My Top 10 Reads of 2023

While I also read A Man Called Ove and the Beartown series this, it's the interesting turn of events in this book that makes it so endearing. While I love the movie A Man Called Otto, I really hope this book gets turned into a movie as well.

This book epitomizes the loveliness of small towns and how they support one another. After reading the heaviness that was the Beartown series, this book was a sweet and simple palette cleanser.

I am a huge fan of the "magic realism" genre. This book features a family who is famous for their small cafe. and specifically their pies. The matriarch passes, and a descendent takes up the mantle, and discovers the magic that is the community. I've since read most of the Hebber Webber novels.

I'm not usually a fan of non-fiction books. However, Nina Tottenberg's memoir about her relationship with Ruth Bader Gingsburg was captivating. I can't recommend it enough.

The Book Charmer is the first book in Karen Hawkins' "Dove Pond" series. Each of the 7 sisters in the Dove family have a special gift that they use to help their community. I've read the two other published books in the series as well - A Cup of Silver LInings, and The Secret Recipe of Ella Dove.

I read this book after one of my other favorite authors recommended it in their social media feed. This book is definitely a page turner. It involves a bit of magic, a bit of time travel. and a whole lot of suspense.

Yes I am behind the times and finally read this book this year. It was absolutely wonderful. I love the different chapters told from the viewpoints of different characters.

Technically, I read this book at the end of 2022. But it's so good, that I want to make sure that it gets mentioned. Also, since reading his fiction books, I've become totally enamored with the author John Green (who also wrote The Fault in Our Stars) and his brother, Hank Green.

If you know anyone with OCD, this is a really good read.

Again, technically I reread this in 2022. However I read the last book in the series, The Shepherd's Crown, in 2023. This wonderful series is about a young teenage witch, Tiffany Aching, whose magical skills and compassion saves her family and community time and time (and time) again.

If you loved the show Good Omens on Amazon Prime, the first season was written by the author of this book, Terry Pratchett, and Neil Gaiman. I also highly recommend reading that original book as well.

Again, I technically read this in 2022. However, this was the book that jumpstarted my whole love of the "magic realism" genre. My friend Sarah sent me this book, and the sequel First Frost. And now I've read every single book that Sarah Addison Allen has written. And I recommend them ALL.

The Girl Who Chased the Moon is another great Sarah A. Allen book.