These blog posts typically go notoriously bad for me. Looking back at some of my previous “books on my bookshelf I want to read this year” posts I’ve written over the years, the amount of books I’ve ACTUALLY read from those lists is… abysmal. To put it bluntly. The intentions are always good but…
I’m sure any book lover will understand that sometimes our reading plans go out of the window when new exciting books get released all year round. Or a random trip to the library sees us come back with 10 extra books we need to read before we have to take them back.
And as someone that just loves books so much, I’m always accumulating new books throughout the year.
In fact, 2022 was the year I realized that I do LITERALLY come back from EVERYWHERE with a book. I went to a funeral and came back with 5 books that someone had brought along for me because they knew I liked reading.
I also went to view a house and ended up coming back with a book that the woman who lived there gave to me.
It’s getting a bit ridiculous.
You can check out last years bookshelf TBR here: 9 Books I Want To Read In 2022
So, I’m keeping an open mind when it comes to writing this post this year. And I’m certainly not going to put any pressure on myself to read all of these books specifically.
Because I KNOW that I’ll be gaining more books throughout the year, some of which I might be more excited to read than those listed here.
And that’s okay because I’m also a mood-reader and I hate to limit myself with what I can read. The worst thing is trying to read a book you’re just NOT in the mood for.
Reading is supposed to be fun, right.
So, all that being said, here are 12 books that are currently on my bookshelf RIGHT NOW that I’m hoping to finally get around to reading in 2023.
Some of them have been there for quite some time, others are new books that I’ve just picked up. But all of them are on my hopeful TBR this year.
Here’s a quick run-down of each book I want to try and read this year:
The Lemon Tree Cafe by Cathy Bramley
Yes, this book was on last year’s list and I didn’t get around to reading it. Not for any particular reason but I’m hoping to get around to The Lemon Tree Café in the Spring this year, I think that’d be a perfect time to read this and I’m a fan of Cathy’s writing!
The Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett
Oh look, another book from last year’s list as well *hides face*. I don’t know why I haven’t read this yet. I think it’s because I’ve heard LOTS of good things about The Vanishing Half and I’m intimidated. Whoops.
The Keeper of Stories by Sally Page
This one hasn’t been on my bookshelf for very long, so I don’t feel too bad about not having read this one yet. The Keeper of Stories was picked up on a trip to Lincolnshire in November and sounds like a beautiful read!
How To Kill Your Family by Bella Mackie
How To Kill Your Family has been on my radar for ages – everyone seems to have read this book! I’ve heard mixed reviews but it definitely sounds up my street!
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo
This is another book that’s been on my book case for FAR too long because, quite honestly, I’m intimidated to read it. I’ve heard amazing things about Girl, Woman, Other but definitely feel like I’ll be out of my comfort zone reading this!
The People in the Trees by Hanya Yanagihara
This is a book I picked up on an absolute whim. I’d never heard anything about it before and it sounded REALLY different from what I’m used to, so I guess I thought I was trying to expand my reading *repertoire* with The People in the Trees. Except I didn’t read it because I got scared.
The Push by Ashley Audrain
I’ve heard soooo many great things about The Push and it’s also been nominated for a few awards, so I definitely have high hopes for this one. This is one I picked up with a Waterstones gift card I got for Christmas.
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Another one that everyone seemed to be raving about in 2022 and whilst this isn’t typically the sort of book I would have picked up, I do want to read different styles and genres this year, so Book Lovers seemed like the perfect option for delving into more rom-com.
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
Fredrik Backman novels keep popping up for me as recommendations from other book bloggers or book tubers and I mean, they can’t ALL be wrong, can they? I really liked the sound of A Man Called Ove, so I’m looking forward to reading this one.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
This book has been out for over 10 years and I keep seeing it and reading about it but for some stupid reason I still haven’t picked it up – until now. Only 11 years late to The Night Circus party but I finally made it!
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
I’ve heard great things about this series of books so I reaaaally looking forward to delving into Get a Life, Chloe Brown. I love the fact that it has a chronically ill main character as well, as that’s not something you see often.
The Reckless Afterlife of Harriet Stoker by Lauren James
I read a Lauren James book last year and I was absolutely blown away by it so I’m really glad I was able to find another of her books with my Waterstones gift card to read in 2023. The Reckless Afterlife of Harriet Stoker sounds like a ride!
I feel like 2023 already is shaping up to be an excellent year for books and reading. I can’t remember a year where I’ve been THIS excited at the prospect of reading so many books on my bookshelf before.
My goal is definitely to get through as many of my bookshelf books as possible. I love the library but I think I’ll only be sticking to the library to get some non-fiction books throughout the year for a while!
Now over to you! Tell me which books you’re excited to read in 2023! Have you read any of these on this list?
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I read the first chapter of Girl, Woman, Other about 2 years ago so I definitely need to finish that! I am aiming to read at least 10 books already on my shelves x
Rose | https://flourishwithrose.com/
Good luck with your reading goal!
I love this idea! I’m going to take a look at my bookshelves and select books that I haven’t read or haven’t finished reading, like The Lemon Tree Cafe! I started reading it last spring but got bored with it so I stop reading it, I’m going to challenge myself to finish it this year! ♥
http://www.mooeyandfriends.com
Ah sorry to hear that! Hope you find some good books to read from your bookshelf this year x
I’m a mood reader as well and you’re so right.. it’s miserable forcing yourself to read something that just isn’t doing it for you at that time.
It looks like you have some great books to choose from though! Half of these are on my list as well.
Thanks for sharing!
Yes absolutely!! I just can’t keep to a set list of books if there isn’t some choice because I’ll end up resenting what I’m reading!
I am So glad that it’s not just me. With books I have to read what interests me right.now. or it just won’t work.. which kind of sucks because I much prefer planning ahead. 😅
I have had books on my bookshelf unread for about three years and it’s becoming painful! I just can’t seem to find the time to sit down and really get encrossed in a book. But your post has definitely inspired me to think about those books gathering dust and at least read a couple this year before buying anymore which is always so tempting with their shiny front covers. Good luck with your TBR list.
Ah I totally understand that, it does get painful to see all those books gathering dust doesn’t it! Hope you manage you get around to a few of yours this year – maybe set yourself a small goal of like one a month?
I’ve set myself one – two a month and so far it’s been ok. Will get one finished by the end of this month 🙌
Coming back from everywhere with books sounds like a superpower to me. You must give off serious bookworm vibes. Can so relate to going to the library and coming out with a massive stack of books. I need to return a book today, am going to try to resist looking for new ones…
There’s loads of brilliant sounding books on this list. I’ve only read The Night Circus but it was very atmospheric and beautifully imagined. Hope you have a wonderful reading year, whichever books you end up picking up.
Hahahah if I had a superpower that would definitely be it 😂 thank you – I’m looking forward to The Night Circus!
I have had How To Kill Your Family on my shelf for ages now, I need to read it too! Some other interesting suggestions here too, thanks for sharing x
Kathleen / http://www.madeinthe1990s.com
Hope you get around to it!
I read How To Kill Your Family last year, I found it really enjoyable! If you want to read A Mna Called Ove, I would also recommend reading All The Lonely People by Mike Gayle – absolutely stunning book.
I loved A Man Called Ove so I’ll definitely check out the Mike Gayle book too.
Sounds so inspiring, love the books with lot of humour
and love to read some of them..
I much prefer something dark haha
i’m a mood reader too! there were so many books i thought i was going to read last year but never got to – trying to read a few more on my physical tbr before i buy more books. that way i feel a little less guilty lol!
some books i’m looking forward to reading: the housemaid by freida mcfadden, the atlas six by olivie blake & his & hers by alice feeney
Yes same! At least with a list like this you have a lot of choice, so if you fancy something light then there’s often an option available! I’ve heard good things about His & Hers x
Keeper of stories is wonderful!
How to kill your family is really good as is The Push.
A man called Ove is one of my all time favourites – enjoy!
I’ve not long finished A Man Called Ove and I absolutely loved it! The film was really good too.
Yes, I liked the film it was done well x
Girl, Woman, Other is such a good read! I love the sound of the other books you have on your bookshelf! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Ah I need to get around to that one ASAP, that’s one of the ones I’ve always been a bit intimidated by!
Interesting books and I would love to check the keeper of stories more. These some great books to read. Thank you for sharing!
Can’t wait to read that one!
The Push is absolutely amazing – I honestly can’t recommend that one enough. It’s probably in my top 5 favorite books.
I’ve heard so many good things about it – can’t wait to read it!
Great list, Jenny! I loved the idea of putting this post out there and having some accountability for a growing book stack. I almost have to put blinders on for bookstores when I got out and my to read stack has grown too big.
Yes I definitely need some accountability this year for reading the books I already own!
We’ve heard such good things about Get a Life, Chloe Brown.
I’ve already read that one and it wasn’t for me, sadly!
Book Lovers is on our TBR too!
Heard so many good things about that one!
I feel seen that I am not the only one collecting books everywhere she goes and end up having full bookshelves! The vanishing half and Girl, woman other I read last year and loved both of them! I listened How to kill your family and had kind of mixed opinions on it, hope you get to read all of them x
Hahah it’s a real problem. I’m reading The Vanishing Half now (as you know through IG) and I’m absolutely loving it!
Book Lovers and How To Kill Your Family are a must-read apparently, so I can’t wait to get to them too, they are on my list!
I think Book Lovers is going to be my next read!
Some great reads to come for you, definitely. A Man Called Ove’ is fantastic and my wife has just finished How To Kill Your Family and says it’s ace. I have Girl, Woman, Other on my list this year too.
I have finished A Man Called Ove and absolutely loved it. Have you seen the film?
Haven’t seen it yet, but we were watching an interview with Tom Hanks promoting it the other day and it looks great.
I love that you seem to collect books wherever you go! ☺️ But I guess you do build up a bit of a collection at home. I love reading too – I need to make more time for it, it’s so good for the mind. This sounds like a great collection. I’m going to add The Reckless Afterlife to my list – thanks for sharing. Jade MumLifeandMe
Haha it can get a bit of a problem for sure. I can’t wait to read that one – have you read anything else by Lauren James?
It’s hard to get to books we’ve had hanging around with constant new ones popping up. I loved the Night Circus though!
Oh I know! There’s just soo many great books being published!
I really want to get back into reading – I find it so much easier in the summer when the days feel longer and I actually allow myself to chill in the sun! Love your picks, top my list this year are: The Time Traveller’s Wife & The Handmaid’s Tale
Rosie
Oh yeah I agree, I love it in the summer when you can just lounge outside for a couple of hours and read!
A good post. Thank you 🙏
You’re accumulating a lot of books but that’s such a nice way to live! I would love to go places and always come back with new books haha.
This list of 12 books has so many great reads, a few that I rated 5 stars. I hope you’re able to get to them and enjoy them!
They just find their way to me wherever I go haha! Ooh that’s good to hear!