I read 365 pounds this year and these are my 10 favorites

A library rat shares its best readings of 2023.


When people ask me to share a fun fact on myself, my instinctive reaction is to talk about books. I always say something in the sense of "I have more than 2,000 physical pounds" or "i Listen to the audio books At double normal speed, "but my favorite to shock people with:" I read 365 pounds this year. "Although I don't exactly stick to the formula of one book a day, I still managed to hit this milestone over a calendar year.

Of course, people still ask: "You don't sleep?" "And your social life?" "How do you find time to read so many books?" Since reading is one of my favorite things to do, I will find time whatever happens. I have a full -time job, a part -time teaching concert and an abundant social calendar (and I generally manage to sleep seven o'clock each evening), so I can see why some might wonder how I read 365 books this year.

However, there is a method of my madness. Most of the time, I generally read at least three books at a time - an audio book, an electronic book on my Kindle and a physical book. I receive audio books via Libby, a free application where you can borrow electronic books, audio books or magazines as long as you have a library card. I have a Kindle Unlimited subscription, and I have shelves and books of books at home. I keep a trace of my reading on applications like GoODREADS or Storygraph, so it is easy for me to pass through some of my TBR lists (to read) and to discover new authors, genres and favorites.

Now asking a library rat to choose their favorite books, it's like asking a parent to choose their favorite child - it's almost impossible. Even as an expert in a self-declared book, I find it difficult to choose my best books, especially because I have read and loved so much. Although I generally read books of romance and fantasy, I made an effort to include a range of genres in the list of favorites of 2023. Read the rest to discover (without particular order) my 10 favorite books of the year.

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1
Divine rivals by Rebecca Ross

Divine Rivals
Wednesday pounds

Genre: Fantasy of young adults

Divine rivals by Rebecca Ross is the first in the Letters of enchantment Duology. He follows Iris and Roman, two rivals who find themselves swept away in an unexpected war against the gods. In the middle of the fighting, the pair faces perilous tasks and risks risking their lives, falling in love along the way.

I loved this book for several reasons. To start, the main characters were both journalists, who resonated with me. Then, this book was a fantasy but also had a nice mixture of historical and romantic elements. Finally, it was a beautifully done and unique concept, and I was captivated by writing, the characters and the world created by Ross.

2
Kiss kosher by Jean Meltzer

Kissing Kosher
Mira books

Genre: Romance

In Kiss kosher by Jean Meltzer , Avital and Ethan start like unknown family rivals that meet through the love of bakery products. The book presents both the representation of Jewish and chronic diseases, ultimately reflecting Meltzer's own experiences.

This book was not only incredibly pleasant, but it taught me a lot. Meltzer discusses physical well-being, sex and intimacy throughout a Jewish lens. I like to see myself in the characters of the books I read, and to see Jewish characters in a novel Roman is a great reason why I loved this book. (Bakery products seemed so delicious too, which was a great addition!) AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

3
Fourth wing By Rebecca Yarros

Fourth Wing
Redtower books

Genre: Romantasy (a mixture of romance and fantasy)

In my opinion, one of the most explosive books of the year was Fourth wing by Rebecca Yarros . This book is the first in The Empyrean Series and takes place in a War College for Dragon Riders.

After writing a lot of contemporary romance, it was Yarros' first foray into fantasy. However, she wrote her characters with the complexity and depth that I find so important in a fantastic world. Violet Sorrengail, the main female character, is easily one of my favorite new protagonists.

I would be neglected if I did not mention the dragons, because they were an integral part of the story and the characters in which I was very invested. I also loved the enemies to lovers of the Romance Trope and the intense trials and the twists and turns of the intrigue throughout the story.

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4
The colleague by Freida McFadden

The Coworker
Poisoned pen press

Genre: Psychological thriller

Dawn Schiff and Natalie Farrell could not be more different. But when Dawn does not present herself several times to work, Natalie is involved in discovering what happened to her. The colleague by Freida McFadden These two women follow because an unforgivable error is revealed.

This book made me on the edge of my seat all the time. I have not seen the twists and turns coming, which is my favorite part of reading a thriller. I also appreciated that the story was told by the two points of view of women, especially since they were so different characters.

5
Waypoints: my Scottish trip by Sam Heughan

Waypoints: My Scottish Journey
Small brown and company

Gender: Memory

In his first memories, Outland actor Sam Heughan , a Scot born and raised himself, takes the readers on the journey of his life, as well as his hike through the 96-thousand West Highland Way. Not only does this book have an interior overview of Heughan's personal life and career, but it also presents the natural beauty of Scotland.

It often seems strange to see a memory (which am I to judge the history of someone's life?). However, after listening to Heughan to tell the audio version of his memory, I have no qualms about doing it. It was easy to imagine what he would look like in person, and I often had the impression of staying in Scotland with him.

6
A blow in the dark by Victoria Lee

A Shot in the Dark
PEGGUIN Random House

Genre: Contemporary romance

A blow in the dark is a powerful love story and Victoria Lee First romantic novel. Elisheva Cohen and Wyatt Cole have complicated pasts, both having had difficulties with dependence. While working through their trauma and growing up as individuals, they come to rely on each other and finally fall in love.

I don't think I have read a more beautiful book this year. I found myself emotional at various points. The diversified representation, from Elisheva Judaism to Wyatt being a transgender man, was so well done. Lee created such complex characters who have propelled history forward. Dependence is a difficult subject to write, but Lee did it with grace and care.

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7
The collected regrets of the clover By Mikki Brammer

The Collected Regrets of Clover
St. Martin press

Genre: Contemporary fiction

Clover Brooks is a death of death, a job I had not heard of before reading The collected regrets of the clover . She lives her life for others until the final wishes of a woman take her on a self -discovery trip. It is Mikki Brammer's First novel, and it is full of growth, sincere moments and strong characters.

For a death -centered book, it was surprisingly light. Although there were sad components, the story was reflected and engaging. Brammer has magnificently approached sorrow, as well as the idea that life and death are always linked. The complexity of Clover, and its growth throughout history, also made that of my favorite books.

8
The three lives of Alix St. Pierre by Natasha Lester

The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre
Central edition

Genre: Historical fiction

Alix St. Pierre strives to forget her role in the Second World War, and she did it by creating a new life for herself as an advertising at Dior's house in Paris. The three lives of Alix St. Pierre by Natasha Lester is a mixture of Alix's current life and the current flashbacks, full of intriguing spy work and a love story with high issues.

Lester's writing was captivating and inviting without being too heavy. As an amateur of fashion myself, I liked to see what it was inside a fashion house in the 1940s. Alternating deadlines helped to propel history, and Action and espionage have maintained exciting things.

9
Fragile power threads by V.E. Schwab

The Fragile Threads of Power
Tor publication group

Genre: Fantasy

Fragile power threads by V.E. Schwab is the first in a whole new series in the same world as Schwab A darker shade of magic trilogy. It's full of adventure, diagrams and a brilliant casting of characters. This story takes place on four different versions of London and follows your, a girl who can see "sons" of magic, because she falls on a device that could change the dynamics of the four worlds. This book can be read as an autonomous, but I first recommend that I read the original trilogy.

V.E. Schwab's global and magical construction systems are not like that of others. I loved seeing the characters in the original trilogy, but I also thought that the new introductions were unique and exciting. This book had twists and turns that I did not see coming, and I was fully immersed in the fantastic world from the start, never bored when reading.

10
Radiant sin by Katee Robert

Radiant Sin
Books of sources

Genre: spicy romance

Radiant sin by Katee Robert is the fourth of Black Olympe Series and follows Cassandra and Apollo through a tumultuous struggle of power. This series must be read in order, but they are rapid and hot romantic novels that put a different touch on Greek mythology.

I read a ton of books by Katee Robert, and she never turns on spices. Radiant sin I had some of my favorite romantic tropes, including false meetings and a working environment. Although I like a sweet and contemporary romance, I also like more sexy and darker books. From relational dynamics to tension and political intrigues that occur in the background, it was easily one of my favorites for 2023.

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