The usefulness of this sort of list is in the eye of the beholder. I posted a list from this same source a few days ago of the best books of 2023. This list overlaps but is not identical. What hit me was that several of the additions are books I tried and rejected
http://www.bookbub.com/blog/favorite-book-of-2023-readers-share
My Favorite Book of 2023: 14 Readers Share
By BookBub, published December 21, 2023
The end of the year is the best time to reflect on all the incredible books we’ve read. We asked BookBub readers to share their favorite books of 2023, and they had some great picks! Check out their recommendations — including moving family sagas, powerful historical novels, and more.
Note: Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
The Covenant of Water
Jan says: “Hands down my favorite of the year. I have read 60 books this year. Most of them I have forgotten and have not left an impression, but that one does.”
Save to Wishlist
Buy From…
Go as a River
Amy says: “Go as a River by Shelley Read was absolutely beautiful. The descriptive writing made me feel as if I was living the experiences with the main character.”
Save to Wishlist
Buy From…
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store
Susan says: “It’s such a uniquely American story, with a melting pot of different groups of people finding out that they’re not really so different after all. When I finished the book, I immediately thought, ‘This one is going to win a zillion awards and probably become required reading in colleges!’ I already want to read it again!”
Save to Wishlist
Buy From…
Join BookBub (it’s free!) to access the biggest ebooks at up to 95% off
Get ebook deals sent right to your inbox
Get Started
Inheritance
Amy says: “I love everything she writes, but this might be the best one yet. It made me laugh and cry, and I can’t wait for the next book in the series!”
The Secret Book of Flora Lea
Carolyn says: “I did not want it to end, and I still think about the characters and wonder how they are all doing!”
Tom Lake
Becky says: “I loved Tom Lake. Anything written by Ann Patchett is a must-read for me.”
Lady Tan’s Circle of Women
Shirley says: “She is such a fabulous writer. Her story is of class restrictions and expectations, of learning medicine from [the protagonist’s] grandmother in the 15th century — excellent read. I found it hard to put down.”
The Echo of Old Books
Lee Anne says: “I loved the concept of feeling the books and the way the author intertwined the characters and also the generations all within one book while telling the story of two books and two young lovers. Fascinating!”
Hello Beautiful
Rona says: “Loved Hello Beautiful, a family story layered over time. Emotionally powerful and written to portray the many facets of love and family dynamics within its pages.”
He’s Not My Type
Dianne says: “I loved the whole Vancouver Agitators series, but this book made me laugh out loud the whole way through. What a sense of humor.”
The Wind Knows My Name
Isabel Allende and Frances Riddle
Barbara says: “I loved The Wind Knows My Name. Beautifully intertwined characters from different backgrounds.”
River Sing Me Home
Julie says: “Beautiful prose and a moving story of slavery in the Caribbean, an area of history not often mentioned.”
Clytemnestra
Penny says: “Clytemnestra became a completely real person to me, and the other characters were well drawn, too.”
Someone Else’s Shoes
Karen says: “A fun mystery with characters I grew to love.”
Abycats' Thoughts 