The Chip 10 Best Books of 2023

I finished 45 new-to-me books in 2023, the exact same number of books I finished in 2022. One of these days I’ll get up to 50 new-to-me books in a year! I overall read over 50 books this year counting books I re-read, but for this list I leave those out. (Even though re-reading books by Robin Hobb and Brandon Sanderson is like, a lot of time and a lot of words).

Part 1 of this post merely lists the book titles, and Part 2 dives into a quick review of what I liked about each book. This post is spoiler-free, so read on! If you have thoughts on a book on this list, or have recommendations for me to read in 2024, please leave a comment!

Part 1: Criteria and Overview

Any new-to-me book that I finished in 2023 was in the running for this list. Books that I reread in 2023 were not in the running. Most of my favorite books of 2023 were fantasy, but this list also includes thriller, memoir, comic, and self-help/finance.

Below is the list of the Chip 10 Best Books of 2023, in alphabetical order by author’s last name:

1. Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo
2. Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
3. The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean
4. Financial Feminist: Overcome the Patriarchy’s Bullsh*t to Master Your Money and Build a Life You Love by Tori Dunlap
5. How Long ‘Til Black Future Month? By N. K. Jemisin
6. Godkiller by Hannah Kaner
7. Babel by R. F. Kuang
8. Operating Instructions by Anne Lamott
9. The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O’Neill
10. I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast is Me by Jamison Shea

Part 2: Rationale

What I liked in particular about each book!

1. Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo – Pageturner, Fabulous Heists, Complicated Characters

Hell Bent is the sequel to Ninth House and a page-turning contemporary fantasy mystery, with a few drops of horror, a dollop of thriller, and an incredible slow-burn romance. Normally I am biased against putting sequels on this list, preferring to choose books that are stand-alone or the first in a series. This one makes the list because it is exceptional! If you haven’t already, read Ninth House now and thank me later.

2. Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley – Pageturner, Complicated Characters, Beautiful Writing

I read this thriller in one day and was still thinking about the story weeks later. The writing is compelling and graceful, and the author does an amazing job drawing the stakes tight around the main character, so subtly the reader doesn’t notice until it’s too late.

3. The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean – Amazing Idea, Original Worldbuilding, Pageturner

The way magic works in this world is completely unique and the writing is delightfully spiky. As soon as I finished the book I started looking for a sequel!

4. Financial Feminist: Overcome the Patriarchy’s Bullsh*t to Master Your Money and Build a Life You Love by Tori Dunlap – Inspiring, Hilarious

I may be biased because I love all of Tori Dunlap’s content (the podcast, the Instagram, and her investing 101 course among them). In this book, I loved Dunlap’s engaging way of covering most financial topics, including the emotional work that supports financial decisions as well as the nuts and bolts of how to begin investing, negotiate compensation, and manage debt.

5. How Long ‘Til Black Future Month? By N. K. Jemisin – Original Worldbuilding, Beautiful Writing, Amazing Idea

I have never fallen this hard for a short story collection. Every single story in How Long ‘Til Black Future Month? is incredibly plotted, spellbinding pacing, and filled with characters I want to learn more about.

6. Godkiller by Hannah Kaner – Complicated Characters, Compelling Worldbuilding, Beautiful Writing

Kaner’s hook on page one is one of the juiciest I’ve read in ages. Kaner does a terrific job worldbuilding on-the-go, giving a lot of information without much exposition. Each of the main Point-of-View characters is compelling, with hidden pasts, guilty consciences, and secret magic abilities abounding around every corner.

7. Babel by R. F. Kuang – Original Worldbuilding, Insanely Well Plotted, Cool Magic

Babel is such powerful writing about the human condition in addition to being a fantastic story. The worldbuilding and plot are out of this world.

8. Operating Instructions by Anne Lamott – Hilarious, Amazing Idea

Lamott’s idea to write every day of the first year of her son’s life is fabulous, and she has such an incredible sense of humor displayed on every page.

9. The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O’Neill – Inspiring, Beautiful Writing, Compelling Worldbuilding

This is the sweetest comic ever! I love tea dragons and fire-creatures ahhh! I was over the moon to find out the sequels are every bit as good.

10. I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast is Me by Jamison Shea – Pageturner, Amazing Idea, Yummy Style

Shea’s debut is exceptional. The first page hook! The worldbuilding! The original plot, motivated main character, gorgeously crafted prose! One of my favorite things is female main characters (MCs) that are motivated by more than just staying alive, and Shea delivers.

How refreshing it is to read about female MCs who want things – not simply to stay alive, or save the life of their sister, or win the guy they have a crush on – but things like power or adventure or knowledge! I love female MCs who want things, just like male MCs, just like real people. Thank you Shea.

Thank you to everyone who recommended fantastic books to me in 2023. New recommendation? Thoughts on one of the stories above? Please add a comment and I’d love to discuss with you!