The best books of 2023

This list is part of the best books of 2023.

Join 1,707 readers and share your 3 favorite reads of the year.

My favorite read in 2023

Book cover of Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention—and How to Think Deeply Again

Andrea J. Johnson Why did I love this book?

The book’s thesis is simple: People dilute their focus through the constant use of their electronic devices, and Hari believes the best way to regain control is to institute daily tech-free breaks where we separate ourselves from attention-sapping influences and commune with the world around us.

You’ll be surprised how the implementation of this simple act will revolutionize not just your focus but your ability to remember and recall things as well. A valuable resource for anyone looking for a simple but effective reset.

By Johann Hari,

Why should I read it?

7 authors picked Stolen Focus as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

THE SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A SPECTATOR AND FINANCIAL TIMES BEST BOOK OF 2022 'If you read just one book about how the modern world is driving us crazy, read this one' TELEGRAPH 'This book is exactly what the world needs right now' OPRAH WINFREY 'A beautifully researched and argued exploration of the breakdown of humankind's ability to pay attention' STEPHEN FRY 'A really important book . . . Everyone should read it' PHILIPPA PERRY Why have we lost our ability to focus? What are the causes? And, most importantly, how do we get it back? For…


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My 2nd favorite read in 2023

Book cover of The Genius Zone: The Breakthrough Process to End Negative Thinking and Live in True Creativity

Andrea J. Johnson Why did I love this book?

Hendricks is the author of The Big Leap, which is a classic in the personal development field, but this more recent book makes the list because it emphasizes something that we tend to forget when goalsetting: recommitment.

Just because you failed today, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try again tomorrow. Endeavor to put all your energy into your passions (even if that means an occasional misstep) and the cumulative effects are bound to change your life forever.

By Gay Hendricks,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Genius Zone as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Too often we live lives that we find unfulfilling, fail to reach our own potential, and neglect to practice creativity in our daily routines. The Genius Zone offers a way to change that by tapping into your own innate creativity. Dr. Gay Hendricks broke new ground with his bestselling classic, The Big Leap, which has become an essential resource for coaches, entrepreneurs, executives, and health practitioners around the world. Originally published as The Joy of Genius, The Genius Zone has been updated and expanded throughout, making it the essential next beyond The Big Leap.

In The Genius Zone, Hendricks introduces…


My 3rd favorite read in 2023

Book cover of The Science of Storytelling: Why Stories Make Us Human, and How to Tell Them Better

Andrea J. Johnson Why did I love this book?

Don’t let terms like “neuroscience” and “psychology” scare you away.

This text is a must-have for any writer curious about why people still love basic storytelling despite our technological advances. Storr makes learning fun through the use of myths, archetypes, and man’s ambition as well as the works of Jane Austen and pop culture favorites like Breaking Bad—perfectly curated examples to help us make our stories more compelling.

By Will Storr,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Science of Storytelling as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

'If you want to write a novel or a script, read this book' Sunday Times

'The best book on the craft of storytelling I've ever read' Matt Haig

'Rarely has a book engrossed me more, and forced me to question everything I've ever read, seen or written. A masterpiece' Adam Rutherford

Who would we be without stories?

Stories mould who we are, from our character to our cultural identity. They drive us to act out our dreams and ambitions, and shape our politics and beliefs. We use them to construct our relationships, to keep order in our…


Don‘t forget about my book 😀

How to Craft Killer Dialogue for Fiction & Creative Non-Fiction

By Andrea J. Johnson,

Book cover of How to Craft Killer Dialogue for Fiction & Creative Non-Fiction

What is my book about?

Ever wonder what techniques Elmore Leonard used to create masterful dialogue for his highly quotable crime stories? Want to create the same heart-warming character introspections as found in the works of Judy Blume? Or maybe, you’d prefer to plumb the depths of layered subtext as displayed in books by Toni Morrison? With How to Craft Killer Dialogue, you’ll reach all of those goals as well as master your own approach to enhancing characterization through vivid dialogue. You’ll also learn techniques for transforming the spoken word—from how to develop tension and suspense to representing accents and dialects effectively. Whether you’re writing a novel, memoir, or something in between, How to Craft Killer Dialogue is your go-to resource for perfecting conversations readers will love.

Book cover of Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention—and How to Think Deeply Again
Book cover of The Genius Zone: The Breakthrough Process to End Negative Thinking and Live in True Creativity
Book cover of The Science of Storytelling: Why Stories Make Us Human, and How to Tell Them Better

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