My Top 10 of 2023


Well here we are: Today is December 31st and WE MADE IT!  2024 is almost here!     Today we are ending the year with My Top 10 of 2023. I am selective with the books I give 5 stars too: In fact, I only had 14 books with 5 star reads this year.  I am putting two of those together since they are part of a series.  Three of the books in this Top 10 are actually book club reads, with one being my choice.  Book clubs can be a good thing: You end up reading books you might not have read otherwise!

I have an hour commute one way to work and my schedule is 10-hour days 4 days week, which doesn’t leave much time for reading.  I had many more audiobooks listened to versus kindle or physical books read. I am really enjoying the 10-hour days 4 days a week and hope I can adjust to get more reading of books done other than audiobooks. 


Here is my Top 10:

10.  The Chain by Adrian McKinty

This book club read was my choice. It is a thriller and I enjoyed it just as much the second time as I did the first time.  It is so fast paced, intense, and doesn’t slow down at all!

My full review is here: http://jessicasreadingroom.com/a-re-read-of-the-chain-by-adrian-mckinty/

9. Death Warrant by Bryan Johnston

This is a thriller with a unique premise that actually delivered for me. I can also see ‘reality tv’ going in this direction in the future with the direction the world is going.

My full review is here: http://jessicasreadingroom.com/audiobook-review-death-warrant-by-bryan-johnston/

8.  The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

This one was another book club read and I don’t think I would have ever picked it up on my own, and really enjoyed it! It’s historical fiction and it was narrated by Julia Whelan who is another favorite! I was really pulled in to this story and felt like I was there with the characters.

My full review is here: http://jessicasreadingroom.com/audiobook-review-the-four-winds-by-kristin-hannah/

7.  The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton

This is a memoir about an innocent man who served nearly 30 years of his life on Death Row! Hinton’s story shows what a travesty our ‘justice system’ can be, especially for the poor and non-white people

My full review is here: http://jessicasreadingroom.com/audiobook-review-the-sun-does-shine-by-anthony-ray-hinton/

6. Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah

This one is the last book club read that made my Top 10. I had actually never heard of it and really enjoyed it.  I became attached to the characters and they all are dealing with some kind of serious issue.  This is a debut and a strong one at that!

My full review is here: http://jessicasreadingroom.com/audiobook-review-where-the-forest-meets-the-stars-by-glendy-vanderah/

5.  Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey

Another memoir that made my Top 10!I really enjoyed this one and McConaughey wrote and narrated it! Listening to it, it was like he was right there talking to you and telling his life story. I really enjoyed it and learned some things about him!

My full review is here: http://jessicasreadingroom.com/audiobook-review-greenlights-by-matthew-mcconaughey/

4.  Do Not Open by Kiersten Modglin

Kiersten Modglin is a new to me author this year and I am really enjoying her work. Do Not Open was something to listen to: It was like Misery but on crack! Talk about some intensity with this book!

My full review is here: http://jessicasreadingroom.com/alc-review-do-not-open-by-kiersten-modglin/

3.  What Lies Between Us by John Marrs

What Lies Between Us is my second read by John Marrs, and I will be reading/listening to all of his novels! This book is intense and when you think he is done with the twists… BAM! Mr. Marrs gives us another one! This book keeps moving and doesn’t slow until the very end! If you enjoy thrillers and are not reading his books, you need to pick them up now!

My full review is here: http://jessicasreadingroom.com/audiobook-review-what-lies-between-us-by-john-marrs/

2.  The Housemaid and The Housemaid’s Secret by Freida McFadden

Freida McFadden has been getting a lot of attention these past two years and with The Housemaid and The Housemaid’s Secret I can see why! Both of these books are fast paced and you just can’t put them down! The third (and final?) book in the series comes out next June and I will be ready to see what is in store for Millie next!

My full reviews are here:

Housemaid: http://jessicasreadingroom.com/audiobook-review-the-housemaid-by-freida-mcfadden/

The Housemaid’s Secret: http://jessicasreadingroom.com/audiobook-review-the-housemaids-secret-by-freida-mcfadden/

And my #1 Read for 2023 is…………

The First to Die at the End by Adam Silvera

This is a prequel to They Both Die at the End, but it needs to be read second.  There will be a third Death Cast novel coming out in 2024, and I WILL be reading/ listening to these again! These books just say so much and affected me so much. I actually cried with The First to Die at the End.   You know how it is going to go, but that journey… is just heartbreaking!  I was affected for personal reasons that I won’t go into (spoilers!), but damn Mr. Silvera, I just love these books and cannot wait until the next one comes out!

My full review is here: http://jessicasreadingroom.com/book-review-the-first-to-die-at-the-end-by-adam-silvera/

There is my list! I want to know what some of YOUR favorites were in 2023! Did we have any in common? Are there any of mine that you are interested in reading? Let’s bring on 2024 and a new year of reading!!

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