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The best books of 2023

This list is part of the best books of 2023.

We've asked 1,627 authors and super readers for their 3 favorite reads of the year.

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My favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of We Deserve Monuments

Diane Billas Why did I love this book?

We Were Monuments is a beautiful depiction of moving to a small town but not fitting in.

I felt similar growing up, that I didn’t fit the mold of the community I lived in, and could sympathize with the main character. I lost count of the number of times I cried reading this book. I would rate it more than five stars if I could. I loved every single aspect of it, especially the curmudgeon grandmother, Mama Letty, who you learn to love.

I would recommend this book for everyone to read. Not only is the message important but the writing is spectacular. I was sad when it was over and can’t wait for the author’s next book.

By Jas Hammonds,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked We Deserve Monuments as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 14, 15, 16, and 17.

What is this book about?

Seventeen year old Avery Anderson is convinced her senior year is ruined when she's uprooted from her life in DC and forced into the hostile home of her terminally ill grandmother, Mama Letty. The tension between Avery's mum and Mama Letty makes for a frosty arrival and unearths past drama they refuse to talk about. Every time Avery tries to look deeper, she's turned away, leaving her desperate to learn the secrets that split her family in two.

While tempers flare in her avoidant family, Avery finds friendship in unexpected places: in Simone Cole, her captivating next-door neighbour, and Jade…


My 2nd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Imogen, Obviously

Diane Billas Why did I love this book?

Imogen, Obviously was such a fantastic read that I really could relate to.

Imogen was a lot like me in high school, a people please who thought she was straight. She considered herself an ally, but then sometimes would have thoughts about girls, but passed them off as wanting to be their friend and looking back, I had the same thing happen to me.

I really wished this book was available to me in high school because it would have helped me understand a lot more about myself. This book has a memorable cast of characters including Imogen’s love interest Tessa and I’m going to be thinking about this book for a long time.

By Becky Albertalli,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked Imogen, Obviously as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 14, 15, 16, and 17.

What is this book about?

A New York Times and Indie bestseller!

With humor and insight, #1 New York Times bestseller Becky Albertalli explores the nuances of sexuality, identity, and friendship in this timely new novel.

Imogen Scott may be hopelessly heterosexual, but she’s got the World’s Greatest Ally title locked down.

She's never missed a Pride Alliance meeting. She knows more about queer media discourse than her very queer little sister. She even has two queer best friends. There's Gretchen, a fellow high school senior, who helps keep Imogen's biases in check. And then there's Lili—newly out and newly thriving with a cool new…


My 3rd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Always the Almost

Diane Billas Why did I love this book?

When I first read the blurb for this book and saw that there was a piano competition involved with queer characters, I was so ready to read it.

Being a pianist myself, I have a love of classical music and this book hit all the boxes! I also enjoyed there was a variety of queer representation as well. Not going to lie, I really cried at the ending of this book, everything wrapped up really well and I enjoyed reading Miles’ story. This book was everything I was hoping for and more. I can’t wait for the author’s next book!

By Edward Underhill,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Always the Almost 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?

Sixteen-year-old trans boy Miles Jacobson has two New Year's resolutions: 1) win back his ex-boyfriend (and star of the football team) Shane McIntyre, and 2) finally beat his arch-nemesis at the Midwest's biggest classical piano competition. But that's not going to be so easy. For one thing, Shane broke up with Miles two weeks after Miles came out as trans, and now Shane's stubbornly ignoring him, even when they literally bump into each other. Plus, Miles' new, slightly terrifying piano teacher keeps telling him that he's playing like he "doesn't know who he is"-whatever that means.

Then Miles meets the…


Plus, check out my book…

Book cover of Does Love Always Win?

What is my book about?

Sam "Shorty" Daniels has a plan for her senior year, but her romantic life being a hot mess was not on the agenda. Shorty quickly discovers she's not attracted to her newest boyfriend and fellow marching band member Zack. When Shorty's asked to show the snarky new girl around high school, Shorty's intrigued by Kristy's wit, and they bond over their love of writing. They quickly become inseparable, and Shorty realizes why none of her other relationships worked out. As Shorty is about to break up with Zack, her bitter ex-boyfriend Bryan threatens to out her to the school and her conservative parents. Will Shorty be able to overcome Bryan's ridiculous blackmail scheme and get her dream girl?

My 1-year-old's favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Diane Billas Why did they love this book?

As soon as I put the book in front of my son, he starts laughing and goes to open the first page.

I believe he loves the polka dots and the Chick Chicka Boom Boom tree. I also think he likes the rhyming scheme. Even if he’s feeling under the weather, this book cheers him up. 

By Bill Martin Jr., John Archambault, Lois Ehlert (illustrator)

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Chicka Chicka Boom Boom as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 1, 2, 3, and 4.

What is this book about?

Synopsis coming soon.......


My 1-year-old's 2nd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Where's Spot?

Diane Billas Why did they love this book?

My son loves the flaps on each page of this book, especially the one where it asks, “Is Spot in the closet?” and he opens the closet door to reveal a monkey. “No!” says the monkey.

My son keeps opening and closing the closet doors, making himself smile, before moving on to the next page. Eventually Spot is found and can have his dinner, but it’s so good that we must read the book again, and see the monkey in the closet.

By Eric Hill,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Where's Spot? as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

In Eric Hill's classic Where's Spot? lift the flaps to find Spot!

In Spot's first adventure children can join in the search for the mischievous puppy by lifting the flaps on every page to see where he is hiding. The simple text and colourful pictures will engage a whole new generation of pre-readers as they lift the picture flaps in search of Spot. A No.1 bestseller since it was first published in 1980, this interactive favourite has stayed in the charts ever since.

This is a bigger, brighter paperback edition of Eric Hill's iconic first lift-the-flap book.

'Spot is one…


My 1-year-old's 3rd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Bye Bye, Binary

Diane Billas Why did they love this book?

This book is a great first read on breaking gender norms and encouraging your child to find themselves and that we love them for whoever they become.

My son loves the baby in the book, smiling every time the baby takes over the entire page. He also loves all the bright colors. 

By Eric Geron, Charlene Chua (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

Fans of Feminist Baby by Loryn Brantz will love this board book about gender expression and being true to oneself by #1 New York Times bestselling author, Eric Geron and Stonewall Award-winning illustrator, Charlene Chua.

"Is it a boy? Or a girl?"

"WHAT'S IT TO YA?!"

Our little bundle of joy has arrived-to dismantle gender norms!

A joyful baby refuses to conform to the gender binary and instead chooses toys, colors, and clothes that make them happy. This tongue-in-cheek board book is a perfect tool to encourage children to love what they love and is also a great baby shower…


Explore all books for 1-year-olds