2023 Reading Summary

For the last few years, I've set my Goodreads yearly reading challenge at 125 books. And passed it. For like three or four years in a row. Of course, those were years I wasn't releasing FOUR books of my own. And working four jobs. And probably a few other things.
Needless to say, this year, I probably won't make it to 125 books marked on Goodreads. Part of that is I read a few collections that had multiple stories in them, but Goodreads only marks them as one. Other factors are that some of the books I read this year haven't released yet. ;) (Benefit of being an editor.) And of course, I read my books several times too, but didn't count them on my tally. That would give me four more.

In hindsight, I'm really close. Like less than 10 away from my goal. Probably less than that by the time the year actually ends Sunday night. And I can't be upset about not meeting it. Because, regardless of numbers of books read, I still read some really great books this year.
So, here are a few of the books/authors I discovered this year and absolutely adored:

• Angela Ruth Strong's Husband Auditions. Absolutely hilarious and sweet. The second one in that series is definitely on my TBR.
• Pepper Basham never disappoints, but my favorite of hers that I read this year was Authentically Izzy. The second and third in that series are on my TBR. Seriously. It's so much fun.
• New-to-me author Nicole Deese was everything I didn't know I was looking for. I read All That Really Matters and All That it Takes and absolutely had all the feelings. So good. Looking forward to reading another of hers with my bookclub next year.
• The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold met my expectations and then lifted them higher. Such a sweet, sweet story that I expected to be sad, but it was more heartwarming than anything. I'm looking forward to her second book releasing in 2024.
• Jennifer Rodewald is a new favorite, even though I'd read some of hers in the past. Her characters are charming and her emotions run deep. I have enjoyed every single one I've read so far.
• Fairest of the Heart by Karen Witemeyer was super cute. I always love her books and adore fairy-tale retellings, so it was a perfect match.
• Meet me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson was really cute too.
• Dear Henry, Love Edith by Becca Kinzer had me rooting for the two main characters even before they knew who each other were.
• I'm not usually into steampunk fantasy, but Tabitha Bouldin pulled me in with Madness in Wonderland. So good!
• Yesterday's Tides by Roseanna M. White was perfect. Seriously. It pulled every single one of her other series into one book and I loved revisiting all the characters and plotlines in my head. Loved it.
• The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady by Sharon Mondragon was so much fun. It reminded me a bit of Jan Karon's Mitford series and I adored all the yarn and knit/crochet jokes. The second one releases in 2024.

Needless to say, even though I had some books I wish I hadn't wasted my time on this year, I had a lot of really good ones too. What about you? Did you read any of the same books I mentioned? Do you have one to add to my list to read in 2024?