What 2023 Book Do You Need to Read?

I’ve really been looking forward to writing this post about books from 2023, and I hope that other people enjoy this post as much as I enjoyed writing it. I, of course, haven’t read every book written last year, but I have compiled a list of 22 books that I read that were written in 2023. I tried to pick a variety of genres, and most of them I rated 4-5 stars. For the most part, these books are on the clean side. There might be some minor swearing, violent content, or other potentially offensive material, though.

Hopefully, you’ll find a new favorite book (or maybe even more). Feel free to do the quiz multiple times.

*There is a link to Amazon included with each suggested book. You can read reviews as well as purchase the book there. There is also a list of all the mentioned books at the end of the post. This list includes links to reviews I did of each of the books.

Question 1

Which do you prefer: fiction or nonfiction?

I want a good nonfiction book.- Go to question 2.

I’d prefer a fiction novel.- Go to question 3.

Question 2

Which storyline sounds more appealing?

A lady in her 40s finds out that her birth parents were murdered and that her birth family is looking for her- You should read Finding Baby Holly.

A lady overcomes childhood trauma and abuse to become a successful member of society- You should read The Quest for Family.

Question 3

I know that it’s not the Christmas season, but how do you feel about reading a Christmas story?

Yes, I’m 100% on board with a Christmas book- Go to question 4.

No, not right now- Go to question 5.

Question 4

Which sounds the most appealing?

I want a collection of Christmas novellas- You should read Once Upon a Christmas Kiss.

I like the idea of Holly Claus discovering what really brings Christmas cheer- You should read Chasing Cheer.

I’d like a slightly cheesy Christmas romance which is the beginning of a series.-You should read His Christmas Wish. Don’t worry, you can read it without reading the other books in the series. The other two books are just as good, though. Each can be read on their own.

Actually, I don’t want a Christmas novel.- Go to question 5.

Question 5

How do you feel about a book that’s part of a series?

I’d prefer a standalone novel.- Go to question 6.

As long as it makes sense on its own, I’m fine with a book that is part of a series. – Go to question 7.

Question 6

How do you feel about historical fiction?

I love it.- Go to question 11.

I’d prefer something else.- Go to question 12.

Question 7

How much do you need the book from a series to be a standalone novel?

If I’m reading a book in a series, I want to be able to read just that book and not feel at all confused.- Go to question 8.

I’m okay with being slightly confused and/or having to read the previous book/s to get the whole story.- Go to question 9.

Question 8

Are you looking for a short novella (under 100 pages) or something a little longer?

I don’t have a lot of time. A short novella would be ideal. – Go to question 10.

I’d prefer a full-length novel. Novellas often feel like they aren’t a full story anyway.- You should read The Trespassers. It’s the first book in a planned paranormal series.

Question 9

Which do you prefer: magical realism, Christian suspense, or Christian romance?

I like magical realism- You should read Heir of Uncertain Magic. It is the second in the series. The first book, Keeper of Enchanted Rooms, came out in 2022. I’ve read both books. While you can probably read the second book on its own, I’d recommend reading the first book first.

I could go for a good Christian suspense.- You should read From Chaos. It’s the second book in the series. I have not read the first book. There were places where I felt like I’d missed out by not reading the previous book.

I’m picking the Christian romance.- You should read Love on the Brain. This is the sixth book in the series. It’s the only one in the series that I’ve read. I was sometimes confused about how the different characters fit together. If you choose this one, you may want to begin at the start of the series.

Question 10

If you had to choose between a cozy murder mystery with peacocks or a sort of cheesy second-chance romance, which would you pick?

I’ll go with the cozy murder mystery with peacocks.- You should read Murder by Association.

I’m leaning more toward the sort of cheesy second-chance romance.- You should read Forever and Always.

• Both of these are the first in the series. I have not read the other novels in either series.

Question 11

If you could pick a time period, which would you pick?

I want a Regency novel.- You should read Once Upon a Time in Millsbury.

I’ll take a Civil War novella.- You should read Letters to Whitman.

I’d prefer a World War II novel.- Go to question 15

Maybe, I don’t want a historical fiction novel.- Go to question 12.

Question 12

How do you feel about a romance book?

Are you kidding me? No, thank you.- Go to question 13.

Sure, I like the occasional romance novel.- Go to question 14.

Question 13

How do you feel about a book that deals with potentially difficult topics, which may include domestic abuse, suicide, kidnapping, murder, or depression (although not necessarily all of them)?

Okay, I think I can handle them.- Go to question 16.

Nope, can’t handle any of those, and/or I want something a little more lighthearted.- Go back to question 5, and answer something differently along the way.

Question 14

Which would you pick: chemistry nerd or cowboy?

I’m intrigued by the idea of a chemistry nerd romance.- You should read The Chemistry of Love.

Who doesn’t love a good cowboy romance? I’m going for that.- You should read Just Jake.

Question 15

Each of these books portrays a different way that the characters defy the Germans during World War II. Which appeals to you the most?

I like the “befriend” and betray the Nazis approach.- You should read Not My War.

I want a book that’s about the quest to save Jews from being sent to concentration camps. – You should read Counting Lost Stars.

Let’s go more the Monuments Men route and save the artwork.- You should read Saving Madonna.

Question 16

They aren’t in graphic detail, but how do you feel about a book that involves multiple murders?

Okay, that sounds like it might be a good book.- Go to question 17.

No, I’d prefer that there weren’t any murders.- Go to question 18.

Question 17

Which one sounds more interesting: a book with a mysterious hit-and-run accident, murdered witness, and kidnapping, or a book about two ladies who are both a bit delusional and who may engage in a few “mercy” or “justice” killings?

The hit-and-run accident, murdered witness, and kidnapping have me interested. -You should read All He Has Left.

Two delusional ladies sounds appealing.- You should read The Palisades. This book is probably the most disturbing of the books included in this quiz. While I enjoyed it a lot more than I anticipated, I would definitely suggest reading up on it a little before deciding if it’s right for you.

Question 18

Would you rather read a book with some LDS characters or that has a remote setting?

I’ll take the LDS characters- You should read Feeling Like the Outcast.

I’m all for the remote setting.- You should read The Last Caretaker.

Books Covered

All the books covered in this post are listed below in alphabetical order by the book’s title. By clicking on the book, you can read my book review, either on this blog or on another site.

All He Has Left by Chad Zunker

Chasing Cheer by Heather Sneider

The Chemistry of Love by Sariah Wilson

Counting Lost Stars by Kim van Alkemade

Feeling Like the Outcast by Shilo Dawn Goodson (I’m not going to review my own book, but if you’ve read it, feel free to leave a review)

Finding Baby Holly: Lost to a Cult, Surviving My Parents’ Murders, Saved by Prayer by Holly Marie

Forever and Always by Roxie Clarke

From Chaos by Karen Randau

Heir of Uncertain Magic by Charlie N. Holmberg

His Christmas Wish by Tia Marlee

Just Jake by Jaimie Engle

The Last Caretaker by Jessica Strawser

Letters to Whitman by Margo Laurie

Love on the Brain by Kerry Evelyn

Murder by Association by Shelley Weiss

Not My War by Valerie Anne Hudson

Once Upon a Christmas Kiss by Ciara Knight, Brenda Lowder, Susan Carlisle, Terra Weiss, Susan Sands, and Christy Hayes

Once Upon a Time in Millsbury by Iris Lim

The Palisades by Gail Lynn Hanson

The Quest for Family: Beauty from Ashes by Jessica Clancy

Saving Madonna by Kate Bristow

The Trespassers by Stephanie Black