It’s a new year and I thought I’d start it strong by creating a one-stop shop for every book I read this year. The full list is below — plus a brief description with links to buy and, if I’ve written a full review, a link to read it!
But first…
Set the vibe
My favorite things to curl up with a good book.
Boxt Wine — $10 off with code “NATALIE”! / Glasses / Lounge Set / Slippers / Eye mask / Mug / Headphones / Embosser / Teapot / Booklights / Blanket
2023 reads
January
- The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn — read it for a well-written, female-focused WWII historical fiction novel set in the Soviet Union. Full review.
- Begin Again by Emma Lord (out June 24) — young adult but not *too* young. This one is set in college and includes an extremely type A girl, a grumpy caffeine addict RA with nice eyes, and lots of bagels. Full review.
- What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall (out January 17) — a dark, small town thriller about three girls who, 22 years ago, witnessed a horrible crime…. then lied about it.
- A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman — a heartwarming story about a curmudgeon old man who’s given up on his life until his colorful neighbors force their way into his life to remind him of it. Full review.
- Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson — a beautifully written story about two siblings finding out the tragic truth about their Caribbean mother’s life after she’s gone. Full review.
- Spare by Prince Harry — a tragic and telling memoir from the prince full of loss, grief, and all the tea. Full review.
- Pandora by Susan Stokes-Chapman — historical fiction with a dash of romance, a touch of Greek mythology, and a smidge of magic. More thoughts.
- Everything After by Jill Santopolo — an emotional romance about choosing your own path in life and following your passion. TW: Miscarriage is a huge theme in this book. Full review.
- The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis — dual-timeline historical fiction set around a Gilded-age mansion in New York City. Full review.
- The Sweet Spot by Amy Poeppel — a laugh-out-loud read full of the chaos of family (both found and born into) set in a NYC brownstone. Full review.
- No One Left to Come Looking For You by Sam Lipsyte — set in the East Village in NYC in the 1990s, this short read follows a rock musician who feels he’s on the verge of a big break when his band’s lead singer goes missing. More thoughts.
- A Hundred Other Girls by Iman Hariri-Kia — a Gen-Z version of the Devil Wears Prada, but I’d still prefer the original. More thoughts.
- Maame by Jessica George — quarter-life crisis meets coming-of-age for this London-raised Ghanaian woman who’s going outside her comfort zone for the first time in her life. Full review.
- She Said by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey — a true story of how two journalists took down a serial abuser, started a movement, and won a Pulitzer Prize. More thoughts.
- Hot Mess by Emily Belden — when you’re dating the sexiest up-and-coming chef in Chicago’s food scene, you do what you can to keep him… even if that includes trusting that he can keep himself sober and in addiction recovery to make good on his side of the business partnership.
February
- A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting by Sophie Irwin — for fans of Bridgerton and Jane Austen, this one is so cute and witty about courtship and had me laughing and smiling so much. Full review.
- The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz — a story of two frenemies who get invited to a prestigious writing retreat with their role model, but things take a dark, gory, and snowy turn.
- The Girl With the Louding Voice by Abi Daré — a beautifully written story about a 14-year-old girl born into unfortunate circumstances in modern-day Nigeria, but who still, despite everything she endures, is able to be a positive light in the bleakness of her life. Full review.
- Someone Else’s Shoes by Jojo Moyes — two women accidentally switch shoes just as their worlds begin to unravel. Full review.
- My Last Innocent Year by Daisy Alpert Florin — character-driven coming-of-age story about a college senior who is forced to decide who she is and what she’s capable of. More thoughts.
- Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez — a heartbreaking story about a nurse in Alabama in the ’70s who falls in love with her two young patients and strives to help change their lives for the better, only for everything to fall apart. Full review.
- The Boyfriend Candidate by Ashley Winstead — a one-night stand gone wrong that turns into a romp of a fake dating scheme set amongst Texas politics. (Out May 9) Full review.
- Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid (reread) — a mock documentary featuring a rocking band, a love triangle, and more (being made into a TV show in March!) Full review.
- Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton — deeply relatable memoir about being in your 20s, dating, friendship, and more. Full review.
- Signal Fires by Dani Shapiro — a story about two families that live on the same street, told out of order and swapping the various perspectives, beginning with one tragic night in the ’80s. More thoughts.
- The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson — a novel about two Black women in the 1950s, and both have similar aspirations and interest, but come from drastically different backgrounds. Full review.
- The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell — Clue meets the Great British Bake Off with a decades-old mystery, seven characters, and a whodunnit with a fun reveal. Out March 7! Full review.
- River Sing Me Home by Eleanor Shearer — epic saga of a mother claiming her freedom from slavery and trying to find the children she had ripped away from her.
March
- When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill — feminist novel with a reimagined history that has metamorphosing women. More thoughts.
- The Only One Left by Riley Sager — unputdownable thriller featuring a creepy old house, a creepy old lady, secrets aplenty, and twists at every corner. Out June 20. Full review.
- I Love It When You Lie by Kristen Bird — a whodunnit set in a small town in Alabama and following a set of sisters and their good-for-nothing men, one of whom ends up dead. More thoughts.
- Weyward by Emilia Hart — three women, set across centuries, each with a story of female resilience and access to a transformative power of the natural world. More thoughts.
- The Faraway World: Stories by Patricia Engel — ten short stories set across the Americas and linked by themes of migration, sacrifice, and moral compromise. More thoughts.
- Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano — heartbreaking story of a tragic plane crash and the 12-year-old boy who’s the lone survivor. Full review.
- Beyond That, The Sea by Laura Spence-Ash — a story of a British girl and the American family that takes her in during WWII, only to play a significant role in each other’s lives for decades to come. Full review.
- Immortality: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz — the sequel to Anatomy: A Love Story, this follow-up follows Hazel as she practices medicine and heads to London to serve the crown. More thoughts.
- Birdgirl by Mya-Rose Craig — a young birdwatcher and environmentalist’s memoir of her travels and family challenges, including her mother’s battle with mental health. More thoughts.
- Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng — a dystopian fiction about a society that takes children away from parents identified as a threat to the country. More thoughts.
- Financial Feminist by Tori Dunlap — a how-to guide that will both enrage (by laying out all the gender and racial inequities) and empower women to make the most of their personal finance. Full review.
April
- The Daydreams by Laura Hankin — High School Musical meets the Britney and Justin era, and the iconic cast is reuniting after over a decade for one night only. Out May 2.
- If We’re Being Honest by Cat Shook — a family reunites in their small hometown for a week bookended by a funeral and a wedding and packed full of family drama and secrets coming to light. Out April 18.
- Drowning by T.J. Newman — an action-packed suspense thriller about a plane that crashes and begins to sink with survivors onboard. Out May 30. Full review.
- Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler — a story about sensitive, empathetic girl who meets a boy who does not do her heart justice. More thoughts.
- Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld — Sally’s in love… with her job as a comedy TV writer, but can she let her guard down for one of the show’s celebrity (ahem, dreamy) guest hosts who leaves a lasting impression on her? Full review.
- No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister — a novel of connected stories of individuals who read a book (and let it completely into their souls). More thoughts.
- Camp Zero by Michelle Min Sterling — cli-fi read that follows two characters in a not-to distant future of a world completely decimated by climate change that addresses the question of what humanity remains in the worst of conditions. More thoughts.
- The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth — a fast-paced domestic thriller about a married couple, their web of secrets, and a criminal scheme that threatens to ruin their not-so perfect life. Full review.
- The Half Moon by Mary Beth Keane — a novel about marriage — the good, the bad, and the ugly — and a snowstorm that pushes all these struggles to the surface. More thoughts.
- How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz — an entertaining quick read about a serious struggle — immigrants and their struggle to find lasting work in a country that doesn’t want them her. More thoughts.
- Happy Place by Emily Henry — an unputdownable romance read that will make you want to book a trip with your best friends and believe in the impossibility of true love. Full review.
- We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman — a heartbreaking story on friendship and saying goodbye to your soulmate while finding the strength to carry on. More thoughts.
May
- The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer — a heartwarming story about a woman obsessed with death who finally decides to live. Full review.
- Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune — an emotional summer romance read about a woman making a huge decision about her future amid grief and falling head over heels for a man, again. Full review.
- Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed — a collection of truly, truly well-written advice columns. More thoughts.
- Hello Stranger by Katherine Center — light romcom about a portrait artist who suffers from face blindness following a procedure and gets help from a dreamy, if not a bit annoying, neighbor. Out July 11.
- The Girls of Summer by Katie Bishop — a woman revisits a summer (and a man) she idolized, and she begins to realize now some new truth to what happened all those years ago.
- When Women Lead by Julia Boorstin — nonfiction read following female startup founders, the challenges they face and the success they see despite it all. More thoughts.
- The Last Word by Taylor Adams — propulsive thriller about a woman staying in a cabin on a deserted beach who negatively reviews a thriller, only for the begrudged author try to find her to exact revenge. More thoughts.
- Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett — story about an HIV-positive teen at a new school navigating a crush, new friends, and a potential threat to her secret being outed. More thoughts.
- Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? by Crystal Smith Paul — a movie star leaves her fortune to three Black sisters, raising questions from everyone about why. Full review.
- Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn — after losing her job, Georgie returns home to her small town to rethink her career and, although unintentional, fall in love. Full review.
- Stars in an Italian Sky by Jill Santopolo — a dual timeline, dual couple Italian love story for the ages. Full review.
- In The Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune — sweet (but a bit unsettling) young adult read about robots. More thoughts.
- Mika In Real Life by Emiko Jean — a woman rediscovering herself while getting to know the daughter she put up for adoption 16 years ago. Full review.
- Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez — fake dating story with tons of spice, color, and emotions. Full review.
- The Cuban Heiress by Chanel Cleeton — historical fiction with romance and mystery packed into 300 pages. Full review.
June
- The Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros — an unputdownable fantasy book that felt like Hunger Games meets Game of Thrones. Full review.
- The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren — just a lovely romcom with a lovely leading lady who takes to reality TV to find love. Full review.
- Quietly Hostile by Samantha Irby — somewhat relatable essays that made me outright laugh. More thoughts.
- The Idea of You by Robinne Lee — steamy fanfiction of Harry Styles and one of his young fan’s mom. More thoughts.
- The Spare Room by Andrea Bartz — a locked-in thriller featuring a missing woman and a throuple. More thoughts.
- The Celebrants by Steven Rowley — a group of college friends that make a pact to reunite to celebrate their lives when things get tough. Full review.
- Love Your Life by Sophie Kinsella — a romance about a vacation fling that turns into something real — despite the odds. More thoughts.
- Dark Corners by Megan Goldin — a mysterious thriller featuring a missing influencer, a smelly Uber driver, and the return of Rachel Krall from The Night Swim. More thoughts.
- Night Will Find You by Julia Heaberlin — supernaturally inclined astrophysicist gets involved in the case of a missing girl. More thoughts.
- The Life Council by Laura Tremaine — a nonfiction read analyzing the types of female friendships. More thoughts.
- Big Gay Wedding by Byron Lane — a family dramedy a la Schitt’s Creek. Full review.
- Cutting Teeth by Chandler Baker — a smart, relatable thriller about child vampires and a mysterious death of their teacher. Full review.
- Tough Titties by Laura Belgray — memoir-style essays from a TV writer. More thoughts.
- Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley — follow-up to Firekeeper’s Daughter following a Native teen who just wants to fish and play with her nephew and dog all summer but has to complete an internship instead. More thoughts.
- Cassandra in Reverse by Holly Smale — antisocial main character who suddenly possesses the ability to hit undo on mishaps in her life. More thoughts.
July
- Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand — one of the funnest, full-cast beach reads that is my new go-to rec for summer reading. Full review.
- The Senator’s Wife by Liv Constantine — calling all Scandal fans, this one is for you. More thoughts.
- The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon — pulpulsive thriller about a serial killer (told from the perspective of his victims and his girlfriend. More thoughts.
- Sunshine Nails by Mai Nguyen — full-cast, crazy family, heartwarming. More thoughts.
- Swamp Story by Dave Barry — a laugh-out-loud story that is *so* Florida. More thoughts.
- Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin — a beautiful story about friendship, love, loss, and video games. Full review.
- Celebrity Nation by Landon Y. Jones — Written by the former managing editor of People magazine, this quick read explores the nature of celebrity — the good, the bad, and the ugly. More thoughts.
- Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon — a friends to lovers trope with a whole lot of *fire emoji* action. Full review.
- None of This is True by Lisa Jewell — wildly dramatic novel about two women who are hiding something. Full review.
- The Spectacular by Fiona Davis — another spectacular historical fiction from Fiona Davis about the NYC Rockettes! Full review.
- The Whispers by Ashley Audrain — very unlikable characters make chaos in a subdivision when a boy falls from a window. More thoughts.
- Throttled by Lauren Asher — had to read this Formula 1 romance on Kindle Unlimited. It was ok.
- The Island Villa by Sarah Morgan — cute little book about a family and a wedding on an island in Greece. More thoughts.
- Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center — adorable little read with an excellent Netflix movie pairing. Full review.
- Adult Drama by Natalie Beach — essays from a millennial who used to ghostwrite for a famous instagram influencer. More thoughts.
- The Paris Agent by Kelly Rimmer — solid WWII historical fiction about two female spies in France. Full review.
August
- Yellowface by R. F. Kuang — unputdownable book about an author who steals her colleague’s work after she witnesses her death and then the truth haunts her. Full review.
- Midnight Is The Darkest Hour by Ashley Winstead — small town thriller full of religious righteousness, morality in question, teen passion and a tiny bit of vampiric fanaticism. Full review.
- The Last Word by Katy Birchall — workplace romance about two celebrity journalists and their terrible boss. More thoughts.
- The Summer of Broken Rules by K.L. Walther — fun little YA romcom set in Martha’s Vineyard and featuring a weekend-long game of assassin. More thoughts.
- The Sunset Crowd by Karin Tanabe — billed as being for fans of Daisy Jones and the Six, this groovy historical fiction has romance, intrigue, and and ending worth getting to despite it being a tad slow in the middle. More thoughts.
- Palm Beach by Mary Adkins — not as beachy as it appears, this book covers explores parenthood, marriage, and wealth inequity in Palm Beach, Forida. More thoughts.
- The Last One by Will Dean — absolutely thrilling from page one, this book is set on a cross-Atlantic ship when a passenger wakes up one morning of the voyage to see that everyone has vanished. More thoughts.
- How Medicine Works and When It Doesn’t by F. Perry Wilson — nonfiction read written by a doctor who pulls back the curtain on modern medicine and its occasional (or frequent) shortcomings. More thoughts.
- Little Monsters by Adrienne Brodeur — a family drama set on Cape Cod and culminating at the end of a summer at a birthday party where nothing will ever be the same. More thoughts.
- The Honeymoon Crashers by Christina Lauren — an audiobook exclusive novella following characters from The Unhoneymooners. More thoughts.
- The Château by Jaclyn Goldis — four friends take a holiday to France and their friendships are about to be revealed for what they truly are to each other.
- Reign by Katharine McGee — the show-stopping conclusion to the American Royal series. Full review.
- After Hours on Milago Street by Angelina M. Lopez — a romcom set in a Mexiacan-American family’s Kansas bar that’s at risk of being sold. More thoughts.
- Atalanta by Jennifer Saint — a Greek retelling about a forgotten heroine who joined Jason’s mission to seek the golden fleece.
- The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama — a marvelous addition to Becoming full of pearls of wisdom from our fantastic former first lady.
September
- Red White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston — absolutely delicious romcom that’s actually both romantic and funny (and has a great movie adaption on Netflix now!!) Full review.
- 28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand — dreamy and heartbreaking book that made me ugly sob (this is definitely Elin’s best and I adore everything she writes!) Full review.
- All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr — an iconic book for a reason (why did it take me so long to read this perfectly perfect WWII novel?! The show on Netflix is fab!) Full review.
- The Only Plane in the Sky by Garrett M. Graff — hauntingly detailed, describing the humanity of the worst day in American history (do the audio, and have tissues ready). More thoughts.
- Save What’s Left by Elizabeth Castellano — short and sweet story of a Karen-type lady going through some stuff on her new beachfront property. More thoughts.
- The Night She Went Missing by Kristen Bird — family drama set on Galveston Island. More thoughts.
- The Sixth Wedding by Elin Hilderbrand (novella) — a brief follow up to 28 Summers, giving readers some closure for their fave characters.
- Glossy by Marisa Meltzer — the rise (and fall?) of Glossier and its founder. More thoughts.
- Under the Influence by Noelle Crooks — completely skippable fictional take on mega-influencer Rachel Hollis. More thoughts.
- Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyeh — dystopian and way too real feeling story about a private prison system that makes prisoners fight to the death for entertainment. More thoughts.
- Sure, I’ll Join Your Cult by Maria Bamford — super silly little memoir (that still touches on some heavy issues) from a comedian. More thoughts.
- A Twisted Love Story by Samantha Downing — NOT a thriller but a domestic drama for fans of Colleen Hoover (aka not for me). More thoughts.
- Galatea by Madeline Miller — a short, enthralling story from the queen of green retellings herself. More thoughts.
- The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman — dreamlike magical realism story with a special nod to The Scarlet Letter. More thoughts.
- Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris — deeply unsettling thriller/domestic drama that I could not put down. More thoughts.
October
- The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston — extremely perfect magical realism romcom that had me swooning and tearing up. More thoughts.
- The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna — the cutest little witchy read that ever existed!! More thoughts.
- The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer — short and sweet story inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the joy of reading as a child. More thoughts.
- Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll — geniously written take on Ted Bundy told from the perspectives of his victims. Full review.
- Starling House by Alix E. Harrow — horror lite, like a disney channel movie of our youths just like one step up — perf for halloween szn! More thoughts.
- Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes — the retelling (and reclaiming) of the story of Medusa. More thoughts.
- Gone Tonight by Sarah Pekkanen — mother-daughter domestic drama with a killer ending. More thoughts.
- Shark Heart by Emily Habeck — bizarrely unsettling magical realism story that has such a weird premise with an extremely heartfelt execution. More thoughts.
- I Have Some Questions For You by Rebecca Makkai — a bit long but a very good take on the podcast + dark academia tropes. More thoughts.
- The Woman on Me by Britney Spears — THE celeb memoir of the year, it’s a millennial must read. More thoughts.
November
- Good Bad Girl by Alice Feeney — murder mystery at a nursing home. More thoughts.
- Betty by Tiffany McDaniel — harrowing coming of age story based on the author’s mother. More thoughts.
- The Hidden Language of Cats by Sarah Brown — read this if you wish your job was cat behaviour researcher. More thoughts.
- The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose — the second book about Molly The Maid — loved returning to the character and hotel. More thoughts.
- The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young — magical realism, romance, time travel, oh my. More thoughts.
- Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir — my new fave sci-fi, which was fantastic on audio. More thoughts.
- After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid — answering the question of what if you love each other but can’t be married anymore. More thoughts.
- Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins — still solidly on team Snow sucks. More thoughts.
- Ghosts by Dolly Alderton — this book has no business being so painfully accurate to modern dating/life as a woman. Full review.
- Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros — a bit too long but love continuing this series. More thoughts.
- Out of Love by Hazel Hayes — a love story told in reverse. More thoughts.
December
- This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub — for fans of 13 Going on 30 (inspired by the author’s father). Full review.
- Love, Holly by Emily Stone — emotional Christmas romance (not *too* Christmas-y). More thoughts.
- The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton — near-future dystopian featuring a badass survivalist set in Florida. More thoughts.
- Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates — very “and then there were none” but gory and set in a snowy cabin. More thoughts.
- Family Meal by Bryan Washington — friends, family, grief — and set in Houston (bit of a bummer). More thoughts.
- The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell — mysterious death of a young duchess based on a true story. More thoughts.
- Homecoming by Kate Morton — a granddaughter returns to Australia to care for her ailing family matriarch only to stumble upon a family secret. More thoughts.
- The Kingdom of Sweets by Erika Johansen — a dark retelling/reimagining of The Nutcracker. More thoughts.
- A Winter in New York by Josie Silver — a romance set in a NYC gelato shop between two people whose families are intertwined. More thoughts.
- The Christmas Orphans Club by Becca Freeman — the cutest lil found family story that’s FULL of Christmas spirit. More thoughts.
- Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano — family drama and the author’s tribute to Little Women. More thoughts.
- Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross — two journalists in a magical but war-torn country fight for both the truth and for their love). More thoughts.
- Forever Interrupted by Taylor Jenkins Reid — what happens when the love of your life’s life is cut short? More thoughts.
BookNerdalie 