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The best books of 2023

This list is part of the best books of 2023.

We've asked 1,624 authors and super readers for their 3 favorite reads of the year.

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My favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of The Maid

Judy Penz Sheluk Why did I love this book?

Told from the POV of a hotel maid on the spectrum, this book serves as a reminder that no one should be invisible, and that we are all equally important, no matter our station in life.

The narration by Lauren Ambrose was spot-on as she captured the essence of Molly, a young woman raised by her recently deceased grandmother, and the people, good and bad, who impact her life. It made me laugh, cry, and get mad in equal measure, but mostly it kept me up at night.

By Nita Prose,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

*THE NO.1 NEW YORK TIMES & SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER
*WINNER OF THE NED KELLY AWARD FOR BEST INTERNATIONAL CRIME FICTION
*A BBC RADIO 4 BOOK AT BEDTIME PICK

'An escapist pleasure' SUNDAY TIMES
'Delightful' GUARDIAN
'An instantly gripping and delightful whodunnit' STYLIST
'Smart, riveting, and deliciously refreshing ' LISA JEWELL

_________________________________________________________________

I am your maid.
I know about your secrets. Your dirty laundry.
But what do you know about me?

Molly the maid is all alone in the world. A nobody. She's used to being invisible in her job at the Regency Grand Hotel, plumping pillows and wiping…


My 2nd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of The Long and Faraway Gone

Judy Penz Sheluk Why did I love this book?

What can I say? I am a huge fan of Lou Berney's writing style. I first discovered him on audio with November Road.

This book (paperback), while a completely different timeline and setting, had a similar cadence, with what I like to call a "slow burn build" as we gradually get to know the story behind the stories. Simply brilliant. If you haven't discovered Lou Berney yet, you're in for a treat.

By Lou Berney,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Long and Faraway Gone as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

WINNER OF THE EDGAR AWARD, THE MACAVITY AWARD, THE ANTHONY AWARD, AND THE BARRY AWARD FOR BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL NOMINATED FOR THE 2015 LA TIMES BOOK PRIZE With the compelling narrative tension and psychological complexity of the works of Laura Lippman, Dennis Lehane, Kate Atkinson, and Michael Connelly, Edgar Award-nominee Lou Berney's The Long and Faraway Gone is a smart, fiercely compassionate crime story that explores the mysteries of memory and the impact of violence on survivors-and the lengths they will go to find the painful truth of the events that scarred their lives. In the summer of 1986, two…


My 3rd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of The Dark Hours

Judy Penz Sheluk Why did I love this book?

Part of the LAPD Harry Bosch (#23)/Renee Ballard (#4) police procedural series, The Dark Hours, is primarily told from Ballard’s POV.

The dark hours is cop-speak for midnight to seven on the night shift, but the title equally sums up Ballard’s struggles in her personal life and career. Perfect narration by Titus Welliver (Bosch) and Christine Lakin (Ballard), with Connelly at his best. I love the way he’s allowed his characters to not just grow older, but to change and evolve through the years. Brilliant.

By Michael Connelly,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

A Wall Street Journal and South Florida Sun-Sentinel Best Book of the Year

“A masterpiece”—LAPD detective Renée Ballard must join forces with Harry Bosch to find justice in a city scarred by fear and social unrest after a methodical killer strikes on New Year’s Eve (Publishers Weekly).

There’s chaos in Hollywood at the end of the New Year’s Eve countdown. Working her graveyard shift, LAPD detective Renée Ballard waits out the traditional rain of lead as hundreds of revelers shoot their guns into the air. Only minutes after midnight, Ballard is called to a scene where a hardworking auto shop…


Plus, check out my book…

Finding Your Path to Publication: A Step-by-Step Guide

By Judy Penz Sheluk,

Book cover of Finding Your Path to Publication: A Step-by-Step Guide

What is my book about?

For the emerging author, the publishing world can be overwhelming. You’ve written the book, and you’re ready to share it with the world, but don’t know where to start. Traditional, independent press, hybrid, self-publishing, and online social platforms—all are valid publishing paths. The question is, which one is right for you?

Finding Your Path to Publication is an introduction to an industry that remains a mystery to those on the outside. With statistics, examples, and helpful resources compiled by an industry insider who’s been down a few of these paths, this is your roadmap to decide which path you’d like to explore, and where to begin your author journey.