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P. J. Leigh  

My 2023 Best Reads of the Year

I had a great year of reading, ranging from literary fiction to fantasy and mystery, and I wanted to share some of my favorites. Inspired by the Goodreads awards, I decided to create some awards of my own. So please enjoy my P. J. Picks – the best reads of 2023 in their respective categories.

the mvp award and its description, which reads: awarded to the book with the best overall presentation of prose, concept, depth, and common good. The front cover image of the measure by nikki erlick is to the left

The MVP Award

What I loved most: The way the story made me think. How would it change your outlook if you knew how long your life would be? Read my review on Goodreads

The Truthteller Award

What I loved most: The heart of a parent to their child. It’s very vulnerable. Read my review on Goodreads

the truthteller award and its description, which reads: awarded to the best nonfiction read of the year. The front cover image of between the world and me by ta nehisi coates is to the right.
the bipoc award and its description, which reads: awarded to the best book of the year by a bipoc author. The front cover image of the nigerwife by vanessa walters is to the left.

The BIPOC Award

What I loved most: The suspense of this novel is what made me love it. I needed answers!

The Kidlit Award

What I loved most: Reading this to my daughters, hearing their reactions, and the rejoicing at the end was priceless. Read my review on Goodreads

the kidlit award and its description, which reads: awarded to the best children's novel of the year. The front cover image of from the desk of zoe washington by janae marks is to the right.
the magic carpet award and its description, which reads: awarded to the book that introduced me to an unfamiliar place, or a familiar place with a unique perspective (or both). The front cover image of the blue bar by damyanti biswas is to the left.

The Magic Carpet Award

What I loved most: This suspense thriller is full of tension and mystery, and the snapshot of Mumbai, India was icing on the cake. Highly recommend! Read my review on Goodreads

The Whimsy Award

What I loved most: What I love most about Sanderson’s work is the way I get lost in his worlds. This one was no exception. I got really wrapped up in this one and can’t wait for the next installment.

the whimsy award and its description, which reads: awarded to the best fantasy read of the year. The front cover image of Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson is to the right.
the break my heart award and its description, which reads: awarded to the most emotion-inducing book of the year, its story cutting straight to the heart. The front cover image of someday maybe by onyi nwabineli is to the left.

The Break My Heart Award

What I loved most: The raw, honest grief and the way I connected with Eve. So good. Read my review on Goodreads

The Pretty Prose Award

What I loved most: I’ve never read a novel written in 1st, 2nd AND 3rd POV, but she pulls it off, and I was very impressed. It’s haunting and gorgeous. Read my review on Goodreads

the pretty prose award and its description, which reads: awarded to the most poetic, poignant, and beautifully written book of the year. The front cover image of the fifth season by N. K. Jemison is to the right.
the vegas award and its description, which reads: awarded to the book that was most fun to read, with an engaging plot, lovable characters, and the right balance of humor and wit. The front cover image of the undertaking of hart and mercy by megan bannen is to the left.

The Vegas Award

What I loved most: I forgot how much I hate zombies while reading this book. It made me laugh, and the love story is well worth the tension of an impending zombie apocalypse. So fun! Read my review on Goodreads

The Chuck-It Award

What I loved most: The way I wanted to shake Efe, and hug Efe, and the level of emotional investment in this story was insane. I hate/love this book. Read my review on Goodreads

the chuck it award and its description, which reads: the book most enraging, most frustrating, and most deserving of flight. The front cover image of rootless by krystle zara appiah is to the right.
the lightning award and its description, which reads: awarded to the book that took the least amount of time to read, measured in days from start to finish. The front cover image of the gilded ones by namina forna is to the left.

The Lightning Award

What I loved most: The sisterhood in this story was its most redeeming quality. Plus, I read it in a day. Read my review on Goodreads

The Immersion Award

What I loved most: The seafaring, and the author’s descriptions, were so wonderful. I could practically smell the salt in the air, and I really enjoyed the sailing and adventure. Read my review on Goodreads

the immersion award and its description, which reads: awarded to the book with the most immersive and engaging setting. The front cover image of sea wife by amity gaige is to the right.

I hope you enjoy my list of this year’s best books! As an added bonus, here are the rest of my favorite reads, rated four and five stars. I wrapped up the year with approximately 34 books read, and I’m looking forward to more great reads in 2024.

My 4 and 5 star reads of 2023 with front cover images of the following books, from left to right: Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson; Rootless by Krystle Zara Appiah; The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen; the Nigerwife by Vanessa Walters; The Measure by Nikki Erlick; Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates; the Wild Robot by Peter Brown; The Blue Bar by Damyanti Biswas; Fantasy in Death by J.D. Robb; From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks; Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson; Triston Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia; Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo; The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemison; Sea Wife by Amity Gaige; Someday Maybe by Onyi Nwabineli; The Princess Bride by William Goldman; Pride by Ibi Zoboi; Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin; Legendborn by Tracy Deonn; Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby van Pelt; Partners in Crime by Alisha Rai; The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson; By the Book by Jasmine Guillory; Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

P. J. Leigh

P. J. Leigh is an avid lover and writer of stories. She enjoys all kinds, from mystery to fantasy, and writes commercial fiction that showcases female characters of color. Show support by rating posts and sharing on social media.

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3d book display image of Olawu

Olawu by P. J. Leigh

Olawu is the eldest daughter of her village’s sole physician, and she’s eager to follow in her father’s footsteps. But the rules of her village stand in her way, and a tragedy spurred by the conflict between two warring tribes leaves her family destitute. Olawu seeks help from Dikembe, the son of the tribal warlord who has taken over her village. She hopes he will repay her father’s past kindness and shield her family. But hope is a fragile thing, and time is running out.

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