Best Books 2023: Fiction

I love reading across a variety of genres. Fiction books which stick with me make it onto my “best reads” list. Below are my top fiction reads of last year, in no particular order.

Also check out my top non-fiction books from last year.

Note: This is not an endorsement of all ideas contained in these books.

These Silent Woods (Kimi Cunningham Grant)

Do not judge this one by the cover.

It is not a breezy thriller of a beach read. Yes, there is mounting suspense, but it’s really all about the relationship between a father and daughter and their troubled past that culminates in a powerful parable for God’s love.

Hannah Coulter (Wendell Berry)

Last year, Berry’s Jayber Crow made the list. That’s still my favorite of the two; however, once again I ended the book not wanting to say goodbye to Hannah and the rest of the cast of characters.

The good news is that Berry still has other books for me to explore with Hannah, Jayber, and the gang.

The Night Gardener (Jonathan Auxier)

My kids had enjoyed other Auxier books my wife read to them, so I was excited to experience one of their beloved authors. Night Gardener was far better than it needed to be. It’s a gothic tale for children with subtle atmospheric notes I didn’t anticipate in middle grade fiction.

The text also raised themes of spiritual development I was eager to discuss with my kids afterward.

Great Expectations (Charles Dickens)

Starting this was a challenge. I quickly realized how much my comprehension was limited by reading too many modern writers with short, punchy sentences.

But the story soon gripped me. And then I couldn’t get Dickens’s characters or their compelling stories out of my mind. Before I knew it, I found myself no longer struggling with his style but enjoying the depth.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Betty Smith)

I have to confess I’ve often judged this book by its title. I thought it would be dull. I was wrong. Francie’s story made me almost flinch at times because I was so moved by the tragedy. Yet her story was distinctly hopeful.

Note: I picked up this classic not realizing there are some content issues to be aware of along the way.

True Grit (Charles Portis)

Mattie, the young girl spinning this yarn, has enough spice and, well, grit to make this worth the read, even if you don’t like Westerns.

The characters are very flawed, and their entire journey raises powerful questions of loyalty and vengeance. For that reason, it makes you think, which is the mark of a good book.

Do you have favorite fiction reads I should add to my list for 2024?