It’s that time of year again, where I talk about the books I read this year that I liked best!
According to Goodreads, I’ve read 123 books. I just counted, and I’ve got another 25 still marked as currently reading because I don’t want to forget to review them! So that means I’ve read 148 books this year. That’s a lot!
As always, this is purely my subjective determination. In no particular order, here they are, the books that made the biggest impact on me this year, the ones I’m most likely to recommend to others.
The Innocent Wife, Lisa Regan
Actually, this is a stand-in for all the Detective Josie Quinn books I’ve read, and the entirety of the series (even though I haven’t quite caught up with them all). Lisa Regan writes some of the best thrillers I’ve ever read.
Cleopatra’s Vendetta, Avanti Centrae
Avanti Centrae was a new author to me this year, and I’m so glad! This was a powerhouse of a book, chock full of action and suspense and tension, and I look forward to reading more from her in 2023.
Liberty Bell and the Last American, James Stoddard
This was such a delightful book! A little American history, a little adventure, a little romance, a little something for everyone. It’s a dose of thought-provoking truth wrapped in a cloak of whimsy and humor.
A Spoonful of Gunpowder, Katherine H. Brown
This was a steampunk alternate history/alternate universe treasure that I didn’t expect! It was my introduction to Katherine H. Brown. I hope there are more books with Anna-Marie Pauper, perfectly practical in every way.
Concrete Evidence by DiAnn Mills
DiAnn Mills was a new author to me this year, and Concrete Evidence has me hooked! Mills writes a compelling romantic suspense, and faith is an integral part of her characters’ lives.
The Vanishing Type by Ellery Adams
Y’all know how much I adore Ellery Adams’ writing, so it should come as no surprise that this, the fifth in her Secret, Book, and Scone Society mysteries, would make my top books of the year. Nora Pennington and her friends are the kind of people I want in my corner, through good times and bad. And the mysteries Adams writes are top-notch.
Comfort Zone by Kimberly Fish
This was another surprise of a book! I’ve long said I’m not a romance reader. Comfort Zone is one of the books that convinced me that yes, I am a romance reader. It’s a sweet second-chance romance, with characters who aren’t what you might expect and a wonderful found family story. It’s also about finding a place you can call home.
Bless Your Heart, Rae Sutton by Susannah B. Lewis
Susannah B. Lewis is second to none at writing Southern fiction. Maybe that’s because it feels like she’s writing about the place I grew up, places and people I could be comfortable with if I were able to walk into the pages of the book. She tells a fantastic story here of faith and redemption, full of wit and wisdom and humor.
Sunrise by Susan May Warren
This is another that stands in for multiple books. Sunrise is the first of Warren’s Sky King Ranch trilogy, and they’re all incredible reads. Full of action, suspense, clean romance, and redemption stories, her books are well worth the read!
Deadly Keepsakes by Anita Dickason
Anita Dickason is easily one of my favorite authors, on my must-read list. I was introduced to her through her law enforcement suspense books, the first being Deadly Business. Deadly Keepsakes is her first venture into the realm of cozy mysteries, and it is equally fabulous. The second in the Tori Winters series is anticipated in 2023, and I CAN. NOT. WAIT.
The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold
If I had to pick one favorite book for 2022, this would be it. This was an unexpected joy of a book! Not only is it a fascinating and well-told story, it points us to the greatest Story ever told. Just click on the link and read my review. It’s all there.
In the Middle of Hickory Lane by Heather Webber
Heather Webber is a master at weaving tales of magical realism. Small-town Southern settings, characters that are wonderfully imperfect, a touch of romance, family found – these elements all add up to one of my best books of the year.
The Sparrows of Montenegro by BJ Mayo
This vividly written tale tells a story of a reluctant hero and perseverance through hardship. Tree Smith isn’t your ordinary hero, but he’s one you’ll love.
Under Lock & Skeleton Key by Gigi Pandian
This is the first of Gigi Pandian’s Secret Staircase Mysteries, and I’m ready for more! She writes a marvelous homage to classic locked-room mysteries and gives us a cheer-worthy heroine in Tempest Raj. Pandian has earned a place on my favorite authors list with this one.
And that’s it! Do we have any favorites in common? What were your best books of the year? Share in a comment.
Happy reading in 2023!
Looks like you had an awesome year of reading! I loved that Susan May Warren series. I’m hoping to read The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip in the new year. I’ve only heard great things about it. A Spoonful of Gunpowder is on my list too. I love a good steampunk book. 🙂
A Spoonful of Gunpowder was lots of fun! The second in the series is now available – I expect it will feature on a Can’t-Wait Wednesday post soon.
Looks like you had a great year! Now I need to try Lisa Regan’s books😁
Oh, yes! They’re fantastic!
And it’s Hubby’s annual plea to read Mervyn Peake’s Titus Groan and Gormenghast. No need to read Titus Alone–it’s a hot steaming pile of flaming literary poo in a dumpster floating off into the deepest, darkest, part of the swamp where even the alligators won’t touch it. The first two, however, are REALLY REALLY GOOD.
Anyhow, of the books that I’ve read this year that Lisa will actually enjoy (and many of her blog followers might, too) is The Book of Dragons: An Anthology, edited by Jonathan Strahan. If you like a little dragons in your short stories, this one might be for you. It’s not all “high fantasy”–you might be surprised with some of the settings. Happy reading for 2023!
Big fat no from me to Titus Groan and Gormenghast. If any of my readers would like to try it, I’d love to hear their thoughts. They might love it like you do!
The Innocent Wife looks like a good read.
Thanks for stopping by earlier! 🙂
Hi Lisa!
I haven’t read any of these, but a few does grab my attention. Especially The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip. I am going to take a closer look at that one right now.
Thanks for the visit earlier and happy new year!
Elza Reads
I hope you love it, Mareli! I could read it multiple times, and I don’t reread too many books. Such an amazing story.
Looks like you read some great books this year!
It was a pretty darn good year for reading! May 2023 be a good year for us, too!
I am interested in The Extraordinary Deaths of… book because of the title.
I hope you have a wonderful reading year in 2023.
It was simply amazing. I can’t wait to see how Sara Brunsvold is going to top that with her next book.
Looks like you had a great reading year, and you’ve just introduced me to some books that sounded so good that I had to add them to my TBR! Thanks for the heads up and here’s to a great reading year for 2023!
Yes indeed! I hope you love the ones you’ve added to your TBR, and may we all have a bang-up good reading year!
These all look and sound really interesting. I haven’t read any of them, but I’m going to add some to my TBR. Thanks!
Happy to share!
I love top ten reading list season! You had a fabulous year! Happy reading in 2023! 🥂
Thanks, Carol! Top Ten reading list season, also known as “the time of year my TBR gets even bigger.” LOL Happy reading to you, too!
You have introduced me to some interesting authors here. I will look into Anita Dickason, and also Under Lock & Skeleton Key by Gigi Pandian.
TracyK at Bitter Tea and Mystery
If you get to read their books, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Happy reading!
I love Ellery Adams’ books too. Wishing you a very Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to you, too, Diana!
We have a few books in common this time 🙂 I want to read more of DiAnn Mills too!
I’ve not read any of these, but glad to see you enjoyed them!
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2023/01/03/top-ten-tuesday-401/
A good looking list.
I want to read more Cosy Mysteries and a lot of the other books on your list!
Have a great week!
These all look fantastic. I like seeing the variety of books you enjoyed.
It’s been SO long since I read anything by Susan May Warren but I always liked her book. I did always like her books, so I should read some of her newer releases at some point. 🙂 Thanks so much for visiting my list this week!
I know it’s not the same, but I’ve had Cleopatra on my mind a lot lately and so Cleopatra’s Vendetta’s sounds especially good to me right now. I will have to give that one a try for sure. A Spoonful of Gunpowder sounds wonderful too. These all do! Thank you for adding to my wish list!
Happy to spread the bookish love! I hope you enjoy Cleopatra’s Vendetta.
Congrats on reading 148 books and finding so many good ones! I hope 2023 is an awesome reading year for you.