To spread the book love, today I’m sharing 10 books that I loved in 2023. As a heads up, I drew from a small pool as I barely read anything this past year due to my dad’s illness and then passing. So, there may (most definitely) be some wonderful books out there that I’ve yet to meet. I would love for you to share about some of your favorite reads from 2023 in the comments below! 👇🏼
Fantasy
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty
Amina al-Sirafi #1
As one of the Indian Ocean’s most notorious pirates, Amina al-Sirafi has survived backstabbing rogues, vengeful princes, several husbands, and one actual demon. She is now ready to retire peacefully—until she’s offered a job no bandit could refuse: retrieve her comrade’s kidnapped daughter for a kingly sum. But there’s always risk in seizing one last chance at glory…and the price might be her very soul.
A friend gifted me The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi during a dry period, when it felt like I couldn’t read anything. But the world and characters—particularly the title character—quickly swept me away into a fantastical world set within the history of our earth. Read al-Sirafi’s tale for the pirates, for the Medieval Indian Ocean, for the magic—and for the compelling female characters from various religious backgrounds.
Heart of the Sun Warrior by Sue Lynn Tan
The Celestial Kingdom #2
The sequel to Daughter of the Moon Goddess concludes the epic story of Xingyin—the daughter of Chang’e and the mortal archer, Houyi—as she battles a grave new threat to the realm.
Whereas Daughter of the Moon Goddess featured an external, coming-of-age story, Heart of the Sun Warrior presents a more internal, family-centric journey. Now a famed warrior, Xingyin must address the consequences of her father’s heroic actions, come to terms with what she really wants in life and love, and once again save her home. Read it for the Chinese mythology, the C-drama xianxia vibes, the family and friendships.
She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan
The Radiant Emperor #1
1345. In an alternate China under harsh Mongol rule, a peasant girl adopts her brother’s identity, becoming Zhu Chongba to enter a monastery and survive. But then her sanctuary is destroyed for supporting a rebellion. Seizing the opportunity to strive for greatness, Zhu sets out to write her name in the history books. In the process, she will learn about what it means to be great and untangle her identity as Zhu Chongba.
Weaving themes of destiny and greatness, Shelley Parker-Chan examines gender and identity in a gender-bent retelling of the Ming Dynasty’s rise. The plot gradually unfolds while giving life to the world and the characters that inhabit it. Across pages and chapters, it picks up speed until it zips toward a climactic end.
Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang
Story for story, Ted Chiang is the most honored young writer in modern SF. This Locus-Award winning anthology collects eight of the writer’s first stories, all of which have been nominated for and/or won awards of their own.
Chiang’s writing is thoughtful and thought-provoking. He takes his time building fantastic worlds that explore a question or concept—and leave the reader contemplating the idea that birthed the story. These stories are worth a reread and lengthy book-club discussion.
Vampire Weekend by Mike Chen
Louise Chao’s life as a vampire is far from glamorous. She works as a night janitor at a Bay Area hospital, and she failed to get into the last three bands she auditioned for. Then a long-lost teenage relative shows up at her door. When Ian discovers Louise’s true nature, she question what she knows about life, death, and family—while keeping her new ward out of danger.
Vampire Weekend is a laugh-out-loud romp of a book. It offers a humorous, down-to-earth portrayal of vampire life while simultaneously, through the lens of vampire hierarchy, offering an incisive commentary on systems and politics. I highlighted many lines.
Young Adult
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang (reread)
Jin Wang wants to fit in; the Monkey King wants to be a god; Danny wants his cousin Chin-kee to stop ruining his life. Three seemingly unrelated tales come together with an unexpected twist, true to Yang’s style.
American Born Chinese is the first book where I, and many other ABCs, felt seen. The graphic novel captures the ABC experience of never fully belonging to either American or Chinese culture. While it addresses the problems of racism and assimilation, it does so with grace and humor.
Picture Us in the Light by Kelly Loy Gilbert
Danny Cheng’s path seems set, with a scholarship to at RISD and his family’s blessing to pursue a career in art. But: (1) he can’t imagine a future without his best friend, Harry Wong, by his side; (2) he discovers a box in his father’s closet that leads him to dig into his parents’ past—and a secret that disrupts the carefully constructed facade that his parents have maintained. To face the future, Danny must first confront the ghosts of the past.
Kelly Loy Gilbert crafts beautiful, poetic sentences that draw the reader into a fully realized world with perfectly-imperfect, compelling characters. In addition, while keeping the focus of the book on Danny’s journey of self-discovery, Gilbert touches on social issues and the complexities of family. Come prepared for the feels.
Picture Books
The Together Tree by Aisha Saeed, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
At Rumi’s new school, a few kids bully him for being different and wearing bright shoes. He finds refuge during recess beneath the old willow tree, where he builds his own world. One day, one of Rumi’s classmates defends him against the bullies, and the others realizes that they can create a space to play together.
The Together Tree recognizes that, although some kids may realize that bullying is wrong, they may not know how to respond. In response to this need, Saeed has written a beautiful story that portrays how we can extend kindness to others through presence.
Trying by Kobi Yamada, illustrated by Elise Hurst
How will you know what’s possible if you don’t try?
Through the lens of sculpting, Trying encourages readers to try something new—and fail, again and again. Although the thought of failing may seem discouraging, the master sculptor reminds the young sculptor (and thus the readers) that creating a safe place to fail also gifts a person with a safe place to succeed. This a book that I have needed at various stages of my life. I still need it.
Memoir
Biting the Hand: Growing Up Asian in Black and White America by Julia Lee
Growing up as the daughter of Korean immigrants, Julia Lee observed the strange space that Asians occupy in the United States: victims, but also monsters; allies, but also accomplices in racial stratification. Through the lens of her life and education, Julia Lee examines what it means to be Asian in America.
I’m still in the midst of processing this book, and I’ll likely need a reread or two (or three). But know that I marked up my copy of this book.
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction says
I loved Picture Us in the Light. It’s been a long time since I read it, but I definitely remember that it gave me all the feels. 🙂