The best books I’ve read in 2023 so far

July is halfway gone, which means several things. It means back-to-school sales are starting, my local convenience store put out its first bag of candy corn, and I should have had this post out two weeks ago.

But, that just means I’ve had a chance to read a few more books that have made it on my list of the top ten best books I’ve read so far this year. And I’ve read some pretty awesome books so far. 

As always, these are listed from ten to one. 

(You can always follow along with what I’m reading on Goodreads.)

 Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett

If you’ve never read anything by Pratchett, I don’t know how to describe this book to you. 

This is the story of a little girl who’s given the magic of a wizard. The trouble is that girls aren’t wizards in her world. So after the local witch does her best to teach the girl, she instead has to get her to the School of Unseen Arts. Of course, hilarity ensues. 

Light Magic for Dark Times by Lisa Marie Basile

Easily, this is my favorite witchcraft book. It dives deep into the hard topics. With spells for self-care, emotional healing, and facing our darkest and lightest selves, this book really has helped me through some hard times. 

Shut up and write the book by Jenna Moreci

I got an arc of this book and did a whole review right here. So I’m not going to go into too much detail. Suffice to say, it’s a great book for anyone who needs help navigating the writing and publishing world. In other words, all writers. 

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

This is not the first time I’ve read this book. And I’ll be the first to admit that it’s all sorts of problematic. But it’s also an absolutely gorgeous look at a part of the world I will likely never see. It’s just dripping with gorgeous details of kimono, architecture, art, culture and interpersonal relationships. It is, in short, just a gorgeous read.

Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

I’m just including the whole series here because you have to read them all if you’re going to read any of them. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be The End.

This series is fun, dark, twisted and surprisingly educational. 

How To Survive Your Murder by Danielle Valentine

I did a whole review on this book, including a long-winded explanation of why I read it in the first place, on Haunted MTL. So I would definitely suggest reading that if you’re a fan of American Horror Story. 

Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland

This is the sequel to a book coming up later in this list. But I wanted to include it because it honestly felt so different from the first one. This is a gunslinger Western but with zombies.

Again, I did a full review of this book on Haunted MTL.

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

This is the book I was talking about a moment ago. And it was entrancing. If Deathless Divide is a Western with zombies, Dread Nation is a post-civil war period piece with zombies. And it was fantastic. Once again, see Haunted MTL for a full review. 

How to Sell A Haunted House by Grady Hendrix

This book has been all over Bookstagram, and for good reason. I read this book in one day. It was, in short, fantastic.

Unfortunately, I am planning to do a review on Haunted MTL, so I’m not able to say much. Look for that review next week. But until then, go read this book. 

Squid Row by Bridgett Spicer

Finally, we end not on a book, but on a comic book. Because I need comics in my life, and this is a good one. 

This is the content I turn to when I’m feeling creatively depleted. It’s a comic about an artist named Randi living in California. She’s broke, working retail and trying to make a name for herself as an artist. Her best friend Ryan is a writer, working as a waiter, trying to do the same. 

Together they drink coffee, make art and try to pay all their bills. All the while being menaced by a big orange cat named Twinkie. I freaking love this series. It reminds me that what I’m doing now, working a full-time job and trying to make it in the writing world, is the same thing countless others are doing. And even though the strip is over, you can still read the archives here. 

So that’s it. Of course, I always want to hear from you. What’s the best book you’ve read so far this year? Let us know in the comments below. 

(Oh, and stop by tomorrow, because I’m going to be making a huge announcement. See you then.)

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