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 The Downstairs Girl

Carol Gordon Ekster Why did I love this book?

I love books that deal with justice and make you feel strong emotions. This book did that and more.

The story included discrimination against Chinese and Black Americans in the South in the early 1900s. The plot was moving, riveting and the writing was impeccable.

I'd often stop and be amazed at the wonderful way the author strung her words together. Stacey Lee is a talented and unique writer. It was filled with love, hope, and surprises. 

By Stacey Lee,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Downstairs Girl as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.

What is this book about?

A Reese's Book Club YA Pick and New York Times Bestseller
 
From the critically acclaimed author of Luck of the Titanic, Under a Painted Sky, and Outrun the Moon comes a powerful novel about identity, betrayal, and the meaning of family.

By day, seventeen-year-old Jo Kuan works as a lady's maid for the cruel daughter of one of the wealthiest men in Atlanta. But by night, Jo moonlights as the pseudonymous author of a newspaper advice column for the genteel Southern lady, "Dear Miss Sweetie." When her column becomes wildly popular, she uses the power of the pen to address…


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My 2nd favorite read in 2023

Book cover of Lessons in Chemistry

Carol Gordon Ekster Why did I love this book?

It is not often enough that I read a book that I can't put down. This was one of those titles. Great writing, an interesting plot, and one of the most unusual characters I've ever encountered.

I felt drawn to this novel and loved every word of it. 

By Bonnie Garmus,

Why should I read it?

75 authors picked Lessons in Chemistry as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK • Meet Elizabeth Zott: a “formidable, unapologetic and inspiring” (PARADE) scientist in 1960s California whose career takes a detour when she becomes the unlikely star of a beloved TV cooking show in this novel that is “irresistible, satisfying and full of fuel. It reminds you that change takes time and always requires heat” (The New York Times Book Review).

A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: The New York Times, Washington Post, NPR, Oprah Daily, Newsweek, GoodReads

"A unique heroine ... you'll find yourself wishing she wasn’t fictional." —Seattle Times…


My 3rd favorite read in 2023

Book cover of The Good Sister

Carol Gordon Ekster Why did I love this book?

This was another unexpected plot that I didn't want to put down. I love it when there's a twist I didn't see coming. I rooted for the character and felt sad when I finished the book.

I wanted to read everything by the author after experiencing such a riveting novel. 

By Sally Hepworth,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

"A stunningly clever thriller made doubly suspenseful by not one, but two unreliable narrators." — People

Sally Hepworth, the author of The Mother-In-Law delivers a knock-out of a novel about the lies that bind two sisters in The Good Sister.

There's only been one time that Rose couldn't stop me from doing the wrong thing and that was a mistake that will haunt me for the rest of my life.

Fern Castle works in her local library. She has dinner with her twin sister Rose three nights a week. And she avoids crowds, bright…


Don‘t forget about my book 😀

Book cover of Trucker Kid

What is my book about?

Trucker Kid is a story about Athena, who is proud of her truck-driving father but misunderstood by her classmates for her love of all things trucking.

In addition to highlighting an often overlooked career, this book shows how attitudes can be changed through education. Athena explains trucking; they listen and understand rather than make fun of her. This story is filled with trucks and heart and lots of trucking-related similies.

At the end of the story is a list of some effects of what might happen within just a few days if trucks stopped service. In the author's note, you'll read about the trucking family who inspired this story. 

My 8-year-old's favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Like You, Like Me

Carol Gordon Ekster Why did they love this book?

I was fortunate enough to see the finished book by the author before it went to print, and I was blown away. Not only is it a story that celebrates the connections between two kids who live worlds apart, but it is so gorgeously illustrated.

The collage technique and colors used make this book a stand out. It's perfect for families as well as pre-school and elementary school students. It was a joy to share with my grandson. 

By Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Like You, Like Me as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

A pen pal picture book companion to the award-winning and bestselling Same, Same but Different-set in America and Africa-that celebrates the value of compassion, curiosity, and a global community.

Tulsi and Vanessa live on separate continents-one in the mountains in North America, and the other beside the sea in Africa. By exchanging letters, they learn that they both have prankster brothers, love music, and collect treasures from nature. Their daily sights and sounds may be different, but their feelings about their experiences hold many similarities.

This thoughtful story celebrates the connections between two kids who live worlds apart. Together they…


My 8-year-old's 2nd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Smarty Ants

Carol Gordon Ekster Why did they love this book?

Watching my grandson count the ants and ask to hear the rhythmic text again was joyous together time! It's filled with fun, and we just want to keep turning the pages to see what's next.

As a picture book author myself, I appreciate these unique books that have layers of offerings. There's wordplay, friendship and working together, rhyming text, great illustrations, humor, AND math!

By Kirsti Call, Corey Rosen Schwartz, Erin Taylor (illustrator)

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Smarty Ants as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

Ants are busy little creatures, and these smarty ants are extra busy using their maths skills! They are ready to build one gigantic home, filled with everything an ant could want. But what happens when disaster strikes? Dynamic author duo Corey Rosen Schwartz and Kirsti Call use simple addition, word play and rhyming text to create a memorable maths picture book that young learners will want to read over and over again.


My 8-year-old's 3rd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Dozens of Doughnuts

Carol Gordon Ekster Why did they love this book?

We loved this book because it was a great interactive rhyming read-aloud. We'd guess what we thought the next word was when we turned the page, but we were often wrong. I love surprising kids with an unusual format filled with humor and the sweet theme of sharing.

This picture book is a winner for children, parents, and teachers. 

By Carrie Finison, Brianne Farley (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Dozens of Doughnuts as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, 5, and 6.

What is this book about?

A generous but increasingly put-upon bear makes batch after batch of doughnuts for her woodland friends without saving any for herself in this delightful debut picture book about counting, sharing, and being a good friend.

LouAnn (a bear) is making a doughnut feast in preparation for her long winter's nap. But just before she takes the first bite, DING DONG! Her friend Woodrow (a woodchuck) drops by. LouAnn is happy to share her doughnuts, but as soon as she and Woodrow sit down to eat, DING DONG! Clyde (a raccoon) is at the door. One by one, LouAnn's friends come…


Explore all books for 8-year-olds

Book cover of The Downstairs Girl
Book cover of Lessons in Chemistry
Book cover of The Good Sister

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