According to GoodReads, I read 115 books in 2023. I review them all over at BooksOfTheMoon, but I thought I’d pull out some of my highlights of the year. Since I’ve already reviewed them, I’m not going say much about them, but I will link to the full review.
- The Kaiju Preservation Society, by John Scalzi
A really fun popcorn book of escaping lockdown to work for a society that preserves kaiju. Everything you need to know about this book is in the title - Legends & Lattes, by Travis Baldree
Warm, comforting and sweet. I’d make a comparison to some sort of fancy coffee drink, but I don’t like coffee and know nothing about it, but this low-stakes story was a big hug of a novel - Bookshops & Bonedust, by Travis Baldree
The prequel to Legends & Lattes sees a young Viv making friends with a bookshop owner. Every bit as delightful as the first book. - The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, by Sangu Mandanna
I’ve read more romance (mostly romantasy) this year than usual and I adored this story of a lonely witch finding love and family with a grumpy (Northern Irish!) librarian - Light From Uncommon Stars, by Ryka Aoki
A story of belonging and acceptance, love and music. Heartbreaking at times, but utterly wonderful - Central Station, by Lavie Tidhar
A book where the writing reminded me of Ray Bradbury, in the best way. Wonderful lyricism and characters, albeit not much in the way of plot
And a couple of series to round things off.
- I was introduced to the Gobbelino London books by a friend a few years ago, and have thoroughly enjoyed this snarky cat PI and his bumbling human sidekick, trying to make living as supernatural PIs in Leeds. The first book in the series is Gobbelino London & a Scourge of Pleasantries and the whole series is currently on Kindle Unlimited
- I picked up the first Beware of Chicken book on a whim, because it was also on Kindle Unlimited, and proceeded to tear through the whole series. In what is a bit of a theme for me over the last few years, it’s sweet, full of found family and the peril is mild at worst (at least until the third book). I’m now reading through the newer stuff as it’s being written on Royal Road since the current volume is still ongoing
So there’s your lot. If you’ve read and enjoyed (or, indeed, hated!) any of them, I’d love to hear about it. Leave a comment here, on the review itself, or ping me on social media (see the sidebar to the left).
