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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.

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

My favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Masters of Doom: How Two Guys Created an Empire and Transformed Pop Culture

Étienne Garbugli Why did I love this book?

Masters of Doom perfectly captures the scrappiness of software entrepreneurship in the early 90s.

It takes the readers on a fascinating journey of rags to riches through the early days of computer gaming. Along the way, readers learn about innovation, creativity, leadership, tech, crazy work ethics, and carving a unique path in the industry.

By David Kushner,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

Masters of Doom is the true inside story of the Lennon and McCartney of the video game industry: John Carmack and John Romero. Together they created an empire, ruled a multibillion-dollar industry, and provoked a national controversy. They lived a unique American dream, escaping their broken homes to co-create the most innovative and notoriously successful video games in history - Doom and Quake - until the games they made tore them apart.

David Kushner has been covering the video game industry for ten years and knows all the angles. Even those with no interest in video games will be fascinated…


My 2nd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Stop Asking Questions: How to Lead High-Impact Interviews and Learn Anything from Anyone

Étienne Garbugli Why did I love this book?

Andrew Warner has interviewed over 2,000 entrepreneurs. In Stop Asking Questions, he shares 50 lessons to help connect and establish relationships with founders (or other types of people).

I've been applying his learnings this past year. It helped me create connections and build better relationships in my business and personal life.

By Andrew Warner,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Stop Asking Questions as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

An essential read for podcasters, salespeople, startup founders, and anyone who wants to lead deeper conversations with people they admire. Andrew Warner's book not only teaches you how to interview, it teaches you how to learn.

Nir Eyal, bestselling author of Hooked and Indistractable



Andrew generously reveals how he mastered the craft of interviewing, giving readers a tactical roadmap to create winning conversations with people they admire.

Espree Devora, host of "Women in Tech," Voted a Top 10 Podcast by Harper's Bazaar



This is a book about respect. Respecting others enough to interview them well. Respecting your audience enough to…


My 3rd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of The Right It: Why So Many Ideas Fail and How to Make Sure Yours Succeed

Étienne Garbugli Why did I love this book?

The Right It is a short book filled with useful tips for testing and validating innovative new products.

It builds off Alberto Savoia's work at Google and his learnings helping hundreds of entrepreneurs build products. Although the content must have felt more innovative when it came out, I enjoyed the book's narrative and simplicity.

By Alberto Savoia,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

The Law of Market Failure: Most new products will fail in the market, even if competently executed.

Using his experience at Google, his remarkable success as an entrepreneur and consultant, and insights from his lectures at Stanford University and Google, Alberto Savoia's The Right It offers an unparalleled approach to beating the beast that is market failure.

Millions of people around the world are working hard to bring to life new ideas. Some of these ideas will turn out to be stunning successes that will have a major impact on our world and our culture: The next Google, the next…


Plus, check out my book…

Lean B2B: Build Products Businesses Want

By Étienne Garbugli,

Book cover of Lean B2B: Build Products Businesses Want

What is my book about?

Lean B2B consolidates the best thinking around Business-to-Business (B2B) customer development to help technology entrepreneurs quickly find traction in the enterprise, leaving as little as possible to luck.

The Lean B2B methodology is used by thousands of entrepreneurs & innovators around the world.

My book recommendation list