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The best books of 2023

This list is part of the best books of 2023.

We've asked 1,608 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 We Have Always Lived in the Castle

John M. Jennings Why did I love this book?

First published in 1962, the novel revolves around the lives of two sisters, Mary Katherine “Merricat” and Constance Blackwood, who live in isolation in their family mansion with their Uncle Julian after the rest of their family is poisoned with arsenic.

I loved this book because of how subtlety the plot develops—I devoured each page wanting to learn more about Merricat and the true story behind the poisoning of her family.

By Shirley Jackson,

Why should I read it?

15 authors picked We Have Always Lived in the Castle as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Living in the Blackwood family home with only her sister, Constance, and her Uncle Julian for company, Merricat just wants to preserve their delicate way of life. But ever since Constance was acquitted of murdering the rest of the family, the world isn't leaving the Blackwoods alone. And when Cousin Charles arrives, armed with overtures of friendship and a desperate need to get into the safe, Merricat must do everything in her power to protect the remaining family.


My 2nd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of The Latecomer

John M. Jennings Why did I love this book?

This novel is about a family—the Oppenheimers—a mother, a father, triplets (2 boys and a girl), and then the “latecomer,” a sister born 17 years after the triplets.

This book is about relationships (and the lack of them) and family dynamics. It’s a page-turner and full of intrigue. The character development is fantastic as the reader becomes invested in the lives of all the characters. I loved this book!

By Jean Hanff Korelitz,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked The Latecomer as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

*A New York Times Notable Book of 2022*
*A Washington Post Notable Work of Fiction*
*An NPR Best Book of the Year*

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Plot, Jean Hanff Korelitz’s The Latecomer is a layered and immersive literary novel about three siblings, desperate to escape one another, and the upending of their family by the late arrival of a fourth.

The Latecomer follows the story of the wealthy, New York City-based Oppenheimer family, from the first meeting of parents Salo and Johanna, under tragic circumstances, to their triplets born during the early days of IVF.…


My 3rd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Now Is Not the Time to Panic

John M. Jennings Why did I love this book?

This book was so good I couldn’t put it down. It’s the story of two sixteen-year-olds who, during the summer of 1996 (basically pre-internet), create a work of art that goes viral and results in panic and multiple deaths.

The character development is fantastic—I really cared about the main characters, and the plot is gripping.

By Kevin Wilson,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Now Is Not the Time to Panic as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

Named a Best Book of the Year by: Time * Kirkus Reviews * USA Today * Entertainment Weekly * Garden & Gun * Vox * Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A Most Anticipated Book of Fall from: Associated Press * Atlanta Journal-Constitution * BookPage * Book Riot * The Boston Globe * Entertainment Weekly * Esquire * Garden & Gun * LitHub * St. Louis Post-Dispatch * Sunset Magazine * Time * Town & Country * The Millions * USA Today * Vogue * Vulture * The Week

An exuberant, bighearted novel about two teenage misfits who spectacularly collide one fateful…


Plus, check out my book…

The Uncertainty Solution: How to Invest with Confidence in the Face of the Unknown

By John M. Jennings,

Book cover of The Uncertainty Solution: How to Invest with Confidence in the Face of the Unknown

What is my book about?

The Uncertainty Solution is not a typical investment book. It is an experiential guide on cultivating the mindset and behavior necessary to weather inherently uncertain and unpredictable markets.

It doesn’t just tell you how to invest but how to think better about investing. Referencing studies on psychology, decision-making, and investment behavior, the book provides a no-nonsense analysis of the financial markets and a roadmap to navigating its inevitable twists and turns.

An engaging dive into investing philosophy and best practices, The Uncertainty Solution is an authoritative, accessible guide for lay investors and professionals inundated with financial news and data. Read this book to improve your thinking about investing, practice better investment behavior, and ultimately, have more money.