Best Books From the First Half of 2023

Bloody hell, how quickly did that come around? I can’t believe we’re here, in the middle of the year ALREADY and I’m already writing up my best books from the first half of 2023. Flipping heck. Scary. But my goodness, what a fantastic first half of the year it’s been for books. I’m mega excited to chat about these fantastic reads!

I’ve been incredibly fortunate with the books I’ve read this year so far. Not many of them at all have been given a bad rating. There has been a few of course (there always is) but for the most part, every book I’ve read I’ve enjoyed to some degree.

As with previous years, I’m trying to continue to incorporate Fiction and Non-Fiction books into my reading schedule, often reading two at a time, one Fiction and one Non-Fiction on the go simultaneously.

I’m also trying to branch out a little with the type of books I’m reading and not just stick to one genre. Early last year, I went through a phase were ALL I read was YA for like, 4 months.

I love YA but it definitely took it’s toll and before long, I didn’t want to read any YA and was a bit sick of it! I’m switching up my genres much more regularly this year, oftentimes not reading the same genre back to back.

Enough with the chat, let’s look at some of my favourite books I’ve read this year so far!

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

I’d heard so much about Lessons in Chemistry before I read it. The woman in the bookshop who sold it to me even saying it was her best book she had read in 2022. And I gotta admit… she was right.

I don’t often rate things in order but this is THE best book I’ve read this year so far. The top of the pile. The gold star. It was sensational. I loved every single second of reading this wonderful story. It was empowering and heart-warming and just utterly brilliant.

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

Another seriously hyped up book (and author) from the last year and after reading Book Lovers, it was easy to see why. I’m a sucker for a hyped up book – I always want to see what all the fuss was about.

And fuss indeed! Book Lovers was BRILLIANT and Emily Henry in general is an author who’s tone is right up my street. I love the banter in her books, often between the two love interests.

Love From the Pink Palace by Jill Nader

This book will always be in my heart and I will always remember reading this. If you’re a fan of the series It’s a Sin, then you need to read Love From the Pink Palace. What better person to hear about the 80’s aids crisis than someone who was there, in the middle of it all?

Jill Nader is an angel on Earth and this book is proof of that. The amount of work she has done for the LGBTQ+ community and helping raises funds and awareness for AIDS research is phenomenal.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides 

This was a bloody good Thriller and I’ve said it before but Thrillers don’t really *thrill* me much anymore but this one certainly kept me on my toes and on the edge of my seat.

I actually started the year reading The Maidens by the same author which I enjoyed but it didn’t wow me. I’d heard better things about The Silent Patient, so I’m really glad I gave the author another chance.

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

This is one of the books that I’d have said was a little out of my comfort zone. Again, one that I’d heard lots about and had to see for myself what the fuss was about.

I was surprised with how much I loved The Vanishing Half. Like, REALLY loved it. And I keep recommending it to people because it was a stunning read with lots of really important themes woven throughout.

Still Life With Bones by Alexa Hagerty 

The second Non-Fiction book on this list and this was actual a review copy that I received and boy, this book. Still Life With Bones is an outstanding and rightfully grim and a terribly difficult read. One that I think we all need to endure.

An outrageously insight look into a world of conflicts and genocides in Guatemala and Argentine that only a tiny percent of us even know about. This book really puts the world into perspective. It’ll make your heart bleed.

After: A Doctor Explores What Near Death Experiences Reveal About Life and the Beyond by Dr Bruce Greyson

This was one of my Non-Fiction finds from the library and I didn’t have too many expectations, I just thought it sounded interesting but my GOODNESS. This book was incredible.

After by Dr Bruce Greyson explores near-death experiences. The different types, the different aspects and from different points of view. I loved this book because it combines science with the unknown.

Welcome To Your Life by  Bethany Rutter

I just absolutely loved Welcome To Your Life. This is a book I picked up on a complete whim in Waterstones one day. I hadn’t hear anything about it prior to buying it. Just thought it sounded good.

And it was. It was just such a fun read. I loved Serena, the main character. I loved the body positive language surrounding fat bodies and plus-size women. I loved Serena’s friends. I desperately wanted to be mates with them.

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Reading has been my biggest joy this year. I won’t lie, it’s been a stressful year. But reading more books and especially sharing more book content on Instagram has really helped me relax and de-stress.

Books are magic and they really can have such a profound impact on us. They can help us through the toughest times. Help us feel at ease and less alone. Prompt us to do that thing we’ve always wanted to do.

Have you read any of these books? What have been some of your favourite books of 2023 so far?

Want some more book content? You might enjoy these:

• 12 Books From My Bookshelf I Want To Read This Year
• Best Books of 2022: 10 Stand Out Reads of Last Year
• 10 Books I’d Love To Read Again For the First Time

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