2023 in Review
2023 in Review: 95 Book Breakdown
By: Brittany Shields
2023 is in the books!
I didn’t read as many books as last year but I made it into the nineties which I still feel is a pretty big accomplishment for me!
This year I read 95 books and 29,200+ pages.
19 books were part of a series, 8 of which were first books of the series— surprisingly the same number of first books of series I read last year!
I’ve listed every book I read below, conveniently divided by genre! Plus I added some ‘superlatives’ to some of them.
Comment below your favorite books of 2023!
Also Check Out:
The Most Anticipated Books of 2024
Shelf Reflection’s 2024 Reading Challenge
Disney Animated Movies Reading Challenge
If you don’t already, make sure you follow my Facebook page to stay up-to-date with all my latest reads, reviews, recommendations, and any giveaways I do in 2024!
You can also find me on Storygraph, Pinterest, and Goodreads.
I’ll also continue to add new and fun designs to my SHOP where you’ll find unique bookish shirts, hats, blankets, etc perfect for book lovers. Many designs are even hand drawn!
Shelf Reflection Update
Thanks to all your support, my website traffic continues to grow! I’m reaching over 124,000 people in over 100 countries with my book reviews and bookish content. It’s awesome to share my love of reading with you all and hopefully help you find your next read!
My hope for the new year is to continue to be faithful in what I’m already doing and provide honest feedback on a large variety of books and reach more people to inspire them to pick up a book or try something new!
Thanks for being part of Shelf Reflection and I wish you all the best in the year 2024!
AND NOW….
2023: Books by Genre
[To see all of these books in chronological order and see images of their book covers, browse this link: 2023 Books]
Cultural
Do Not Be True to Yourself: Countercultural Advice for the Rest of Your Life by Kevin DeYoung
The War Against Boys: How Misguided Policies Are Harming Our Young Men by Christina Hoff Sommers
Reclaiming Masculinity: Seven Biblical Principles for Being the Man God Wants You to Be by Matt Fuller
Most Polarizing/Controversial:
Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age by Rosaria Butterfield
Historical Fiction
Best Book Club Book:
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
The Longest Book:
The Unlikely Spy by Daniel Silva
Most Popular Book Review:
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
An Affair of Spies by Ronald H. Balson
Saddest:
The Paris Daughter by Kristin Harmel
The Boys from Biloxi by John Grisham
Cradles of the Reich by Jennifer Coburn
The Long March Home by Marcus Brotherton and Tosca Lee
The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles
The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams
Suspense/Thriller
The Villa by Rachel Hawkins
The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth
Funeral for a Friend (Jonathan Stride #10) by Brian Freeman
Behind Her Lives by Briana Cole
What Have We Done by Alex Finlay
Her Deadly Game by Robert Dugoni
Broker of Lies by Steven James
Not So Perfect Strangers by L.S. Stratton
Best New Series:
A Killer’s Game by Isabella Maldonado
The Zero Night (Jonathan Stride #11) by Brian Freeman
Judas 62 (Box 88 #2) by Charles Cumming
The Syndicate Spy by Brittany Butler
The Family Bones by Elle Marr
Dark Corners (Rachel Krall #2) by Megan Goldin
One Last Kill (Tracy Crosswhite #10) by Robert Dugoni
Most Likely to Keep You Up at Night:
The Taken Ones by Jess Lourey
The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen
Please Tell Me by Mike Omer
Wrong Place, Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister
Christmas Presents by Lisa Unger
Non-Fiction
The Great Christ Comet: Revealing the True Star of Bethlehem by Colin R. Nicholl (Science/Theology)
The Shortest Book:
Is Easter Unbelievable?: Four Questions Everyone Should Ask About the Resurrection Story by Rebecca McLaughlin
On Getting Out of Bed: The Burden and Gift of Living by Alan Noble
Most Surprisingly Good:
Leave Only Footprints: My Acadia-to-Zion Journey Through Every National Park by Conor Knighton
Rembrandt Is in the Wind: Learning to Love Art Through the Eyes of Faith by Russ Ramsey
The Lexicologist’s Handbook: A Dictionary of Unusual Words by Dane Cobain
Amazing Grace: The Life of John Newton and the Surprising Story Behind His Song by Bruce Hindmarsh & Craig Borlase
Wise Gals: The Spies Who Built the CIA and Changed the Future of Espionage by Nathalia Holt
The Expectation Gap: Change Your Expectations to Transform Your Relationships by Jamie Hallman
Brilliant Maps for Curious Minds: 100 New Ways to See the World by Ian Wright
Memoir
The Office BFFs by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey
Our Hope for Isabelle: Grieving with Joy and Hope for Eternity Through Infant Loss by Elizabeth & Taylor Bloomquist
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
Spare by Prince Harry
Straight Shooter: A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes by Stephen A. Smith
YA
Stars and Smoke (Stars and Smoke #1) by Marie Lu
Huda F Are You? by Huda Fahmy
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (The Hunger Games #0) by Suzanne Collins
Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley
The Librarian’s Ruse by Thirzah
The Rosewood Hunt by Mackenzie Reed
Gallant by V.E. Schwab
Psychological Thriller
The Lucky One by Jessica Payne
Not By Blood by Chris Narozny
The Good Doctor by Jessica Payne
The Therapist by B.A. Paris
Fiction
The Madness of the Faithful by R.H. Williams
Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Romance
Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
Most Popular on Goodreads:
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Least Recommended:
Take the Long Way Home by Rochelle Alers
Mystery
The Maid by Nita Prose
Most Popular Book at My Local Library:
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
I Didn’t Do It by Jaime Lynn Hendricks
Murder by Degrees by Ritu Mukerji
The Curse of Penryth Hall by Jess Armstrong
Most Atmospheric:
The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James
The September Society (Charles Lenox #2) by Charles Finch
Still Life (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #1) by Louise Penny
Humor
Excuse Me While I Disappear: Tales of Mid-Life-Mayhem by Laurie Notaro
The Happy Rant: Wandering To and Fro Through Some Things That Don’t Matter All That Much (and a Few That Really Do) by Ted Kluck, Ronnie Martin, and Barnabas Piper
What If? 2: Additional Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions by Randall Munroe
Fantasy
The Most Disappointing:
The Golden Enclaves (The Scholomance #3) by Naomi Novik
This Woven Kingdom (This Woven Kingdom #1) by Tahereh Mafi
The Search for Synergy (The Talisman Series Vol. 1) by Brett Salter (middle grade)
These Infinite Threads (This Woven Kingdom #2) by Tahereh Mafi
Time’s Orphan (Odriel’s Heirs #3) by Hayley Reese Chow
Science Fiction
The Ferryman by Justin Cronin
Most Boring:
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel
Christian Living
God Is Still Good: Gospel Hope & Comfort for the Unexpected Sorrows of Motherhood by Katie Faris
Sex, Race, and the Sovereignty of God: Sweet and Bitter Providence in the Book of Ruth by John Piper
Rediscover Church: Why the Body of Christ is Essential by Collin Hansen & Jonathan Leeman (Study Guide with Megan Hill)
Risen Motherhood: Gospel Hope for Everyday Moments by Emily Jensen & Laura Wifler
Raising Confident Kids in a Confusing World: A Parent’s Guide to Grounding Identity in Christ by Ed Drew
We Go On: Finding Purpose in All of Life’s Sorrows and Joys by John Onwuchekwa
Theology
Confronting Jesus: 9 Encounters with the Hero of the Gospels by Rebecca McLaughlin
Heaven by Randy Alcorn
Hardest to Read:
Christianity and Science by Herman Bavinck (Translated by N. Gray Sutanto, James Eglinton, and Cory C. Brock)
Devotional
Most Encouraging:
Held: 31 Biblical Reflections on God’s Comfort and Care in the Sorrow of Miscarriage by Abbey Wedgeworth
Gifts of Grace: 25 Advent Devotions by Jared C. Wilson
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