Drumroll, please!
My Top Ten Reads for 2023 + A Full Length Review for One of Them
Happy Wednesday, friends! We’re one week into the new year, and our family is already off on adventures! We started the new year by hiking with friends even though it was freezing outside. I’m so thankful for those snow pants I mentioned in last weeks edition, haha. So many people have posted their top reads from 2023, and there are some really great lists out there. Some favorites include:
Emily from Emily’s Booked Up — Emily’s reviews are consistent and thoughtful!
Kelly from Kelly Hook Reads Books — Kelly writes out her reviews so well, and I’m always keeping an eye out for what she’s loving because it means I probably will too!
Shaley from 2 Read or 2 Write — Shaley reads a variety of books and I always enjoy hearing what she has to say!
Sam from Reading and Roaming — Sam and I have similar taste, so I know when she says to read a book, she means it.
Nicole from Bookies and Tea — Nicole is such a thoughtful reviewer and promotes the best books by independent publishers outside of the Big Five Publishing Houses.
Rebecca from Books on Adventures — Rebecca always has the best recommendations for books by minorities.
Sara Hildreth from Fiction Matters — Sara has very different books on her radar, which challenges me in the books I select to read.
And now, without further ado and in no particular order, my own Top Ten List from 2023!
As Long As The Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh — read this if you want a tender look at war torn Syria
Peach Blossom Spring by Melissa Fu — read this for the family history and generational impact
The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson — read this for an eye opening look at some of our own history (thank you to Simon and Schuster & NetGalley for a copy to read and review)
The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer — read this for the nostalgia if your childhood favorites were Nacey Drew/Hardy Boys, Series of Unfortunate Events, or Harry Potter
None of This is True by Lisa Jewell — read this if you want a book you can’t put down that leaves you questioning what is true by the end (thank you to Atria Books & Snail on the Wall for a copy to read and review)
The Night Travelers by Armando Lucas Correa — read this for untold WWII history from a different perspective (thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for a copy to read and review)
A Woman is No Man by Etaf Rum — read this for a heart wrenching story on what it means to be a strong mother
One Summer in Savannah by Terah Shelton Harris — read this for an emotionally complex tale with deep, rich characters
The Highly Sensitive Parent by Elaine N. Aron — read this if you find yourself overwhelmed by parenthood (I most definitely do and I felt so seen by this book within two minutes of starting)
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon — read this to get swept away by history of a town who had a formidable midwife
REVIEW: The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
I had seen some early reviews touting this one from the mountain tops, so when the Libby app alerted me that my library had copies to borrow, I immediately hit download and started reading.
Martha Ballard, a midwife in Maine in 1789, is summoned to determine cause of death for a man found in their community. As the trial nears and implications point fingers to those she holds dear, Martha relentlessly pursues truth convinced it’s the only way to find out what really happened.
A GMA Bookclub pick and listed as an MPR Book of the Year, this title got all the buzz in December. RIGHTLY SO. This book hooked me in from the start with a frozen dead body and didn’t let me go. Martha Ballard was a formidable woman. She did so much to love and serve her community well. Best part: she is a real person! My favorite types of historical fiction are ones that are based closely off real life, and author Ariel Lawhon did a phenomenal job with Martha’s story.
I also can’t help but mention my new favorite book couple. Martha is married to Ephraim, who was so supportive, loving, honest, and helpful. Although I’m sure it wasn’t always this way in real life, their fictionalized communication was something to be aspired, and they complement one another beautifully.
This book had history, mystery, and impeccable writing. I really loved the audiobook as it felt like Martha was telling me her own story. I would expect nothing less from narrator Jane Oppenheimer. Lawhon’s endnote was also incredibly eye opening, and I’m so glad I took the time to read it, too. I’d recommend this one if you love historical fiction, books about strong women, and unknown history.