Hello my lovely readers. As 2023 is drawing to a close it’s time for me to recap my year of reading and select my top ten books of 2023. For some reason this was the easiest year to select my top 10. I have found some incredible new writers this year, some very underrated YA books that need loads more love, absolutely unforgettable and a book that I will always recommend.
I’ve been extremely lucky to have met these authors at YALC this year sharing my admiration and love for these incredible books. I’m excited by what 2023 has brought to Young Adult literature this year and I’m even more ecstatic for 2024!
So without further ado, in no particular order, here are my…
Top Ten Books of 2023
The Girl Who Broke the Sea by A.Connors
I was going on holiday by the sea and I wanted a themed book. This book was IMPOSSIBLE to put down and is my favourite read of the year so far! I hope I justify it in a review because I just loved it! I describe this as ‘The Meg’ the film, for its incredible oceanic atmosphere and world building with hints of ‘Arrival’ for the communication with an unidentified organism living in the darkness beneath the ocean floor.
A Curse of Salt by Sarah Street
A tale as old as time or in this case, a Heartless King as old as time. A Curse of Salt is different from your average retellings, it has pirates, enemies to lovers romance, 300 year old curse, ancient sea monsters, a library on a pirate ship, a darkness rooted to its core and sibling rivalry. It has it all. I love a book set at sea, there is something so escapable but also what I loved what the magic that Sarah was able to capture in her world building and storytelling.
Influential by Amara Sage
This book prepares you for life on social media. I for one wasn’t on many platforms when I was younger it wasn’t the norm like it is now. But it gives a glimpse at a life, we don’t know much about and almost shows you the reality of it. Amara Sage writes with such honest rawness, at times it’s hard to read. Working in a school or even as a bookstagrammer we focus far too much on what looks good that we don’t see what is happening behind the photo. We don’t see anything that’s unfiltered andInfluential is exactly that an unfiltered awareness of life as an influencer.
Heartstopper – Volume 5 by Alice Oseman
Oh the highly anticipated new novel in the Heartstopper series was finally here! I was only a fan of this series since the Netflix show came out. Since then I’m obsessed with it. Heartstopper Volume 5is all about the next step, for Nick and Charlie’s relationship, Nick’s future and Charlie’s character. Alice Oseman really captures their relationship so beautifully in art form. When it said ‘Heartstopper will conclude in Volume 6′ I cried as I am not for this series to end.
The Midnight Game by Cynthia Murphy
What a rollercoaster ride! I loved every second of it. It’s fast-paced, bloody and gory, and unputtadownable. Cynthia Murphy is UKYA’s Queen of Horrors! Every book I read of her has a unique, original, plot line that will honestly have you gripping the book for dear life to see what happens next. But I think, no I KNOW that The Midnight Games is my favourite yet! If you love Kat Ellis, Karen McManus – then you will love Cynthia’s books.
The Stolen Heir by Holly Black
The Stolen Heir won’t disappoint. It had everything The Folk of the Air series and more! Holly Black is now my favourite author fantasy, I just can’t get over how much I enjoyed second of it! The world building, the enemies to lovers (sort of) relationships, seeing more of Elfhame, seeing new and old characters. Everything about it I adored! Now because I’m caught up I have to wait a year!
You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron
Just over 200 pages long, this sapphic horror YA is pacey, edge of your seat Halloween (Michael Myers) vibes Horror that you won’t be able to put down. Easily read in one sitting kinda book.
I really enjoyed the latest Halloween and Scream movies. This book has the atmosphere, and chills like those Horror movies which I’ve never read in a book before. Another new release to add to your TBR this Halloween!
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
So this is my first time reading Catching Fire. I’m currently binge reading these after loving The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes at the movies. I finished this one today and oh my the is probably in my top 3 favourite sequels and there isn’t many of them. There is much more depth and build up in Catching Fire within District 12 and the exploring the life of the Katniss and Peeta as victors. The level of action and tension was ramped up.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Did this live up to the hype? Abso-bloody-lutely! It’s not a book I would usually find myself reading but I needed to know. Right now, I don’t think I have felt this immersed in a adult fantasy book for a long time. Rebecca’s writing is thrilling, shockingly violent which I kinda love, easy to follow fantasy that I was immersed in. The world building was superb, completely escapable and you are truly captivated by it that I just want to go back there.
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
So this book was from my book club that I attend locally. I’ve always been intrigued by Before the Coffee Gets Cold and other books similar to this that have been translated. This was my first translated book and one that feature the workings of bookshop and it was beautifully told. It’s a hug in a book and I plan to read others in 2024.
