My 5-Star Reads of 2023

Jan 6, 20244 min read

My goal for 2023 was to read 125 books. This was an attainable goal since I've had previous years where I've read more, but after not meeting my goal of 150 in 2022, it seemed reasonable. I wound up reading 126, and didn't have the all-too-familiar time crunch of finishing ample books on New Year's Eve just to meet the goal. ☺

Throughout the year, I'd felt I'd be stingy with my 5-star ratings, but as I counted them up, I was delighted to find that I had exactly 10. Without further ado, here are my top ten books of 2023:

How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing by K.C. Davis - In all honesty, I don't remember much of this book, having finished it nearly a year ago. However, I remember it providing such gentle encouragement and validation while having logical, practical steps to avoid the often unspoken overwhelm that comes with running a household.
The Lost Year by Katherine Marsh - A few years ago, I was on a book award review committee, and our committee named Katherine Marsh's other book, Nowhere Boy, our winner. I was so excited to read her latest release, and it did not disappoint. It was a multi-generational story, alternating between a grandson in the United States during the COVID shutdown and his grandma in the 1930s during the Ukrainian famine. I LOVE a good historical fiction story that teaches me about something I knew nothing about, and The Lost Year did just that.
The Commonsense Guide to Your Classroom Library: Building a Collection that Inspires, Engages, and Challenges Readers by Donalyn Miller and Colby Sharp - These two educators and readers have had a strong influence in how many things operate in my classroom, and this was a fantastic read during summer vacation. Not only was it readable and relatable, it was also packed with many fresh ideas and just made sense.
The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn by Sally J. Pla - I have read everything Sally J. Pla has written, and this might be my new favorite. She has a way of choosing the best words and creating characters who are just so lovable. It addresses the heavy topic of abuse in a tactful way for younger readers but also beautifully depicts community and self confidence. It's a story for all ages.
Find Your People: Building Deep Community in a Lonely World by Jennie Allen - Another one where the details were lost on me, but the encouragement and foundational ideas were transformative for me this year. After moving and being in the trenches of having a baby, establishing community has been a strong desire of mine. Because of this book, I started a book club, hosted a few little gatherings with new and old friends, and started getting more involved in my church. This book is an important one for our world.
Coyote Lost and Found by Dan Gemeinhart - There are a few popular questions that those of us who work with kids know to have answers readily available. What's your favorite animal (giraffe), and what's your favorite book? I always tell students my favorite book is The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise. The story of Coyote, Rodeo, and their loved ones is one everyone should read. I was absolutely giddy to receive an advance reader copy of the sequel through Netgalley. Coyote Lost and Found comes out in March of 2024 and should be at the top of your to be read list. Just like with the first book, I laughed, I cried, and I came away a better person.

Finishing Coyote Lost and Found on the hotel balcony in Pasadena

The Stories We Tell by Joanna Gaines - I hadn't expected to love this like I did. Prior to reading, I wasn't necessarily a big Joanna Gaines fan, but her heart shone so brightly through this book. She was unafraid of vulnerability, and no one is surprised that I would love a book on the importance of writing and sharing.
Olivetti by Allie Millington - UGH THIS BOOK. It's another middle grade book I got to preview thanks to Netgally. It is set to come out in March of 2024. Olivetti is partly told from the perspective of a typewriter. A TYPEWRITER. The other perspective was of the son of the woman who owned the typewriter. The story was of family and history and finding ones way. It was simply beautiful.
Birdie and Harlow: Life, Loss, and Loving My Dog So Much I Didn't Want Kids (...Until I Did) by Taylor Wolfe - Another one that had me laughing and crying. I vividly remember guffawing during one part while stuck at a red light with a disgruntled toddler in the backseat. This book is so aptly named - it's a wonderful story of life, loss, and love. Taylor Wolfe is honest, hilarious, and so insightful.
The Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness by Morgan Housel - The main reason this book earned five stars from me was that it was different than any other finance book I've read. It helped build my foundation in understanding myself and my own relationship with money, as well as in understanding and empathizing with money-related decisions other make. I think it is an important read for everybody.

Maintaining variety in my reading life is a priority of mine. I love that my top books of the year were fairly split in genre, with six nonfiction reads and four fiction. However, I struggled to maintain variety in format, having read most of these (7, to be precise) in audiobook form, two ebooks, and only one as the physical book.

What were your favorite reads of 2023? What are you hoping to read in 2024? I hope you find a book or two or 150 that help form you in your humanness this year.

-J