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My Top Five Books of 2023

Writer's picture: Jonah BraelynJonah Braelyn

A blonde girl reading a book

photo courtesy of Ben White on unsplash


Hello, hello! As you may (or may not) know, New Year's is right around the corner! And, in honor of leaving 2023 behind and saying hello to 2024, I wanted to recap some of my favorite books that I read this year. So, without further ado, here are my top favorite books from 2023!


all book cover images are courtesy of Goodreads



The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes cover


#5: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes


Coming in at number five is the Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins! This book (in addition to the Hunger Games series) is one of the only YA books I read and actually like. Please be warned, this book is for older teens only, as it describes war, murder, cannibalism, and the like, though not in detail.


This is a Hunger Games prequel, following the experience of Coriolanus Snow before, during, and after the 10th Annual Hunger Games. I personally enjoyed it because of the descent of Coriolanus from a young man trying to keep his life and family together to a corrupt man who would do anything to gain and keep power.


So, if you enjoy dystopian books, young adult fiction, or the Hunger Games series, you'll love the Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes!




The Eternity Gate cover

#4: The Eternity Gate


Claiming spot number four is The Eternity Gate by Katherine Briggs! This Christian Fiction Fantasy book was an impulse buy for me, but it was so good I'm very glad I got it. this book is also for older teens, as there are mentions of war and death, and some parts could be scary for younger readers.


The Eternity Gate is about Seyo, the handmaiden to the princess, and her discovery of the mysterious Eternity Gate. On the one hand, it can save her world from war and chaos. On the other hand, it can bring the judgment of God upon them all. This book tells about her journey, her decision on what to do with the key entrusted to her, and her discovery of God--which is much different from what she expected.


Even though this book is technically a young adult fiction, it was very clean besides the aforementioned warnings. So if you love fantasy, Christian fiction, and action and adventure, the Eternity Gate might be your new favorite read!




Stellarlune cover

#3: Stellarlune


Number three of my top five books is Stellarlune by Shannon Messenger! This is the latest installment in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series, which I have enjoyed since I was twelve. As the series goes along, things do get a bit darker, since the main characters get seriously hurt and traumatized a lot, so please be warned of this.


Stellarlune is about the continued journey of Sophie, an elf who had grown up with humans to hide her specialness from those who want to hurt her. Although I can't write much about Stellarlune to avoid giving spoilers, let's just say Stellarlune is surprising and drops the biggest bomb of the series yet.


So if you love fantasy with elves, trolls, gnomes, ogres, and more, Keeper of the Lost Cities is for sure for you! And don't be put off by its 8-12 age suggestion--it gets much better further along.




The Penderwicks cover

#2: The Penderwicks


Now for number two on my list, The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall! Even though I was a little reluctant to read this book at first, once I started reading, I found a delightful story.


The Penderwicks is the story of four sisters, their dad, and their dog as they vacation at Arundel, a giant estate under the jurisdiction of mean Mrs. Tifton. However, as the sisters explore their vacation home and get into lots of trouble, they meet Jeffrey, Mrs. Tifton's son, and make a life-long friend. This book follows their adventures and is so funny and at the same time raw and true. I loved it!


So if you enjoy contemporary fiction, a fun story, and hilarious adventures, then The Penderwicks will be the perfect book for you!




A Time To Die cover

#1: A Time to Die


And now, for my top book of 2023: A Time to Die by Nadine Brandes! This book is another great YA/dystopian book, and of course Christian Fiction. (I mean, Nadine Brandes, hello!) I also love how you can relate so well with Parvin and her dilemma of taking her time for granted and not living the life she wanted. This book is another one for older teens only, as it describes murder, body parts being amputated, and the like, though not in detail.


A Time to Die follows the adventure of Parvin Blackwater, an eighteen-year-old girl who has only a year to live. Unfortunately, she is arrested as an unregistered Radical (a person without a Clock) and thrown to the other side of the wall that separates the government-protected United States of the East from the West. This book is about what she finds on the other side and her journey of discovery of who God really is.


So if you like Christian Fiction and a hopeful dystopian book, then you will love A Time To Die.


~


Well, there you have it: my top five favorite books from 2023! I have personally read all of these books and love them so much! These are the books that I would easily and gladly read over and over again (if I had the time).


Best wishes,

~ Jonah

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