This year I set out to read 12 books. I had taken some time off (having a baby plus a toddler will do that to you), and I just missed reading. I missed falling in love with characters, daydreaming I lived within the story, and immersing myself in another world. I should’ve known better than to make a goal so low as one book per month because once I finish a book I have to immediately begin a new one to avoid a hangover. So, I am finishing the year with having read 39 full books!
I get asked for recommendations often since I read so much, and I figured I would add a yearly recap here for you to reference at any time. These are not listed in any special order. If you’ve read any, let’s chat – I love a book club moment!
5/5 stars. Like everyone else, I, too, am obsessed with this book and have made it my entire personality. Should I get Lilly’s tattoo?
3/5 stars. Definitely a good pick if you like historical fiction, but it wasn’t the best book on it ever.
3/5 stars. A little lengthy without purpose but I do typically enjoy Liane Moriarty books.
4/5 stars. Fredrik Backman is the best!
5/5 stars. I LOVE Hilarie Burton, and this wasn’t a celeb memoir full of nothing – it had great content.
1/5 stars. This was a celeb memoir full of nothing.
5/5 stars. I love Colleen Hoover books. Her characters are so easy to become obsessed with.
2/5 stars. I didn’t vibe with the main character and the ending isn’t great. An easy read but definitely not one I’d pick up again.
2/5 stars. I don’t understand the hype for this one! Audiobook could be amazing but it was not written in my preferred style and the story lacked any real substance.
5/5 stars. I loved the chaotic ending the most but in general, I really liked this one! This is an ideal vacation read.
5/5 stars. I freaking loved this book. I wish I could pick it up and read it for the first time again.
5/5 stars. No one tell my husband that I’m in love with Atlas. I can’t say any more because I will ruin it if you haven’t read this one which is the sequel to It Ends With Us.
5/5 stars. Did I say I was in love with Atlas? I meant Miles. I want to fix and love Miles forever and ever. Really good story!
5/5 stars. I love when a book jumps between time periods and this one does it really well. Historical fiction done right.
5/5 stars. If you are struggling with fertility, maybe pass on this one. I really enjoyed sobbing through this one.
5/5 stars. Worth the hype for me! I read this in two days. I also need Ana De Armas to play Evelyn in the movie.
4/5 stars. I only took a star off because I didn’t love the beginning, but once it gets going – wow. Need a movie of this ASAP so I can see a real Luc.
4/5 stars. This is a new take on Little Women, and I enjoyed it!
5/5 stars. Grab your tissues because YOU WILL SOB. I loved it so much.
5/5 stars. This was a really great book about a team I had no prior knowledge of but am now obsessed with. Girl power 100/10.
3/5 stars. This was an odd book. I liked figuring out how it all ties together but the ending wasn’t great.
1/5 stars. This was the worst book to read. It may have been an okay audiobook, but even so, the story lacked any real substance big time.
4/5 stars. A fun easy read but I didn’t become obsessed with anyone.
5/5 stars. Fredrik Backman is the best. Follow him on Instagram for quality content.
5/5 stars. This deserves more hype than Gone Girl ever got. I think about this book literally twice a week at a minimum. Need a movie ASAP.
5/5 stars. A perfect book club pick or a vacation read. Be prepared with wine because you will definitely want a glass while you read.
2/5 stars. This is actually an anthology where authors all started their few chapters with the same sentence. Some are spicy, some are odd, but overall this is not my style of book. I need a full story not 500 snippets.
5/5 stars. Give me a small town and bookstore and I will never bug you again. This was a dreamy book for me.
5/5 stars. Baking and reading? Sign me up!
5/5 stars. Will someone please start asking me my favorite word every day, please? And yes, I am in love with Elliot.
4/5 stars. I honestly liked this more than I thought I would. Fantasy style isn’t my favorite. I really liked the main character, though. Fun fall read for sure!
5/5 stars. I ugly cried throughout this entire book. I can’t bring myself to watch the Netflix version but boy did I love this.
3/5 stars. I wanted to yell at the main characters to just TALK to each other. It was a fun Hanukkah read and definitely Hallmark movie potential.
5/5 stars. TEAM MANUSCRIPT! But also, am I? Love this one. Be sure to get the extended version if you haven’t read it yet!
5/5 stars. I love a smart woman. Should I become a chemist?
3/5 stars. My heart really connected with this family, but the story didn’t have quite enough. Worth the read – let me know what you think!
5/5 stars. Be prepared: if you are sensitive to eating disorders or gun violence, this one may not be the right book for you. I wish I would’ve known first, but I don’t regret reading it. The movie is fine but the book is better.
4/5 stars. Tell me why I now think I need a Dior gown? I love Mrs. Harris! I need to watch the movie ASAP!
3/5 stars. This was a bit slow in places but also heart stopping in others. Unfortunately, I find it hard to get by when it is too slow.
If you got down this far, thank you for reading! Follow me on Instagram [@hilaryalexis_] to see what I’m up to in 2023.
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