Top 5 Books from 2023
Top 5 Books from 2023
Welcome to my first post of 2024! I wanted to give a little update on my reading. I started sharing the books I’ve read on this Substack a full year ago, and I have really enjoyed it! 2023 was also the first year I started tracking my books on Goodreads. So I wanted to share some fun stats with you and some goals I have for this year. Then, of course, my top 5 books from the year!
Total books read: 103
Longest book read: 638 pages (Elantris by Brandon Sanderson)
Shortest book read: 60 pages (Sophie by Wendy May Andrews)
5-star reads: 26 books
4-star reads: 42 books
3-star reads: 18 books
2-star reads: 4 books
Did Not Finish: 4 books recorded
2024 Goals
I made my 2023 reading goal very low to make sure I reached it. This year, because of the waiting I will be doing at my kids’ activities, I think I will have just as much time to read as last year. Should I aim low again or give myself a challenge? I think I’ll shoot for the middle and set my Goodreads goal at 80 books.
I am also hoping to post more on Substack Notes. I want to share book quotes again like I did several months ago. So I have to consider what kind of goal I’d like to set for how often I post there. This will be in addition to posting a review of every book I read, which is a continuation of last year’s project.
And that’s it for my online goals! They seem reasonable and attainable to me and I’m excited for another year of reading and posting!
My Top 5 Books of 2023
I looked at every 5-star book I read this year and picked only 5 to share with you that I still can’t stop thinking about. Here they are in no particular order.
For Whom the Sun Sings by W. A. Fulkerson
Middle Grade Dystopian, Christian Author
I loved this book for its clear picture of an inside view of what a cult looks like.
Andrius was born differently than everyone around him. This is his story of discovering what his difference is and his attempt to help the community.
The Monster in the Hollows (Wingfeather Saga #3) by Andrew Peterson
Middle Grade Fantasy, Christian Themes
I loved exploring the new world in this book, and the way the ending wrapped everything up was absolutely brilliant.
We continue to follow Janner and his siblings as they return to their mother’s homeland and learn how to remember who they are and whose blood runs through their veins.
A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus
Middle Grade Historical Fiction
I love this book because it was a lovely portrait of what happens when people view each other as human beings rather than the labels they’ve been given. Also that books and a library are a big part of the story!
Three siblings evacuate with a local school after their grandmother has died during the WWII air raids. They go out with the quest to find a new family, which proves harder than they expected.
Guard Her Heart (Crown of Promise #2) by Hannah Currie
Young/Emerging Adult Christian Royal Romance
I loved this book for the strong characters, the light-hearted banter, and the sweet correspondence between the two main characters.
Mykah is saving her kingdom’s people by night, even though it is a dangerous task. Finnian was sent to kill this night Guardian, but his world is turned upside down when discovers who she is.
The Midnight Orchestra (Mystwick #2) by Jessica Khoury
Middle Grade Fantasy
I loved this book for the magic music school setting and the fun adventures that happen there.
Amelia discovers more about her friends, her past, and her flute magic in this fun adventure!
Nonfiction Honorable Mention: Giving Your Words by Sally & Clay Clarkson
Christian Parenting
I loved this book because I knew words were important but this showed me the major blessings we can offer our kids through what we say to them.
Sally and Clay give ample inspiration to parent with your words and fill your homes with the right kind of words.
I would love to hear if you have any books that really stood out to you this year. Please share in the comments!