2023 Books in Review

Books! So many books!

I am a voracious (and quick) reader and usually read about 100 books each year. In a stroke of determination in the latter half of my pregnancy at the end of last year, I set my reading goal for 2023 to be 100 – I was stubbornly hopeful that I would continue reading at my pre-baby pace once the little one arrived! And at the same time, I expected to disappoint myself. How many parents, mothers especially, have I heard say, “I can’t remember the last time I read a book!” Though I did not want to, I assumed I would become one of those women myself. 

Then in March, baby girl arrived! And I completely shocked and impressed myself with the way my reading actually increased. For a season, the type of book I gravitated towards definitely shifted. I craved quick reads, fluffy plotlines, and nothing that would require much mental energy. Makes sense as all of my energy was being poured into my own postpartum recovery and the whole project of keeping a new family member alive. 

My kindle also deserves a standing ovation – the ability to read one-handed while breastfeeding or holding a sleeping baby was essential to my reading success. The dark mode was also crucial in allowing me to read during dark hours without disturbing my sleeping family. 

As my daughter has already grown much less physically dependent upon me, I can see my reading shifting again. For one, I’ve returned to mostly physical books and turning pages (though still love the kindle) and have dived into a couple of bigger thinking non-fiction books. I’m excited for what 2024 will bring to my reading world! 

A note about my tracking “system” – I count everything. Well, I suppose not everything as I’ve read hundreds of children’s board books since March. But I do count all of my reading which includes audiobooks and books I don’t finish, DNFs. If I read beyond ~10 pages or enough to mark it as currently reading on Goodreads and then don’t finish it, it gets shelved as a book I’ve read that year. 

I know this is an imperfect process and many will disagree with how I do things and you know what, I don’t care? I have only recently become OK with abandoning books and now that I’ve accepted it as practice, I’m going to fully embrace it. Deciding NOT to finish a book I’m not enjoying is as much of an accomplishment for me as finishing a book I do enjoy. Not that I read for the accomplishment of reading but I do have a strong competitive streak so I can’t deny it’s a bit of a factor…. but I digress. 

I’m excited to share with you some highlights from my 2023 year of reading. Below you’ll find: 

• 2023 favorites

• other notable reads from the year

• rom-com fluff joys (yes, I read so many that they deserve their own section)

• what I’m excited to read next