Top 10 Reads of 2023

Channels mentioned:
Sarah @hardcoverhearts
youtube.com/@HardcoverHearts?...
Hannah @hello, bookworm
youtube.com/@hellobookworm?si...

[@officialmkamzeemwatela]

2023. I want your videos to show up in searches

[@justjuanreader]

So happy to have you back on Booktube!!! After watching this video I’m reminded of all the homework I have to do!

[@Leoslittlebooklife]

Thank you, Juan, that’s so kind. I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts on Hild! (and Ghor… ahem..😂). And maybe one day a Guy Gavriel Kay novel!

[@elysec8726]

Great summary, thank you for sharing!

[@Leoslittlebooklife]

Thanks for watching! 😊

[@readwritecollage]

I was so happy to see this video come up in my feed today. Happy New Year! I have added three of these gems on my shopping list. As always, I loved the eloquent way you spoke about these books. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts.

[@Leoslittlebooklife]

Thank you, Loretta! Happy New year 💫

[@HardcoverHearts]

What a list, Leo! Thank you for returning. We missed you so much. I’m so happy that you focus on breaking your bias to male writers. I can’t imagine the Author Spotlight series group without you. Your list is exceptional and I’m delighted to see The Belly of Paris on the list and I’m adding so many of these to my PoP for 2024. More Zola and great reading in 2024!!❤🎉📚

[@Leoslittlebooklife]

I knew you would love to see Zola on my list. And Hild! 🤩 Can’t wait to read Menewood!

[@RoadReads]

You and your video went on a little drive with me yesterday - through some windy roads in East Tennessee. Your reviews are EXCELLENT!! So well thought out.

[@Leoslittlebooklife]

Thank you so much, Susan!

[@EveningReader]

Happy New Year, Leo! My goodness, what a review for The Deluge. I wasn't sure about that one but based on your review here, I think I'll have to pick it up. I started Ohio and loved the first section, and then set it aside to read something else...sounds like I should get back to that one, too. Dinosaurs, Strange the Dreamer, The New Life, Hild, and Day have also all caught my attention.

[@Leoslittlebooklife]

That’s wonderful to hear, Priscilla! I loved all these books very much and of course then you like to hear other booktuber’s thoughts about them. So if you’d read one or a few of them, I’ll be happy to hear you talk on your channel about them!

[@sabinelipinska8614]

Happy New Year, Leo! You made me read Anita Brookner (7 novels in 2023, which I liked a lot - Family and Friends and Latecomers at the top).

[@Leoslittlebooklife]

Seven! Wow, that’s awesome. I’m glad you liked them! Yea, Family and Friends 🥰

[@hartereads]

I read Deluge at your urging and it is indeed an important work. Happy New Year, Leo!

[@Leoslittlebooklife]

Happy New Year! That makes me happy to hear!

[@BookishTexan]

A great and varied list. Happy New Year Leo!

[@Leoslittlebooklife]

Thank you, Brian. Happy New Year 💫

[@Leoslittlebooklife]

@@alb0zfinest I did read Ohio when it came out, loved it!!

[@Ihearbooks]

Thank you for this wonderful video. Loved seeing Guy Gavriel Kay on your list. Read Tigana this year and loved it. Just got a copy of Lions and can't wait to read it. So glad to see you back on BookTube. Hope there will be more videos.

[@Leoslittlebooklife]

How wonderful that you ordered Lions! There were scenes in it that were so moving. And yes, there will definitely be more videos. Thank you!

[@spexi513]

Though this is the first time I’ve seen your channel I’m 😔 to hear about the grieving. Appreciate the thorough reviews & have added Dinosaurs and Deluge to my TBR 📖🪱💚

[@Leoslittlebooklife]

Thank you, and welcome 😊. Those are two great books you added to your tbr, I hope you’ll like them!

[@ninastefane2235]

So happy that you are back!!!

[@Leoslittlebooklife]

Thank you!

[@melrose718]

Leo, your splendid reviews have convinced me to try all of these! I have been on hold list at Library for Dinosaurs & Day. The Deluge and Gormenghast sound quite intriguing as well. So glad I get to hear your beautiful voice on New Year Day :)

[@Leoslittlebooklife]

Aw, thank you! And: all of them? Wow! 🫠

[@Ziv2023]

Good choices/ recommendations and book synopsis. Your voice is nice.

[@Leoslittlebooklife]

Thank you 😊

[@drawyourbook876]

I have heard so much about the new life that I really want to read it. I am also always happy about your fantasy recommendations

[@Leoslittlebooklife]

It’s so good, The New Life! And fantasy, I love to read them in between literary reads, to sink into these other worlds is one of the best things!

[@GlitterRose09]

Hi Leo! So glad to have found your channel :) Wishing you a Happy New Year and I'm excited to check out all your other videos!

[@Leoslittlebooklife]

Thank you, welcome! And happy New Year 💫

[@art_and_bibliophilia]

I'm happy you're back, Leo!

[@Leoslittlebooklife]

Thank you so much, Ness!

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

Happy New Year! I have both the audiobook and the hardcover of Deluge, as yet unread. I feel intimidated by the size of it, but your enthusiasm encourages me to give it a try sooner rather than later. I’m also really hoping to get to the new Michael Cunningham soon. Great list!

[@Leoslittlebooklife]

Thank you, Shawn! It would be wonderful to hear your thoughts on both of these. Happy New Year 💫

[@anenthusiasticreader]

Hi Leo. Happy New Year. I wondered about Deluge and it does sound impressive. I don't know if I'll end up reading it or not. I probably already said this but the Millet trilogy starting with How the Dead Dream (followed by Ghost Lights, then Magnificence) are novels with revolving characters about big themes of climate change, eco tourism, disability, and family dynamics. All excellent and thought-provoking.

[@Leoslittlebooklife]

Thanks for this recommendation, Sonya. Happy New Year 💫

[@CharlesHeathcote]

Most pleased to see which books made it into your top ten reads of the year. Hild is usually featured prominently at the Whitby bookshop, yet despite the number of times I've visited I haven't picked it up. Then you go and mention how the writing is similar to Hobb and now I think I might have to seek it out ... eventually. You've a few books here that I have been considering reading, some for a while, some have only recently made it onto my radar, however, the way in which you discuss them has me wanting to get to them all immediately. I hope that 2024 brings a great many new favourites your way.

[@Leoslittlebooklife]

Thank you Charlie! I feel a new Hild fan on the horizon…

[@MarilynMayaMendoza]

Hi Leo, I don’t usually read contemporary literature, but you sold me on day when you said Brooklyn, my hometown, and the pandemic. The other book I have to get right away is dinosaurs. The other is the woman Victorian writer, but I might save that for Victober as I’m still reading Middlemarch slowly. I’m so glad you’re back . Happy New Year and ALOHA

[@Leoslittlebooklife]

I hope you’ll love Day and Dinosaurs, Marilyn Maya. Both are the same kind of calm, quiet and thought provoking novel. Happy New Year 💫

[@MarilynMayaMendoza]

@@Leoslittlebooklife I'm so lucky that my library has both. I just have to wait a bit. Aloha friend.

[@Bret2028]

Leo that library is stunning. Love that you loved the deluge like i did!

[@Leoslittlebooklife]

Thank you, Brett 😊. Markley is an instant buy author to me!

[@CharlieBrookReads]

Great favourites Leo. ❤

[@Leoslittlebooklife]

Thank you, Charlie! 💕

[@thelefthandedreader6632]

what a wonderful group of books to learn about or be reminded of. Dinosaurs is one I never got to and your description has intrigued me all over again. And the same is true about The Deluge! I’m also interested in the Oliphant. I’ve never heard of the author. Oh and so many more!

[@Leoslittlebooklife]

I had also never heard of Margaret Oliphant, Renee. She’s a bit forgotten while she was hugely popular during the 19th century and wrote an enormous amount of books because she had to make a living.

[@hellobookworm]

Oh my goodness, I'm absolutely delighted to see Strange the Dreamer on the list (though not surprised, given how marvelous it is). And how wonderful that you plan to read the sequel in the new year. It too is a stunning example of Laini Taylor's singular imagination. You've piqued my interest with Hild by Nicola Griffith, but my goodness is it expensive. Any idea why the book (and its sequel) are priced so high? I've greatly enjoyed hearing your eloquent thoughts on your top reads of 2023 (and not just because you have a very calming voice). Thanks so much for mentioning my channel. Cheers!

[@Leoslittlebooklife]

Thank you! I knew you’d like to hear about Strange the Dreamer. I don’t know why Hild is so expensive where you are, I have heard it from somebody else also. I got a paperback edition for only €7 from Amazon NL. Why that edition is not for sale in the US is a mystery. Try eBay!

[@hellobookworm]

@@Leoslittlebooklife Good idea! I'll take a look there. Many thanks!

[@thearchive1132]

You've sold Dinosaur and Day to me. I have taken a wee note of those two and will add them to my TBR for this year. I can't think of anyone better on here at explaining so well what's really great about the books they've read. Keep up the good work Leo 😁💪

[@Leoslittlebooklife]

Thank you so much, Graham! I’ve missed your videos!

[@daytonadane]

What a great reading year 🎉 I loved The Deluge, The New Life, and Day too. Here’s to a great 24🥂📚

[@Leoslittlebooklife]

Thank you, Jesper. Well, 2024 started excellent, reading wise: The Remains of the Day!

[@daytonadane]

@@Leoslittlebooklife Nice. Starting with a banger👍🙌

[@PageTurnersWithKatja]

Great list. I've read and enjoyed three of your top ten, Strange the Dreamer, Gormenghast, The New Life. I'm adding Kay book to my list as I've only read his Tigana, and the book from Griffiths and your number 1.

[@Leoslittlebooklife]

That’s wonderful, Katja! I hope to hear your thoughts on your channel!