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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 Damnation Spring

Katie Munday Williams Why did I love this book?

I love, love, love this book! As a staunch environmentalist, I have always been on the side of preserving old growth and maintaining our forests. This story showed an alternate side of things—how families live off the profits from lumber and rely on it to eke out a livelihood.

Set in Humboldt County amongst the Redwoods and wild surf, this book mastered character development and had me seriously invested in the lives of the main characters. I appreciated the author’s research into the subject and enjoyed having my views tested. This book is highly recommended!

By Ash Davidson,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Damnation Spring as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

*'Probably the best novel I'll read this year. It's about work and love and characters who ring true. By the time I was 50 pages in I couldn't put it down. Can't stop thinking about it' Stephen King*

For generations, Rich Gundersen's family has made a living felling giant redwoods on California's rugged coast. It's treacherous work, and though his son, Chub, wants nothing more than to step into his father's boots, Rich longs for a bigger future for him.

Colleen just wants a brother or sister for Chub, but she's losing hope. There is so much that she and…


My 2nd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of The Girls in the Stilt House

Katie Munday Williams Why did I love this book?

This novel was so packed with raw emotion it was overwhelming at times. There were many layers and themes, including gender, racism, and poverty.

I felt a personal connection to the two main characters, drawn in by their loneliness and the undefined and often unrecognized strength they both possessed. The plot was gripping in its intensity, and I found myself cheering for the two girls as they navigated the incredible obstacles in their way.

I usually read for a few minutes before bed, but this book had me staying up late, unwilling (and unable) to put it down. The ending achieved what so many don’t. A clear resolution and a satisfying conclusion to the storm of events we had weathered together. 

By Kelly Mustian,

Why should I read it?

5 authors picked The Girls in the Stilt House as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

THE USA TODAY BESTSELLER!
"Remarkable debut.... [a] nearly flawless tale of loss, perseverance and redemption."-Publishers Weekly, STARRED review
Set in 1920s Mississippi, this debut Southern novel weaves a beautiful and harrowing story of two teenage girls cast in an unlikely partnership through murder-perfect for readers of Where the Crawdads Sing and If the Creek Don't Rise.
Ada promised herself she would never go back to the Trace, to her hard life on the swamp and her harsh father. But now, after running away to Baton Rouge and briefly knowing a different kind of life, she finds herself with nowhere to…


My 3rd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of The Last of the Moon Girls

Katie Munday Williams Why did I love this book?

Despite the fact that this book was fairly predictable in its plot, I loved the way the main character ends up digging into her past to discover who she truly is. She finds forgiveness and love along the way, which, while trite, also resonates on many levels.

Life is so packed with big and little hurts that eventually, a person can get too weighed down, hauling them all around. Learning to understand people’s actions and show empathy is a lesson we can all benefit from. 

By Barbara Davis,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Last of the Moon Girls as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

An Amazon Charts Bestseller.

A novel of secrets, memory, family, and forgiveness by the bestselling author of When Never Comes.

Lizzy Moon never wanted Moon Girl Farm. Eight years ago, she left the land that nine generations of gifted healers had tended, determined to distance herself from the whispers about her family's strange legacy. But when her beloved grandmother Althea dies, Lizzy must return and face the tragedy still hanging over the farm's withered lavender fields: the unsolved murders of two young girls, and the cruel accusations that followed Althea to her grave.

Lizzy wants nothing more than to sell…


Plus, check out my book…

Book cover of Poet, Pilgrim, Rebel: The Story of Anne Bradstreet, America's First Published Poet

What is my book about?

Late at night, with her children tucked into bed and her husband away on business, Anne Dudley Bradstreet composed poems by candlelight. She let her thoughts from the day tumble out, memorizing each poem line by line before daring to shape the words onto scraps of scarce parchment.

Puritan women in the 1600s weren't allowed to be writers. But when the world learned about Anne's poetry, even she was astonished by what happened next.

This charmingly illustrated picture book biography tells of a Puritan woman who overcame the obstacles facing women of her era to become one of the most famous poets in history. A gifted writer of deep faith, Anne Bradstreet blazed a trail for the rights of women to study, write, and achieve.

My 8-year-old's favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Diary Of A Wimpy Kid

Katie Munday Williams Why did they love this book?

Based on realistic ideas with just a touch of the zany, imaginary world kids live in, this series is so good.

The simplistic stick figure drawings, the goofy ideas Greg has, and the alarmingly amazing antics of his not-featured-enough 4-year-old brother, Manny, have us giggling together each night before bed.

By Jeff Kinney,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Diary Of A Wimpy Kid as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 7, 8, 9, and 10.


My 8-year-old's 2nd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Negative Cat

Katie Munday Williams Why did they love this book?

This picture book not only packed an important message about acceptance and friendship, it managed to make us laugh, too! 

When a boy adopts a cat, everyone thinks the cat is too negative. But the boy discovers that the cat loves books, which helps him get over his discomfort in reading.

My own son struggles with not wanting to read for homework, but he enjoyed this story and its humorous message.

By Sophie Blackall,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Negative Cat 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?

Two-time Caldecott winner Sophie Blackall spins a winning tale about Max, a feline whose behavior doesn't win any raves, except from the boy who believes in him and finds a way to turn a negative into a positive.

When a boy is FINALLY allowed to get a cat, he has no doubts about which one to bring home from the shelter. But Max the cat isn't quite what the family expected. He shuns the toy mouse, couldn't care less about the hand-knitted sweater, and spends most of his time facing the wall. One by one, the family gives up on…


My 8-year-old's 3rd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912

Katie Munday Williams Why did they love this book?

This series is so good for teaching kids about real, historical events. I love the way the author takes real catastrophes and places a fictional child as the main character.

My son loved it because it’s edgy, just dangerous enough to give him a little thrill without giving him nightmares! My son also enjoyed learning about these events and would often repeat facts about them later, proud that he had learned so much. I highly recommend this series.

By Lauren Tarshis, Scott Dawson (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912 as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 7, 8, 9, and 10.

What is this book about?

Experience the Titanic in full colour!



An exciting graphic novel adventure, combining historical fact
with high-action storytelling.


Ten-year-old George Calder can't believe his luck - he and his
little sister, Phoebe, are on the famous Titanic, crossing
the ocean with their Aunt Daisy. The ship is full of exciting
places to explore, but when George ventures into the first class
storage cabin, a terrible boom shakes the entire boat. Suddenly,
water is everywhere, and George's life changes forever...



Vivid full-colour art
Includes a non-fiction section
at the back of the book
Plus facts and photos about
the real-life events

Lauren…


Explore all books for 8-year-olds

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