Favourite Reads of 2023

It’s that time of year again when we bookworms begin reviewing our reading challenges and annual book haul. This year I’ve read an interesting mix of genres and I’ve struggled to narrow it down to a top 5, but I’ve finally done it. So here are my top 5 reads from 2023 (and a cheeky bonus read). 

Top 5 of 2023

• Gold by Naomi B. 
• Brontë’s Mistress by Finola Austin
• The Good, the Bad and the History by Jodi Taylor
• Love and Literature by Aviva Orr
• Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
  

1 – Gold by Naomi B. ★★★★★

It’s always tough to choose my absolute favourite book of the year but it 2023 the honour goes to Gold by Naomi B. The book is actually a poetry collection by a French author writing in English, and it’s extraordinary. It’s a tender, beautiful, haunting, and unique exploration of womanhood, love, and loss. There are even mentions of my beloved Brontës. 

2 – Brontë’s Mistress by Finola Austin ★★★★★

It may come as no surprise that another book on my top five list is also inspired by the Brontës. This time, however, Austin focuses on the relationship between the sisters’ brother, Branwell, and the wife of his employer, Lydia Robinson. History has painted her as simply Branwell’s lover but, like any woman, she is much more complex than that. Austin does a fantastic job of fleshing out a character for her and making us realise that whatever we think of the rumours that have dogged her reputation since her alleged tryst with Branwell, there is much more to her than that. This is not a Lydia whose life is centred around him, but rather Branwell is a part of HER life and just a small one at that. The story doesn’t end when Branwell is dismissed, and nor does it follow his character back to Haworth either. This is a story rippling with longing, desire, power, control, and womanhood. This is Lydia’s story.

3 – The Good, the Bad and the History by Jodi Taylor ★★★★★

The St. Mary’s Chronicles is a series of books and short stories focusing on a time-travelling institute (or not, depending on who you ask) and a loveable cast of characters known as the disaster magnets. This may be the 14th book but it’s one of the best in the series. Despite picking up where the last book left off and initially placing main character Max in a similar situation, Taylor cleverly turns readers’ expectations on their heads, dazzling with twists, turns, revelations, and so much history. Max is literally all over the place in the book and we’re with her every step of the way as she fights to save what she loves and brings down what threatens her very existence. There are lots of surprises which you just don’t see coming and the climactic scene of the book is genuinely one of the most exciting things I’ve ever read. 

4 – Love and Literature by Aviva Orr ★★★★★

As someone who adores Charlotte Brontë and has a soft spot for The Professor, this homage to the tale was a fantastic read. The narrative splits between Violet Greyson, an orphaned and poor young woman, and Byron Thomas, a privileged and educated schoolmaster as they forge a connection against the unlikely background of a ladies’ college. The novel surprised me in many ways and the twists and turns in Violet’s life had me hooked from the opening page. It’s packed full of drama, romance, tragedy, and passion.

5 – Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi ★★★★☆

The premise is literally that customers who travel through time must drink their coffee before it goes cold to return to the present but the book is so much more than that. The novel explores issues such as illness, grief, loss, love, and life in a way few time travel narratives do. Despite its quirky ideas, there is real heart to the intertwined stories of the characters.

Best of the Rest of 2023

• Hymns from the Sisters by Emma Connally-Barklem ★★★★★
• Little Women by Louisa May Alcott ★★★★☆
• Mr Darcy’s Diary by Amanda Grange ★★★★☆
• The Flaw by Antonis Samarakis ★★★★★
• Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry ★★★★★

Bonus Book

2023 was the year that I had my first novel published. Whilst it’s not troubling any bestseller lists, it is doing a steady trade. I’ve had some lovely reader reviews, and to be honest, it’s just such a lovely feeling to say I’m a published author! It’s available in paperback, as an ebook, and also on Kindle Unlimited. 

Reader praise for A Tale of Two Glass Towns

“A beautiful first story from a talented new author” – Goodreads review

“Could not stop reading. It was like a warm hug but also tear inducing. A lovely mixture of hope and history and humanity” – Amazon review

“Nicola Friar has a real talent for storytelling with her ability to create characters that are moving and relatable. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and its family of characters” – Goodreads review

“Some interesting Gothic and dreams or vision sections, which mean that you cannot easily predict the end” – Amazon review

“An enchanting read. Featuring a dual timeline and time travel, this lovely tale brought to mind the children’s classic The Box of Delights and the marvellous old film ‘Peggy Sue Got Married’. I can’t quite put my finger on ‘why’ but it shares the same warmth” – Goodreads review

“The description and atmosphere of being in two planes of existence was just the right balance of spooky and intriguing. An excellent debut novel” – Amazon review

“Nicola Friar’s children’s story is simple on one level, speaking to the young reader of the genuine worries and apprehensiveness that kids are prey to, when external events they don’t understand may permeate dreams which border on nightmares and which may be mistaken for reality. On another level it’s drawn from the adult world, addressing lives and issues that are far from simple” – Goodreads review

“Beautifully written, gripping, perfect for adults and children alike” – Amazon review

“It’s a heartwarming book beautifully written. I couldn’t put it down” – Amazon review

In Loving Memory of Bob the Bichon (2007-2019)

A lover of life, the Brontës, and Haworth who knows that I’m just going to write because I can’t help it.

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