Our Teen Advisory Board's favourite books of 2023
It's been a huge year of reading for our Teen Advisory Board. Below you can discover some of their favourite books from 2023, what their go-to summer break reads are, as well as the books they're hoping to buy, borrow or be gifted these holidays.
Favourite book of the year?
'At the beginning of this year, I picked up a beautiful copy of Jane Eyre, which had been given to me as a Christmas gift. Delightedly, I flew through it in a week – all day I would look forward to escaping to the rugged comfort of the Northern English moors in the evening. There is something so mesmerising about Charlotte Brontë's enchanting prose; it is intimate, addictive, richly descriptive and exquisitely gothic. The tale of a young woman carving her way in the world was revolutionary at the time of its penning, and continues to be empowering for modern readers.' – Ione
'Spice Road. I absolutely loved this book and I need to find out what happens next! The story keeps you on your toes with twists and turns that are unexpected and exciting. The action is captivating and the betrayal and loyalties completely surprise you. It has found the perfect balance between the themes. There is heartwarming family moments, inspiring rebellion, enthralling rivalry and a brilliant incorporation of magic in an original way. And on a side note, the magic tea was pretty cool.' – Stella
'My favourite book of the year was The Secret History by Donna Tartt. I enjoyed the first person point of view from the character Richard who I found quite compelling. The 'why done it' format of the book had me hooked from the first page.' – Caspian
'The Electric Kingdom by David Arnold. I found it hard to put this book down. It's a unique post-apocalypse book that was unlike any other I've read in a long time. The interesting characters and plot made it an engrossing read that took no time to finish.' – Charlotte
'An absolute standout of the year was The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro. This is a truly masterful novel, brilliant in its simplicity, speaking fathoms with its silence.' – Olivia
'Waking Romeo. It was a fantastic read in around 350 pages with tons of plot twists that kept me engaged so well.' – Navya
'My favourite book this year was One Song by A.J. Betts. This YA novel follows year 12 student Eva who wants to win Triple J Unearthed High. For the past 3 years she has been rejected. This year is her final chance. She has three bandmates by her side, but then, Ruby, the judgy bassist, has mentioned Eva's song sucks... with only a weekend to go. This relatable coming of age book surronds mental health, miscommunication, talent and learning not to judge a book by its cover.' – Poppy
'My favourite book of the year was Love Radio by Ebony LaDelle. I remember reading this book *right* at the beginning of this year, and it was one of those books that I loved the most. I truly don't know how to describe it in words, it's a story about growing up, falling in love and learning how to move on from traumatic situations ... but done in such a heartfelt, genuine way. Read it. Please!!' – Saira
'Daydream & Drunkenness of a Young Lady by Clarice Lispector. Funny, absurd, and complex, these short stories portray women through rich descriptions of their environment and their emotions. It's very tender and brims with feminine vibrancy!' – Alina
