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The best books of 2023

This list is part of the best books of 2023.

We've asked 1,633 authors and super readers for their 3 favorite reads of the year.

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

My favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Taking Paris: The Epic Battle for the City of Lights

Maria Baltazzi Why did I love this book?

Marty is one of my favorite writers. I would not say that I am a typical historical nonfiction fan. However, his work is so visual and reads more like a novel. I love the way he turns a phrase. And you must read his footnotes. They are just as interesting as the text. Marty does deep, deep research, and that is what makes his writing so alive. It is the attention to detail.

This book recounts Paris during WW ll when Hitler invaded France in a blitzkrieg that took the government and the country to its knees. Over 120,000 Parisians perished under German occupation. Some of the world's most significant historical figures are vividly brought to life: Churchill, Roosevelt, de Gaulle, Patton.

If you like history, this is a page-turner. The other thing of note is that Marty has sixteen bestsellers to his credit. I think of him as the supermodel of historical nonfiction.

By Martin Dugard,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Taking Paris as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • From Martin Dugard, the #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of the Killing series with Bill O’Reilly, comes the spellbinding story of the Allied liberation of Paris from the grip of the Nazis during World War II

“Taking Paris does for Paris during World War II what The Splendid and the Vile did for London.”—James Patterson  •  “Heroes and villains abound. You’ll enjoy this fast-paced book immensely.”—Bill O’Reilly  • “Succeeds triumphantly.”—The Washington Post

May 1940: The world is stunned as Hitler's forces invade France with a devastating blitzkrieg aimed at Paris. Within weeks, the French government has…


My 2nd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of The Three Musketeers

Maria Baltazzi Why did I love this book?

It is the romance of an era that fought with swordplay, cunning, and words. And they had great outfits. This French historical adventure novel was written in 1844 (politically correct or not) when men were men and women swooned to be swept up by them.

I have always been captivated by the swashbuckling musketeers' camaraderie and their chivalrous fight for justice. I have watched more versions of this story than I can count and thought it was time I went to its original pages.

I am physically and emotionally drawn to all "four" of the musketeers. They are different and dysfunctional in their own ways, yet they come together to protect their king and fight for what is good and decent. As one who writes about happiness, these "four" exemplify the importance of having close relationships, meaning, and purpose in life. All essential for our wellbeing or, as I like to say, wholebeing.

By Alexandre Dumas,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked The Three Musketeers as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"We read The Three Musketeers to experience a sense of romance and for the sheer excitement of the story," reflected Clifton Fadiman. "In these violent pages all is action, intrigue, suspense, surprise--an almost endless chain of duels, murders, love affairs, unmaskings, ambushes, hairbreadth escapes, wild rides. It is all impossible and it is all magnificent."

First published in 1844, Alexandre Dumas's swashbuckling epic chronicles the adventures of D'Artagnan, a gallant young nobleman who journeys to Paris in 1625 hoping to join the ranks of musketeers guarding Louis XIII. He soon finds himself fighting alongside three heroic comrades--Athos, Porthos, and Aramis--who…


My 3rd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Living Buddha, Living Christ

Maria Baltazzi Why did I love this book?

I experienced this book twice during the year and will likely come to it again several more times. In my own spiritual exploration, I was already drawing parallels between Buddhist and Christian teachings.

When I first came across this book, I was immediately drawn to its title. I read and then listened to this book read by Ben Kingsley, which added so much gravity to the written words. The book helps a seeker to understand the fundamentals of both teachings and their connection in profoundly meaningful ways.

Hanh saw the Buddha and Christ as his spiritual ancestors and paid them their due respect, not pitting one against the other or trying to make one spiritual tradition better than the other—this resonated with me. While I am a practicing member of the Greek Orthodox faith, I firmly believe in God of a thousand faces. One finds their faith in many ways and in many places.

By Thich Nhat Hanh,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Living Buddha, Living Christ as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

'Thich Nhat Hanh is a holy man, for he is humble and devout. He is a scholar of immense intellectual capacity. His ideas for peace if applied, would build a monument of ecumenism, to world brotherhood, to humanity.' Martin Luther King, Jr.

Budda and Jesus Christ, perhaps the two most pivotal figures in the history of humankind, each left behind a legacy of teachings and practices that have shaped the lives of billions of people over the course of two millennia. If they were to meet on the road today, what would each think of the other's spiritual views and…


Plus, check out my book…

Take a Shot at Happiness: How to Write, Direct & Produce the Life You Want

By Maria Baltazzi,

Book cover of Take a Shot at Happiness: How to Write, Direct & Produce the Life You Want

What is my book about?

I have a PhD in Conscious-Centered Living (happiness and mindfulness studies) and an MFA in Film. My book is a creative approach to learning the virtues, qualities, and habits of happy people. I write about the Happiness Essentials I believe we all need to live our best lives.

I qualified these for myself and then looked for research to back up what I intuitively felt made me happiest. This research became my book. With each concept I write about, there are creative activities that invite the readers to take meaningful photos with their phone cameras and write about things that matter.

There is also a book companion app to help readers keep developing their “happiness” virtues, qualities, and habits even while on the go.