Hi friends! This past week was a pretty exciting one, I had my 30th birthday on the 12th (yay!) and honestly, I’m really looking forward to starting my 30s. I feel like in the last 5 years (yes, that was an intention theatre reference) I’ve really started to grow into the person I’m supposed to be — and even if some days are hard, I’m definitely growing into a person I love and respect, so I’m excited to see how that continues as I enter the third decade of my life.
With this new decade of my life starting, I thought it would be fun to do a post on 30 books that I want to read during my 30th year. I started it and thought “Wow, picking 30 books feels oddly daunting?” then I decided to split it into three categories — so, in this post I’ll be sharing 10 backlist books, 10 2023 releases, and 10 new to me authors that I want to read over the next year.
So, grab your favorite beverage and a snack, get cozy, and let’s talk about books!
I figured that it would make the most sense to start with 10 backlist books. Some of these books have been on my backlist for years, some are newer additions, but something all 10 of these books have in common is that I’ve been wanting to read them for a while!
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
Yes, I’m starting this off with a bang. I’m not sure what it is about classic novels that are the size and weight of a literal brick that appeals to me, but they just do! I’ve seen quite a few adaptations of War and Peace and of course I love the musical Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, but I’ve never read all of War and Peace. This is definitely the most daunting book on the list, but I do really want to read it! This book feels very fall/winter to me, so it’ll probably set my sights on it come November, and will hopefully finish it before March 2024!
Links for War and Peace: Goodreads | TheStoryGraph | Bookshop | Indie Bound
Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney
After reading Normal People last year, I have discovered that I am in fact, a Sally Rooney girlie! Earlier this year I picked up both Beautiful World, Where Are You and Conversations with Friends — both of which I’m looking forward to reading this year, but I’m planning on prioritizing Beautiful World, Where Are You.
Links for Beautiful World, Where Are You: Goodreads | TheStoryGraph | Bookshop | Indie Bound
Alone With You in the Ether by Olivie Blake
Yes, I know I’ve said this before. Yes, I know that at this point I’m an Alone With You in the Ether tease, but listen, I’ve have been DYING to read this for so long, but something in my brain keeps going “nope, you’re not ready yet” and from what I know about this book, I want to be sure that I am in the right mindset for it so that I can well and truly appreciate it. I’ve been feeling more ready for it lately, so I think I’m going to try and read it this month!
Links for Alone With You in the Ether: Goodreads | TheStoryGraph | Bookshop | Indie Bound
The Lost Coast by A.R. Capetta
I’ve read both The Heartbreak Bakery and Echo After Echo by A.R. Capetta and absolutely loved them, so I’m really looking forward to The Lost Coast! I tried reading it a few years ago, but just wasn’t in the mood for the story so I didn’t get very far in. However, lately I’ve been very into stories about witches, and while I’m not always in the mood for a fantasy read, A.R. Capetta’s writing is always so vivid and easy to get lost in so I’m sure that this time once I start it, I won’t be able to stop.
Links for The Lost Coast: Goodreads | TheStoryGraph | Bookshop | Indie Bound
The Mad Woman’s Ball by Victoria Mas
The Mad Woman’s Ball has been on my TBR for what feels like FOREVER. As I mentioned in my reading journal post, one of my goals for the year is to read at least 5 translated works, and this falls under that category! This book also sounds so interesting, and I think it’ll touch on a lot of topics that I enjoy reading about. My brother-in-law gave me a physical copy for my birthday, and I’m hoping to read it soon.
Links for The Mad Woman’s Ball: Goodreads | TheStoryGraph | Bookshop | Indie Bound
The Sleepless by Victor Manibo
TBH, I’m not a big sci-fi girlie. However, I’m always looking for books by Filipino authors and I loved Kate from YourTitaKate’s review of The Sleepless, which is actually how I heard about it in the first place. The premise sounds really interesting and I’ve had a copy for a while but haven’t gotten around to reading it yet, but I am planning on reading it this year!
Links for The Sleepless: Goodreads | TheStoryGraph | Bookshop | Indie Bound
Turning by Joy L. Smith
Although I didn’t take ballet classes as a child — I did take one in college though — I’ve always been fascinated by the world of ballet. This book just sounds so interesting and from the summary alone, I have a very strong feeling that it’s going to make me cry.
Links for Turning: Goodreads | TheStoryGraph | Bookshop | Indie Bound
Kamila Knows Best by Farah Heron
A diverse Emma retelling? Literally a book made for me. This has been sitting on my shelves for… many many months at this point, but as I’m planning on rereading Emma soon, I’ll definitely be reading Kamila Knows Best afterward!
Links for Kamila Knows Best: Goodreads | TheStoryGraph | Bookshop | Indie Bound
The Summer of Broken Rules by K.L. Walther
I just love stories set in the summer. It’s my favorite time of year. I love the freedom and possibilities that the summer holds, so I tend to gravitate to a lot of stories set during that time of year. I’m also obsessed with the idea of a family who every summer plays a giant game of Assassin, I love that for them. This book sounds like it’ll be a lot of fun but also have a lot of heart, so I’m looking forward to it.
Links for The Summer of Broken Rules: Goodreads | TheStoryGraph | Bookshop | Indie Bound
A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft
Similarly to my situation with Alone With You in the Ether, I have wanted to read A Far Wilder Magic for so long but my brain is just like NO! Truthfully, I do need to be in a very specific mood to read fantasy, even if it’s an anticipated read and even if it’s from an author that I know writes stories I love. Hopefully, I’m able to get it together and read it soon though.
Links for A Far Wilder Magic: Goodreads | TheStoryGraph | Bookshop | Indie Bound
Next, I thought it would make sense to talk about 10 2023 releases that I’m looking forward to! Honestly, this list grows every day as I hear about more new releases, but I have been able to narrow it down to 10 that I’m especially excited for — or at least 10 that I can think of off the top of my head as I work on this post!
In These Hallowed Halls: A Dark Academia Anthology
I won’t lie, when I first heard about this anthology I kind of lost my mind. We all know that I love dark academia, but what excites me the most is the authors involved. I was so excited when I saw that Olivie Blake was involved and then I just about died when I heard that M.L. Rio had written a story for this anthology. I can’t wait for its release in September and just know that it’ll be the perfect autumn read
Links for In These Hallowed Halls: A Dark Academia Anthology: Goodreads | TheStoryGraph | Bookshop | Indie Bound
Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong
Like just about every other person, I have had Immortal Longings at the top of my TBR since it was first announced. I have loved everything Chloe Gong has written so far, and I expect to love Immortal Longings as well. I’m super excited to see what her first adult novel has in store, and as this book is inspired by Shakespeare, it’s sure to be right up my alley.
Links for Immortal Longings: Goodreads | TheStoryGraph | Bookshop | Indie Bound
Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date by Ashley Herring Blake
I read and enjoyed both Delilah Green Doesn’t Care and Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail from the Bright Falls series by Ashley Herring Blake and I am SO excited for Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date. From the first book Iris has always been my favorite character in the friend group, and I’m really happy that she’s getting her own book. What I’m most excited for in this book, unsurprisingly, is that there’s also a theatre storyline as Iris auditions for a queer retelling of Much Ado About Nothing, so I’m definitely counting down the days until this one is released!
Links for Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date: Goodreads | TheStoryGraph | Bookshop | Indie Bound
Happy Place by Emily Henry
In my opinion, Emily Henry is the queen of modern romance. If Emily Henry writes it, I will be reading it. I love the nuance that she brings to her stories and characters and how she doesn’t shy away from the hard parts of life while still bringing light and cheerfulness to her stories. I’ve had Happy Place on my TBR for so long and I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy!
Links for Happy Place: Goodreads | TheStoryGraph | Bookshop | Indie Bound
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
I was blown away by R.F. Kuang’s storytelling when I read Babel last year, and was so excited to hear about Yellowface. There have been a lot of conversations about plagiarism in the publishing industry over the last few years so I think this is a great time for this story to be coming out and I’m really excited to see where this one goes!
Links for Yellowface: Goodreads | TheStoryGraph | Bookshop | Indie Bound
Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon
I always look forward to Rachel Lynn Solomon’s works, and I’m definitely excited about Business or Pleasure! The premise of this book sounds so great, and I’m sure that it’ll have a lot of fun and heartfelt moments that one can expect to find in RLS’s books. My best friend, and resident #1 RLS fan, Helena has given it her stamp of approval, so I’m sure that I’ll love it as well!
Links for Business or Pleasure: Goodreads | TheStoryGraph | Bookshop | Indie Bound
Murder and Mamon by Mia P. Manansala
Time and time again I’ve said how much I love the Tita Rosie’s Kitchen series by Mia P. Manansala and how much it means to me, so it’s unsurprising that I can’t wait for the 4th installment, Murder and Mamon. I love that this one will have Lila’s godmothers — the Calendar Crew, as she likes to call them — at the center of the mystery because they’re such fun characters. Is it October yet?
Links for Murder and Mamon: Goodreads | TheStoryGraph | Bookshop | Indie Bound
Ghosted by Amanda Quain
The tagline for Ghosted is “Never Have I Ever meets The X-Files in Amanda Quain’s Ghosted, a gender-bent contemporary retelling the Jane Austen classic, Northanger Abbey” I love Never Have I Ever, The X-Files was one of my favorite shows as a kid, and I love everything Jane Austen, it feels like this book is practically made for me! I loved her debut, Accomplished (which I reviewed here), so I can’t wait to see how she tackles Northanger Abbey. I actually have an ARC of this one, so I’ll probably be reading it soon!
Links for Ghosted: Goodreads | TheStoryGraph | Bookshop | Indie Bound
The Boy You Always Wanted by Michelle Quach
Michelle Quach’s debut novel, Not Here To Be Liked was without a doubt one of my favorite books of 2021 so I’m super excited for The Boy You Always Wanted. I love the fake dating trope — the pining! the yearning! What more could one ask for? Additionally, I love stories where the protagonist is especially close with their grandparents since I am/was very close with all four of my grandparents. While I know that this one will be hard to read as Francine’s grandfather is dying, I am really looking forward to diving into this one.
Links for The Boy You Always Wanted: Goodreads | TheStoryGraph | Bookshop | Indie Bound
The Firefly Summer by Morgan Matson
Morgan Matson has been one of my favorite YA authors for years now, and I’m so excited to read her middle grade debut! The Firefly Summer sounds like such a fun read — I absolutely love stories that involve the main character connecting with family that they either haven’t met or don’t know well, and with the backdrop of summer at a lake I’m sure it’ll be a great read!
Links for The Firefly Summer: Goodreads | TheStoryGraph | Bookshop | Indie Bound
We all have our go-to authors. The authors whose books we reread constantly, whose new releases always make the top of our TBR lists, and while I have many of those (most of them are on this list already) I always look forward to discovering new authors. So, I figured it made the most sense to end this post with 10 books written by authors that are new to me!
Barangay to Broadway: Filipino American Theater History by Walter Ang
As we know, I am a Broadway Baby through and through, so anything about Broadway is going to appeal to me. My Filipino heritage is also incredibly important to me. I remember growing up as a kid and not seeing many Filipino performers on stage or screen — aside from (queen) Lea Salonga, but in the last 10 years or so, there have been so many amazing Filipino performers on Broadway and Regional Theatre. Actually, this past weekend when I saw the tour of Six on my birthday, the woman playing Jane Seymour is Filipino! I’m so excited to dive into this book and learn more about Filipino American theatre history.
Links for Barangay to Broadway: Filipino American Theater History: Goodreads | TheStoryGraph | Bookshop | Indie Bound
Dear Medusa by Olivia A. Cole
Dear Medusa sounds like it’ll be a really difficult and gripping read. While the subject matter and what the main character Alicia has dealt with is absolutely horrible, I think stories like this, especially YA stories like this, are really important in changing how we discuss topics like abuse and assault. It also sounds like this book is told in verse, which I find really interesting.
Links for Dear Medusa: Goodreads | TheStoryGraph | Bookshop | Indie Bound
Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes
I have loved Greek Mythology since a child — pretty sure it’s because of my obsession with Hercules — and have always been fascinated by Medusa. As a kid I was definitely scared of her, but the older I got and the more I learned about her story the more understanding and sympathetic I became. All that is to say that I’m really excited to read Stone Blind. I received a copy for my birthday from my brother-in-law, so I’ll probably be starting it very soon!
Links for Stone Blind: Goodreads | TheStoryGraph | Bookshop | Indie Bound
She is a Haunting by Trang Thanh Tran
I’ve been really into reading horror novels lately, so She is a Haunting is right up my alley. It’s also been on my TBR for a while now, and when I went to the bookstore over my birthday weekend, I bought myself a copy. I’m really excited to dive into this one!
Links for She is a Haunting: Goodreads | TheStoryGraph | Bookshop | Indie Bound
Notes on a Execution by Danya Kukafka
I have been seeing Notes on an Execution everywhere and all the reviews that I’ve seen have been glowing, so I’ve been meaning to read this one for a while now. I think the set up for this book is really interesting in that we’ll be reading about this serial killer from the perspective of three women in his life — his mother, his sister-in-law, and the homicide detective on his case, and I’m really curious to see how this plays out. While I am looking forward to reading this one, I have to make sure that I’m in the right frame of mind for it because you know that it’s going to be a heavy one.
Links for Notes on a Execution: Goodreads | TheStoryGraph | Bookshop | Indie Bound
Call Us What We Carry by Amanda Gorman
While I know who Amanda Gorman is, I’ve never read any of her books and I’ve heard nothing but great things about Call Us What We Carry, so I’ve been meaning to check it out for a while now. I also want to read more poetry this year, so this seemed like the perfect time to finally check this one off of my list.
Links for Call Us What We Carry: Goodreads | TheStoryGraph | Bookshop | Indie Bound
Big Boned by Jo Watson
When I was a teenager I wish that there was any sort of media that painted plus-size girls and women in a positive light and not the butt of the joke — literally the only one I can think of from my childhood where a plus-size woman’s weight was never used as a punchline is Gilmore Girls — so to see that now just brings me so much joy. I’ve had Big Boned on my shelves for a long time now, but I’m hoping to read it really soon, especially for my teenage self who didn’t think that she was enough if she wasn’t a size 6.
Links for Big Boned: Goodreads | TheStoryGraph | Bookshop | Indie Bound
Suddenly a Murder by Lauren Muñoz
We all know I’m a murder mystery girlie, so obviously Suddenly a Murder is one that’s been on my radar for a little while now. A locked room murder mystery set at a 1920s themed party? Literally a story made for me. I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of this one!
Links for Suddenly a Murder: Goodreads | TheStoryGraph | Bookshop | Indie Bound
Laertes by Carly Stevens
I don’t remember how I heard about Laertes, but when I heard that it was a Hamlet retelling set in the 1920s from the perspective of Laertes, I just knew that I had to read it! I’m currently annotating and rereading Hamlet, so once that’s finished I’m going to start Laertes, so hopefully I can start it soon!
Links for Laertes: Goodreads | TheStoryGraph | Bookshop | Indie Bound
Teach the Torches to Burn by Caleb Roehrig
As we know, if it’s based on Shakespeare, I’m reading it! We also know that I’m obsessed with Romeo and Juliet, so, all that being said, obviously once it was announced Teach the Torches to Burn was added to my TBR. I’ve read a few books in this remix series and they’ve kind of been hit or miss, but I’m excited to read this one and hope that I love it!
Links for Teach the Torches to Burn: Goodreads | TheStoryGraph | Bookshop | Indie Bound
Oofie woofie, that was a long one friends, so thank you if you stuck it out til the end! Have you read any of these books? If so, I’d love to hear your thoughts and chat with you about them. Until next time!
Happy late birthday Caitlyn! I hope you get the chance to read all the books you want to
thank you, delaney!
I LOVE THIS IDEA! I also will say that I am currently reading Beautiful World, Where Are You…and not liking it…But we have many of the same TBR books. Also, I am HONORED you trust my opinion on RLS’ books.
oh no! i hope it gets better for you. and of course i trust your opinions on rls books!