My Top 5 Reads Of 2023

Part of my resolution for this year was to find time to read passionately again. While leisurely reading has always been my go-to source of comfort, embarking on a fictional fantasy series based off a viral reel is really a whole new level of trust and commitment. 

That said, I have read roughly 26 books in 2023 - some I did not finish, while others I simply could not eyeball fast enough! So, without further delay, here is my review of my top 5 books and why I am recommending them. 

by Sarah J. Maas | Fantasy-Romance

Where do I begin? This book is part of the ACOTAR (A Court Of Thorns And Roses) series, but can be read as a standalone. When I started on this series back in March, I didn't realise just how much I would be invested in this world, in the characters. And while this book, the longest by far (751 pages to be exact) , has its flaws, the themes of redemption, hope, love, and friendship carry it through to the end. 

Without giving too much away, I enjoyed the character development of the female lead, Nesta. She went from being a self-pitying, world-hating, sister-bashing loner who was incapable of befriending an insect, to one of the strongest, fiercest, and most compassionate characters. Her redemption arc was written beautifully. She was raw, She was broken. She was human. One of my favourite parts of the book was when Nesta battled it out with the Kelpie, emerging with its demon head in her hands and the golden mask etched onto her face. A sign of her coming into her own power, after overcoming all the trauma.

Lastly, I really enjoyed the banter between the two main characters - Nesta and Cassian. Their chemistry was electrifying, albeit a little predictable. It made for some great love scenes and brought more depth to the heavier plots. The way Cassian loves Nesta, in the midst of all her self-hatred and animosity, is reminiscent of a truly soul-crushing romance. The kind that is complete, irrevocable, unconditional, forever. But most importantly, his love saved her from despair and ultimately helped her to reclaim her self-worth.

In summary:

Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

by Paul Kalanithi | Autobiography

I was gifted this book by a friend because she said it inspired her to live her life more fully, to consciously make each day purposeful. This is a memoir by Dr. Paul Kalanithi, a neurosurgeon who at the age of 36 was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. 

"Death comes for all of us. For us, for our patients: it is our fate as living, breathing, metabolizing organisms. Most lives are lived with passivity toward death - it's something that happens to you and those around you."

While the book starts off a little slow, I'm glad I stuck to it because, wow. This is one of those books where I occasionally think about whenever I'm faced with life's (minor) inconveniences. This is a profound read and contains perspectives on life and death, science and philosophy. In the end, it was Dr. Paul's final written words to his new-born daughter that unleashed the floodgates:

"When you come to one of the many moments in life where you must give an account of yourself, provide a ledger of what you have been, and done, and meant to the world, do not, I pray, discount that you filled a dying man's days with sated joy, a joy unknown to me in all my prior years, a joy that does not hunger for more and more but rests, satisfied."

In summary:

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

by Rebecca Yarros | Fantasy-Romance

I was coaxed into reading this book by Bookstagram, and boy am I glad I did! This book was trending and while I (usually) do not give in to hype, I could not resist getting myself a copy because it is exactly the type of genre I would devour. 

To say I am obsessed is an understatement. Fourth Wing is basically what you get when Harry Potter and How To Train Your Dragon got married and had a baby. The book starts off fast and hard. The action-packed scenes are gripping, and the (sexual) tension between the three main characters will have you hooked. But if that doesn't pique your interest, they also have telepathic dragons! 

Since this is the first book in a series, there is A LOT of potential to expand on in terms of the characters and world-building. For example, the female main character, Violet, is just too modern. Her sass and arrogance does not quite fit with her back story, and sometimes this makes her downright unlikable. Violet's narrative is very predictable - a quintessential underdog. I just hope that as the story develops, we get to see a more human side to her, a side where she is faced with genuine trauma or grief. Not the Xena: Warrior Princess version so many other fantasy novels are capitalising on these days. Other than that, this was such an enjoyable read! I finished it in less than 3 days, go figure.

In summary:

Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

by Carissa Broadbent | Fantasy-Romance

This is one of the first books I read in 2023. I was initially intrigued by the title, and when I read the synopsis, I knew it was going to be some high-quality fantasy!

So, imagine you're a human who decided to enter into a Hunger Games style tournament against ruthless vampires in order to win and be granted power from the Goddess of Death. Yes, that's the whole plot. Simple, but very exciting. 

The things that really kept me glued to each page were the trials and tournaments. Or more accurately, the anticipation of the next trial. The trials themselves were creative, unpredictable, gory, moving - basically everything you'd want in an action-packed scene. I was literally at the edge of my seat, and mind you, it's all only happening in my mind! 

So, in the midst of all the death, betrayal, and bloodlust, there is also room for romance. The relationship between the two main characters, Oraya and Raihn, while it didn't feel forced, didn't feel right either. But the last 50+ pages had me SHOOK. How dare the author reach into my chest cavity and rip out my bleeding heart?!

In summary:

Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

by Meagan Brandy | Contemporary Fiction 

I don't normally like to read stories set in the real-world simply because there really isn't anything exciting about real life, is there? So, me putting this book as a Top 5 Read is really saying something. Say You Swear is quite simply a coming of age love story. There is a love triangle, a car accident, memory loss, miscarriage, and of course, a death in the family.

Seriously though, I experienced every emotion when reading this book - happiness, pain, sadness, shock, anger, frustration, embarrassment, love, heartbreak - and this never happens to me! Although the writing is a little amateurish, I assume because it is supposed to be a college romance, the way the author described each tragic situation aroused deep emotions in me. This is not a book you'd want to read if you plan on having sweet dreams. It stirs up all these good, warm feelings and then shreds it to pieces, only to build it back up again. I don't remember crying so much over fictional characters, but hey, there's a first time for everything, right?

In summary:

Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️