My Favourite Reads of 2023

I can’t believe how quickly 2023 has passed, but here we are in 2024. I was spoiled last year as so many of my favourite authors released new books, and many of them are on my list of favourite reads of 2023. I may not have read as many books as usual, due to health problems, but what I lacked in quantity I more than made up for in quality. So here are my favourite books of last year. Added:

2023 has been a fabulous year in books for me, with quite a few of my favourite authors releasing new books. I haven’t read as many books this year as usual due to ongoing health problems but the quality has been outstanding. So, here are my favourite books of the year.

The Gathering Storm is the first book in Alan Jones Sturmtaucher Trilogy that tells the story of two families in the build up to World War II. The Kästners are a German family, General Kästner recently retired from the army and the Nussbaums, who are like family work for them. The historial detail is amazing, and the personal stories make this an emotional and shocking read at times. A brilliant read, I’m determined to find the time to read the next two books this year.

When I read the book blurb for Gothikana I was immediately intrigued by the idea of the subtitle ‘A Dark Academia Gothic Romance’. The description is exactly right, this is book is set in the University of Verenmore, a place where those with difficult backgrounds and those who are a different are sent an invitation to study. The central characters are Corvina Clemm, invited to the university to study and Vad Deverill, the handsome and enigmatic teacher. Drawn together their relationship is dark and dangerous and could cause trouble for both. This is was a WOW book for me, RuNyx has written a novel that is both beautiful and dark in equal measure both in her characters and plot.

If ever there was a book to give me wanderlust it is Thirty Days in Paris by Veroica Henry.The main character Juliet is in her fifties, newly seperated from her husband and her children have flown the nest, so she wants to find out who she is now and where better to do that than Paris. Juliet has a past in Paris, and before she can face the future she has to face her past head on.Thirty Days in Paris is a love letter to this beautiful city, the architecture, the food, drink and of course romance Beautifully written, this book takes you on a wonderful journey that left me with a huge smile on my face. The perfect feel good read.

Lucinda Riley has been one of my favourite authors for such a long time, and after her passing her son had to come in and finish the last book in her amazing Seven Sister’s series, Atlas; The Story of Pa Salt. This book was everything I expected and more and a fitting end to the series. If you haven’t read The Seven Sister’s Series then I can’t recommend it enough.

Ritual of Fire is the third book in the fabulous Cesar Aldo series. Set in Sixteenth Century Florence, this series follows Cesare Aldo as he investigates crimes for the City.The writing and storytelling is masterful, really bringing sixteenth century Florence to life. I loved that he brought Savonorla into this book, a monk who forty years ago held Florence in his hand, who advocated the destruction of posessions, art and literature in order to lead a more religious life. The fervour this causes adds to the suspense and almost gives the murders legitimacy if they are in the name of Savonarola. A brilliant series of books.

I adored Laura Shepherd-Robinson previous two books so was so excited to read her new book. The Square of Sevens has a Dickensian feel about it; a long law suit between two branches of the same family, a young ward, a rags to riches tale and a cast of memorable characters.The Square of Sevens is a fasinating and fabulous read. At it’s heart is the wonderful Red, the perfect heroine whom you can’t help but love, and want to fulfill her destiny. There is adventure, love, loss, power, money, murder, secrets, and. family feuds that make this such a compelling read culminating in a brilliant conclusion to the story.

River God is the first in an eight book series that was inspired by the discovery of a Tomb of an unknown Queen dating from 1780BC.The central character in River God is Taita, a slave in the house of the cruel Lord Intef, who is held in high esteem by the Pharaoh. He is eunach after being gelded at as a teenager as a punishment for falling in love with a slave girl.I love my historical fiction, and River God is one of the most impressive books I have ever read. The historical and fictional detail is amazing, so much so that it took me longer than usual to read as I didn’t want to miss anything it was that good. I am now about to start the fourth book and they are all as good as this first book.

This is the second book in Karen Swan’s Wilde Isle series, set on the Island of St Kilda. Mhairi is the eldest daughter of nine children so has to help her family both at home and out on the Island. Mhairi knows she is a burden to her father so when an opportunity of marriage comes along she knows she will have to take it, even though it will take her away from her family to the Isle of Harris, but an illicit love affair makes things difficult. The mixture of adventure, love and suspense set against the stunning and wild beauty of St Kilda makes for a perfect read to get lost in.

>The. Ghost Ship is the third book in Kate Mosse’s amazing Joubert Family Chronicles. This book moves on in time to the years 1610 to 1621, and moves between Paris, La Rochelle, Amsterdam and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Louise, the grandaughter of Minou and Piet, is the heroin of this book, and like her ancestors is fiery and intelligent. Kate Mosse’s historical knowledge shows how dedicated she is to her research of this period of time and her understanding of the cultural and social norms of the places she writes about. I loved the setting of the high seas of the Atlantic, Louise’s stand against the raiding parties that went out trying to kidnap people to sell into slavery, including those from England and Italy. This is a magnificent book, the perfect piece of historical fiction.

Ken Follett’s Kingsbridge books are one of my favourite historical fiction series, The Armour of Light is the fifth book in this series. The book is set 1792 – 1825, a turbulent period of English history that includes the Industrial Revolution and the War with France that lasted over twenty years.Fans of the previous Kingsbridge novels will not be disappointed with The Armour of Light, it is another epic read from Ken Follett. I became invested in the characters as I followed their lives over thirty years, how they fought for their rights and came through some difficult times.The historical detail as usual was impeccable as was the storytelling.

I had to include Tackle! by Jilly Cooper as I have been reading her Rupert Campbell Black books since I was fourteen years old. This is set in the world of Football, with Rupert buying the local football club, Searston Rovers which opens up for some wonderful new characters and some brilliant one liners from Rupert. This book was everything I expected and wanted, another romping success from the Queen of the bonk buster, from its raunchy cover and title, to the wonderful characters, the brilliant one liners and exciting plot.

Last year I found the Shadow Hunter series and completely fell in love with the characters and the world Cassandra Clare created, even though I’m only five books in. When I learned Cassandra Clare was releasing her first adult fantasy series I was very excited but also a bit cautious as it had a lot to live up to.Sword Catcher is the first book in The Chronicles of Castelline and follows the lives of Kel, Lin, Prince Conor and the inhabitants of Castelline. Kel is taken from an orphanage to live in the palace as Prince Conor’s body double, to take his place in dangerous situations, putting his life on the line to save that of the Prince.Sword Catcher is an epic start to a new fantasy series and shows that Cassandra Clare has made the leap from Young Adult Fanstasy to Adult Fantasy seamlessly. She has created a wonderful new world in Castelline and it’s diverse mix of people, from Prince Conor to the elusive Ragpicker King, ruler of the darkerside of Castelline and holder of many secrets.I can’t wait for the next instalment.

Thank you for reading my posts and supporting my blog, I hope I have inspired you to try some new books. I wish you all a Happy New Year and look forward to some amazing books in 2024.