And here it is! My favorite book of 2023. Did you guess right?
The honor goes to Alex Michaelides’ oh my God I still cannot BELIEVE that twist thriller, The Silent Patient.
What is it about? Years ago Alicia Berenson was a successful artist with a husband who was making a huge splash in the fashion photography world. To the outside, Alicia has everything; a good career, beauty, and a successful, handsome husband. So when she shoots her husband five times, London is more than taken aback. What’s even more startling? Alicia hasn’t spoken a word since. Not to the police officers, not to the investigators, or even to the hundreds of reporters and psychiatrists desperate to understand what happened that night. But criminal psychotherapist Theo Faber is set on changing that. Like so many others Theo has become obsessed with the case and desperately wants to know what happened. So he accepts a job at the forensic unit Alicia is being kept in. As Theo attempts to uncover the secrets behind Alicia’s quiet facade, the truth turns out to be more shocking than anyone could have suspected.
Why did I love it? The ending. Need I say more (and if you have read this book you know exactly why no more has to be said)? That twist at the end and the reason why Alicia killed her husband is still something I think about it. And I read the book almost one year ago! I don’t think I have ever chosen my favorite book of the year from the start of that year. The book has to pack one hell of a punch to crack not just the top three but even the top five.
Yet Mr. Michaelides does just that in this debut (a debut on top of it! What the hell am I doing with my life?) by crafting a story that is constructed so well it almost makes my head spin. Theo is a fantastic character who takes the trope of unreliable narrator and brings it to another level. Alicia too is unreliable and when you have that many characters you can’t trust, you know you are in for one heck of a ride. I do want to say more of why I love this book and why I will continue to scream about this book from the rooftops but the truth is I would be saying too much. Just take my word for it and read this book. Please, please, please!
With that my list for best books of 2023 has concluded. Were any of your predications on the list? What books did I miss? What was your favorite read of the year? Make sure to comment below and I look forward to seeing you in 2024 where we can start all over again. Happy New Year!
The silver medal for best book of 2023 is awarded to Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano.
What is it about? Finlay Donovan’s life can’t get much worse. She’s recently divorced, practically raising her two children by herself, has a horrific case of writer’s block, is late on paying her bills, and has an ex-husband who seems determined to make her life a living hell. Oh, and he just got rid of the babysitter without telling her. Great. But Finlay’s life is about to get much more complicated. As it turns out, Finlay does such an excellent job at verbalizing her next book to her editor that a woman listening nearby thinks she is a hitwoman, and she’s got a job for Finlay.
Why did I love it? This book is the funniest thing I have read in a long time. From the first sentence until the very end, I found myself laughing and having a good time, which isn’t always very easy. Despite Finlay’s less than ideal situation, her antics and the situations she finds herself in are a thrill to read. It doesn’t take long for the reader to fall in love with Finlay and her eventual accomplice, Vero. The friendship these two women have is a major plus to this book and Vero always brings the humor when things get a bit too serious.
I said this in my review and I’ll say it again. If you are going through a hard time or getting a bit depressed about the current state of the world (don’t blame you in the slightest) than pick up Finlay Donovan. It transports you away from whatever trouble you are having and let’s you have a bit of fun for a few hours. And I know I’m going to sound like a broken record when I say this but Ms. Cosimano’s book is something that can be devoured in one sitting. I never wanted to put the book down and when I had to I made sure to hurry through whatever I was doing just to get back to it. So what more do you need to know? If you haven’t already go and pick up this one hell of a good time. You are not going to regret it.
If you do need more convincing check our my review at https://rachelrheil.com/blog/2023/06/finlay-donovan-is-killing-it-by-elle-cosimano-review/.
The top three books of 2023 are here! The bronze medal goes to M.L. Rio’s classic dark academia novel, If We Were Villains.
What is it about? Oliver has spent the last ten years in prison for a crime that former investigator Colborne believes he didn’t commit. Now freed, Colborne meets with Oliver one last time to find out exactly what happened. As one of seven students studying at an elite college that specializes in Shakespeare theater, Oliver is happy and mostly content with his life. He has friends that have the same passion as him and he is away from his arguing, bickering parents who don’t support his dreams. Despite the friends normally being typecast with the same roles, they seem satisfied and happy. That is until the teachers decide to switch up a few things and the once peaceful friend community collapses, resulting in murder. Who fell victim and who was responsible?
Why did I love it? In 2023 I read two cornerstones of the dark academia genre. Donna Tartt’s The Secret History, which is credited as starting the genre, and Ms. Rio’s, often considered the runner up for best dark academia book. I’ve already made my feelings about Ms. Tartt’s novel be known (and if you missed it you can read about it at https://rachelrheil.com/blog/2023/09/its-all-greek-to-me-a-deep-dive-into-hyped-books-with-the-secret-history/) and to put it simply it wasn’t the book for me. Ms. Rio’s, on the other hand, was everything I could have possibly wanted.
As an English major, I loved that this story was set at an elite school that deals with Shakespeare’s plays. And in all honesty it was the perfect setting for a group of friends who are consumed with being the best actor and wanting the best roles for themselves. The friend group and their dynamics is truly the best part of If We Are Villains. Despite having the same interests and wishes, the group is very competitive and one gets the feeling earlier on that they would be willing to do anything to secure a better role. This Machiavellian atmosphere carries throughout the book and the twist for why Oliver went to prison is surprising and catches you off guard. This, combined with the book’s dark atmosphere and well written dialogue, makes it a very worthy book to pick up if you haven’t already.
Read my full review of this dark academia staple at https://rachelrheil.com/blog/2023/09/if-we-were-villains-by-by-m-l-rio-review/.
The 4th best book of 2023 goes to What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall.
What is it about? When they were children, best friends Naomi, Cassidy, and Olivia would go into the woods and play “the goddess game.” It was good, harmless fun until one night Naomi is attacked and Cassidy and Olivia barely escape, alerting authorities that their friend has been murdered. But a miracle occurred; Naomi survived her attack and she was able to identify her attacker. Now an adult Naomi has a career as a photographer and has just learned that her convicted attacker has died in prison. It seems to be the end of a decades long journey but when Naomi receives a cryptic call from Olivia, she is forced to go back home and confront the ghosts of her past. Did everything that happen that night really occur in the way Naomi remembered it? Or was she looking at the wrong person the entire time?
Why did I love it? Loosely based on a true story, What Lies in the Woods is a gripping thriller that hooks you quickly. Ms. Marshall doesn’t take much time to through the reader into this mystery, particularly with Naomi beginning to question what did and did not happen that fateful night. Like Dark Places‘ Libby, Naomi isn’t a perfect character. She has several flaws but also many pains that makes her sympathetic to the reader. As the story unravels, Naomi finds herself questioning her allies and if she truly knows the people she grew up with. This leads the reader to question if anyone is telling the truth, including Naomi. This is a particular strength of the novel as slowly everyone begins to become a suspect in some matter.
I really enjoyed the fast pace of the novel. It’s by no means a short book but it is easily something that can be digested in one sitting. There is also a sense of claustrophobia, suffocating both Naomi and you as the reader, as more secrets and inconsistences are revealed. I also enjoyed how Ms. Marshall took this seemingly innocent, small town and made it a bit more nefarious. Was the attack on Naomi and her friends truly a random act of violence or was it a part of a much darker plan and, if so, why would the person behind it attack three innocent girls? Finally, is Naomi herself reliable? I love a good unreliable narrator and Naomi fits this mold very well. Ultimately the reveal is shocking and very well done. I had come up with many possibilities of what could have happened that night but the true reason caught me off guard. Surprise endings can be very hard to do and that’s why I have selected What Lies in the Woods to be my fourth favorite book of the year.
Read my full review at https://rachelrheil.com/blog/2023/10/what-lies-in-the-woods-by-kate-alice-marshall-review/.
We are now on to the top five best books of the year. Taking the fifth spot is The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule.
What is it about? In the early 1970s Ann Rule is a divorced mother of four children who is struggling to establish herself as a crime writer, or just as any writer for that matter. Despite her struggles, Ann volunteers for the night shift at a 24/7 suicide hotline and on her first night meets her one single co-worker. His name is Ted Bundy (queue instant shivers down your spine) and his killing spree would define not just an era but Ann’s career.
Why did I like (I can’t just bring myself to use the word “love” in connection with a serial killer book) it? Coined as not just the definitive biography of one of America’s most notorious serial killers but also a defining work in the true crime genre, Ms. Rule’s book was hard to resist despite the brutal nature of the subject. Ms. Rule’s story is without a doubt unique, simply because she became good friends with Bundy before he began his killing spree and even remained his friend when the first accusations started to come out that Bundy might be behind the murders of several young women on the West coast (don’t worry, she eventually sees the light). He was her friend, confidante, and biggest supporter, making the revelation of him being a sadistic killer who targeted young women all the more difficult for Ms. Rule to accept. Nonetheless, Ms. Rule slowly begins to realize the chilling truth and learn that the friend she thought she once had never even existed. This last part in particular was most interesting to read about as the reader can sympathize with Ms. Rule’s situation. After all, if one of our closest friends were accused of a heinous crime, wouldn’t we immediately dismiss the claim and say that the authorities have the wrong person? It’s a dilemma that many of us would want to put ourselves in and it was very interesting to learn how Ms. Rule handled this and eventually seeing that the facts didn’t lie.
One point I have to applaud Ms. Rule on is that she didn’t just focus on Bundy but actually on the victims as well. They weren’t just names in a book or on a long list of women in the wrong place at the wrong time. Instead, we learned their names, their passions, their goals for the future, and the people who loved them. They were real people whose lives were horrifically cut short and are now associated with a garbage of a human being. For that, I could not justify not having this book on my list and am look forward to reading Ms. Rule’s other books.
Read my full review of this terrifying true crime story at https://rachelrheil.com/blog/2023/09/the-stranger-beside-me-by-ann-rule-review/.
The sixth best book of the year is In My Dreams I Hold A Knife by Ashley Winstead.
What is it about? It’s been ten years since Jessica graduated from college but being the most successful, pretty, and intelligent person in her class remains her number one priority. When she receives the invitation to her class reunion, Jessica accepts it without reservation to show all her former classmates that she has achieved her dream. Not even the memories of the brutal and unsolved murder of her friend Heather can dampen her mood. Soon, she reconnects with her old circle of friends and Jessica seems to have achieved her dream. But not everyone is so willing to party the night away. Heather deserves justice and one person will make sure that her murderer is revealed as well as the former friends’ dirty little secrets.
Why did I love it? Dark academia has exploded as a genre since the pandemic three years ago and I’ve been hooked on it ever since, without actually reading a book that could be classified as dark academia. What can I say? I’m on Pinterest and Instagram too much. So one of my reading goals for 2023 was to pick up a couple dark academia books and this one by Ms. Winstead was the first one I decided to read. Perhaps because it was my first, I loved it immediately and guess what? Nine months later, I still love it.
The characters in this book are not particularly likeable and this can either be to the book’s advantage or to its detriment. But Ms. Winstead was able to navigate this tricky concept and create a story where we don’t necessarily cheer on any of the characters but also want to see justice be served for Heather. A lot like Lucy Foley’s The Guest List, which, coincidentally, I also selected to be in my top favorite books in 2022. Maybe I like the troupe? The ending sealed the book’s success, and it’s position on this list, by the author leading the reader to one conclusion but then revealing a different one, only to throw in one last twist in the final two pages. Mind blown.
Read my full review on this twisty thriller at https://rachelrheil.com/blog/2023/05/in-my-dreams-i-hold-a-knife-by-ashley-winstead-review/.
In the seventh spot we have The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid.
What is it about? Evelyn Hugo is a Hollywood legend. An Academy Award winning actress and fashion icon, Evelyn is known throughout the world not just for her glamour and beauty but for her seven publicized marriages. Now in her twilight years, Evelyn grants no interviews and seems content on living out the rest of her days in her New York City home and raising money for charity. So it’s no surprise that when journalist Monique receives an email from Evelyn, asking her to write her biography, the young reporter jumps on the opportunity. But as she sits down with Evelyn and attempts to answer the question we all want to know, who was the love of Evelyn’s life, Monique learns that Evelyn’s life is far more complex than the tabloids led us all to believe.
Why did I love it? The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo has become a phenomenon in the book community and it seems that nearly everyone has not only read the book but loved it. Since I try to avoid over publicized books, I didn’t pick it up for some time and when I finally did, I attempted to lower my expectations. As it turns out, all the people who hyped up this story were right. It is a beautifully written, well crafted story about a fictional Hollywood legend, blended with the stories and legacies of real Old Hollywood stars. This might have been one of the reasons why I loved it so much but one cannot deny Ms. Reid’s ability to write a compelling story.
I won’t reveal the big surprise/twist of the book but I will say that The Seven Husbands, to me, was much more than a love story. It was an examination of our fascination with Hollywood, how quickly we are to judge women and make assumptions about their love lives, and the great depths many public figures have to go in order to keep a “devastating” secret quiet. I also found the relationship between Evelyn and her daughter one of the strongest elements of the book. Don’t get me wrong, the love story is done well too but if I have to confess, I cried more over Evelyn’s daughter than Evelyn’s true love. It would seem that the hype lived up to my expectations and that is why Evelyn Hugo is sitting pretty at number seven.
Read my full review of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo at https://rachelrheil.com/blog/2023/05/the-seven-husbands-of-evelyn-hugo-by-taylor-jenkins-reid-review/.
The eighth best book of 2023 goes to Marina Osipova’s The Drau River Flowers to Siberia: The Victims of Victory.
What is it about? In 1945 the Soviet Union was one of the victors in World War Two. It was supposed to be the end of repression, genocide, and tyranny but for those who found themselves under Soviet rule that was far from the truth. Told from the perspective of Anna and Zakhary, two individuals who are labelled as “enemies of the people” for different reasons, we learn about the victims of victory, whose stories have been hushed and silence in the decades after they happened.
Why did I love it? Having studied and written about World War Two for a long time now I have, of course, learned about the many crimes committed by the Soviet Union both before and after the war. Stalin is among one of the worst mass murderers in history and it should come as no surprise that he would continue his reign of terror after peace had been restored in Europe. Yet, despite this fact and the opening of Soviet archives in the late 1980s and 1990s, the stories of people arrested, tortured, and imprisoned after World War Two is surprisingly few and far between. One would be hard pressed to find many books focusing on these crimes, particularly ones focusing on what has been coined “the betrayal of the Cossacks.” Case in point, I only found out about the Cossacks and their betrayal while flipping through some decades old documentary that mentioned the incident in passing. I did a Google search and while you can find a Wikipedia article about it, there aren’t many other sources.
But Ms. Osipova set out to change that. In extraordinary prose, Ms. Osipova weaves together a heart wrenching story about two people who exemplified the victims of Stalin; Anna for the Soviet citizen caught in the crossfires of the Communists and the Fascists, and Zakhary for the person who viewed Stalin as the greater enemy and chose to fight for the Axis forces. While I won’t get into the complexities of their decisions, particularly Zakhary’s, I will say that as the reader I could not help but feel immense pity for them and many, many other real life people who suffered under Stalin. The Victims of Victory is, unsurprisingly, a very difficult book to read but that is no excuse to not pick it up. Writing and teaching about history is about learning from the past and how can we ever expect to learn about it if we refuse to read books like Ms. Osipova’s? It is easier to pick up a historical fiction story in which we know the ending is happy but it’s just as important to read the difficult stories as well. And that is why I have selected this historical fiction for the number eight spot.
Read my full review of The Drau River Flowers to Siberia: The Victims of Victory at https://rachelrheil.com/blog/2023/09/the-drau-river-flows-to-siberia-the-victims-of-victory-by-marina-osipova-review/.
In at #9 for best books of 2023 is The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz.
What is it about? Alex is suffering a bad case of writer’s block (honestly relatable), compounded by the loss of her good friend, Wren, over a year ago. She seems destined to never become a critically acclaimed writer and instead have a by the numbers office job. That is until she gets the opportunity to participate in a month long writing retreat, hosted by no other than Alex’s favorite author, Roza Vallo. Only catch? Wren is going to be there too. Bummer, but Alex isn’t about to let Wren get in the way of her writing dreams. Joined by three fellow female writers, Alex settles in to Roza’s routine and attempts to handle her eccentric personality. But when one of the fellow writers go missing and questions begin to emerge about Roza and the true intentions of the retreat, Alex begins to realize that writer’s block and the loss of a best friend aren’t her biggest issues; it’s getting out alive.
Why did I love it? Books about writers and the writing process are not necessarily new ideas but Ms. Bartz manages to bring something new and fresh to the idea. Stress and tension can bring out the worst in people and boy does Ms. Bartz take that thought and run with it. This is a thriller in every sense of the word and once one of our supporting characters go missing it is a nonstop thrill ride.
As I mentioned in my original review if I didn’t work a full time job I would have finished this book in one setting. Just get me a glass of wine and a warm blanket and I’m ready to go. It’s the perfect book to pick up on a cold winter night, especially if it’s snowing. Soon, you too will begin to feel the claustrophobia that Alex and the other women are experiencing. Though I initially gave this book 4.5 stars because of the ending, it is a story I haven’t stopped thinking about and that is why it is on my list. Books that keep you thinking about it long after the story ends are keepers and I suspect I’ll be thinking about The Writing Retreat for quite some time.
For my full review of The Writing Retreat: https://rachelrheil.com/blog/2023/12/the-writing-retreat-by-julia-bartz-review/
In at #10 on my best books of 2023 is The Undercover Secretary by Ellie Midwood.
What is it about? Based on the incredible true story of Dora Schaul, The Undercover Secretary follows Dora who has lost everything to the Nazis and is set on settling the score. Joining the underground resistance, Dora takes on a new persona to land a position as secretary to Occupied France’s most sinister Nazi official, Klaus Barbie. As Dora attempts to play the part of perfect Nazi secretary she must also keep her identity and true intentions a secret because if she is discovered she is all on her own.
Why did I love it? Does Ellie Midwood ever miss? I’m not sure and her recent trend of telling true stories about people who lived during World War Two is an exciting development. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good fictional story by Ms. Midwood but often times, as I have learned myself, the real stories can be just as compelling and shocking as the fictional ones. Dora’s story fits that bill to a tea. She’s Jewish so her life is already at risk but what does she do? Takes a job that lands her right in the middle of the lion’s den and in one of the most terrifying ones (anyone remember Liberation in The Indigo Rebels by Ms. Midwood in which we got to really know Mr. Barbie? Yeah, I’m still scared too).
The Undercover Story is a short read but it doesn’t feel like that, and I mean that in all the best ways. From the first pages we are on the run with Dora, a typical Ms. Midwood character that doesn’t take anyone’s crap and is more courageous than I think I ever could be! And that’s the greatest strength of this novel. Ms. Midwood manages to create a character that we can cheer for but also someone who is human, who makes mistakes and has opinions that everyone might not agree with. Nonetheless, there is no denying that Dora is a great character that you end up caring about and hoping to the very end that she makes it out alright.
Read my full review of The Undercover Story: https://rachelrheil.com/blog/2023/05/the-undercover-secretary-by-ellie-midwood-review/
