Goodreads Choice Awards 2023

by Donna Huber

It's that time of year again when everyone starts putting together their Best of Books lists. I've already seen a few and as the year draws to an end I'm sure there will be plenty more - including our lists here at Girl Who Reads. But now is the time to cast your vote in the Goodreads Choice Awards. Round 1 voting is open until November 26. Based on popularity (number of reviews, number of people who've added the book to their shelf, etc.) they have come up with 300 nominees in 15 categories. If you have been participating in the Goodreads Choice Awards for a few years you will notice this year the Children's, Graphic Novels, and Middle Grades categories have been eliminated, but they have added Romantacy. If you are having trouble narrowing down your choice, we are highlighting the books we've reviewed that have been nominated.

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The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

Just when Lucy is about to give up, Jack Masterson announces he’s finally written a new book. Even better, he’s holding a contest at his home on the real Clock Island, and Lucy is one of the four lucky contestants chosen to compete to win the one and only copy.

"When we get to the end of the contest, I was in tears, and the ending is such a good one," stated MK French in her review. 

Nominated in the Best Fiction category AND Debut Novel category.

Buy The Wishing Game at Amazon

The Echo of Old Books by Barbara Davis

Rare-book dealer Ashlyn Greer’s affinity for books extends beyond the intoxicating scent of old paper, ink, and leather. She can feel the echoes of the books’ previous owners—an emotional fingerprint only she can read. When Ashlyn discovers a pair of beautifully bound volumes that appear to have never been published, her gift quickly becomes an obsession. Not only is each inscribed with a startling incrimination, but the authors, Hemi and Belle, tell conflicting sides of a tragic romance.

"It's an emotional book with characters that I felt like I knew and won't soon forget," wrote Susan in her review.

Nominated in the Historical Fiction category.

Buy The Echo of Old Books at Amazon

(Kindle Unlimited subscribers can read for free)

The Paris Daughter by Kristin Harmel

Paris, 1939: Young mothers Elise and Juliette become fast friends the day they meet in the beautiful Bois de Boulogne. Though there is a shadow of war creeping across Europe, neither woman suspects that their lives are about to irrevocably change.

"It's a story of friendship and love, grief and despair with characters that you won't soon forget," stated Susan in her review. 

Nominated in the Historical Fiction category.

Buy The Paris Daughter at Amazon

The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry

When a woman discovers a rare book that has connections to her past, long-held secrets about her missing sister and their childhood spent in the English countryside during World War II are revealed.

I had real trouble putting the book down - check out my review.

"This is a book that you don't want to miss," concluded Susan in her review.

Nominated in the Historical Fiction category.

Buy The Secret Book of Flora Lea at Amazon

Weyward by Emilia Hart

Weyward is a beautifully written story about three women who are part of the Weyword family and their connection over four centuries.  The women are all fighting against evil in their lives and use their love and nature - and a bit of magic - to survive.  The story is told by each woman in alternating chapters. ~ from Susan's review.

Nominated in the Historical Fiction category AND Debut Novel category. 

Buy Weyward at Amazon

(Kindle Unlimited subscribers can read for free)

The Keeper of Hidden Books by Madeline Martin

All her life, Zofia has found comfort in two things during times of hardship: books and her best friend, Janina. But no one could have imagined the horrors of the Nazi occupation in Warsaw. As the bombs rain down and Hitler’s forces loot and destroy the city, Zofia finds that now books are also in need of saving.

"This beautifully written and well-researched book is based on a true story in Warsaw during World War II," writes Susan in her review.

Nominated in the Historical Fiction category.

Buy The Keeper of Hidden Books at Amazon

  

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

Cambridge professor Emily Wilde is good at many things: She is the foremost expert on the study of faeries. She is a genius scholar and a meticulous researcher who is writing the world's first encyclopaedia of faerie lore. But Emily Wilde is not good at people. She could never make small talk at a party--or even get invited to one. And she prefers the company of her books, her dog, and the Fair Folk.

MK French "enjoyed this book" - check out her review.

Nominated in the Fantasy Novel category.

Buy Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries at Amazon

What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez

Bolivian-Argentinian Inez Olivera belongs to the glittering upper society of nineteenth century Buenos Aires, and like the rest of the world, the town is steeped in old world magic that’s been largely left behind or forgotten. Inez has everything a girl might want, except for the one thing she yearns the most: her globetrotting parents—who frequently leave her behind.

"The finale to the book is highly emotional and tragic," wrote MK in her review.

Nominated in the Young Adult Fantasy Novel category.

Buy What the River Knows at Amazon

The Great Transition by Nick Fuller Googins

In the near future, humanity hasn’t avoided the worst of climate change—wildfires, rising oceans, mass migration, and skyrocketing inequality have become the daily reality. But just when it seems that it can’t get any worse, remarkably, a movement of workers, migrants, and refugees inspires the world to band together, save the planet, and rebuild a society for all. This is The Great Transition.

This book is on my To-Read list and I hope to get to it before the end of the year.

Nominated in the Science Fiction category. 

Buy The Great Transition at Amazon

The Ferryman by Justin Cronin

Founded by a mysterious genius, the archipelago of Prospera lies hidden from the horrors of a deteriorating outside world. In this island paradise, Prospera's lucky citizens enjoy long, fulfilling lives until the monitors embedded in their forearms, meant to measure their physical health and psychological well-being, fall below 10 percent. Then they retire themselves, embarking on a ferry ride to the island known as the Nursery, where their failing bodies are renewed, their memories are wiped clean, and they are readied to restart life afresh.

"The plot twist at the two-thirds mark was fantastic, setting off a number of wrinkles for Proctor to deal with, and I couldn't put the book down," wrote MK in her review.

Nominated in the Science Fiction category.

Buy The Ferryman at Amazon

Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Montserrat has always been overlooked. She’s a talented sound editor, but she’s left out of the boys’ club running the film industry in ’90s Mexico City. And she’s all but invisible to her best friend, Tristán, a charming if faded soap opera star, though she’s been in love with him since childhood.

"The inevitable showdown is spectacular and like a movie" Read more of MK's review.

Nominated in the Horror Novel category.

Buy Silver Nitrate at Amazon

The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff

Geeta's no-good husband disappeared five years ago. She didn't kill him, but everyone thinks she did--no matter how much she protests.

"It was full of surprises that I didn't see coming," stated MK in her review.

Nominated in the Debut Novel category.

Buy The Bandit Queens at Amazon

Spare by Prince Harry

It was one of the most searing images of the twentieth century: two young boys, two princes, walking behind their mother’s coffin as the world watched in sorrow—and horror. As Princess Diana was laid to rest, billions wondered what Prince William and Prince Harry must be thinking and feeling—and how their lives would play out from that point on.

"The book is very well written," stated Susan in her review.

Nominated in the Memoir category.

Buy Spare at Amazon

Being Henry by Henry Winkler

Henry Winkler, launched into prominence by his role as “The Fonz” in the beloved Happy Days, has transcended the role that made him who he is. Brilliant, funny, and widely-regarded as the nicest man in Hollywood (though he would be the first to tell you that it’s simply not the case, he’s really just grateful to be here), Henry shares in this achingly vulnerable memoir the disheartening truth of his childhood, the difficulties of a life with severe dyslexia, the pressures of a role that takes on a life of its own, and the path forward once your wildest dream seems behind you.

"I loved everything about this memoir." Read my review.

Nominated in the Humor category.

Buy Being Henry at Amazon

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.

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