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 Last Mapmaker

Janet Sumner Johnson Why did I love this book?

This book gripped me from the first page. Twelve-year-old Sai is an assistant to Mangkon’s most celebrated mapmaker, and she has a lot to prove as she guards a secret that could ruin her.

The Thai-inspired world building was so vivid, I could see it in my head. But more than that, what I loved best about this book was how the author turned all my expectations on their head. The characters and their stories challenged my views on “progress” and traditions, and the ending was unexpected. I would love to go back to this world in a second book!

By Christina Soontornvat,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Last Mapmaker as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

From the visionary author of two 2021 Newbery Honor Books, comes a high-seas adventure set in a Thai-inspired fantasy world.
A young woman struggles to unburden herself of the past and chart her own destiny in a world of secrets. As assistant to Mangkon's most celebrated mapmaker, 12-year-old Sai plays the part of a well-bred young lady with a glittering future. In reality, her father is a low-life conman - and the truth could ruin her. Sai seizes the chance to join an expedition to chart the southern seas, but she isn't the only one aboard with secrets. When Sai…


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My 2nd favorite read in 2023

Book cover of A Spoonful of Frogs: A Halloween Book for Kids

Janet Sumner Johnson Why did I love this book?

A Spoonful of Frogs is a fun and silly picture book about a witch on a cooking show who is teaching her audience how to make Frog soup.

It starts out pretty tamely, but the events soon escalate as she tries to add the key ingredient: the frogs. The story is hilarious! It was so unexpected and had me laughing out loud. The text is simple, but brilliant. The illustrations are gorgeous and add the perfect old-time cooking show vibe. Both kids and adults will be grinning through the whole book. Just pure fun!

By Casey Lyall, Vera Brosgol (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked A Spoonful of Frogs 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?

Frogs are the most important ingredient in a witch's favorite treat-but they are also the hardest to get into the cauldron! From acclaimed author Casey Lyall and Caldecott Honor artist Vera Brosgol, A Spoonful of Frogs is a humorous and wholly original picture book-and a winning recipe for readers who loved Dragons Love Tacos and Room on the Broom.

A witch's favorite treat is frog soup. Luckily, it's healthy and easy to make. To give it that extra kick and a pop of color, the key ingredient is a spoonful of frogs. But how do you keep the frogs on…


My 3rd favorite read in 2023

Book cover of The Lost Library

Janet Sumner Johnson Why did I love this book?

Going into this book, I had no idea what to expect, but I was hooked from the beginning.

The delightful characters, unexpected plot twists, relatable problems, and fun tone had me turning the pages long past bedtime. There were layers of mysteries to solve surrounding the Lost Library, and I was completely invested in finding the answers to the many questions the story evoked.

Though there were various subplots going on, the authors expertly wove them all together until they all spun into one big, satisfying reveal at the end. Beautiful story.

By Rebecca Stead, Wendy Mass,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Lost Library as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

When a mysterious little free library (guarded by a large orange cat) appears overnight, eleven-year-old Evan plucks two books from its shelves, never suspecting that his life is about to change. Evan and his best friend Rafe discover a link between one of the books and a long-ago event. The two boys start asking questions whose answers will transform not only their own futures, but the town itself.

Told in turn by a ghost librarian named Al, an aging (but beautiful) cat named Mortimer, and Evan himself, The Lost Library is a timeless story from award-winning authors Rebecca Stead and…


Don‘t forget about my book 😀

The Winterton Deception 1: Final Word

By Janet Sumner Johnson,

Book cover of The Winterton Deception 1: Final Word

What is my book about?

Hope Smith can’t stand rich people—the Wintertons most of all. Not since she and her twin brother, Gordon, learned their dad was one. When Gordon enters them into the Winterton’s charity spelling bee, Hope wants nothing to do with it. But with her family desperate for money, she has no choice.

After winning the preliminary round, the Smiths are whisked to Winterton Chalet to compete against their long-lost relatives. Hope wants to get in and out, but deceased matriarch Jane Winterton had other plans for this final family showdown: a high-stakes clue hunt revealing exactly what happened the night the twins’ father died.

With tensions at an all-time high, a fortune at stake, and long-simmering family secrets about to be uncovered, anything could happen.

My book recommendation list