Recently, I participated in Shepherd's favorite three reads in 2023. Here they are:
Scythe by Neil Shusterman
Emperor of Thorns by Mark Lawrence
Holly by Stephen King
Don't get me wrong. These are all great books, but it got me thinking. Since writing this list, have I read other books as good or even better? Can I really only name three books as my favorites for the year?
My expanded favorite books I've read in 2023 (so far!!!)
A book that immediately comes to mind is Thunderhead by Neil Shusterman. It is the astounding follow-up to the excellent Scythe. If anything, Thunderhead is even better than its predecessor. As I've mentioned before, these books smash the typical sci-fi/fantasy/dystopian tropes. Currently, I'm about halfway through the third book, The Toll. It's not quite as outrageously excellent as its predecessors, but it's still damn good.
I typically don't consider biographies to be page-turners. But I'll tell you what, Walter Isaacson's Elon Musk kept me turning pages. Isaacson paints a fascinating portrait of this titan of industry. My two takeaways from the book are these: Elon had a harsh childhood, which partially explains, if not excuses, some of his outlandish behavior, and he truly is mission-driven.
I'm also currently reading Swan Song by Robert McCammon. This book is one of those that gets a WOW from me. For one thing, the pacing is masterful as a nuclear holocaust unfolds, and the survivors live the horror of its aftermath. McCannon's writing is reminiscent of Stephen King's while sufficiently unique to differentiate himself from the master of horror. Even though the book takes place when the Soviet Union and the United States were archenemies, the story still feels relevant and chilling, given the geopolitical realities of 2023.
What are your favorite books so far this year? Drop them in the comments.