One of my goals in 2023 was to inject more pleasure and joy into my day-to-day. Being an entrepreneur and business owner can be all-consuming. Add in the role of parenting three young kids and the time for self-care, joy, pleasure (insert your favorite buzz word) can be slim.
In January 2023, we went on our first international trip with our three boys, then aged 9, 6, and 4. This trip was the first time in nearly a decade that I brought three books with me to read. I’m not sure what prompted me to pack them after all this time, but into my carry-on they went. I ended up blasting through them in just a few days and feeling that all-consuming love of reading return. I took turns through the rest of the trip trading reading time on my husband’s Kindle.
Over the course of 12 months this year, I read 129 books and resurfaced a hobby that had been dormant for so many years. I also had the pleasure of connecting with so many friends, fellow photographers, and clients over shared book interests and thought I should compile a list of my favorite books from 2023.
Without further adieu, in no particular order, here is my 2023 best book list, rated by a mid-30s (is 37 still mid?!) mom of three.
A Man Called Ove: Frederik Backman
The Nightingale: Kristin Hannah
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: Taylor Jenkins Reid
This Is How It Always Is: Laurie Frankel
The Great Alone: Kristin Hannah
Us Against You: Frederik Backman
Where the Crawdads Sing: Delia Owens
Silent Patient: Alex Michaelides
The House in the Cerulean Sea: TJ Kline
Things You Save in a Fire: Katherine Center
The Family Upstairs: Lisa Jewell
Anxious People: Frederik Backman
The Giver of Stars: Jojo Moyes
Florence Adler Swims Forever: Rachel Beanland
Lessons in Chemistry: Bonnie Garmus
Remarkably Bright Creatures: Shelby Van Pelt
Every Summer After: Carly Fortune
Thank You for Listening: Julia Whelan
Some honorable 4 star mentions include a lot of my favorite romance reads:
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
I can’t wait continue this hobby and see what books will enter my life in 2024! Happy New Year!
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