6 Best Books of 2023, According to Bri Books

Welcome to Bri Books! This week, as we'll be delving into all things literary, starting with a review of the 6 best books I read in 2023. 

1. 'The War Before: The True Life Story of Becoming A Black Panther, Keeping the Faith in Prison & Fighting for Those Left Behind’ by Safiya Bukhari. This book was probably my most valuable and important read of 2023. It's the true-life story of Safiya Bukhari, and it catalogues her lifelong commitment as an advocate for the rights of the oppressed. Following her journey from middle-class student to Black Panter to political prisoner, her wiritings provide an intimate view of a woman wrestling with the issues of her time, including the legacy of the Panthers, misogyny in the movement, her decision to convert to Islandm, the incarceration of outspoken radicals around the world, her passion for family, and how the struggles of social justice movements have paved the way for the progress of today. 

2. ‘Mother Hunger: How Adult Daughters Can Understand and Heal from Lost Nurturance, Protection, and Guidance’ by Kelly McDaniel. This book came recommended by Myleik Teele, founder of Curlbox and host behind Myleik Teele My Taught You podcast. It's truly a life-changing and life-saving book. It comes with countless insights on so many things. Having parts of this book hit home has been enlightening and healing at a whole new level. With ‘Mother Hunger’, McDaniel helps women break the cycle of destructive behavior by taking a fresh look at childhood trauma and its lasting impact. McDaniel is the first clinician to identify Mother Hunger, which demystifies the search for love and provides the compass that each woman needs to end the struggle with achy, lonely emptiness, and come home to herself.

3. 'The Yoga Almanac: 52 Practices and Rituals to Stay Grounded Through the Astrological Seasons,’ by Lisette Cherreson and Andrea Rice. Sequenced by the astrological calendar, The Yoga Almanac is a practical guide to help you reintegrate with recurring cosmic rhythms, and invite the sacred into your life through learning, movement, breath, and ritual. Featuring 52 seasonally-themed chapters, the Almanac is a comprehensive jumping off point to deepen your relationship to yoga—and to yourself.

4. ‘Forbidden Fairways: African Americans and the Game of Golf’ by Calvin H. Sinnette.: The emergence of Tiger Woods on the international golf scene brought the world's attention to the African American experience in golf. But before Tiger, names like Ted Rhodes, Bill Spiller, Ann Gregory, and so many others remained in relative obscurity without being given the chance to compete. ‘Forbidden Fairways’ is not just a history of the African Americans who have been playing golf for over 200 years but a tribute to them as well.

5. ‘Spare’ by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. Spare. Spare! WHAT can I even SAY about the book that kicked off 2023? For the first time, Prince Harry tells his own story, chronicling his journey with raw, unflinching honesty. A landmark publication, Spare is full of insight, revelation, self-examination, and hard-won wisdom about the eternal power of love over grief. From losing his mother, Princess Diana, as a tween to joining the British Army before meeting Meghan Markle his future wife, Harry spared nothing and no one in ‘Spare.’

6. ‘Slow Living: The Secrets to Slowing Down and Noticing the Simple Joys Anywhere’ by Helena Woods. This is a fantastic book that breaks down how to inject more calmness, stillness, and intentionality into your daily life. A must for 2024 and beyond!