23 Books I Want To Read In 2023

Hi Friends,
I have seen so many of these “23 Books I Want To Read In 2023” posts, and I love them. Hearing about books other people want to read always interests me. But, I am a mood read for life! Yet, here I am making another TBR post. I really should quit while I’m behind.

Frightmares by Eva V. Gibson
“In a Florida tourist trap, a summer acting job turns into a real-life horror show when a cast member turns up dead—then disappears. This nail-biting story is perfect for fans of Fear Street!”

The Wicked Ones (Dark Ascension, #1) by Robin Benway
“This first book in the new Disney Villains Dark Ascension series by National Book Award-winning author Robin Benway explores the complex sibling rivalry between the two wicked stepsisters from Cinderella that turned them into the characters we know today.”

Bunny by Mona Awad
“The spellbinding new novel from one of our most fearless chroniclers of the female experience, Bunny is a down-the-rabbit-hole tale of loneliness and belonging, friendship and desire, and the fantastic and terrible power of the imagination.”

The Ravens by Kass Morgan and Danielle Paige
“From New York Times best-selling authors Kass Morgan and Danielle Paige comes a thrilling, dark contemporary fantasy about a prestigious sorority of witches and two girls caught up in its world of sinister magic and betrayals.”

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace
“A girl confronts Death – and her own deathly powers – in this Gothic-infused, romantic young-adult fantasy.”

The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas
“From the author of The Darkest Corners and Little Monsters comes an all-new edge-of-your-seat thriller set in upstate New York about an eerie sequence of seemingly unrelated events that leaves five cheerleaders dead.”

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
“From Taylor Jenkins Reid comes an unforgettable and sweeping novel about one classic film actress’ relentless rise to the top – the risks she took, the loves she lost, and the long-held secrets the public could never imagine.”

Gallant by V.E. Schwab
“Everything casts a shadow. Even the world we live in. And as with every shadow, there is a place where it must touch. A seam, where the shadow meets its source.”

What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall
“For decades, the friends have kept a secret worth killing for. But now Olivia wants to tell, and Naomi sets out to find out what really happened in the woods—no matter how dangerous the truth turns out to be.”

The Mary Shelley Club by Goldy Moldavsky
“New York Times best-selling author Goldy Moldavsky delivers a deliciously twisty YA thriller that’s Scream meets Karen McManus about a mysterious club with an obsession for horror.”

How To Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix
“New York Times bestselling author Grady Hendrix takes on the haunted house in a thrilling new novel that explores the way your past—and your family—can haunt you like nothing else.”

Kill Joy by Holly Jackson
“Welcome to the murder mystery party of the year! Fans of the hit series A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder will love Pip’s final detective case in this mystery novella from #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Jackson.”

The Summer of Broken Rules by K. L. Walther
“Meredith’s family’s annual game of assassin at Martha’s Vineyard during a summer wedding is the perfect chance to honor her sister’s legacy, and finally join the world again. But when she forms an alliance with a cute groomsman, she’s at risk of losing both the game . . . and her heart.”

The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager
“Packed with sharp characters, psychological suspense, and gasp-worthy plot twists, Riley Sager’s The House Across the Lake is the ultimate escapist story . . . no lake house required.”

End of Story by Kylie Scott
“New York Times bestselling sensation Kylie Scott’s sexy, smart and unconventional opposites-attract love story looks at what happens when fate refuses to give up on what’s meant to be.”

The Headmaster’s List by Melissa de la Cruz
“One of Us Is Lying meets Riverdale in The Headmaster’s List, an edge-of-your-seat YA thriller about a fatal car crash and the dangerous lengths one teen will go to uncover the truth about what really happened.”

One of Us Is Back by Karen M. McManus
“The global phenomenon returns with the third book in the One of Us Is Lying series, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen M. McManus. When someone from the Bayview Four’s past resurfaces, history begins to repeat itself—and the consequences are deadly.”

She Is A Haunting by Trang Thanh Tran
“A House with a terrifying appetite haunts a broken family in this atmospheric horror, perfect for fans of Mexican Gothic.”

The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D Jackson
“New York Times bestselling author Tiffany D. Jackson ramps up the horror and tackles America’s history and legacy of racism in this suspenseful YA novel following a biracial teenager as her Georgia high school hosts its first integrated prom.”

Borrow My Heart by Kasie West
“When a girl overhears a guy getting verbally destroyed by his friends for being catfished, she jumps in to save the day—and pretends to be his online crush.”

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
“New York Times best-selling author Elizabeth Acevedo writes about the devastation of loss, the difficulty of forgiveness, and the bittersweet bonds that shape our lives.”

A Wilderness of Stars by Shea Ernshaw
“New York Times bestselling author of Long Live the Pumpkin Queen, an illness cursing the land forces a teen girl astronomer to venture across the wilderness in search of the stars’ message that will, hopefully, save them all.”

The Perfect Child by Lucinda Berry
“A pause-resisting debut of suspense about a young couple desperate to have a child of their own – and the unsettling consequences of getting what they always wanted.”

Big Bad by Lily Anderson
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Suicide Squad in this adult dark, rompy novel in which the most beloved villains from Buffy must team up to stop the Slayer from ending their evil universe!”

There you have 23 books that I want to read in 2023! I would be curious to see how many of these books I’ll actually be able to get to by the end of the year. In the comments, let me know what you want to read this year. Also, please support my blog by giving it a follow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

5 Star Predictions #4 // 2023

Hi Friends,
I can’t remember the last time I did a 5 star predictions post, so I thought it was about time for one. These are some books that I think I’m going to love (if I ever get around to reading them). Honestly, I’m not sure how good I am at reading my 5 star predictions. I have 6 books on this list, with 3 of them being older titles, and 3 of them being new releases.

The Headmaster’s List by Melissa de la Cruz
This book is being released at the end of February and is Melissa de la Cruz first YA thriller. It is compared to ‘Gossip Girl’ and ‘A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder’, but it’s also giving me ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ vibes. I’m a fan of all three of those, so I know this is going to be an amazing read. I’ll be surprised if this isn’t a 5 star read.
Related Post: A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder // Book Review

Seven Percent of Ro Devereux by Ellen O’Clover
In this YA contemporary, coming out in May, we get a fake dating meets ex-best friends to lovers story. I haven’t really read many ex-best friends second chance romance books, but that probably because friends-to-lovers and second chance romances aren’t my favorite tropes. Still, I love fake dating and the fact that the story has to do with a MASH inspired app sounds amazing. If the story is done right and as cute as I’m thinking it will be then it will for sure be a 5 star book.

One Of Us Is Back by Karen M. McManus
This book will be released in August and I can not wait! Honestly, I’d love to have an ARC of the audiobook right now. This is the conclusion to her ‘One Of Us Is Lying’ series, which I loved. I did only give book one and two 4 stars, but I have high hopes this one will be a 5 star read.
Related Post: One Of Us Is Lying // Book Review
Related Post: One Of Us Is Next // Book Review

An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson
I don’t know much about this story, but I have a feeling it’s going to be a slow paced story. And, that the writing will be very lyrical. Does that make any sense? I’m not sure why I’m thinking this will be a 5 star read, but something is telling me that I’m really going to enjoy this story.

The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White
I’m a big fan of Kiersten White’s writing style. There’s just something about her books that draw me in. I’ve been wanting to pick this book up for a long time now and just love the idea behind it. It’s King Arthur fantasy retelling, which doesn’t seem like something I’d typically gravitate to, but I think Kiersten White’s storytelling will make this a 5 star book.

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
I’ve actually started this book already, but haven’t gotten that far into it. I feel like if I really dedicate some time to it, I’d love the story. It’s a heartbreaking YA Contemporary about a boy with bipolar disorder and a girl dealing with the loss of her sister. Heartbreaking contemporaries usually get 5 stars from me.

There you have my 5 star predictions! I’m sure I can think of more, and hopefully I’ll find some other 5 star reads this year. Because I’m really wanting a good reading year. Before you go, show your love for my blog by hitting the follow button.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

The January Book Tag // 2023

Hi Friends,
Last year, I did the January Book Tag and I thought I’d make it a yearly tradition. I don’t want to ramble too much, so let’s just jump right into the questions.

In 2022, the last book I read was ‘Whiteout’ by Various Authors. This was a fun holiday contemporary, but it was just meh. The first book I read was ‘Late To The Party’ by Kelly Quindlen. I surprisingly still remember a lot about this book. It was just your run of the mill YA Contemporary, but it did have good LGBT representation.
Related Post: Late To The Party // Book Review

Sadly, it was ‘Five Survive’ by Holly Jackson. I don’t want to say too much about this book, but it wasn’t a good start to my reading year.

As always I did a whole post on my reading goals for the new year. But, I wanted to share three goals that I didn’t mention in that post. The first is that I want to complete the 12 book challenge. This is where your friends give you book recommendations and you need to read 12 of those books by the end of the year.

Next, I’d like to read some Stephen King books this year. Unlikely, one is on my 12 book challenge, yet the main one I want to read is ‘IT’. Lastly, I want to read books out of my comfort zone. Who knows I might find a hidden gem in a genre I’d never consider reading before.

She Is a Haunting’ by Trang Thanh Tran (February 2023): Maybe it’s just me but this book is giving off major ‘House Of Hollow’ vibes. It’s a thriller, horror book that takes place in a French colonial house in Vietnam. Haunted house story’s are always creepy.
Related Post: House Of Hollow // Book Review

One of Us Is Back’ by Karen M. McManus (August 2023): This is the final book in the ‘One Of Us Is Lying’ universe. Not only are the Bayview four back, but so are the characters from the second book ‘One Of Us Is Next’. I’m just hoping we get some more Phoebe and Knox moments.

The Bewitching Hour (A Tara Maclay Prequel)’ by Ashley Poston (August 2023): I cannot wait for this release. Although, I was never the biggest Buffy fan. For some reason I was more of an ‘Angel’ series person. I loved Tara! She was my favorite Buffy character. I’m so excited to read a book about her before she met the Scooby gang.

I surpassed my GoodReads reading goal for the year, which was pretty amazing! But, other than that I don’t thank I read my shelves as much as I would have liked. And, I barely read any backlist titles.

Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute‘ by Talia Hibbert: Don’t get me wrong this sounds like a cute YA contemporary romance, which I tend to love. However, it’s a second chance, ex-best friends to lovers romance. I’m just not a fan of that trope. Still, I’m not completely riding this one off.

Happy Place’ by Emily Henry: Not going to lie Emily Henry is a good writer and I did read 50% of her novel ‘Book Lovers’ before putting down. That being said, I don’t really think her books are for me. Also, this is a second chance romance, which I don’t jive with in books or movies.

Probably, just really thinking about the books I pick up and if I’ll like them. I want to get better at knowing my reading taste.

I’m pretty excited for ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ even though I haven’t finished ‘The Hunger Games’ series. But, I’ve seen the movies and can’t wait to see this adaption. Also, I did see a rumor that the adaption of Kristin Hannah’s novel ‘The Nightingale‘ might come out this year, which I’d been interested in seeing.

It would probably be reading 103 books. That is the most books I have ever read in a year, so it made me really proud of myself.

I started ‘All the Bright Places’ by Jennifer Niven close to the end of the year, which I would like to finish. And, I’d eventually like to go back to ‘Lovely War’ by Julie Berry. I’m about 50% of the way through with it, so it shouldn’t take me too long to finish.

Let me know in the comments, if you have done this tag and I will go give it a read. Also, tell me what was your first read of 2023. Don’t forget to share and like this post, and click the follow button.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Twenty-Twenty Three // To Be Read

For Bookmas day 11, I let you know if I read my most anticipated releases of 2022. So, today for Bookmas day 12, I want to talk about my 2023 TBR. These are some of the books that I want to make a priority next year. I am not going to be including any 2023 releases on this list, so these are just backlist titles I haven’t gotten around to yet.


Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
“Sparks fly when a competitive figure skater and hockey team captain are forced to share a rink.”

Now I didn’t hear about the hype of this book until the end of year. Although I’m not the biggest adult romance fan, I’m curious to see what all the hype is about.

Kill Joy by Holly Jackson
“Find out where it all began for Pip in this prequel to the best-selling A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder,Good Girl, Bad Blood and As Good As Dead!”

This is a short prequel to the ‘A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder’ trilogy. It is the only book that I haven’t read and seems like it will be a pretty fast read. Even though I didn’t love the final book in the trilogy, I would still like to read this companion book.

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
“From the New York Times bestselling author of Mexican Gothic and Velvet Was the Night comes a dreamy reimagining of The Island of Doctor Moreau set against the backdrop of nineteenth-century Mexico.”

I read ‘Mexican Gothic’ this year and have been hearing a lot about this book. I don’t know much about this book, but I enjoy Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s writing. And, this is targeted as a horror retelling, which sounds like something I’d enjoy.

The Do-Over by Lynn Painter
“In this riotous young adult romp for fans of Recommended for You and A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow, a teen girl has the worst Valentine’s Day ever—only to relive it over and over again.”

Even though I have only read one of Lynn Painter’s books, she has become one of my favorite YA authors. This is a 2023 must-read for me, because I am sure that I am going to love it.


Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney
“The NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR of Rock Paper Scissors returns with a locked-room mystery when a family reunion leads to murder in a delightfully twisty and atmospheric thriller.”

I wasn’t obsessed with ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors’, still I have heard nothing but great things about this book; specifically, that the twist in this book is really good.

Jo & Laurie by Margaret Stohl and Melissa de la Cruz
“Bestselling authors Margaret Stohl and Melissa de la Cruz bring us a romantic retelling of Little Women starring Jo March and her best friend, the boy next door, Theodore “Laurie” Laurence.”

I have been wanting to read this book for a while. Although, the ‘Little Women’ book isn’t my favorite, I usually love adaptations of the story. I’m curious to read a story all about Jo and Laurie, since we all know how their relationship turned out.

Moment of Truth by Kasie West
“Beloved author Kasie West once again delivers a witty, lighthearted romance that will charm her legions of fans and is perfect for readers of Jenny Han and Huntley Fitzpatrick.”

This is the only novel of Kasie West I have yet to read. I need to get to this one, so that I can finally be done with all her backlist titles.

The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White
“From #1 New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White comes a new fantasy series reimagining the Arthurian legend, set in the magical world of Camelot . . . . There was nothing in the world as magical and terrifying as a girl.”

This is another book that has been on my radar for years. I have liked the previous things that I’ve read by Kiersten White, so I have high hopes for this historical fiction fantasy.


An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson
“From the internationally bestselling author of Sorcery of Thorns comes a breathtaking fantasy story of danger and forbidden love. This is the perfect read for fans of Cassandra Clare, Sarah J. Maas’s A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES series, and Holly Black!”

I tend to be a fan of slower, lyrical-type books, and this book seems to fit that description. However, I do hope it doesn’t put me in a reading slump.

All These Bodies by Kendare Blake
“For months, a gruesome killer has been plaguing the Midwest. The murderer’s calling card? The bodies they leave behind are completely drained of blood.”

Since it’s release in 2021, this book has intrigued me. And, despite not having heard the best things about it I know that it is one I would like to read into 2023.

The Stand-In by Lily Chu
“Readers will delight in this glamourous, swoon worthy enemies-to-lovers romance that is as hilarious as it is heart-wrenching.”

This book hasn’t been talked about a lot, but I’m always down for a good ‘The Prince and the Pauper’ retelling. I have a feeling that I might love this book, so it is at the top of my list to read in 2023.

The Girls I’ve Been by Tess Sharpe
“In this feminist, suspenseful thriller, the daughter of a con artist is taken hostage in a bank heist—and will need to tap into all her skills in order to survive.”

This is another book that I need to read at the start of 2023. It sounds amazing and like nothing I’ve ever read before. Also, I just found out that it is being adapted into a Netflix original movie.

There you have my 2023 (backlist) TBR! In the comments, let me know what books you are dying to read in the new year. If you want to help support my growing blog, then give this post a like. You can also share this post, and follow my book blog as well.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny