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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 Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow

Kimberly Packard Why did I love this book?

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow is a book that felt like it was written for me. And, judging by the accolades, I’m sure there are many other readers who felt like it was written for them. That’s an incredible feat.

It’s a sweeping story of Sam and Sadie who meet as children and bond over video games. They reconnect later as college students. This is a love story, but in the conventional sense. And, it’s one that when you close the back cover, you’ll wish to have more time in these incredible characters’ lives. 

By Gabrielle Zevin,

Why should I read it?

21 authors picked Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

* AMAZON'S #1 BOOK OF 2022 *

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow takes us on a dazzling imaginative quest, examining identity, creativity and our need to connect.

This is not a romance, but it is about love.

'I just love this book and I hope you love it too' JOHN GREEN, TikTok

Sam and Sadie meet in a hospital in 1987. Sadie is visiting her sister, Sam is recovering from a car crash. The days and months are long there, but playing together brings joy, escape, fierce competition -- and a special friendship. Then all too soon that time is…


My 2nd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of A Darker Shade of Magic

Kimberly Packard Why did I love this book?

I’m going to cheat and make this entry the Shades of Magic trilogy by V.E. Schwab. If her name is familiar, V.E. wrote The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue which I adored.

The first book in this series popped up as one I might be interested in and it was free, so thought, “why not give it a try.” And I am so glad I did. It’s a sweeping epic of magic and multiple universes, and palace intrigue and love. A fourth novel in the series just landed in my Kindle and I can’t wait to dig in! 

By V. E. Schwab,

Why should I read it?

13 authors picked A Darker Shade of Magic as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A stunning collector's edition of the acclaimed novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author V.E. Schwab.

With an exclusive metallic ink cover, this edition will feature:

* End papers of London
* Fan art
* A glossary of Arnesian and Antari terms
* An interview between author and editor
* Original (never before seen!) tales from within the Shades of Magic world

Kell is one of the last Antari-magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel Londons. There is Red London, where life and magic are revered, Grey London, without magic and ruled by mad King…


My 3rd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of The Measure

Kimberly Packard Why did I love this book?

This is a story about a world where everyone wakes up with a simple wooden box outside their doors containing a string, the length of which indicates the length of that person’s life.

The Measure follows several characters as the world grapples with what this means. What happens when you have a short string? Or a long string? Do you even open the box to look? It’s a book you want everyone around you to read so you can discuss it. 

By Nikki Erlick,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

'GRIPPING AND POIGNANT' RUTH HOGAN, bestselling author of The Keeper of Lost Things

'CLEVER AND ENTERTAINING' GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

'A THOUGHT-PROVOKING READ' PRIMA

Eight ordinary people. One extraordinary choice.

It seems like just another morning.

You make a cup of tea. Check the news. Open the front door.

On your doorstep is a box.

Inside the box is the exact number of years you have left to live.

The same box appears on every doorstep across the world.

Do you open yours?

THE MEASURE

IT'S THE DECISION OF A LIFETIME.

'EXAMINES THE BIG LIFE AND DEATH QUESTIONS IN A CLEVER AND,…


Plus, check out my book…

Dire's Club

By Kimberly Packard,

Book cover of Dire's Club

What is my book about?

Dying isn’t just hard on the ones left behind, the regret of unfinished lives weighs heavily on the terminally ill. That’s where Dire’s Club steps in, a specialty travel agency that takes a small group of dying people on one final adventure—so they can be free of guilt, be more than a diagnosis, and find a way to confront life…and death.

A life coach with a death wish, a rock god, a telenovela star, a grandmother living her life-long dream, and a young tech genius round out this group of strangers facing death together. But when tragedy strikes, their bond is shattered. Lies and fraud surface, forcing the dying to come together to save someone’s life.

Everybody dies. The lucky ones have fun doing it.