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Best books of 2023 🎉
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By
Kaitlyn Luckow profile picture
Kaitlyn Luckow
These are my top books of the year across genres. Not all books came out this year, but these are all books I read this year.
Sections
5
 
Non-fiction
 
Memoir
 
Fiction
 
Romance
 
Fantasy

Non-fiction

Books to open your mind and to learn more about the world around you.

 
Kaitlyn Luckow profile picture
Such a necessary read. A dense and challenging book, but I can’t state enough how important it is.
'The Jakarta Method' by Vincent Bevins
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Kaitlyn Luckow profile picture
Absolutely remarkable deep-dive into the history of transgender individuals across history.
'Before We Were Trans' by 'Kit Heyam'
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Kaitlyn Luckow profile picture
An absolute must-read for historical context and calls for action.
'Palestine: A Socialist Introduction'
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Memoir

Some of my favorite books I read this year as well as all time. 

 
Kaitlyn Luckow profile picture
A moving piece of memoir and journalism exposing the horrors of the current Uyghur genocide. One of the most important memoirs I’ve read. Please read.
'A Stone is Most Precious Where It Belongs' by 'Gulchehra Hoja'
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Kaitlyn Luckow profile picture
This book is engaging, easy and fun to read, and incredibly important. Paulson shines light into the corruption, manipulation, and cult-like aspects of MLMs through her own experiences. I hope and think that this book is going to be a reckoning to th...
Hey, Hun: Sales, Sisterhood, Supremacy, and the Other
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Kaitlyn Luckow profile picture
Poetic, horrifying, educational, and endlessly important. It’s a hard read, but I urge you to try. This will be one of the best books I read this year.
'Still Life with Bones' by 'Alexa Hagerty'
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Fiction

Impeccable and unforgettable storytelling. The writing craft in all of these is remarkable.

 
Kaitlyn Luckow profile picture
Wow. This is definitely meant for a younger audience and if I had read this while I was younger, it would have made me feel so seen. Such a gut-punching, lyrical, accurate look at grief and depression. English teacher friends, add this one to your cl...
'We Are All So Good at Smiling' by 'Amber McBride'
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Kaitlyn Luckow profile picture
A really cohesive, strong, and moving collection that explores themes of immigration, false promises, and illusions.
'The Faraway World' by 'Patricia Engel'
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Kaitlyn Luckow profile picture
I was blown away by this incredible collection about bodies, culture, storytelling, and history. I learned so much from reading this.
'Drinking from Graveyard Wells' by 'Yvette Lisa Ndlovu'
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Romance

These books made my heart absolutely swoon. All so sweet.

 
Kaitlyn Luckow profile picture
This was actually perfect and made my heart feel everything.
'Kiss Her Once for Me' by 'Alison Cochrun'
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Kaitlyn Luckow profile picture
so so sweet
'A Lady for a Duke' by 'Alexis Hall'
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Kaitlyn Luckow profile picture
Emily Henry can do no wrong
'Happy Place' by 'Emily Henry' - '
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Fantasy

Books to help you escape and look at this world a little differently. 

 
Kaitlyn Luckow profile picture
This was such a fun time. Although this is missing the political intrigue of Chakraborty's other books, I still thoroughly enjoyed this. My favorite part was seeing a main character in her 40s in a fantasy novel. I think I've only read one other book...
'The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi' by 'Shannon Chakraborty'
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Kaitlyn Luckow profile picture
I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish this book
'A Broken Blade' by 'Melissa Blair'
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Kaitlyn Luckow profile picture
I can’t remember the last time I read a fantasy book in practically one sitting, but I could not put this down.
'Bloodmarked' by 'Tracy Deonn'
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