highlight as well, leaving you with a smile long after you finish the book.
If you’re looking for something that offers a captivating escape into a fantastical world of dragons and daring heroines, “Fourth Wing” is a must-read.
The Fraud
Set up against the backdrop of the Tichborne Trial of 1873, Zadie Smith’s “The Fraud” follows Eliza Touchet, a sharp-tongued housekeeper, and a certain Andrew Bogle, a former slave thrust into the heart of a high-profile case. As the trial continues, both Eliza and Andrew grapple with the question of authenticity amidst a world where truth can be—and is—easily manipulated.
“The Fraud” is a great read, best for those looking for a brilliant novel that challenges assumptions about truth, justice, and what those words mean.
Tress of the Emerald Sea
With a charming storybook-quality, our hearts were stolen by Brandon Sanderson’s “Tress of the Emerald Sea”. Brimming with heart and light humour, it’s a delight for newcomers and longtime Cosmere fans alike. The story follows Tress, a young woman leading a simple life on an island surrounded by an emerald sea. With disaster arriving, Tress embarks on a quest of her own, venturing into the perilous Midnight Sea—a sea where a single drop of water can mean instant doom.
So, whether you’re a seasoned fan or a newcomer, “Tress of the Emerald Sea” deserves a prominent spot on your 2023 reading list—you won’t regret it, promise.
In the Lives of Puppets
If you’re looking for a heartwarming adventure with a unique twist, look no further than TJ Klune’s “In the Lives of Puppets.” Nestled amongst the trees lives an unconventional family: a human, an android inventor, a delightfully morbid nurse robot, and a lonely vacuum cleaner. Forced to flee their haven with the coming of a mysterious new android, the ragtag crew embarks on a perilous journey, confronting both internal struggles and a strange, unforgiving world.
“In the Lives of Puppets” is a story about found families, a delightful, thought-provoking read that deserves a spot on your 2023 best-of list.
What Lies in the Woods
If you’re searching for a meaningful—if morbid—semi-horror story that stays with you unsettlingly long after the book ends, look no further than Kate Alice Marshall’s “What Lies in the Woods.” Here, Marshall crafts a world where the idyllic child-hood memories of three friends are ruined by a brutal attack. Now, years later, the event still casts a long, dark shadow, forcing the protagonist (Naomi) to confront a truth that could unravel everything.
“What Lies in the Woods” is a meant for anyone who enjoys a well-plotted, dark mystery with an emotionally powerful core.
I Am Homeless If This Is Not My Home
Haunting and witty, “I Am Homeless If This Is Not My Home” by Lorrie Moore lingers. With a slow, goosebump-inducing melancholy, the novel blends the past and present, further exploring love, loss, and the immobile weight of history; a teacher visits his dying brother, a mysterious journal is suddenly found, and in explicably, a therapy clown enters the narrative. Writing with wry humour, Moore tackles grief, memory, and the absurdity of reality itself. It’s not just a story about death, but a meditation on life.
This one’s for those seeking a captivating, thought-provoking journey.
Tom Lake
In “Tom Lake,” Ann Patchett writes a tale of family, love lost, and the choices made in the course of life. Over the course of the book, a mother recounts her youthful days and love to her adult daughters during a global crisis, and faced with this mirror of the past, her daughters confront their own relationships. This poignant tale is about more than romance—it’s about choices, family, and the human spirit itself, regardless of the veil of time.
Patchett’s beautiful, yet accessible, prose makes one custom-made for fans of character-driven, slice-of-life stories.
The Stolen Heir
In “The Stolen Heir,” Holly Black whisks her readers to Elfhame in the first part of a duology. Suren, a runaway queen with a hidden power, must team up with the charming Prince Oak on a dangerous quest. Secrets, betrayals, and ancient magic collide as Suren confronts her past and fights for redemption.
Perfect for both fantasy fans and newcomers to the genre!
The Covenant of Water
Spanning lifetimes in Kerala, India, “The Covenant of Water” follows a family haunted by a dark connection to water—where, in every generation, at least one person dies by drowning. Witness both personal tragedies and India’s struggle for independence through the eyes of Big Ammachi, the familial matriarch.
Verghese’s book beautifully blends history, drama, and family in an ingenious saga that is full of life.
Love, Theoretically
Craving wit, lovable nerds, and academic sparks? Look no further than “Love, Theoretically”! Elsie, a brilliant physicist-by-day and a fake girlfriend by other-day, finds her dream job hanging in the balance thanks to what can only be called an alarmingly steamy conflict of interest.
With wit, banter, and the bubbling-up of far too many unexpected feelings, sparks fly as Elsie struggles love, temptation, ambition, and a battle between theory and practice.