The Best Books I Read in 2023

My top ten favorite reads this year and other things I liked.

Hi there,

First of all, thank you so much for subscribing to this newsletter even though 85% of you were forced to lol (hello friends and fam!). I started this newsletter as a platform to write book reviews with the goal of absorbing and remembering the book that I just read. Then, I started subscribing to several people’s bookish newsletter and how I read books changed. My understanding of books I read in the past expanded as I read what other people thought of the book. I grasped what I wasn’t able to before. I became aware of other authors outside my radar. My writing changed as well. I was able to structure my reviews more rather than just throwing random sentences. What started out as a personal endeavor ended being a community of people that helped me expand my reading horizon. Needless to say, I love being here.

Now, back to the topic at hand. I had so many great reads this year but I have to choose only ten for this newsletter because I might end making a really long newsletter. Anyway, here are my top ten.

1. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

   A family saga that tells the story of seven generations of the Buendia family whose patriarch, Jose Aureliano, founded the town of Macondo. Each member of the Buendia family tells the story of human nature, of our hopes, tragedies, and our inner want of solitude. Macondo represents the world in general and the Buendia family as, us, humans. This book has become one of my best books of all time and I can’t wait to read it again. For more recommendations of family sagas, read here.

2. Smaller and Smaller Circles by F.H. Batacan

   This book is often cited as the first Filipino crime novel. But it is so much more than that. It shows us the systematic corruption of the Philippine government, the church, and the rich and how the minority are just pawns in their game. At one point, I threw this book across the sofa while reading because I just got so angry. This is so on point. Read more Philippine fiction books here.

3. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

   What else can one say about this book other than heart breaking? And what else can I write here that hasn’t been all over the internet? A book worthy of its Tiktok and Bookstagram hype, it tells the love story of Patroclus and Achilles - the best of all the Greeks. It tells us the human side of Achilles, warrior and demigod, his flaws, insecurities, and tenderness. Because honestly he was just a kid who got thrown into a war by men with bruised egos.

4. Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell

   I still give out a hopeful sigh every time I think about this masterpiece. It’s just so beautifully crafted, it’s one of those unique works of art. Cloud Atlas are six connected stories, each with a distinct writing style and voice. Each of these stories on their own is a typical good vs evil, beginning vs destruction, love vs tragedy story. But together, it's a story about how our moral choices affect others. Maybe not now, but it another time or place. Read my full review here.

5. The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

   A butler goes on a road trip and reminisces his past. Very little happens in this book plot-wise, but we get to know Stevens more as he meditates on his professional life and, unavoidably, his personal life through journaling. What I loved most about this book is its distinct tone of voice. I love it when authors nails a character’s personality to the tone of writing. Read my full review here.

6. Happy Hour by Marlowe Granados

   Fun, sassy, and unapologetic. Isa Epley arrives in New York with her best friend, Gala, to live a life of glamour, pleasure and partying albeit little money. Eventually all the partying and little work takes a financial strain on Isa and Gala as well as their friendship. What I love most about this book are its clever observations. These observations are articulated so well you can’t help but become impressed with the writing. Read my full review here.

7. Lonely Castle in the Mirror by Mizuki Tsujimura

   Seven children are invited to play a game by the Wolf Queen in a mysterious castle that can only be entered through a mirror in their rooms. They have a year to find a key to the castle's wishing room and whoever wins gets their wish granted. Eventually, friendships bloom and bonds are strengthened. The only caveat when somebody wins the game, though, is that the castle, will be closed and all their memories of the castle will be erased. Is it worth giving up your memories of the castle and your friends for one wish? This book is so heart warming and left me with a good cathartic cry. It will be a long time before I forget this book. Full review here.

8. I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

   I never really read celebrity memoir but I picked this up out of curiosity because it came highly-recommended. Jennette McCurdy is one of the stars of the iconic Nickelodeon series, iCarly. In this memoir, she recounts her struggles as a former child actor including her complicated relationship with her narcissistic and abusive mother. I read this as an audiobook with Jennette herself narrating. From the ballsy title alone, this book is heartbreaking but speaks with candor.

9. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

   A classic tale of romantic suspense! The moment I read the famous first line, “Last night I went to Manderley again…”, I too, was transported to Manderley. Despite the over description of the drive going to the house, it sets a dark and brooding atmosphere. It filled me with dread. I don’t usually reread thrillers because I already know how the plot will go but I think I’ll reread Rebecca over and over again, just for the wonderful prose. Read my full review here.

10. The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi

    The Death of Vivek Oji starts with a death and initially kind of plays as a murder mystery book. We then follow how various characters deal with Vivek’s death, especially his grief-stricken mother who tries to solve the mystery of his death. But it’s not really a murder mystery book. It’s a novel of grief, friendships, sexuality, and self-identity. It’s greatest strength is in the writing - fluid, visceral and poetic. While they aren’t described much physically, they come alive with their grief and the actions they do with their grief. Read my full review here.

Other Things I Loved This Year

• Video Games - I love video games! Here are my favorites from this year.

  • Arise: A Simple Story

  • Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town

  • Trivia Murder Party by Jackbox Games

• TV Shows - I watched Gilmore Girls for the first time this year. It has some problems but I love it overall.

• Musicals - First stop for Hamilton International Tour was the Philippines. To be the first stop in any international tour is a big deal! Of course, it couldn’t miss it.

• Other Hobbies - I fell in love with crocheting this year. I can’t stop creating stuff and giving them to friends and family!

• Food - I was never a Boba Milk Tea fan but a friend recommended a really good one. Now, I can’t stop.

Personal Wins

• Read 53 books as of this writing.

• On September 1st, I solved the New York Times Crossword Mini in just 30 seconds.

• Created 20+ crochet projects.

• A full year of a consistent yoga practice (4x a week, 20 mins per day).

• Starting this newsletter 💌

Again, thank you so much for being here and please share this newsletter to your friends if you like it! See all next year.