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 Don't Let Go

Angelo Marcos Why did I love this book?

I've read all of Harlan Coben's books, but I realised I'd left this one out. As soon as I started reading it, I felt like I was having a chat with an old friend. 

The story revolves around Nap, who revisits his brother's death from years ago. Like with a lot of Harlan Coben's books, the "'official" version of events very quickly unravels.

I loved the questions posed by this book, especially around how far you would go to avenge – or even just find the truth about – a family member's death. Nap is constantly told to leave things alone but pushes forward - which is what I think we would all do in that situation - even at huge personal cost.

By Harlan Coben,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Don't Let Go as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

***THE GLOBAL #1 BESTSELLER***

The brilliant new thriller from the international bestselling author of Home and Fool Me Once, and the creator of the Netflix hit Safe.

Mistaken identities. Dark family secrets. And a murderous conspiracy...
__________________________

'The modern master of the hook and twist, luring you in on the first page only to shock you on the last' - Dan Brown

'Coben is a phenomenon - the most reliable of American thriller-writers, the least likely to disappoint ... the true mystery is Coben's extraordinary capacity to keep writing such wonderful thrillers' - The Times

'As moreish as ever' -…


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

My 2nd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Those People Next Door

Angelo Marcos Why did I love this book?

I’m a huge fan of Kia Abdullah, and was fortunate enough to be able to interview her for my website a while back, so I was genuinely excited for this release.

The story is essentially about a neighbourly dispute which snowballs massively, which sounds quite run of the mill, but the social commentary running through it is brilliant, as is the idea of miscommunication and misinterpretations being the spark for huge, irreversible damage. 

Kia Abdullah invites the reader to use their own judgement in terms of the motives of certain characters, and as ever, there are loads of twists and turns. This is a thought-provoking thriller that makes you wonder how far you’d go to protect your own family.

By Kia Abdullah,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Those People Next Door as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

'Terrific and hugely thought-provoking' Ian Rankin 'One of my ten best reads of the year. Easy five stars' Lisa Jewell

* Waterstones Thriller of the Month - August 2023 *

* * *

You can choose your house. Not your neighbours.

WELCOME TO YOUR DREAM HOME . . .
Salma Khatun is extremely hopeful about Blenheim, the safe suburban development to which she, her husband and their son have just moved. Their family needs a fresh start, and Blenheim feels like the right place.

MEET YOUR NEW NEIGHBOURS . . .
Shortly after they move in, Salma spots her neighbour,…


Want my future book recommendations?

My 3rd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of None of This is True

Angelo Marcos Why did I love this book?

The premise of this story was immediately fascinating to me as someone with a background in psychology – two women find out they were born on the same day 45 years ago but in very different life circumstances. (Psychologists love twin studies!)

Alix is a podcaster, and Josie has the idea of being her next subject. The chapters alternate between the two and are also interspersed with interviews from a Netflix documentary about birthday twins. I really liked this structure as it felt quite different and was a good way to pile on the intrigue and suspense.

The themes of the book can be quite dark, and the way Josie integrates herself into Alix’s life is actually very creepy at times. I could not put this book down, though.

By Lisa Jewell,

Why should I read it?

6 authors picked None of This is True as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Buy now and prepare to be hooked from the Number One bestselling thriller author . . .

* AN INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER *
* OVER 6,000 FIVE STAR REVIEWS *
* AUDIBLE NO.1 SIX WEEKS IN A ROW *

'Gloriously dark' Lucy Foley
'A moody, slippery novel' Gillian McAllister
'One hundred percent brilliant' Clare Mackintosh
'Shocking and creepy and glorious' Nicola Walker
'Utterly addictive' Claire Douglas
___________

Celebrating her 45th birthday at her local pub, podcaster Alix Summer crosses paths with an unassuming woman called Josie Fair. Josie is also celebrating her 45th.

A few days later, they bump…


Don‘t forget about my book 😀

Whoever Fights Monsters

By Angelo Marcos,

Book cover of Whoever Fights Monsters

What is my book about?

You'd kill to protect your family. The question is, how many times?

Three men are about to begin the worst bombing campaign in history, targeting schools to kill as many children as they can. One night, the mysterious Aurora appears and tells family man Nathaniel that his daughter Amanda will be one of the victims and that he is the only one who can stop these men.

All three must be killed, or hundreds of children - including Amanda - will die. But is Nathaniel a soldier following orders and saving children, or is he the monster, stalking and killing three men who - so far - have done nothing wrong? Either way, time is running out for Nathaniel. And his daughter.

My book recommendation list