2023 Book Roundup

As 2023 draws to a close, amidst a sea of year-end retrospectives, I’ve decided to share my own review of the books I read this year. These selections span various genres, and while not all were published in 2023, that’s when they caught my attention.

Notes

• Only series that I read completely in 2023, or standalone books, are included.
• Ongoing series I read part of will be honorably mentioned below.
• LitRPG is not everyone’s cup of tea, I know the stats can be confusing at first, but my recommendations here should be less intimidating options..

Science Fiction

1. The Downloaded by Robert J. Sawyer

   • A standalone book blending sci-fi and dystopian future.
   • Presented in audio format with a full cast including Brendan Fraser.

2. The Murderbot Diaries Series by Martha Wells

   • An ongoing series with seven books so far, including “System Collapse” released this year.
   • Offers a unique blend of classic sci-fi and a sardonic narrative voice.

3. Imperium of Terra Series by Evan Currie

   • Currently comprises “I Was Legion” and “Legion in Exile”.
   • A space opera with classic sci-fi themes, potentially expanding further.

4. The Deathless Series by Chris Fox

   • A complete series includes six full-length books and a short story prequel.
   • A genre fusion of sci-fi, urban fantasy, and historical fiction.

LitRPG and Science Fantasy

1. Relict Legacy Series by Shemer Kuznits

   • A complete trilogy with light LitRPG elements set in a sci-fi universe.

2. Pixel Dust Series by David Petrie

   • A classic LitRPG series exploring in-game and real-world dynamics.

3. Cat Core Series by Dean Henegar

   • A softer introduction to LitRPG, focusing on dungeon core themes with a unique twist.

Honorable Mentions

1. The Good Guys and The Bad Guys by Eric Ugland

   • Two interconnected LitRPG series set in the same universe.

2. The Gray Man Series by Mark Greaney and Orphan X Series by Gregg Hurwitz.

   • Action-packed thrillers with compelling protagonists.

Closing Thoughts

This year, I’ve delved into 170 books, mostly by indie authors in the genres above. This review captures just a glimpse of my reading journey. To explore my complete reading list for the year, visit my Goodreads 2023 Year in Books. Feel free to reach out if you’d like to discuss any of these titles further.