top 10 books of 2023 ft. some very unserious bookish superlatives 🏆

[@litwithkat]

okay she’s not only a booktuber but also a award show host?? amazing she is talent

[@litwithkat]

i’m obsessed with “nag and nibble” as a phrase 😂

[@litwithkat]

holy damn LOL you DID read a bunch of irish books

[@litwithkat]

lmao @ a court of mist and fury 😳

[@litwithkat]

yesssss i am so here for you switching up the genres you typically read & also something i gotta do as well! it was so dang cute seeing how hyped you were about a genre you don’t typically read!!!

[@litwithkat]

HAHAHAHA i’m dying at the thought of “a person not living up to the hype” being a superlative YIKES LOLOL

[@PoppyMorreale]

You really make me want to diversify my reading selection more then it already was

[@katsfieldnotes]

Aw, I love this! That diversification goal is one I feel like we can all works towards, myself included! Also so grateful to have you in this space! Hope you have a wonderful new year, friend!

[@bookonnoisseur]

Not me going between your video and my goodreads 10x to add books to my TBR 😂…I’m so glad I stumbled upon your channel today!

[@katsfieldnotes]

Hahahaha I just followed you back! Im excited to follow along with your vids, Dévi! (also was laughing because I was just watching your readathon. I am def team eh about Small Things Like These and LOVEDDDD (most of) Keegan's short stories! I think thats so funny, but I could see why people loved her novellas too 😂)

[@bookonnoisseur]

@@katsfieldnotes that’s hilarious! I’m definitely going to give the short stories a reread because when I went to film I literally could not remember most of what happened!! 😂 I just remember thinking I didn’t like them as much. I feel like the endings of both Foster and Small Things really appeals to the Daddy’s girl in me 😅 if that makes sense

[@riderofnowhere]

Kat, just found your channel today. So refreshing, got immense recomendations of books that weren't even on my radar. (i don't have social media or history activated youtube so it's hard to find booktube that resonates with my taste.) Thank you for doing this!! You're so funny.

[@casskrug]

what a fun format for this video!! loved all the categories and you are always so insightful when talking about books. can’t wait to see what 2024 has in store for you!!

[@katsfieldnotes]

Likewise Cass! Cant wait to follow-along with you in 2024! (I just saw you posted your vid too. Added to my watch later expeditiously! Will be plopping down to watch as sooooooooon as I get home!)

[@bibliosophie]

i love the bookish superlatives! it's a very good way of tackling (or tacking onto) the "best of the year" concept. i've been putting off luster for a couple years now, but you make me want to actually read it -- i even have it! it's accessible to me! and you make me want to reread whereabouts. may even do so before the year is through...

[@katsfieldnotes]

Being in the presence of some unread Leilani is a gifttttt. Im grateful Ive read her but I would also give my left arm to read her for the first time again. A breathless type of experience. Excited for you to get to her! (That garthy essay is also a stunnnner and such a good post-read) And you wanting to reread whereabouts is making me want to reread whereabouts 😂😂😂 I feel like its a perfect winter book, too!

[@bibliosophie]

@@katsfieldnotes it’s an excellent winter book! i read it first two years ago either very end of december or very beginning of january

[@leticianavega3357]

I can’t believe I came across your KZbin channel just now! I feel like we have such a similar taste in books and I adore the fact that you’re so thoughtful with what you read. You’re a jewel!

[@katsfieldnotes]

Hi Letícia!!! I'm happy you're here ☺️ Love that we're so in sync! And Im excited to keep connecting in this space! Thank you for your sweet comment!

[@cajsita]

you are so articulate!!!! i really admire this when watching your videos! also love these categories, such a fun way to mix up the end of the year videos!

[@katsfieldnotes]

Aw, thank you!! And truly I did it because I am incapable of making a final decision about a top-anything 😂 I appreciate you being here, have a very very happy end of 2023!

[@churameru]

Love this video and all of your superlatives! Top 3: Hijab Butch Blues, Biting the Hand, and Dyscalculia

[@katsfieldnotes]

HI MELISSA! I got so excited seeing your username here! And ok have not heard of Biting the Hand but looking it up expeditiously! Happy new year love! ♥️

[@shadesofgreer]

Kat! I could try to sum up how much of a highlight your channel has been for me this year, but I'm afraid words wouldn't be enough🥹 When I tell you I SPRINT to watch (and rewatch!) your videos and I'm always happier for it. Thank you thank you thank you for sharing your love for reading and books with such authenticity and enthusiasm, for helping me discover more meaningful ways to talk about literature, and of course for making sure that my TBR is always STACKED with gems. I hope the holidays have been good to you and I’m tuned all the way in for what’s to come in 2024☺️🫶🏽

[@shadesofgreer]

Soo happy to see how much joy the ACOTAR series brought you! Def inspired me to follow my own advice and reach for genres that I've been meaning to get back into, like fantasy and scifi.

[@katsfieldnotes]

GREEEEEEER! I am sending you a tight tight virtual hug! This is so sweet! 😭 Thank you for being a familiar face and voice in this space -- your thoughtful, kind comments always feel so warm! Cannot WAIT for our buddy read, and so happy to hear youre making a return to books you used to love (share the list, sis cause in your steps I shall follow😂) Happy happy holidays and a happy new year, friend! Sending love, always ♥️♥️

[@seesararead]

Loved all your superlatives! And I 100% agree with you on Autumn. It was a 5 star for me and hands down my favorite of the quartet!

[@katsfieldnotes]

I miss that balmy lil book every day. People have helped to assuaged my fears about the rest of the quartet, but in my heart Im still scared to move to the next one because I knowwwww it wont top this one 😭

[@backtoreads]

the categories you assigned were so fun lol!!!! also i really do have to get to minor detail and whereabouts in 2024!!!

[@katsfieldnotes]

Honestly, im pretty noncomittal about recs, pero I think you would reallllllly really like both! Im excited to follow along with your reads in 2024!

[@megdrummond-wilson824]

The way you talk about books is so beautiful ❤️

[@katsfieldnotes]

Awwww this is so sweet! Thank you for watching! ☺️♥️

[@Laura_Reads]

Love the superlatives-such a fresh take on best or worst recap videos. I’m adding Autumn to my reading list-I’m all for an underdog, and it sounds so sweet!

[@Laura_Reads]

Just got back into reading in 2023… my top 3: -How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix -The Crossover by Kwame Alexander (absolutely WRECKED me. Middle grade poetry but don’t let that fool you-it’s brilliant.) -The Martian by Andy Weir

[@katsfieldnotes]

Aw, I hope you cherish that one as much as I did! Truly feels like a warm balm, that book. And omgosh, welcome back! Lowkey my favorite love story is a reader returning to books. Have NOT heard of any of these and will be doing googles! Im especially curious about the Weir book! Im currently reading Project Hail Mary by him! Have you read that one as well? Hope you have an amazing rest of 2023, and a wonderful new year!

[@Laura_Reads]

@@katsfieldnotes How To Sell a Haunted House is an odd mix of campy horror with layers of grief of and generational trauma… it’s not for everyone one but it really worked for me. I have not read Project Hail Mary but I put it on my list after reading The Martian! Andy Weir is a brilliant person but he writes in a way that’s so universally accessible. Love it!

[@GunpowderFictionPlot]

The very nerdy book awards show was so much fun. This was such a good video.

[@katsfieldnotes]

A covert way to circumvent having to pick only 10 books because were not great at narrowing down over here 😂 Thanks so much for watching!

[@rebareads]

❤❤❤ finally watching this and oh it’s such a good video!!!! Love this superlative style, it’s perfect because how do you compare all the very different books we read in the year!!! IRISH AUTHORS ☘️ YES Excited for your trip to Ireland and for all these author recs! Luster is that girl and not enough people talk about her - wholeheartedly agree!

[@rebareads]

I had no idea what Chain-gang All Stars but after hearing your description and recommendation, it’s absolutely on my list!!

[@katsfieldnotes]

It's so hard to compare! And unnatural! I rebuke it 😂 Me too! Im going to be sliding into your DMs closer to the date to get some recs from you, I hope thats ok! And TOTALLY! Underrated, misunderstood work of ART. I hope Leilani is doing her morning pages and working on getting something new to us soooooon, im itchy for it! Ive heard chain gang all stars is an EXPERIENCE on audio, so if youre curious about that it would be a cool way to take it in. But yeah, it left me in shambles

[@rebareads]

@@katsfieldnotes you’re always welcome in my DMs! I’m so excited for you!

[@GlamorousLibrarian]

Great list! You have definitely given me some books to add to my list! ~Happy Reading~

[@katsfieldnotes]

Aw, I'm so happy to hear it! Indeed, happy reading! 🥰🥰

[@r.enee.morris]

Beautifully done Kat! Cheers to 2023 brining you to booktube. 🎉

[@katsfieldnotes]

Excited to see what 2024 brings for all of us! Happy (almost) new year, friend!! ♥️

[@booksthehausdown]

majorrrrr, this was such an entertaining watch and lots of reccs are now on my radar! Cheers to books!

[@katsfieldnotes]

Cheeeeers! Thanks for watching! ☺️

[@afrobookricua]

I can listen/watch you talk about anything, Kat

[@katsfieldnotes]

Hi Kimmmmmmmm! ♥️♥️♥️ Thank you for hopping apps to hang here for a while ☺️ And I hope you have a lovely new year, amiga!

[@stalkingkafka]

Hi Kat, I just discovered your channel and this is such a great video! I haven't seen that many people talk about All This Could Be Different so it was great to hear your thoughts on it - I also really liked it despite feeling pretty ambiguous about Sneha's character. Also, I love that you hug your books, we need more booktubers who hug their books!

[@katsfieldnotes]

Hi there!! Thank you so much for being here! ☺️ And I remember the discourse around Sneha's character being so fascinating!! Something I really appreciated though that she was an unlikeable narrator who we may have often disagreed with but who did her growing alongside us. I remember the writing in that book being really wonderful as well. Definitely grateful it exists! And hahaha, to more booktubers hugging their reads! Have a very very happy end to 2023! And thank you again for the sweet comment! :)

[@lucia9806]

naoise dolan absolutely captured me with the way she writes about language itself im glad i found another fan! ❤️

[@katsfieldnotes]

I wholly agree! I think she's generally interested in language (I saw she was teaching herself Italian???) and its so fun to see her slice into it. Youre definitely in good company! ☺️

[@SipOfLatte]

You've hooked me immediately with the first book, Still Born!!! I love a good messy motherhood book. May also have to beg Bloomsbury for a copy lmao

[@SipOfLatte]

Also Kat, your apartment is SO cozy ugh!! I want to be there right now!

[@katsfieldnotes]

Wait, I think you would LOVE Still Born! Such a juicy, full-of-questions type of book. All the characters I wanted to be friends with -- its such a special one! And eeep, thank you! I refuse to take my tree down well into Jan 'cause lowkey she's my favorite lamp 😂

[@emilyem3]

My top 3 for 2023 are: 1. Death Valley by Melissa Broder (I think if you liked The Pisces you’d enjoy this one too!) 2. The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai (literally lost sleep over the characters and whether or not they’d be okay in the end) 3. In The Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado I’ve had so much fun discovering your channel this year! Hope you’ve had a great holiday season and end to 2023! ❤

[@katsfieldnotes]

I keep hearing that Makkai book will messsssss you up! I need to stop messing around and get to it! And omg, In the Dreamhouse. Love that you read that one -- its suchhhhhh a well-deserved addition to this list. Its wild that something like that exists. And oooooh, ive been a lil scared of that Broder because I feel like it was grief-heavy??? Maybe I give that one a shot in 2024 'cause we do love some Broder! Thank you so much for sticking around, sweet friend! Wishing the same for you, and hoping this new year is a wonderful one! ☺️♥️

[@yenasung]

Ahh your enthusiasm brightens me 😊 Loved your superlatives/awards presentation complete with cmas tree this is the school i wanna attend yes. Omg luster is a book i was scratching my head about (I just didn’t understand the wife character’s purpose) so lemme go take a gander at pg40 👀🏃🏻‍♀️ and mm yes hot sex w socks on i see im due for a reread! Soo my husband has expressed interest in acotar so im gonna get him the box set for his bday which means i’ll prob be reading it myself this yr and that’s exciting! He still lols at me for introducing me to the song of fire and ice, he was on book 3 when i started book 1 and within wks i was hounding him down to hurry tf up so i can read book 3 or better yet just lemme finish first and he can resume peacefully meandering through a series which im gathering is how normal folks read books? 🤔 oh and i just got the all this could be different on audio! Yay!

[@katsfieldnotes]

Oh this is what you meant about it not being a reread hahah! Listen, there are two types of people in the world, and we need one to balance the other! I see nothing wrong with the book tetris yall are about to play. And ooooooh, so curious how that one will read on audio but excited for you to read it!

[@Bky89]

New subscriber here, have started catching up on your videos and loving them so far! You’re very articulate and bring to life the books / essays you share. Already have a good few suggestions on my TBR list! Looking forward to your future videos ☺️

[@katsfieldnotes]

Hi there! Thank you so much for this kind kindcomment! Looking forward to having you as part of the community ☺️❤️

[@davidnovakreadspoetry]

Wah, this video deserves some piled on superlatives itself. 👏👏👏👏👏🏆🏆🏆

[@katsfieldnotes]

Happy happy new year, David!! Hope its a good one for ya! And aww, thanks for the sweet words! ☺️

[@louisity]

A handful of these books are books that I haven't heard of. Chain-Gang All-Stars (which is a debut novel), Luster are on my radar. ✨️

[@katsfieldnotes]

Yay, those are two great ones to give a chance too! Phenomenal books in my eyes. Happy happy reading!

[@DogEaredMusings]

Just finished Still Life and man that book is going to have me thinking for a while!!

[@katsfieldnotes]

Ok Ive seen this book around. Let me just ... *runs to tbr pile*

[@DogEaredMusings]

Lololol I totally meant Still Born, but now I’m looking up Still Life@@katsfieldnotes

[@ravynsbookshelf]

This video was so fun watching. Definitely taking some recommendations for the new year ✨. My top 3 of 2023: - Charming as A Verb by Ben Philippe -My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell -Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert

[@katsfieldnotes]

Thank you so much for watching! If you read any of them, come back and let me know! And ive heard these are so good! I need to read some Hibbert! And eeeeep, love seeing My Dark Vanessa on this list! I need to read that one for sureeeee in 2024!

[@user-su1vs2kc7x]

oh, how i've MISSED watching your videos 🥺😭😭😭😭

[@katsfieldnotes]

Hiiiiiiiii! Ive missed seeing you here! Hope all is well with you, love! ♥️♥️♥️

[@stephaniedejesus2585]

this video was so fun hehe, my top 3 books of 2023: - In the Country - Mia Alvar - Sweet days of discipline - Fleur Jaeggy - Ru - Kim Thuy

[@katsfieldnotes]

Ok, see this is why I will never stop making this call to action. Ive not hesrd of In the Country orrrr Ru, but they both sound incredible?!!??! Thank you so much for sharing these! And that Jaeggy is soooo well loved, I need to give it a shot! Thank you so much for watching, and I hope you have a lovely lovely new year! ☺️♥️

[@alyssacascos8665]

My top 3 books of 2023: 1. Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson 2. I’m glad my mom died by Jennette McCurdy 3. Our Wives under the Sea by Julia Armfield

[@katsfieldnotes]

This is SUCH a banger of a list!!! Azumah Nelson is so precious, love that you are loving on that one!! And ok, I have been toying with picking Armfield up so this we the lil push I needed!

[@alyssacascos8665]

@@katsfieldnotes yes girl! Pick it up! You won’t regret it! ❤️

[@chellfofbooks]

After several years of my much younger sister telling me to read ACOTAR I saw you talk about it a couple weeks ago and decided it was time and I shouldn't be such a book snob. Thoroughly enjoying it as I read the series over the Christmas break. I do read widely but had been very judgemental of Maas. Not fair and I will definitely be less judge-y (except I will not be reading any Colleen Hoover). Hope you have great reading year in 2024.

[@katsfieldnotes]

Im glad you ventured in, and Im so so so glad you enjoyed yourself!! And its kind of the perfect Christmas break read?! Love this for you! I definitely scoffed at the series for a longgggg time, but was so glad for the peer pressure 😂 I also think its wonderful that you have something like this to share with your sister now, thats sweet! Hoover is also my line though, so you're in good company there haha. I hope you have a wonderful end to the year! And wishing that good reading year for allll of us!

[@nathansnook]

sexy list babes loooved all the irish lit you read this year. really need to get to Minor Detail !!! can't spoil my top 10 list just yet, but will tease you with one: Beautyland !!! i think you'd really love this. on girlhood, loss, love, and, really, it's one for the girls! odd, indie, and refreshing.

[@katsfieldnotes]

OKAYYYY. I am buckled in and ready for the drop, bby!! And I cannot wait to hear what you share about that one -- ive seen it floating around but dont think ive heard it spoken about at length??? But that sounds incredible! And Minor Detail was a feattttt. The audio version of it was unreal. Sending love and hoping 2024 is kind to you, filled with all the good things! ♥️♥️♥️

[@ivanainthecity]

I love this video idea! It's so creative!!

[@ivanainthecity]

la hija única is starin at me from my shelves o. O

[@ivanainthecity]

irish women

[@ivanainthecity]

totally agree about switching up genres & having that help us read more!!!

[@ivanainthecity]

I'm so glad I picked up AOD cuz of u!!

[@ivanainthecity]

Justice for Caroline O'Donoghue!! but also: 2 words colliding with her & Monica Heisey! O'Donoghue interviews her in her latest podcast ep! Her podcast's called Sentimental Garbage & I think you'd be amused by it jajaj

[@MirInReal]

A little bit late, but always present! I'm still trying do figure out my top 10, not gonna lie, this year was amazing when it's cames to my reeding s.

[@katsfieldnotes]

Ok I LOVE to hear that!! Where are you dropping your list, on IG? Cause I would absolutely love to hear what your favs were!

[@xanthippikipou2531]

Wishing you a wonderful book friendly 2024❤Have you read Lahiri's 'interpreter de maladies' ? it s my favourite of all times❤❤

[@katsfieldnotes]

Happppy happy new year! I absolutely ADORE interpreter of maladies, its a wonderful one to crown a fav! I need to read her other short story collections! Have you gotten to them?

[@xanthippikipou2531]

@@katsfieldnotes No unluckily they re not translated in my country, wishing you a splendid year full of books and love from Greece 🌟🫶

[@joycewesley]

I wanted to like Really Good, Actually. I really did!😩 She just got so irritating. However, there were many funny moments. I can’t wait to read Chain-Gang All-Stars!

[@katsfieldnotes]

I remember seeing it wasn't your cup of tea! I totally agree with you though, she was annoying AF. But there were some millenial DEEEEEEP cuts in that books that I will never forget (when she talks about how we all had owl necklaces????? WHY 😂 And that tucked in esther perel line?!?) That one is alllllll adrenaline and tear-jerking and big brained energy! I hope you enjoy it when you get to it!!!

[@26vertigos]

Adding Autumn to my TBR!…We can’t keep doing this 🤣 Top 3: Hamnet - Maggie O’Farrell Things we lost to the water - Eric Nguyen The Eighth Life - Nino Haratischwili Truthfully, I have MANY favorites (Have I read 100+ books this year?…Possibly…)

[@katsfieldnotes]

"We cant keep doing this" Patricia Im CACKLINGGGGG 😂 I remember you mentioning that Nguyen a while back, love that it made it to your top reads wow wow! And ive NOT heard of The Eighth Life, let me look that up Also, thats INCREDIBLE!!!! Honestly too many favorites is precisely the best problem to have. I hope you have a wonderful rest of 2023, amiga! ☺️♥️

[@26vertigos]

@@katsfieldnotes I had not read about The Eighth Life either until it was suggested as a choice for a book club I’m in. The book is massive, we gave ourselves a month and a half to read it and I used to wake up at 4am on Sundays to comment (mostly everyone in the club is in Europe), because if not I would wake up to 300 messages lol Hope you have a great new year, amiga! And I wish us many more great reads!! ❤️❤️

[@myreadsbooks]

Okay I just found your channel and im obsessed! Can I ask what filming equipment you use? Im thinking about starting to post on booktube this year

[@katsfieldnotes]

Hi Amy! Omgosh I hope you start one!! I use that sony vlogging cam and got a rode mic (the little one they sell) as the attachment! Honestly though, iphone cams have succhhhhh good quality now that you could prob just use that (i use my iphone for all my vloggy footage)

[@kiranreader]

love this!

[@katsfieldnotes]

Cant wait to see your top reads as well!

[@brookeboswell81]

I trust your book taste so hard that I actually added acotar to my tbr

[@katsfieldnotes]

LMAO! Def not a book to read critically, but its a fun time!

[@sara-fy2tm]

YES to minor detail! 🍉🍉🍉

[@katsfieldnotes]

Suchhhhhhhh a special, important bang of a book. I adored it!

[@ChemicalPenguinn]

Many books that I want to read here!

[@katsfieldnotes]

Yayyyy! Always a good takeaway, glad to hear it☺️

[@brieflygorgeous_]

Omg you’re so smart I want to hear everything you have to say

[@katsfieldnotes]

Awwww haha this is sweet! ♥️

[@daKal481]

Enjoyed the format and all the books I hadn't heard of. I read Really Good, Actually and disliked it. The main character was annoying.

[@katsfieldnotes]

Hi there! Thanks for watching! ☺️♥️ And haha she was definitely very annoying and I would not like to hang out with her irl, but annoying messy imperfect characters are my absolute favorite to read about, so this one was right up my alley! Definitely could see it not being a book for everyone, though!