Favourite Books of 2023

In 2023, I read 136 books. 31 of these were Agatha Christies, which were all re-reads except one. I’m not including re-reads on this list, because obviously if I’m reading something repeatedly, it’s likely to be a favourite. So all these were new to me this year. I’m also interested to note that I read 16% non-fiction, but there are still four non-fiction books on this list - and more on the long list that I made. So I should take that as an indication to read more non-fiction, as I tend to rate it highly when I do get to it. 

These books are in no particular order. 

1. The Square of Sevens - Laura Shepherd-Robinson

I read all three of her books in 2023 and honestly it was hard to decide whether to pick this or Daughter of Night because they were both excellent. On another day I might have picked that instead. But I loved this and felt totally immersed in the world. I thought the main character was complex and interesting, and it reminded me of Fingersmith by Sarah Waters which is one of my all-time favourites. 

2. They Came to Baghdad - Agatha Christie

This is one of the few Christie novels I’d never read before, and it immediately went into my favourites of hers. It’s a really fun adventure story and the main character is just an ordinary girl doing agency work who decides to blag an adventure. I’m really enjoying books lately that are just fun to read, and this was exactly that. Victoria is one of my favourite Christie heroines, and much like Tuppence, she doesn’t become completely tedious in the last few pages of the book (I’m looking at you, Anne Bedingfield! Urgh).

3. Winter in the Air - Sylvia Townsend Warner

This is a collection of short stories. I’d read Lolly Willowes but nothing else by this author, and I loved it. The writing is absolutely beautiful. Most of the stories aren’t about much - just ordinary people in ordinary situations - but they feel so real, and the details of life are so accurate. I’m looking forward to reading more of her work.

4. Into The Silence: The Great War, Mallory and the Conquest of Everest - Wade Davis

The best Everest book I’ve read, and definitely fuelled my Mallory/Irvine obsession. This books is about the three expeditions to Everest in the 1920s, but also covers some of the history of the exploration leading up to that period, as well as the war experiences of many of the expedition members and how this affected them. It’s an amazing book. It took me a few months to read as each chapter is very long and I wanted to have time to read at least one at a time, to immerse myself in it. It’s brilliant, and so full of detail that you really get to know the explorers and not just Mallory. It’s one of those books that leaves you with a long list of other books you want to read to learn more about some of the topics. 

5. Weyward - Emilia Hart

Finally, a book about witches that isn’t bleak and depressing. I really like books featuring witches, whether magical realism or more realistic stuff with historical detail. But I got so sick of reading about witch trials or awful stuff happening to women who were accused of being witches. There is some horrible stuff in this book, but it doesn’t leave you feeling totally depressed and pissed off. For once. 

6. A Fatal Crossing - Tom Hindle

This is a modern book, but set in 1924 on an ocean liner crossing the Atlantic. And there’s a murder mystery. Really enjoyed this - a more unusual “closed circle” mystery due to the setting, and the excellent ending, which I didn’t see coming. Definitely recommend if you like golden age influenced detective/crime fiction.

7. Your Story Matters - Nikesh Shukla

A really fresh take on a “how to write” book. It felt really personal, both the way it’s narrated, but also the exercises he recommends for you. New and different stuff that I’ve found both helpful and very practical. One I’ll be referring back to again and again.

8. Something in Disguise - Elizabeth Jane Howard

I wanted to read one of her books and I picked this as there’s a Backlisted episode on it. One of those books where you read the first paragraph and it’s clear you’re reading an exceptional writer. This seems like “just” a book about a family living their normal life, but there’s an undercurrent of uneasiness, and it gets stronger the further into the book. Mostly I just loved the writing. I look forward to reading more of her books. 

9. Mystery Mile - Margery Allingham

My first Allingham, and I was advised to start with the second book, rather than the first. Featuring the typical country house mystery, but plenty of other stuff in there too. Enjoyed this very much, particularly the sneaking along rooftops section near the end. Really good fun. 

10. The Lake House - Kate Morton

This had been sitting on my shelf for several years. I finally got to it, and picked it up in a really hot week in June, to discover that it’s set during a really hot midsummer. Love it when that happens and you feel almost a part of the book. This has dual timelines, an abandoned old house in the country, and a mystery that was never solved. I was engrossed in it, and will definitely be checking out her other books. 

11. The Marlow Murder Club - Robert Thorogood

I’m a huge Death in Paradise fan, so I was pretty sure to enjoy this one. It’s got the same humour and light-heartedness as Death in Paradise, but with a group of amateur women as sleuths. Judith is my favourite. I also loved the second book just as much, and can’t wait for the third. 

12. Know My Name - Chanel Miller

I’ve always been interested in this book, but been hesitant to pick it up, as it’s a memoir detailing Miller’s experience of being raped while unconscious, and the aftermath of that, including the very high profile court case she was involved in (although anonymously at the time). And it is a difficult read, and covers some really distressing subjects. It’s also infuriating the way she’s treated by the courts, media, etc. However it’s also one of the most powerful books I’ve ever read. It’s also very hopeful, and it’s amazingly written. I would read anything else she wrote, just for the writing. It’s a really important story to be told, and I’ve thought about it a lot since reading it. 

13. The Go-Between - LP Hartley

Another classic I’d been meaning to read for years, and finally did - I deliberately picked it up at the same time of year that it’s set - during a hot Norfolk summer. It’s wonderful. The writing is amazing. The setting is evoked brilliantly, and living in Norfolk myself, it felt very familiar. It’s also one of those novels told through a child’s eyes, and as an adult reading it you know something is going to go really wrong, you’re just waiting to see exactly what. Masterful. Another book that I thought about a lot since reading. 

14. The Reading List - Sara Nisha Adams

I picked this up because it was about books, libraries, and reading. I thought it would probably be too cheesy for me. It wasn’t. I really enjoyed it, and thought it was just on the right side of “heart warming”, avoiding being too cliched. Obviously with this kind of book you know roughly what will happen, but there were enough plot points I hadn’t predicted, and it was written well enough that I didn’t find it boring or cheesy. A really good book about the power of books to connect people. I’ve already given it to two people. 

15. The Last Devil to Die - Richard Osman

The latest in the series. Manages to have a fun plot, great characters, and be funny and emotional without ever being cheesy or tedious. Loved it. 

16. Comfort Eating - Grace Dent

I really connected with this memoir about the foods we go to for comfort and the memories associated with them. It’s a lot more complex than that, and made me think a lot about my own childhood. Warm and funny and brilliant. 

17. The Body in the Blitz - Robin Stevens

The second in the Ministry of Unladylike Activity series for children. I can’t go on enough about how much I love Robin Stevens’ books. This is a great mystery set during the Blitz, and a fun adventure, while managing to touch on some of the serious issues brought up by the second world war without feeling that they’re shoehorned in. Can’t wait for the next book. 

18. Death in a White Tie - Ngaio Marsh

I’ve been working my way through the Inspector Alleyn series and this is my favourite so far. I really like the mystery itself, and the setting and characters are really fun and interesting. 

19. The Secrets of Hartwood Hall - Katie Lumsden

This feels like someone mashed up Jane Eyre and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall with Stacey Halls’ Mrs England. Pretty sure that’s the sort of thing it’s intended to be. It’s a creepy house, mysterious backstory, curious governess story. I got totally engrossed in this and read most of it in one sitting. Really enjoyed it and another one that was just fun to read. 

20. Night Side of the River - Jeanette Winterson

I love ghost stories and I love Jeanette Winterson so this was always going to be good. She does new things but also includes some stories that feel like the traditional ghost story. And her writing is always gorgeous.