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The best books of 2023

This list is part of the best books of 2023.

We've asked 1,686 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 Fast Like a Girl: A Woman's Guide to Using the Healing Power of Fasting to Burn Fat, Boost Energy, and Balance Hormones

Jodi Aman Why did I love this book?

This book is accessible, short, and just includes the right depth of scientific knowledge.

Pelz is understandable and speaks to exactly what I wanted to know. Ten days of following her advice, I feel mentally and physically fantastic, waking up early and full of energy. I'm eager to witness ongoing improvements in the coming months.

Dr. Pelz's explanations about cellular changes during fasting and the significance of blood sugar monitoring, along with the correlation between certain foods and our cycle stages, were eye-opening. Thank you immensely for this invaluable book—it's a must-read!

By Mindy Pelz,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Fast Like a Girl as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

International BESTSELLER!
WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER!
PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY BESTSELLER!

Includes a 30-Day fasting reset that uses the power of your cycle-even if you no longer have one!

A go-to fasting manual created specifically to address women's needs based on their hormones and menstrual cycle by Dr. Mindy Pelz, a well-known expert on women and fasting, whose fast-growing YouTube channel has become the destination for women who want to learn about fasting.

Are you among the many women who feel unheard and unseen by their doctors and health professionals? Have you become exhausted by the promise of quick-fix diets that only…


My 2nd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself

Jodi Aman Why did I love this book?

Singer takes readers on a journey of self-discovery, exploring the nature of the mind and offering profound insights into achieving inner peace and freedom.

Using examples, Singer communicates complex spiritual concepts in a clear, practical, and relatable manner. Readers learn to observe their thoughts without entangling in them, ultimately leading to a sense of liberation from inner struggles.

I have been teaching the witnessing state for many years, but this book helped me clean up some of the thoughts I had going on that I didn’t need. It encouraged me to walk my walk and depend my work on myself.

The Untethered Soul is not just a book; it's a guide to living with awareness and authenticity. It challenges readers to question their perceptions and beliefs, leading to a profound shift in consciousness.

By Michael A. Singer,

Why should I read it?

18 authors picked The Untethered Soul as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Who are you? When you start to explore this question, you find out how elusive it really is. Are you a physical body? A collection of experiences and memories? A partner to relationships? Each time you consider aspects of yourself, you realize that there is much more to you than any of these can define. In this book, spiritual teacher Michael Singer explores the question of who we are and arrives at the conclusion that our identity is to be found in our consciousness, the fact of our ability to observe ourselves and the world around us. By tapping into…


My 3rd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of All the Light We Cannot See

Jodi Aman Why did I love this book?

I always read fiction. It is a great coping skill that I teach my clients when they are struggling with anxiety.

We need an escape that is not a vice. Reading novels does that. It engages the mind but it is relaxing. I personally love getting lost in someone else’s story. This book inspired me hearing about Marie-Laure’s bravery to take the risks she did during the war. I always wonder if I would be that brave.

Perhaps, it’s hard to imagine how we would feel if we had nothing to lose. It makes me not sweat the small stuff. I read this at the beginning of the year and was excited to see the new movie Netflix made of the story. I can’t wait to watch it!

By Anthony Doerr,

Why should I read it?

42 authors picked All the Light We Cannot See as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

WINNER OF THE 2015 PULITZER PRIZE FOR FICTION
NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
WINNER OF THE CARNEGIE MEDAL FOR FICTION

A beautiful, stunningly ambitious novel about a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the devastation of World War II

Open your eyes and see what you can with them before they close forever.'

For Marie-Laure, blind since the age of six, the world is full of mazes. The miniature of a Paris neighbourhood, made by her father to teach her the way home. The microscopic…


Plus, check out my book…

Anxiety...I'm So Done with You: A Teen's Guide to Ditching Toxic Stress and Hardwiring Your Brain for Happiness

By Jodi Aman,

Book cover of Anxiety...I'm So Done with You: A Teen's Guide to Ditching Toxic Stress and Hardwiring Your Brain for Happiness

What is my book about?

Mental health problems are increasing among young people. Anxiety, depression, and self-doubt bully you, making you feel small and incapable. But that is not true! You are skilled and adaptable. Enough is enough! There’s no time for suffering because you have living to do!

If you're done with anxiety running your life and want to end that toxic relationship, grab a copy of Anxiety... I’m So Done with You because getting back control is teachable. The path is not esoteric and mystical, it is practical. There are repeatable, doable steps at your fingertips. This workbook helps you understand anxiety, which gives you the upper hand. It shows you how to release fear and confusion that causes anxiety and depression to liberating you for adventure, creativity, and purpose in your life.

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