It’s the most anticipated list of the year: The Top Ten Most Memorable Fiction Reads of 2023. (Plus the Most Memorable Nonfiction and an Honorable Mentions list)
2023
Most Memorable Reads:
The Top Ten List
I’m linking up with That Artsy Reader Girl: Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Favorite Books of 2023
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”
It is been fabulous fun this week reading through top ten lists. The variation is striking, demonstrating that reading is a personal experience and that no two readers read the same book!
I mostly love the angst of creating top-ten lists! Although it can be a daunting task, it’s my most anticipated post of the year! First, let me remind you that this list is subjective. It’s comprised of books I’ve read this year (there are always so many more great ones that I didn’t get to), and each one has made it onto this list because reading it was an enjoyable, memorable, emotional experience and gave me a “book hangover.” These are truly unforgettable books that I’ll think about months and years later. If I can’t envision remembering a book on this list years from now, it doesn’t belong on the list.
It was exceptionally difficult to chose a definite number one this year, and I have not ranked these very different and each-memorable-in-their-own-way reads in any particular order. If I were forced to choose one as #1 I think it would be Go As a River by a slight margin. On any given day, I could arrange this list in ten different ways. Do you struggle with ranking your top ten list?
This year, I separated my fiction (top ten) and nonfiction (top three).
Titles are links to my reviews (which contain Amazon affiliate links).
Most titles in this post were published this year, but one was not.
Thanks for sharing great reads with me this year!
Top Ten Most Memorable Fiction Reads of 2023
Based on the qualities of enjoyment, engagement, compelling, unputdownable, memorable, page-turning, and book hangover.
#1
Go As a River by Shelley Read
(Literary Historical Fiction)
Superlative: “Most Impossible Choice”
WHY: This heartfelt coming-of-age story set in rural Colorado is a compelling family drama. The adoption theme is especially poignant.
By the slightest margin, I chose Go as a River as my #1 read of the year because I love coming-of-age, family drama, and adoption.
The remaining 9 are in no particular order.
West With Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge
(Historical Fiction)
Superlative: “Most Unique Road Trip”
WHY: I love a unique story with memorable characters. Bonus if there is a road trip involved! I loved this so much that I created a FREE Book Club Kit for my followers and their book clubs!
All We Were Promised (ARC) by Ashton Lattimore (pub date: 4/2/2024)
Superlative: “Most Inspirational Teamwork”
(WW11 Historical Fiction/post Civil War)
WHY: Told from three perspectives, this thought-provoking and page-turning story about abolition and freedom captivated me from page one.
The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray
(Biographical Historical Fiction/Civil Rights)
Superlative: “Most Memorable Difference Makers”
WHY: This is the inspirational fictionalized biography of two important women whose friendship, partnership, and determination helped advance Civil Rights.
The Little Liar by Mitch Albom
(WW II Historical Fiction)
Superlative: “Most Memorable Inanimate Narrator”
WHY: This represents everything I’m looking for in a 5-star read: memorable for months and years, page-turning, compelling, well-researched and well-written, likable characters, thought-provoking themes, and a balanced character-driven and plot-driven narrative.
The Keeper of Hidden Books by Madeline Martin
(WWII Historical Fiction)
Superlative: “Most Compelling Defiance and Resistance”
WHY: I can’t resist a book about books and this one stands above many because of its memorable and brave characters.
The Last Lifeboat by Hazel Gaynor
(WWII Historical Fiction)
Superlative: “Most Harrowing and Emotional Survival”
WHY: This riveting, emotional, and tense story based on a true event will stay with you for a long time!
Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See
(Historical Fiction, 1400s China)|
Superlative: “Most Memorable Women Supporting Women”
WHY: If you love medicine and stories of how women are stronger together, you might appreciate the fictionalized biography of the first female doctor in China as much as I did.
Symphony of Secrets by Brendon Slocumb
(Historical Fiction/Mystery)
Superlative: “Most Beautiful Mind”
Why? I enjoyed Slocumb’s debut (The Violin Conspiracy) and eagerly picked up his classical music historical mystery. I appreciate a diverse read and a unique premise.
No Two Persons by Erica Bauermiester
(Contemporary Fiction)
Superlative: “Most Unique Book About Books”
WHY: This has a unique premise that I could not resist.
Top 3 Most Memorable Nonfiction Reads
I’ve read sixteen nonfiction titles this year and these THREE (all read in audio format) are my most memorable (in no particular order).
And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle by Jon Meacham (audio)
Honorable Mention
The following books are memorable reads and were contenders for the top ten.
(Histfic) The Tuscan Orphan by Siobhan Daiko
(Histfic) The Wartime Bookshop Series by Lesley Eames (I’ve linked to the review for #3)
(Histfic + modern timeline) An Astromoner in Love by Antoine Laurain
(HistFic) Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray (pub date: 3/2024)
(Histfic/Thriller) The Cuban Heiress by Chanel Cleeton
(NF) Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting by Lisa Genova
(NF) Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience by Brene Brown
The Most Memorable Christmas Reads of the 2023
Three Holidays and a Wedding by Uzma Jalaluddin
Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews
Links to Previous Best-of-Year Posts
Most Recommended Reads of 2017
QOTD:
Share your best read of the year in the comments! Please?! I’d love to hear!
Happy Reading Book Worms
“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.”
~Rainer Maria Rilke
“I love the world of words, where life and literature connect.”
~Denise J Hughes
“Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones.”
~Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
“I read because books are a form of transportation, of teaching, and of connection! Books take us to places we’ve never been, they teach us about our world, and they help us to understand human experience.”
~Madeleine Riley, Top Shelf Text
Happy New Year!
Wishing you a year of good health, happiness, and a tall stack of 5 Star, unputdownable, and memorable reads!
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GO AS A RIVER IS MY #1 choice too for this year. I was fortunate to meet Shelley Read and hear her speak at the Indianapolis Book and Author Luncheon last April. So many sentences I had to read again as they were written so beautifully!
I’m thrilled to hear we share the love! It seems to be flying under the radar! I love author events! It endears me to the book even more! Thanks for commenting and happy reading in 2024! 🎉📚
We both have Go As A River as our #1 read for 2023!!!!
Oh that’s FUN! I feel like it hasn’t received the attention it deserves.
My favourite read for 2023 is One Illumined Thread by Sally Colin-James
Go As a River is amongst my top reads
Thanks for sharing! I’ll look that up! Thanks for the rec Cheryl!
Wonderful list, Carol. The top read of my year was Kinfolk by Sean Dietrich. 💕📚
Thanks Sandy!🙌 I remember hearing about Kinfolk…..I’ll check it out! Thanks for sharing!
Hi, Carol – I absolutely love receiving lists of people’s favourite books. Thank you for sharing yours. The only ones on your list that I have read (so far) are: Remember (based on your recommendation) and Boys in the Boat.
Wishing you another wonderful year of reading ahead!
Thanks for commenting! Very fun to read end of year lists! So much variety! Happy 2024 reading!
I love reading favorites lists! It is so hard to pick one favorite. Here are a few that are on my favorites list: Heirlooms by Sandra Byrd, Code Name Edelweiss by Stephanie Landsem and Playing it Safe by Ashley Weaver. Happy New Year!
This year was particularly difficult. Each is a stand out in its own way! Thanks for sharing your favs! I’ll check them out. Happy 2024 reading, Gretchen! 🎉
[…] Books in 2023—from A Literary Escape Out of This World SFF’s My Top 10 Reads of 2023!!! Most Memorable Reads of 2023—from Reading Ladies Book Club Top 5 Books of 2023—Top 5? As I’m going to demonstrate […]
Thanks for including me! 🙌🎉
I love these posts. What an amazing list, Carol. I have several of these on my TBR, coming up early in 2024. I am looking forward to all the ones I have on my shelf and loved the ones I already read. Happy New Year! 🎉🎉💖
My fav posts of the year to read and write!
I am interested in several of these books! Thanks for sharing your list!
Thanks for stopping by! Happy 2024 reading! 🥂
I read The Boys in the Boat a few years ago and I remember really enjoying it too – a little surprising as I knew nothing about the story before reading about it! My TTT: https://www.literacious.com/2024/01/02/top-ten-tuesday-favorite-books-of-2023/
A truly memorable and inspirational story! I’m hopping over to read your post!
Go as a River sounds very interesting.
Here is my Top Ten Tuesday post.
sorry about the delayed response….I’ve found three of your comments in my spam folder today! Go as a River is memorable! I just made a book club kit for it as well! Hoping over to read your post!
Thank you for sharing your list of favorite reads for the year with us!
My pleasure! It’s fun to revisit them! Happy 2024 reading! 🥂
[…] See this post for my most memorable reads in 2023. […]
I love that you called this your most memorable reads. That’s such a good way to decide which books you loved the most. Happy 2024!
https://jennielyse.com/top-ten-tuesday-43/
Thanks for stopping by and your kind words! Hopping over to read your post! 🥂
I haven’t read any of your top 10, but I did read and love that Cleeton book.
Cleeton is a fun and reliable author! Thanks for commenting! 🥂
I’ve heard of a couple of these but haven’t read them yet. The rest do sound quite interesting though, I may need to add them to my TBR.
Thanks for commenting! Happy 2024 reading! 🥂📚
I have Three Holidays and a Wedding on my list this week. I also have three non-fiction books on my list this week.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/my-twelve-favorite-reads-of-2023/
I hope you have some wonderful 2024 reads! Thanks for commenting! 🥂 I’m hopping over to read your post! 🐇
Other than THE BOYS IN THE BOAT, I have somehow managed to not read ANY of these. How is that possible? Most of them are on my TBR list and I have copies of several of them. *Sigh* So many good books, so little time…
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
The variety of lists amazes me! So many good books, so little time! 🙌📚 Happy 2024 reading Susan! 🥂
You have a great list! I haven’t read any of these but I’m glad you enjoyed reading them!
Here’s my my Top Ten Tuesday
Thanks for commenting Megan! 🥂 I’m hopping over to read your post!
Nice work. I see a couple I’ve read. Boys in the Boat was superb! So, too, is the PBS documentary (it’s usually on youtube). I want to see the new movie of the book, too.
Thanks! I saw the documentary! 🙌 can’t wait to see the movie! 🥂📚
I’ve seen Go As a River on a few lists. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks! It’s memorable!
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