FAVORITE READS OF 2023 || 5 middle grade 10 adult/ya

[@almablinn9755]

A Girl Called Sampson was one of my favorites of the year as well. Such an amazing story. I loved how much detail Amy Harmon gave us on how she dealt with concealing herself from the other soldiers. I also enjoyed the Drowning and Falling books. I read those to my husband.

[@BooksAndJams]

Yes. I loved A Girl Called Samson so much. It was amazing to be able to imagine how on earth she could have pulled it off for so long! I loved reading about the real woman in the author's note too. So cool.

[@victoria9663]

I loved this!!! Such fun to see everyone's favorites!

[@BooksAndJams]

I love watching favorites videos too!

[@loriglasser5173]

Hi Krista! 😊 Thank you for sharing your favorite books! A lot of them really “spoke to me”. I especially hope to read “Forever or a Long, Long Time” and Love & Saffron”. Take good care, Lori 📚

[@BooksAndJams]

Glad you had a couple that stood out above the rest. I really did have such a good reading year!

[@angelajones129]

Thank you for all of the wonderful recommendations! Your description of them makes me want to read every single one of them. I put all of them on my wish list. 🙂

[@BooksAndJams]

You're so welcome. I'm glad I got you interested in these great books!

[@geminigem599]

My favorite read last year, was, Finding Me, by Viola Davis. Non fiction. I did read, Love n Saffron, n did enjoy it. So many books n so little time….😊

[@BooksAndJams]

Nice! I have heard really good things about Finding Me.

[@lisadw499]

I really enjoyed A Girl Called Samson too. I have both Drowning and Falling on my radar to read this year as well as some of Brandon Sanderson’s work. Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, and Middle Grade are my go-to reads. Throw in a non-fiction or bio a few times a year and I’m a happy reader.

[@BooksAndJams]

Yep. You basically described my main reads too, except probably exchange scifi for romance. haha.

[@jeniwoliver6265]

Oh Krista, your videos always increase the number of books on my TBR. Thank you for sharing your favorites.

[@BooksAndJams]

Always glad to hear that!

[@annie-mz9956]

Wow 180 books good for you! Your glasses are very flattering. Thank you for the wonderful review!

[@BooksAndJams]

Thanks so much!

[@richiereads2]

Thank you for sharing good books for middle schoolers to read! All the books sound good!

[@BooksAndJams]

I'm so glad. I read a ton of middle grade books so I had to include some of my faves from the year. I think adults can also love these!

[@emilyreads5207]

Woo hoo! Way of Kings in number 1! This is the way. Lol. I can't wait for you to read Words of Radiance. Feel free to Voxer me when you do because there are some scenes in there...also- two novellas that need to be read-Edgedancer (before Oathbringer) and Dawnshard (before Rythmn of War). I still need ti read Edgedance as I've been working thru the Cosmere in Publication order. And book 5 of stormlight archive, Wind and Truth, comes out inDecember. Stormligjt is set to be a ten book series with 2 5 book story arcs.

[@BooksAndJams]

I really am still hoping to at least restart Words of Radiance this month. Trying to get through my tbr first. I may take you up on Voxering as I go since I am sure I'll have thoughts. I do have Edgedancer, but need to get ahold of the other one too. I have time.

[@bibliochemist1623]

I love both The Lost Year and Amari!!

[@BooksAndJams]

Yes! I really need to read the second Amari book. I loved the first one so much.

[@thecampinglibrarian]

Listening to this video while I add and hold on Goodreads and Libby. Thanks!

[@BooksAndJams]

Sweet! I hope you also love whichever ones you get to!

[@rebekahmackenzie]

Book Love is so adorable! I'm hoping to read The Wishing Game this year.

[@BooksAndJams]

Book Love is SO cute! Such a fun little read. I hope you love Wishing Game.

[@marymcdonald7810]

Loved The House is on Fire

[@BooksAndJams]

It was such a good story and I love how she set it all up.

[@Readingindarknesss]

I loved Amari and the night brothers! I read the sequel right after!

[@BooksAndJams]

I just ordered the sequel. I'm eager to read it soon. Probably in March.

[@paperbacksandponytails]

Great job on reading 180 books!! I know , the more you read its harder to pick favorites😅. Isn't Book Love so cute? And its so relatable.

[@BooksAndJams]

Thanks! I was expecting it to be a bit harder actually.

[@paperbacksandponytails]

@@BooksAndJams your welcome. 😊

[@Readingindarknesss]

I loved the lost year and it totally made it on to my top books!!

[@BooksAndJams]

What a great story! I am glad to hear you loved it too.

[@lindseymurphey9410]

I forgot that I have a copy of Same Kind of Different As Me. I made sure I had it on my TBR. Added a few more from your favs as well. A few of my faves from 2023 were The Girl in His Shadow by Audrey Blake, Surrender by Bono, Born A Crime by Trevor Noah, and The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah just to name a few. I read 61 books last year. Maybe 2024 I’ll exceed that.

[@BooksAndJams]

I loved Born a Crime. And Kristin Hannah's historical storytelling is top notch in my opinion.

[@starlasell5698]

❤📚❤️ Loved seeing your favorites. I just bought Love and Saffron! 😊

[@BooksAndJams]

Sweet! I hope you love it.

[@jaynehunter-ar]

I just finished As Long As the Lemon Trees Grow a few days ago and holy cow it's good! The way the author simultaneously portrays devastation and hope is remarkable.

[@BooksAndJams]

Yes! I love that duality. It's hard to capture sometimes.

[@emilyreads5207]

Agreed. I was part of a zoom chat with the author and that was something g that she very much wanted to balance- the trauma of war, but also the hope in life.

[@ednalee906]

I have read all of Deebie Tung books, they are so much fun and quick reads. I have Way of Kings and am afraid to start reading it but hearing that it was your number 1 book for 2023, I will have to make a point to read it either 2024 or 2025.

[@BooksAndJams]

I would like to read more by her. Book Love was just such a good fit for us readers, right?

[@BooksAndJams]

Also, Way of Kings is a massive fantasy read. Don't be afraid to take it slow. I listened to it on audio, which was great, but also why I maybe missed some things here and there. It's just so good!

[@ednalee906]

@@BooksAndJams thanks, yes it is massive. I will just have to start it and let it be a book that I take my time reading and not set a deadline for finishing.

[@MLLatUtube]

My number 3 book was The Wishing Game - such a good story! I have read Book Love before and also loved it. I need to get my own list up on my blog - I read a lot last year so it will be a longer list.

[@BooksAndJams]

I could have had a longer list for sure, but glad I landed at 10ish...plus the 5 middle grade. I'm eager to hear what your fave was.

[@MLLatUtube]

@@BooksAndJams My top two were very close: Hello Beautiful, and Remarkably Bright Creatures. I had a great reading year so ended up with 15 adult fiction on my top list.

[@amandalillie4543]

I loved Book Love. I read all her other books too. They are all cute but Book Love was my favorite.

[@BooksAndJams]

I haven't read anything else by her, but would love to.

[@coffeelovingmaria]

I read Book Love on Kindle from Hoopla and loved it so much that I got my own physical copy. Yes, The Lost Year was amazing! I still need to read Falling and Drowning as well as a couple others you mentioned. I have no desire to read fantasy but you have piqued my interest in Brandon Sanderson.

[@BooksAndJams]

Don't start with Way of Kings if you decide to jump into fantasy! haha. I have heard his Skyward series is also very good. It might be a good intro since it's a bit more sci-fi than fantasy...from what I've heard. I plan on reading it this year.

[@coffeelovingmaria]

@@BooksAndJams ok thanks for the heads up. Maybe I’ll wait till you read Skyward series and read along with you.

[@leighcochran8276]

Im not a big middle grade fan, but i may have to get the lost year! I love mitch albom.

[@BooksAndJams]

I think there is a middle grade book for everyone! haha. Definitely give The Lost Year a try.

[@tammymoon6813]

I enjoyed many of these as well. The Wishing Game was one of my tops for 2023.

[@BooksAndJams]

I love finding overlap in taste with other readers. Glad some of these were ones you loved as well.

[@erinkeeney4809]

I, too, loved As Long As The Lemon Trees Grow! Another favorite of mine last year was Foster by Claire Keegan. She has a few novellas out, as well as short story collections.

[@BooksAndJams]

I checked and I do have Foster on my want to read list on GR. It sounds so good!

[@tammyripp998]

Absolutely agree and loved The House is in Fire! I also loved The Frozen River (highly recommend) and really liked The Little Liar as well. 👏

[@BooksAndJams]

I'm reading The Frozen River right now and absolutely loving it!

[@tammyripp998]

@@BooksAndJams Couldn't wait to finish it, but hated to see it end. It will go on my all-time favorites list!

[@mollyalladin2431]

I love going off your recs! I am starting Love and Saffron today!

[@BooksAndJams]

Sweet! Let me know what you think about it.

[@mollyalladin2431]

@BooksAndJams Definitely! See you at sprints tonight!

[@divanext-doorcece5366]

All your favorites are sound wonderful but The Lost Year, Address Unknown, and The House is on Fire are stand outs for me.

[@BooksAndJams]

They're all fantastic! I hope you love them if you decide to pick them up.

[@djwaters7565]

I also loved A Girl Called Samson! So excited about reading some of the others on your list.

[@BooksAndJams]

Sweet! Glad a few of them stood out to you.

[@carlaking3459]

Sounds like so many good reads, Krista!! I would like to read more WW1 fiction this year. Love that you included your MG favs!!

[@BooksAndJams]

Middle grade was a huge part of my reading. I had to include it! :) Glad you enjoyed that part.

[@laurawalkup296]

Yay for Way of Kings! Looking forward to your reviews of the other Stormlight Archive books! 😊

[@BooksAndJams]

I am very eager to read the rest of the series that's already out. I know another one comes out later this year. I probably won't be caught up by then, but maybe! haha.

[@roseschrier3770]

So many books so little time lol😀📚💙

[@BooksAndJams]

So true. It was a great reading year.

[@TheGildedBookLife]

I have not read any Sanderson, but I keep seeing his books pop up. I think you might have sold me on trying him this year.

[@emilyreads5207]

I recommend starting with Warbreaker or Mistborn trilogy if new to fantasy or to Sanderson

[@TheGildedBookLife]

I will definitely look into these. Thanks for the recs! @@emilyreads5207

[@BooksAndJams]

Yes. I agree with Emily. Don't start with Way of Kings! haha. Sanderson is amazing though and I would definitely recommend him!

[@jewellparker8813]

i read Address Unknown - probably at your recommendation ha - and it was a 5 star for me. It was a library book, but I've made a note to get a copy for my shelves. Loved this video. Thank you for doing this.

[@BooksAndJams]

I know it was someone in Patreon who recommended Address Unknown. I'm so glad I read it. Might also have to get a copy for my shelves someday.

[@rachelbosworth2438]

Thank you for some great recommendations. Also, I love your new hair. You suit the blonder colour (you looked great before though x)

[@BooksAndJams]

I'm trying to work towards hiding the gray better and eventually just letting it all be naturally gray. Yikes. I'm just not ready yet. I do like the lighter. It's fun.

[@rachelbosworth2438]

@@BooksAndJams I’m at the same stage of life too. I’m thinking of changing from my natural brunette with grey to a gingery colour and gradually going lighter. If I end up hating the shade of grey I’ll dye it silver 😂

[@readingwithrebeccanicole]

I should join the Middle Grade Bookclub because all of these are on my tbr! Where do you announce the bookclub picks?

[@BooksAndJams]

We will be announcing about Middle Grade March in February. Not sure when the books for the book club will get announced. We're on our last month right now from our first year doing it. I think we will be changing it up a bit for next year. There will be announcement videos, but info will also be on our middlegrademarch.com website as well as the middlegrademarch instagram.

[@kimhoot2044]

Oh, Krista, I think you’ve just added 15+ books to my TBR list! Thanks a lot! (Yes, that’s sarcasm.) But, truly, thanks for the video. I hope I can get to some of these.

[@BooksAndJams]

Woohoo! I'm not sad at all to add to your list! haha. Mission accomplished!

[@sandyokey1019]

Sounds like a great selection of books!💕 The Lost Year interests me the most, maybe for MG March.

[@BooksAndJams]

Thanks. I hope you do check out The Lost Year. It was so so good!

[@crochetmima1443]

The Wishing Game was soooooo good!! On my favorites of the year as well 👍

[@BooksAndJams]

I agree. Loved itt.

[@brushlow9344]

A favorite for me as well. But the reason the author becomes a recluse really broke me.

[@angelalewis6146]

​@@BooksAndJamsI loved it too

[@emilylandon3162]

A Girl Called Sampson was my favorite of the year❤

[@BooksAndJams]

Not at all surprising. It was really so so good!

[@nancyjones1093]

I read The Lost Year and loved,loved it! I think you recommended it. Thanks.

[@BooksAndJams]

I'm so glad to hear that!

[@KatieReadsKoziesAndMore]

I just started reading The Measure about an hour ago. Just thought you should know that my goal this year is to read from my own library. One started 5 billion to go! Every single book on your list sounds fantastic. Thank you for sharing. REQUEST: I read many of the MG Book Club stories during Middle Grade March last year. Is it possible to set the MG Book Club list before March so that I can avoid reading them twice this year? Thank you.

[@BooksAndJams]

I think I will start The Measure tonight. I am not reading anything in print right now and would like to change that. Time to get going with our book club read! Good luck reading from your shelves. I will talk to the MGM ladies about your idea. I know we are changing it up a bit next year. Stay tuned.

[@Michelelynnreads]

Great list!

[@BooksAndJams]

Thanks! :)

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

Yay The #1!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@BooksAndJams]

Talking about it again makes me eager to get going on Words of Radiance.

[@emilyreads5207]

Right? It's so good.

[@Bookworm_Bron]

I keep hearing you say how good Drowning and Falling are and I totally trust your recommendations but… do you think these books will make me feel nervous getting on a plane afterwards??

[@BooksAndJams]

I don't tend to be someone who worries about travel in general. I will say that I have never heard of either situation ever happening in real life. I don't know how much of an anxious person you are in general, but these didn't make me think twice about flying at all.

[@Bookworm_Bron]

@@BooksAndJams thanks Krista 😃✈️🌎

[@gailstencel4274]

Was this your first Sanderson?

[@BooksAndJams]

No. I have read the Mistborn trilogy and loved them.

[@janiceng3983]

Can you please review Pachinko by min Jin Lee?😊

[@BooksAndJams]

I read Pachinko a few years ago. Really enjoyed the first half, but was bored by the second half. Thought it was too long. I definitely didn't like it as much as many others did.

[@janiceng3983]

@@BooksAndJams thanks..I want to donate this book to church but I am not sure if its clean because of the TV series 😅

[@janiceng3983]

​​@@BooksAndJamsafter read 124 pages..its not a clean read book..😅