2023 Recap: Favorite Books, Films & More

February isn’t too late for a review of last year, is it? Because wow, what a year 2023 was! From planning my wedding, to getting married in April, moving in May, falling into the new life rhythms of being a wife, seeing For King & Country in concert, embarking on a brand-new writing project, traveling to Toronto in the fall, and turning 28 (among many other memories made)… I feel like I’ve emerged on the other side of 2023 as a new person.

But instead of getting all sappy on you, I’m here to do a roundup of all things story- and art-related! Favorite books, movies, albums, you name it! Because it’s been WAY too long since I contributed to your Chronic TBR Problem*, right?

*Not to worry, 99.98% of all readers suffer from this. It’s incurable but not, so far as we know, deadly.

Here we go!

Top 5 Books of 2023

1. Piranesi // Susanna Clarke

I loved Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, so it was with great anticipation that I finally picked up her much smaller book, Piranesi. Featuring a massive house with uncountable statues, primal floods, and very, very few inhabitants, it made for a most unusual setting. And Piranesi himself made for a most unusual protagonist.

The whole thing was surreal, unusual, and thought-provoking. After binge-reading it in a single day (at a spa, no less!) I felt like I had resurfaced from a deep sea dive.

It’s best to go into this book relatively blind, so I won’t say much more. Just… prepare for a thing of beauty. It’s a story both uneasy and comforting, and the slow dawning of the light is a feeling that stuck with me.

2. Shadows of Self // Brandon Sanderson

Okay, here’s where I admit that devouring this story in audiobook format led to a leaky memory and all I really retained are The Vibes™. Also the Wild West-like action scenes and plot intrigue and Wayne’s humor and Wax flying around the city and that CRAZY ENDING.

But I really really liked it. Trust me.

Honestly, I’m also throwing this book on the list to say that the entire Mistborn Saga–including the original trilogy AND these spin-off books set many years afterward–are SO FUN and are definitely responsible for rekindling my love of high fantasy over the last couple of years.

3. Cherish // Gary L. Thomas

Gasp, a nonfiction made the list? Why yes, it did. My husband and I read this one together during our pre-marriage counselling. Unlike some of the relationship books I’ve read, this one really felt like it celebrated marriage, focusing on the joys to be found when you learn to truly honor, encourage, appreciate, and cherish your spouse. It was practical, easy to read, and something I know I’ll be rereading in the future.

4. Wind Daughter // Joanna Ruth Meyer

Ever since reading Echo North, Joanna Ruth Meyer has been on my list of favorite fantasy authors. And this book, happily, is loosely connected to Echo North! It follows the sensitive, strong, and compassionate Satu through a journey of many miles as she takes up the mantle of the North Wind and endeavors to piece the unraveling world back together.

Weaving the comfortable familiarity of a fairytale-esque world with surprising twists and turns, Wind Daughter captured my attention and my heart. (Also, that romance?? Loved it.)

5. The Last Magician // Lisa Maxwell

Time travel. Magic. 1902 New York. Gangs and underground operations and heists and an ancient book and a bit of slow-burn romance. It’s like someone threw a bunch of my favorite ingredients into a blender! This one was a meaty book with layered plotlines, a pretty big cast, a nifty magic system, and a whole world to get lost in. (P.S. While shelved as YA, this one read a little more NA [new adult] to me.)

Honorary mention: All Systems Red by Martha Wells, a sci-fi novella led by a snarky corporate android tasked with protecting a human space crew. Much fun. Much reluctantly-found-family.

Top 5 Movies of 2023

I didn’t visit the theater much last year, but I did see plenty of older releases and enjoyed a TON of shows. Here’s my favorite movies watched in 2023!

1. You’ve Got Mail

Can you believe I’d never seen this one before?! Now it might be my favorite rom-com EVER. I mean, how could I not love an enemies-to-lovers story about a bookshop owner and her rival opening up a big box bookstore down the street?

2. Olympus Has Fallen

I think I forgot to breathe for this movie’s entire 119 minutes of runtime. Extremely taut pacing, whew! And it’s an action movie with depth, carrying in it a redemption story and great side characters as well.

3. The Intern

Robert DeNiro and Anne Hathaway made this such a charming, wholesome film. Basic premise: a 70-something grandpa becomes an intern at a cutting-edge fashion company and helps the overworked CEO find balance and joy again. Really cute!

4. Stray Kids: Maniac in Seoul

Okay, I KNOW this isn’t really a movie, but since I haven’t gotten to see Stray Kids live on stage yet, a concert DVD is the next-best thing. This was full of stellar performances and was way better quality than YouTube fan-cams! I unapologetically “brought” my lightstick and Wolf Chan to the living room couch for this.

5. A Boy Called Christmas

A surprisingly whimsical and heartwarming little tale about the plucky young Nikolas who travels with a talking mouse friend to the land of the elves. We watched a bunch of holiday movies in December, and this was my favorite new-to-me title.

Top 5 Shows of 2023

1. Iris

Technically I’m not quite done this espionage K-drama, but GUYS. I am OBSESSED. I can’t even tell you much about the plot without spoiling things, but it starts out with two best friends recruited to a black-ops agency… and quickly spirals into a story crossing multiple countries, involving high-stakes missions, forbidden love, tested loyalties, and so many twists. (So. Many.) Every episode leaves me a shrieking ball of feels. Just ask my husband how many pillows I’ve threatened to throw across the room.

I don’t care if you’ve never watched a Korean show in your life. If you like action dramas at all, I highly recommend checking this one out. And it’s on Netflix!

2. Into the Badlands (seasons 1-2)

One of my favorite things about this show is the immensely creative worldbuilding. It’s a post-apocalyptic world operating in a feudal system led by power-hungry barons. Throw in some magic, a crazy aesthetic that mixes modern technology with a hodgepodge of historical dress/weapons, and PLENTY of high-adrenaline fight scenes, and you’ve got Into the Badlands.

In season 1, our hero, Sunny, is a deadly martial arts genius and the righthand man of his bloodthirsty baron… but he longs for a different life. Then he meets M.K., a teenaged boy on the run who contains a dark energy within. Aaaand that’s as much as I’ll tell you about the plot! *smile smile*

(Note: Due to the frequent violence and some mature content, I recommend checking out reviews before watching.)

3. Twenty-Five Twenty-One

This K-drama is SO CUTE. Set in the 90’s, it follows a plucky young girl pursuing her dreams of becoming a national fencer, her fencing idol who’s got problems of her own, and her love interest whose family has gone from riches to rags in the wake of an economic crisis.

It’s a sweet coming-of-age story with a generous helping of friendship, 90’s nostalgia, and encouragement to shoot for the stars. My only real complaint is the ending… If you’ve seen it, message me on Instagram or something so we can rant together! (But despite that, I still loved the drama as a whole.)

4. Guardian: The Great and Lonely God (A.K.A. Goblin)

Yep, another K-drama! Once again, I’m only partway through it, but ahhhhh, it’s ADORABLE.

Basically, a 939-year-old dokkaebi (Korean goblin) is searching for a bride to break his immortal curse and pull an enchanted sword from his chest. (Very Beauty and the Beast.) He meets a student with a tragic backstory and… starts to fall in love for the first time in nearly a century, of course. My sisters and I screech over every cute moment between those two.

Add in the goblin’s friend, a clueless grim reaper, and you’ve got a hilariously reluctant bromance to balance out all the ANGSTY FEELS.

5. Stranger Things (seasons 1-4)

I really don’t have to preface this one! Over the summer, I had the joy of re-watching the whole show with my husband, who had never seen it. Even on my 4th watch, ST sits securely among my favorite shows EVER.

Top 5 Albums of 2023

I don’t talk about music much here on the blog, preferring to focus on books and films. As I was drafting this post, I went back and forth on whether to include this section at all. But the truth is, I listen to music constantly and love to geek out about it with anyone who will humor me. So, without further ado, here are my favorite five albums released last year!

1. 5-Star // Stray Kids

Just like the album title declares, this album is packed with quality songs and the flashy confidence the 8-member group, Stray Kids, is known for.

The title track, S-Class, comes with a music video so chaotic you’ll have to watch several times to catch everything. “Be the one to shine instead of chasing after what’s shiny,” the (translated) lyrics declare. “That’s much easier to show off. Shine like a diamond, ‘kay?”

Another personal fav of mine is FNF (referencing fauna and flora), pairing wistful/melancholy lyrics with a boppy instrumental.

RECOMMENDATIONS: If you prefer “noisy,” high-energy music, check out S-Class or the rap-heavy Topline. If you prefer more melodic pop, check out FNF and Hall of Fame. And if softer ballads are your thing, the all-English Youtiful is a very sweet addition.

2. Rock-Star // Stray Kids

Going back to their rock-infused roots, Stray Kids’ last album release of the year hits it out of the park once again. (I really can’t pick a favorite between this and 5-Sar!) The insanely catchy LALALALA, encourages listeners to leave worries behind and enjoy life, and comes with a heavy rock version at the end of the album.

My absolute favorite song, though, is Blind Spot, highlighting the work we do in the darkness, unnoticed by others. “Show them what you’re made of; your endless nights deserve a loud ovation.” The pop-rock chorus sounds like it could fill a stadium: “Shining, we are the champions, trying to make a difference… dying to live for greatness.” (As an aspiring author who’s been writing for a decade and a half, the whole song really hits home!)

RECOMMENDATIONS: Again, if you like hype songs, Megaverse, LALALALA, and Comflex will be up your alley. If softer is your style, check out the acoustic-sounding Leave and the emotional belting in Cover Me.

3. Expectation // D.O.

No, I don’t just listen to Stray Kids, or even “noisy” music, for that matter. I unexpectedly fell head over heels in love with D.O.’s easy listening album released this year, Expectation. The songs feel like sitting in sunny cafe with a warm drink and a book to read.

RECOMMENDATIONS: My favorite track is I Do, a sweet confession of love, with Somebody and Lost as close runners-up.

4. Livelock // Xdinary Heroes

This album by K-rock band, Xdinary Heroes, hits hard! From the energetic Freddy and Break the Brake, to the angsty Enemy, the album only slows down once for Paranoid.

RECOMMENDATION: I’m particularly obsessed with Pluto, which speaks of cutting away everything that holds you back and “burning like a glowing star.”

5. House on a Hill // Eric Nam

Similar to D.O.’s Expectation, this album’s sound is super chill and acoustic. (And for anyone who’s not into Korean music… this one is all-English.) With introspective, pensive lyrics, it feels like a series of journal entries chronicling an existential crisis.

RECOMMENDATION: My favorite song, and perhaps the most uplifting track on an otherwise melancholy album, is House on a Hill. This song wonders if the fulfillment of our dreams will really satisfy, and asks, “What if I have everything right now, and I’m missing what it’s all about?” In the end, this song leaves me content and grateful for where I am.

A Random Assortment of Favorite Songs of 2023

On top of my favorite albums, here’s a few standout songs I enjoyed last year! I really restrained myself here, guys. My real list is probably ten times as long as this.

• Firm Foundation // Maverick City Music (our wedding song! ❤️)
• What Are We Waiting For? // For King & Country (hearing this in concert was so cool)
• Switch to Me // J.Y. Park & Rain (the whole song is kind of a meme but I can’t stop laughing at the music video)
• Bet on Me // Itzy (my husband has turned me into an Itzy fan!)
• The Breach // Starset (BIG inspo for Project: Acid Rain!)
• Wherever I Go // Anthem Lights (a comfort song)
• Walk With You // Onew (his voice is so soothing)
• Chasing That Feeling // TXT (way way too catchy and addictive)
• Castle on the Hill // Ed Sheeran (this feels like a decade’s worth of nostalgia packed into a single song)
• Don’t Stop the Car // Blake Rose (this one screams summer)
• Love From the Other Side // Fall Out Boy (my sisters and I agree this song fits the weird Umbrella Academy show PERFECTLY)

Your turn! Any books, movies, shows, or music you were obsessed with last year? Does anything on my list pique your interest? I’d love to chat with you in the comments!