I was very picky about the books I chose to read this year. As a result, I read a lot of good books—so many that putting together this list was an agonizing process.
In past years, I’ve kept my best books list to a total of 15, usually a top ten list plus five honorable mentions. But this year’s list just didn’t fall out that way. I’ve kept the total to 15, but I’ve divided the two parts differently.
You’ll find all my year’s best books list—going back to 1996—here.
As usual, the books are arranged alphabetically by author’s last name.
The Top Six
Diaz, Hernan. Trust
Jewell, Lisa. None of This Is True
Kuang, R.F. Babel
Lacey, Catherine. Biography of X
Lehane, Dennis. Small Mercies
Ward, Jesmyn. Sing, Unburied, Sing
The Other Nine
Collins, Sara. The Confessions of Frannie Langton
Cosby, S.A. Blacktop Wasteland
Dave, Laura. The First Husband
Harper, Jane. Exiles
Harrow, Alix E. The Ten Thousand Doors of January
Howey, Hugh. Wool
Montimore, Margarita. Oona Out of Order
Pochoda, Ivy. These Women
Quinn, Kate. The Rose Code
I look forward to reading other bloggers’ best books lists.
© 2023 by Mary Daniels Brown
I just finished Babel yesterday. There is a lot to unpack with that book so my review may take a few days to write. I also read and loved Trust this year. What a book, so interesting to read the same story from four points of view.
My end of the year post about favorite books and blog posts
I know what you mean about Babel, Anne. I read it early in 2023 and still haven’t written a review. It’s so jam-packed with discussable stuff that I have no idea where to start. Soon, I tell myself, soon . . . Thanks for reading and commenting. I hope you and family are enjoying the holidays.