Best Books of 2023 and a reading challenge for 2024

Happy New Year! Although only three of my four short stories that were picked up for publication are out so far, I’m looking forward to sharing more of my work with the world in 2024. But enough about me. The main point of this post is that, in 2023, I read some wonderful books I’d like to share.

In 2023, I read a total of 113 novels. As in most years, I read the most in July (19) thanks to being off work. (Taking an e-reader on a solo trip also helped.) But I read at least a few books every month and here are some of my top titles, as well as a reading challenge to keep you motivated!

January

Challenge: Read a fun update of a classic

My pick: A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting, by Sophie Irwin

This was the book I recommended to the most people this year. Using Jane Austen’s Persuasion as a springboard, Irwin’s book was a joy from start to finish. Hilarious and heartfelt, this story featured a lovable heroine figuring out how to follow her dreams and the swoon-worthy male lead who encourages her at every turn. Historically accurate? Maybe not, but I had a ball.

Bonus rec: A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting, by Sophie Irwin

Although I read this one second, it was written before A Lady’s Guide to Scandal. I’ve read and seen numerous takes on Pride & Prejudice; this one felt completely fresh and fun. Starring a young woman desperate to land a wealthy husband in order to save her family and the Lord she blackmails to help her, I adored this one.

February

Challenge: Read an award-winning book

My pick: A Psalm for the Wild-Built, by Becky Chambers

A Hugo Award Winner in 2022, this novella (and its sequel, A Prayer for the Crown-Shy) are small and gorgeous. The setting is a utopian take of the future, a world where the robots gained sentience only to wander into the wild and the more sustainable society that developed in their wake. I tried this one after a librarian recommended it to me and, although I found the first 50 pages pretty slow, I understood why it won the award as soon as the monk met the wild-built robot. It was a beautiful meditation on culture, religion, purpose, our relationship to the world, and what it means to be alive. Especially if you don’t have much time, this short book is one that will stay with you long after you’ve read the final page.

March

Challenge: Give a nonfiction book a try

My Pick: The Professor and the Madman, by Simon Winchester

Although every nonfiction story I’ve read has seen me sharing strange facts with everyone I know for weeks afterward (looking at you Gulp by Mary Roach and Gory Details by Erika Englehaupt), this one takes the cake for being the most off-the-wall insane. Which is…unexpected given that it’s about the creation of a dictionary. But it turns out one of the most prolific contributors to the fledgling dictionary was a man institutionalized after he murdered someone during a schizophrenic episode. The story only got stranger from there.

April

Challenge: Read a book that combines two genres

My Pick: Station Eternity, by Mar Lafferty

One of the more inventive science fiction books I’ve read recently and a murder mystery to boot, this book was intriguing. Mallory leaves Earth behind in a desperate attempt to get away from the murders that seem to happen everywhere she goes and winds up on a space station full of aliens with symbiotic relationships. Then more humans show up and it’s only a matter of time before people start to die….

May

Challenge: Read a short-story collection

My pick: The Tangleroot Palace, by Marjorie Liu

Considering I’ve been writing mostly short fiction in the last few years, I don’t read much of it. So, I decided to change that by picking up this collection. Although the short story I found the most thought-provoking this year was actually the take on Rumplestiltskin in Jane Yolen’s How to Fracture a Fairytale collection, I found this collection the most consistently strong throughout. “Sympathy for the Bones” was a particular standout.

June

Challenge: Read a classic with a fantasy twist

My pick: Claws and Contrivances, by Stephanie Burgis

I really enjoyed this one. Like Jane Austen with dragons, it had shades of Sense & Sensibility and Northanger Abbey in particular. Featuring a lead who tries to manage everyone around her, her lovable cast of eccentric relatives, and a bemused dragon scholar roped into an engagement against his will, this one was heaps of fun.

July

Challenge: Read a historical fiction novel

My pick: Sinners of Starlight City, by Anika Scott

Set during the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893, this story about the mafia and magic follows several characters with family on both sides of the color line. Our main heroine (Rosa) is a young performer hell-bent on revenge against the man who murdered her family back in Italy. We also get to know her cousin who is desperately trying to get her baby back and begs for Rosa’s help as well as the mafia enforcer tasked with returning the cousin to her family. The setting was beautifully rendered and Scott did a great job maintaining tension while illuminating various historical events in the U.S. and Italy I didn’t know very well.

August

Challenge: Pick a book based on its cover

My pick: Charming, by Jane Linwood

What if the “Prince Charming” in all the fairytales was actually the same guy? That’s the fun premise behind this story. Whenever Charming waltzes in to save the fair maiden, he ends up stealing half their treasury and splitting before the wedding. But the women he’s conned have joined forces and they’re more formidable than he ever imagined. This one was funny and I loved Linwood’s take on the various princesses.

September

Challenge: Read a book about getting the band back together

My pick: The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty

Chakraborty’s latest, about a formidable pirate who has to reassemble her old crew in order to find a kidnapped young woman and a legendary magical item, was a fun romp. I loved Amina and her crew–especially the wily poisoner–and enjoyed the blending of myth and adventure. While I didn’t totally enjoy the framing device of an interview, the characters and action more than made up for it.

October

Challenge: Read the first of a series

My pick: Book of Night by Holly Black

In a version of our world with magical shadows, Book of Night featured a self-destructive lead getting entangled in a deadly hunt for a missing book. I didn’t realize this one was the first in a series, so the cliffhanger came as a bit of a surprise. I’m looking forward to the next one.

November

Challenge: Read a book about friendship

My pick: Silenced, Ann Claycomb

I read this in one sitting. A story about women left living with fairytale curses after being abused by the same powerful man, this was as disturbing as it was absorbing. As the women come together to figure out how to break their curses and keep him from hurting anyone else, this story felt both timely and timeless. The fairytale pieces were worked into this in an interesting way. Violence against women is a key feature of this one, though, so be forewarned.

December

Challenge: Read a holiday-themed story

My Pick: The Wake-Up Call, Beth O’Leary

The central premise is two front desk managers working at a struggling hotel compete to try to find the owners of missing rings. Ever since last year’s Christmas party, they’ve been doing their level best to make one another miserable, but as “the ring thing” heats up, they have several surprises in store. This one was absolutely adorable and had several lines I read out loud to my family because I thought they were so funny I had to share them.

Well, there you have it! Those are some of my favorite books that I read this year. I’m looking forward to all of the wonderful stories 2024 has in store.

I wish you a year filled with wonderful books 🙂

Festive Fare: books and movies to fuel your holiday spirit

I usually enjoy the lead up to Christmas more than the day itself–I love texting with my friends about silly Hallmark movies and reading holiday books. If you’re here, hopefully you enjoy those festive reading and watching choices too!

I also have a special affection for this time of year because, after nearly two years of rejection, I had a Christmas-themed story published last December (my story is on page 71, if you feel so inclined). It’s about the “12 Days of Christmas” carol being a spell that a family of winter witches use to save the world. Successfully getting a second paid publication helped me get four more stories accepted for publication in the last 12 months.

But, enough about me! Let’s get on with the fun holiday fare!

3 Holiday Books

For those who like their holiday stories a little wacky: Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle

Why it’s fun: The bonkers premise of this story is that Bettie–a spoiled former socialite fallen on hard times–accidentally summons Hall, the personification of the Holiday Spirit. As she spends time with Hall (and makes the most of his magic) she slowly starts to question some of her assumptions about what she thought was important. This story was hilarious and sweet and surprisingly poignant in parts.

If you’d rather read holiday themed fantasy/ satire: Hogfather by Terry Pratchett

Why it’s fun: The personification of death has to take over for the Hogfather in order to save Hogswatch (Discworld’s version of Christmas)–and make sure the sun actually rises again. With a sleigh pulled by enormous hogs, Death is enjoying being someone people are happy to see for once. Pratchett’s stories are consistently funny and thought-provoking; I enjoy re-reading this one.

If you want a holiday romance about self discovery: One Last Gift by Emily Stone

Why it’s fun: After her brother dies, Cassie receives one final Christmas scavenger hunt from him that sets her off on a journey of self-discovery, and helps her reconnect with a childhood friend/first love. This one was very sweet and affirming.

5 of the Best Hallmark Holiday Movies this year

I watch (or fast-forward through) a lot of Hallmark movies this time of year. Here are my 5 favorites that didn’t have me reaching for the remote.

If you like animals and movies where people reconnect: Mystic Christmas

Why it’s fun: This one had strong writing and laugh-out-loud lines in places. I adored the male lead’s sister/female lead’s best friend and found it believable that these two very compatible people would still have had some growing to do before they could make it work. I also liked that the focus was on them making each other better rather than either one of them sacrificing their dreams for the other. As a science geek myself, I liked that the female lead was a vet who focused on seal rehabilitation. This one also featured a really sweet spin on an Icelandic tradition.

If you like time loop movies: Round and Round

Why it’s fun: A Jewish friend of mine says this is the first Hallmark Hanukkah movie she’s loved. (It only took Hallmark half a dozen tries to get it right!) The banter in this one was very funny and I really enjoyed the leads. I also loved the people in the comic book shop they consult to try to end the time loop and the fact that the geeky male lead was still considered desirable without being pressured to become less geeky. The grandma in this was also great. (As an aspiring author, I do find it frustrating how easily movie leads seem to stumble into people wanting to champion their work, although the fact it was her editor cousin definitely made it more palatable and she didn’t immediately have a publishing deal at the end.)

If you like movies about following your dreams: Sealed with a List

Why it’s fun: The leads are charming. The premise of the movie is that Carley sets out to accomplish all of her new years resolutions in the final 31 days of the year with the help of her former boss, Wyatt. I liked how they played off of each other and the secondary characters were nicely fleshed out compared to most of these movies. Their relationships with their mother (for Carley) and father (for Wyatt) were also interesting.

If you like time travel movies: A Biltmore Christmas

Why it’s fun: While I’m not recommending any without charming leads, these two did a really nice job selling a silly premise. The location is also beautiful and I liked the take on a writer accidentally traveling through time with the help of a magic hourglass to the set of a Christmas classic movie filmed in the 1940s. Her interest in learning about the original alternate ending of the movie was a fun twist, even if she does fall for the charming actor whose only starring role was that holiday classic.

If you like your holiday movies to include crime and Santa: Catch Me if You Claus

Why it’s fun: Honestly, this one surprised me. I turned it on expecting to fast-forward through it and then was consistently entertained throughout the whole movie. And, while many Hallmark movies don’t stick the landing, this one did. I never thought I’d have so much fun with a movie about an aspiring news anchor about to have her big break catching a man who insists he’s the son of Santa Claus in her home and thinking he’s the so-called “Santa Crook” who’s been burglarizing homes in her city. The writing was funny and I found myself enjoying the leads as they tried to solve the mystery and accomplish both of their goals.

With whatever you read, watch, or celebrate this holiday season, I wish you a happy, festive time!

Magical books to read near Halloween

I’ve always loved stories that include magic. There’s a reason my own stories, even if they aren’t set in a secondary fantasy world, include some kind of magical element. And, with Halloween nearly upon us, it seemed like a good time of year to talk about witchy books.

If you, like me, are always looking to add some more magic to your life, here are 7 books/ series to check out:

If you like found families and rom-coms

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

What it’s about: an isolated witch who posts videos online “pretending” to do magic gets a mysterious job offer to take care of three young witches at a secluded home called the Nowhere House. But her new job breaks all the rules and she’ll need more than her magic to keep her new family safe.

I ended up buying this book from The Ripped Bodice, a romance bookstore in Culver City, after my roommate gave me a gift card for my birthday. Featuring a lovable cast, a wonderful lead, and a sweet romance, the quote on the cover is right when they call it “a warm and witchy hug of a book.” I’m so glad I bought this book after chatting with the bookstore staff. I hope you love it too!

If you like darkly funny stories with high stakes

The Scholomance trilogy by Naomi Novik

What it’s about: In a world where monsters hunt young magic users, the only way to keep them safe during their teen years is to send them to a boarding school that’s mostly in the void, where they’ll hopefully learn enough magic to survive long enough to make it through the harrowing graduation ceremony. El is destined to become a dark sorceress, but she doesn’t want to kill anyone (other than the obnoxious Orion Lake that is). Although she just wants to keep her head down and graduate, she’s the key to changing the Scholomance forever….

I re-read huge sections of the first one because it was so incredibly funny. El is brilliant (and emotionally stunted). I liked the third less than the other two, but it was still a strong conclusion and I love this series.

If you like humor, baking, and reluctant heroes

A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher

What it’s about: Fourteen-year-old Mona is a wizard whose magic only works on bread. When she finds a body in the bakery and learns someone out there is hunting wizards, her whole life changes. And something is coming that makes the assassin look like child’s play.

I love T. Kingfisher’s magical works (Nettle & Bone is a particular favorite and Minor Mage was also heaps of fun). Kingfisher doesn’t shy away from heavy themes–I saw a Reddit post talking about the holocaust parallels in this story and that’s absolutely part of it–but the humor is always there too. This story also features gingerbread soldiers and a deadly sourdough starter….

If you love romance, wished you could have a Pokemon, and enjoy secondary fantasy worlds

The Midnight Bargain by C.L. Polk

What it’s about: Beatrice Clayborn is a sorceress in a world where women have to wear a magic-dampening collar when they’re married to protect their future children. She longs to escape the “bargaining season” and bind herself to a greater spirit like any male sorcerer would, even though an advantageous marriage is her family’s only hope. As she gets ever closer to achieving her dream, she finds herself tempted by a young man who makes her wish there was a way to have it all.

It took a minute for me to get into this one–I wasn’t in the right mindset to gel with the fantasy setting right away–but the leads are engaging and it’s an interesting magic set up. I also enjoyed that all the spirits have specific gifts; the “Pokemon” part in my description came from the author’s note at the end of the book.

If you like mysteries, period dramas, and library settings

The Librarian of Crooked Lane by C.J. Archer

What it’s about: After Gabe accidentally gets Sylvia fired from her job, he finds her new employment at a magical library and their lives only get more entangled from there as they work to solve the mysterious theft of a magical painting and keep each other safe.

I read this one while I was in London and am excited to see there are several more in the series. Excellent pining in this one and I would love to work at a magical library.

If you like mysteries, dystopian settings, and characters who grab you and don’t let go

The Edinburgh Nights series by T.L. Huchu

What it’s about: Ropa is a ghost-talker who’s constantly working to support her grandmother and younger sister…but she can’t seem to stop herself from being drawn into mysteries affecting people with no one else in their corner.

The POV in this one is strong and unique; I really enjoy Ropa’s determination and the way she talks tough, but is also intensely loyal and has a strong moral code. These are fun in a dark, dystopian way.

If you like Hallmark movies, but wish they had more magic

Small Town, Big Magic by Hazel Beck

What it’s about: Emerson loves her small town so much that she’s the youngest Chamber of Commerce president in history, but after she’s attacked by monsters, she realizes that she’s somehow forgotten the fact she’s a witch. With the help of her friends, she’s going to have to remember her magic and save the town she loves so much.

I’d hesitated about including this one. The magic is interesting and I like a lot of the characters, but I felt pretty lukewarm on the lead. (A little too much “toxic positivity” for my taste.) Still, I’m intrigued to see where they go from here and liked the rest of the characters.

Anyway, there are so many great books out there now featuring magic, that I struggled to limit my list to just 7. Would love to hear what you’re enjoying 🙂 Happy reading!