Ahhhh so many great books on this list!!! And I LOVE how much we both share a love for Any Man 🥹👏 that book really is so powerful and just so well written, I can’t recommend it enough! I’m so glad you love it so much too 🥰
You needn’t force Any Man down my throat, Katie! I devoured it in one sitting last week & was blown away by its truth & compassion! I totally concur with your intense praise for this book & kudos to author Amber Tamblyn! Enjoyed your various comments on your favorites & always look forward to your brand of chaos & comedy! 📚👌🎉 HAPPY NEW YEAR! 🎉
Your reaction to the last devil to die… how relatable. I haven’t read that series yet but the sentiment is so real. Reading a book you don’t expect to make you emotional and then it does…😭 I am putting off reading beyond book 5 in Veronica speedwell because I don’t want them to be over. 😊
I read the entire Veronica Speedwell series in two weeks this year.... then I immeditely reread them. They are my absolute favorite and I loved reading the books and then rewatching your vlogs to see what you thought. So happy to see it on this list! I hope you have a wonderful new year 💛
I love how you're matchy with your favorite book 💜 I tend to avoid books with any hint of sadness at all costs but I really wanna try to read any man this coming year
You got me to start the Veronica Speedwell series, and she is one of my favorite characters of 2023, so thank you! I can't wait to see what else CJ Leede writes.
Love the video!!! My top 5 books of the year(tho I’m kinda cheating here): 5. Bunny 4. And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer 3. The Poppy War Trilogy 2. Chlorine 1. The Way of Kings
I just read Any Man and wanted to say that I am sooo happy Katie finally convinced me to read it because of this video. I usually don't read these kinds of books because I am terrible at concentrating, but I started the audiobook last night and finished it just now. It was PHENOMENAL! My first 5star read of this year and definitely will stay one of my favourites. Going to see the smut salon live show for it now!
I felt like an outlier for loving Alone With You In The Ether so you validated my feelings...thank you! The quotes in this book took me out. I want to annotate but I'd probably use an entire sleeve of tabs. Yes, it's purple and "pretentious" but ugh, it's everything! I also bought Thursday Murder Club so that is going to happen for me this year. I need to know what the girlies are talking about.
Amazing vid as always Katie! I had planned on reading a ton this year but year was derailed because my dad passed away, so to be honest I didn’t really have any fantastic books. I tell you what I did enjoy though which is shocking to say, The Zodiac Academy books are so trashy and problematic, but so quick and fun to read they’ve brought me out of almost year-long reading slump! A couple of authors I would recommend to you are Nghi Vo and S.L Huang, they’re both queer authors and have written some of the most incredible stories I’ve read ❤️
I read Any Man based on this review. I loved it and thought it was absolutely amazing. I trust your recommendations, thanks Katie! Bought my daughter Maeve Fly and Chlorine for her birthday, also Tender is the Flesh-she does not have them yet . . . Foe myself I have How High We go in the Dark on my list for this year.
I don’t know if you’ve read What My Bones Know but since Any Man was your favourite, I think you’ll like it too. It’s a memoir, not about SA but about complex PTSD and childhood trauma. Very heavy but so well written and moving. Also The Acts Of Desperation by Megan Nolan is a novel that I’d higly recommend but again is SO HEAVY. About abusive relationship.
We agree on 10, 9 and 8 100 percent. New favorites I can't stop talking and thinking about. My TBRs -- plural -- were lagging so this year some new top favorites include Notes on an Execution, Shark Heart, Song of Achilles, Witchmark, Razorblade Tears, Our Wives Under the Sea, Keeper of Enchanted Rooms, Cloud Cuckoo Land, and a incredibly lovely (dated but it doesn't matter) book from the 60s I think, Admission to the Feast. All just took me out of the world and into some much better place. Currently 18 pages into Brother. May 2024 hold even more amazing reads.
I've been waiting for this... and anxiously ❤😊 awe, you really should have done Best 23 Books of 2023!! I can keep watching and listening to you!! I am thoroughly entertained AND got the new list to get to ASAP! 😂 Awesome as always
Great video Katie! 🐇🖤 My top three books are Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries, Down Among the Sticks and Bones, and The Scourge Between Stars, which took the title of my favorite book with one day left in the year lol.
It’s hard for me to pick a top favorite, but I’m currently rereading the audiobook for This Is How You Lose the Time War, and the prose is just stunningly beautiful. It’s a standalone sapphic sci-fi book, and shows the two main characters on opposite sides of a war, but they slowly fall in love through letters they sneak to each other. It has a unique writing style, great voice acting for the audiobook, beautiful prose, and the romance is just 😍😍😍
Any Man was so good! The audiobook was truly a masterpiece. Some of my favorites of 2023 were Demon Copperhead, Motherthing, Piranesi, Happy Place, some Joe Abercrombie, Call Me By Your Name, The Girls, and Earthlings!
You sound so much like my inner monologue when I think about literature that it's almost scary 😆 I *so* agree about the audio version of the Veronica Speedwell books - the narrator is absolutely amazing! And yeah, Richard Osman... How can an author make you laugh and cry on the same page? And how DARE he? (I also agree about listening to the audiobooks.) Speaking of audiobooks, I'm *obsessed* with The Bone Orchard by Sara A. Mueller.
10. Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart 9. The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz 8. Loveless by Alice Osman 7. Concerning My Daughter by Kim Hye-Jin (highly recommended) 6. On Writing by Stephen King 5. War Horse by Michael Morpugo 4. The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher 3. The Anomaly by Michael Rutger 2. Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle 1. Nettle and Bone by T. Kingfisher 0. Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
I felt the EXACT same way about Last Devil to Die. I had to put it down in the middle and read something else because I was so sad and anxious about the Elizabeth and Stephen storyline. I cried way too much for a book that was supposed to be a good time! That’s one thing I love about the series, at first glance it can be a bit ridiculous but it is so grounded in reality with the challenges the characters face with aging and family dynamics. There is some beautiful and poignant writing to be found amongst the adventures the group has. I was glad to see someone else also found this book completely heartbreaking lol My best book of the year this year was Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune. Also beautiful and heartbreaking but at least I knew that going into it! Lol
House of Roots and Ruin by Erin A Craig was hands down one of my most fun reading experiences I've ever had. It's very different from the first book in the series (and almost a standalone) and I cannot recommend it enough. Other highlights: - Emily Wilde (my fav book of the year) - Nestlings by Nat Cassidy - Of Deeds Most Valiant by Sarah Wilson - That Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted a Love Potion at a Werewolf by Kimberly Lemming - Midnight Kingdom by Tara Sim - The Last Devil to Die, of course - The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz - The Witchwood Knot by Olivia Atwater - The City of Nightmares duology by Rebecca Schaeffer
Ok LISTEN I already had a tbr to start 2024 and you just blew it up. 😊 I've read 2 of your top ten and generally agree with your loves/hates so here we go! I had an amazing year of historical fiction: River Sing Me Home, Before We Were Yours, Lady Tan's Circle of Women
I think my favorite reads of 2023 were Ace by Angela Chen (a similar read - Refusing Compulsory Sexuality was also amazing), Several People are Typing, Queen of the Cicadas by V. Castro, The honeys by Ryan La Sala, The Stepford Wives (I also adore both movies), and This is where we talk things out. I also loved Green Fuse Burning which I also think you may enjoy.
My top book of the year (possibly of my life) was Slewfoot by Brom. I read it months ago and it still has a GRIP on me. Some other favorites were Tender is the Flesh, Serpent and the Wings of Night, and a Soul to Keep
My favorite book that I read this year was And I Darken, the first book in a trilogy that is a historical retalling type of thing. I don't even like history but this series is so good. The ending of the second book is giving good for her, and I can't wait ot get to the third one.
My absolute favorite was the entire WITSEC series from Ashley N Rostek. It was so so good. If you are looking for an intro into why choose romance this is a good place to start
I'm not yet sure how you feel about fantasy, but I really really recommend Blood over bright haven. It was in my top 3 if not the best book of the year.
My top ten of 2023: Lost in the moment and found Confessions A Dowry of Blood Crossroads Anxious People Thursday Murder Club: The Last Devil to Die Where We Go When All We Were Is Gone The Yellow Wallpaper There is (still) love here Inferno: A memoir of motherhood and madness
No matter how many books I read, I my favorites are always Greek mythology. I LOVED Clytemnestra, Atalanta, and Wake, Siren. Also loved A dowry of Blood and Out There by Kate Folk (short stories with Black Mirror vibes)
the absolutely no contest best book i read in 2023 was a debut novel by alice winn called 'in memoriam'. it's about two soldiers in WWI who fall in love with each other at the western front. when i tell you this book brought me to my knees. it's incredibly dark and violent but also so romantic and full of yearning. it's secret love under the damocles sword of war and the understanding that either of them could be dead tomorrow. i've recommended this book to so many people and everyone who read it said it ripped out their lungs.
Me watching this and realizing I have more books I read and enjoyed on your worst books video. 😅 There is quite a few book on this list that I either want to read or have plans to read next year though. So there is that. 🖤 I know you've read my top book of the year so I'm going to choose another book from my list I don't think you've read. I really loved Emily Wilde's Ecyclopaedia of Faeries this year!! 💜
Some of my best books of the year were ones you've already read and recommended (like the Mindf*ck series) but my top books were these: In Memoriam by Alice Winn, The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton, You & Me by Tal Bauer, and Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center.
I need to pick up Any Man. My best book was Demon Copperhead. My favorite thriller was the quiet tenant. My best horror was Dead of winter by Darcy Coates. Happy new year!
Another great video my top 5 books for 2023 were Veronika decides to die Alone with you in the ether A thousand boy kissies The silent patient The black farm 😊
I wish more people were talking about Silver in the Bone by Alexandra Braken as it was beautiful and fun! I also finally read The Way Home by Peter S. Beagle and loved it as a perfect follow-up to The Last Unicorn, years later.
Two of my favorite books this year are Cemetery Boys and The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas. Both books are very very queer witu a wide range of LGBTQ+ characters. I really liked that Aiden Thomas explored the very real struggles of being trans, gay, non-binary etc. The struggle of not only self acceptance as a queer teenager but the acceptance of your family and community. They are both fantastic and very worth the read.
Did you read Bright Young Women this year? I truly think you'll love it. I'm excited to add a few of these (Maeve Fly, How High We Go, Chlorine) to my list for 2024!
Hi, Katie. I love your videos and your Chaotic Energy is so much fun to watch. My best books that I've read this year (partly because of you) are the Six of Crows Duology and The Diviners. That being said, I have a couple questions: -Did you finish watching Shadow and Bone? -If so, would you consider giving the Grishaverse another try (and then continuing with the Nikolai Duology)?
Goth - Otsuichi You read from the perspective of a sociopath and his run ins with multiple serial killers. Loved it. Now is not the time to panic - Kevin Wilson. The author of nothing to see here. Amazing.
My favorite manga series: Miss miyazen would love to closer to you. It’s short , only 4 volumes, so sweet, so fun, absolutely adorable characters I don’t like it’s only 4 volumes 😢 but it will melt your heart
One of my best of 2023 was "On a Sunbeam" by Tillie Walden. I saw a negative review that started with "this is a book for lesbians by lesbians" and I immediately went to get. Let me tell you, this is the gayest thing I've ever seen. I was giggling, I was blushing, I felt like a 12 yo reading their first romance... The art style, the colors, the world! Absolutely loved it ❤
We have Chlorine, Yellowface, and Any Man in common 💗 I couldn’t stand the writing style in Maeve Fly though, it was so pretentious 😅 I know that that was the artistic choice but still it drove me crazy.
I feel like since you seem to enjoy fucked up horror and books that lean into extreme horror, I hope you read Full Brutal by Kristopher Triana. I think you'd be obsessed and a reading vlog to that book would be hilarious lol
