2023 Favorites

My Three Favorite Books I Read in 2023

Favorite "new to me" books I read this year.

3.  Love, Theoretically, Ali Hazelwood
This wouldn't be a complete "Val's list of top reads" without an Ali Hazelwood STEM-centric rom-com on the list, now would it? Exactly. As per usual, we have a male main character who is an absolute fool for the female lead. Plus he's so caring, so soft, so gentle, so capable. And Elsie, said female lead, was such a fun character to follow—teaching college courses, loving Twilight, striving after her dreams... we love to see it! Overall, I don't know what it was about this one—the chemistry between our leads? The fun and cheesy humor? The smarty pants science talk? I'm not sure, but I bet a second (or a third) read-through will help me decide!

“He studies my face for several moments, like he cannot stop on the cover or the first page, like he needs to read the whole book every time.” 

 2. The Right Move, Liz Tomforde
Listen, if you have ALSO read this book, I only need to say two words for you to understand this book's high position in my ranking: Ryan. Shay. RYAN SHAY! Sigh. But to expand a little bit more... In the romance book-readers world, "tropes" are everything, and this one delivered SO MANY of my favorite tropes: grumpy sunshine. Best friend's brother. Opposites attract. Fake dating. Pro athlete. Like, hi, I am SOLD. Plus, the number of 😍 emojis Ellie and I sent back and forth while reading this? THE LIMIT DOES NOT EXIST. Give me a caring and protective male main character and I am absolutely here for it, always and forever. Tears were streaming down my face by the end of this book, and I just thought to myself, 'Thank you, Lord, for Ryan Shay.'

“You can’t stop being who you are because someone else thinks it’s too much, Ind. He can go find less."

1. The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, Elizabeth O'Roark 
When international pop star Drew Wilson needs a break from her grueling tour schedule, she ends up in Hawaii with the family of her ex-boyfriend. Along for the ride? His dashing but grumpy older brother Joshua, a tall, 'Doctors Without Borders' type who soon develops a soft spot for Drew. I gobbled up the entire "Devil" series in a flash, and seriously considered just making three of them my top picks of the year, but this second entry was the one to capture my heart along with the top spot. (It must be said, though, that the first book in the series, "A Deal with the Devil" is also great and I loved it SO MUCH.) But anyway—the Hawaiian mountains, globe-trotting story, deep feelings, and sprinkling of heart-sparkling moments (the pastry! at her door! I. DIE.) were just exactly the perfect formula to make this a favorite all-time read for me.

“It takes so little to make her happy and I wonder if anyone in her life even tries.”

Honorable Mention

Flawless by Elsie Silver (Never thought I needed a professional bull rider in my life, but then I read about Rhett Eaton.)
Caught Up, Liz Tomforde (The third book in the Mile High/Right Move series. I'm thoroughly obsessed with these books, and this is another series that easily could have just taken up the top three spots on my list.)
Freaks, Gleeks, and Dawson's Creek: How Seven Teen Shows Transformed Television, Thea Glassman (If you're a pop culture/television fan, or if you loved any of these shows, this book is for you!)
Kiss My Cupcake, Helena Hunting (He owns the axe-throwing pub next door to her bakery. What more do you need to know?)
Murder for the Modern Girl, Kendall Kulper (A fun and interesting read, with a smart and inventive plot. Loved the main characters!)
Say You Swear, Meagan Brandy (I read a lot of romance books this year—obviously—but Noah Riley was one of my FAVORITE 'book boyfriends.')
I'm Glad My Mom Died, Jennette McCurdy (This girl has been THROUGH IT, but she wrote a beautiful, smart, and heartbreaking memoir about it all.)
Always Mine / Ever Mine, Laura Pavlov (The first two books in the Honey Mountain series were my favorite, but they're all worth reading!)
Done and Dusted, Lyla Sage (I need the sequel to this book to come out YESTERDAY. But I'll settle for March!)
Bookworm, Cookie O'Gorman (Cookie O'Gorman is my GIRL, and I will read her sweet, soft YA romances as long as she keeps putting them out.)

I read 98 books this year, and the only people who would have been interested in that information are my grandparents. They aren't here anymore, so I'm telling you. Is 100 in my future? Come back next year...

 My Three Favorite Movies of 2023

Runner-Up: Oppenheimer
"Oppenheimer" is an outstanding film. The cast, score, direction, structure... it just all works for me. It's absolutely top tier. Nevermind that it's a "who's who" of fiercely talented Hollywood actors (including my first true movie love Josh Hartnett), it's also a fascinating story that sweeps its way through time and across the world, and I just really loved the whole experience. 

3.  Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part 1
"Dead Reckoning" is a smart, twisty, clever blast. These movies always strike the right balance between humor and tension, and "Dead Reckoning" is no different. It has a unique and inventive plot, some great character development, and, of course, more than a few jaw-dropping stunts and set pieces—plus a ton of laugh-out-loud moments! I love that they brought Hayley Atwell (forever my Agent Carter!) and Pom Klementieff (who was awesome formidable and... kinda scary!) into the fold—those two combined with the return of Rebecca Ferguson and Vanessa Kirby created a formidable line-up of strong female characters, and we really love to see it. It's a shame that "Dead Reckoning's" release got eclipsed by Barbenheimer, because it deserved more time in the theatrical spotlight, so to speak. Please see it if you missed it—if not for me, do it for Shea Whigham. That guy's awesome.

2. Barbie
It makes little to no sense, but part of me wanted to NOT rank "Barbie" super high? Just because it got SO popular, you know? But that's not really fair to Greta Gerwig, and it's really not fair to one Barbara Millicent Roberts. And it's also just not the truth, because "Barbie" was insanely fun, creative, smart, heartfelt, and hilarious, and man was it a great time at the theater! I mean I was literally pointing at the screen when I saw Barbie clothes I used to own. I had a blast spotting so many people in the audience dressed up in pink (I honestly had to stop myself from yelling "Hi Barbie!" to my fellow Barbies). Also I laughed probably a little too much (it had my favorite joke of the entire year!*). I truly think it's the funniest movie I've seen in the last few years. The whole experience was so nostalgic and refreshing and positive and FUN (I know, I keep using that word), and... I don't know. I just wish more movies could be like that.

*“It’s like I’ve been in a dream where I was really invested in the Zack Snyder Cut of Justice League!”

1. Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret
This. Movie. Is. Wonderful. My gosh. I already love coming-of-age films, but this one was so smartly, delightfully, and reverently crafted, I found it impossible not to immediately deem it a favorite. The cast is pitch perfect, the script is both funny and touching, and the direction is flawless. Abby Ryder Fortson did a fantastic job anchoring the film, but Rachel McAdams (playing Margaret's mom) nearly stole the whole movie. I love Rachel in everything, but she was so magnetic and sensitive and relatable and dynamic in this, I found myself in awe of her talents all over again. The whole viewing experience was outstanding—I laughed, hid my face in embarrassed amusement, and teared up throughout. I didn't want it to end! It's as close to perfect as a movie came for me this year, and I can't encourage you enough to check out this sweet, poignant, funny, relatable gem of a movie.

Honorable Mention: The Holdovers, The Color Purple, Missing, Joy Ride, A Haunting in Venice, No Hard Feelings, Guy Ritchie's The Covenant

My Three Favorite TV Shows of 2023

Favorite shows I started watching this year:

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Here's the (very strange) deal: I only started—and finished—two new (to me) shows this year. I started several other good ones, but for whatever reason just haven't managed to make it to the end yet. That being said, at this point finishing all available episodes of a series is a big compliment from me, so with that in mind... Here are my top two new shows I stuck with this year!

2. Reacher
I didn't initially jump at the chance to check out "Reacher." Mostly because, to be honest? It seemed like the epitome of a "dad show." (Not my dad, but you know... DADS.) However, I saw a couple clips online, didn't have anything else to watch (clearly), and decided to give it a whirl. Okay so, to get it out of the way, yes: a lot of it is just a very (very) big guy punching and shooting people. And giving people the stink eye, and spouting off some pretttttty cheesy dialogue. BUT. But. "Reacher" also has a compelling season-long mystery, some fun twists and turns, and a few actors I loved in other shows (Hi, Clive from "iZombie!"). It's a little gory and sometimes pretty brutal, but overall I had a great time traversing rural Georgia with a 6'5" dude who can snap his way out of zip-tie handcuffs and kick a car hard enough to deploy an airbag.

1. Poker Face 
File this one under "S" for "Shows That Feel Like They Were Made Just For Me." I mean—a witty, sprawling mystery that unfurls over the course of ten tight and highly entertaining episodes? This has VALERIE written all over it! Natasha Lyonne is perfect in the lead role of Charlie Cale, a smart and compassionate gal-on-the-run who can always tell when someone is lying (it's a feeling, you see). As she makes her way across the country trying to stay one step ahead of bodyguard/bad guy Benjamin Bratt, she finds herself solving mysteries in a myriad of different venues—a barbecue joint, a race track, a retirement home, and more. Along the way, we are treated to a series of iconic guest actors like Judith Light, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Stephanie Hsu, Charles Melton, Tim Meadows, and Cherry Jones. It's absolutely outstanding, and I cannot wait for season 2.

My Three Favorite Events of 2023

3. Summer + Christmas Family Time
Our family's annual Galveston vacation is always one of my favorite weeks of the year! Going out on the boat, eating ice cream on the Strand, building sand castles, playing games, driving the golf cart, throwing water balloons, celebrating birthdays, fishing in the ocean... what's not to love? Wish I could play this week on repeat a few more times!

 
We got together again at Christmas, but why tell you about it when I can just SHOW you? Press play to see our December fun:

2. Morby Family Reunion
The reason we got together—my grandfather's memorial service—was less than fun. But everything that came with my entire extended family gathering together for it was pure magic. We took all the little kids to a trampoline park, spent time out at "Morbyland" (my nieces' first time ever!), laughed a ton, played board games, and just enjoyed all being in the same place. It was more fun than it should have been, and I am so, so incredibly thankful for this group of people. 

1. Ciminellos and Morbys in New York
All my favorite people in one of my favorite places? IF I'M DREAMING PLEASE DON'T WAKE ME UP 'CAUSE BABY I CAN'T GET ENOUGH. My parents took me, my brother, and my sister and her family to New York City this October, and it was amazing! I loved getting to see the Big Apple through my nieces eyes—it was their first time up there, and it was SO fun getting to show them around! We ate fantastic food (family-style dining is my new favorite and I firmly believe more restaurants should be like this), got to experience so many iconic NYC landmarks/attractions together (Broadway Museum where have you been all my life??), and saw incredible shows ("Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" was a mind-meltingly incredible experience and I will never be over how astounding it was). It felt like the trip of a lifetime and I am so, so grateful that we got to do that together. Thanks, Mom and Dad! 

Honorable Mention: Girls trip to Kentucky, SMG movie club, Galveston weekend with Ellie, celebrating 15 years at my job (!), Ciminellos at family camp, old media team reunion at Melissa's anniversary party, celebrating Dad's 70th birthday, sweet surprise gifts from co-workers, celebrating Kristen's time at Pine Cove, and Thanksgiving in Galveston.

Lastly, I can't end this entry without talking about the other big thing that happened this year. After nearly 93 years living, laughing, and working (Lord, how he worked) on this earth, Grandpa Glenn finally went to his rest. If we're honest I'm still wrestling and reconciling with this one, but I'm left with the sweetest memories of him and the legacy he left behind. Nothing is the same without him here, but oh—how grateful am I that I got to have Glenn Morby as my grandfather. Rest well, Grandpa, and enjoy eating some nachos, watching the Nicholas brothers dance, and making malts with Grandma. Love you.