The best books of 2023

This list is part of the best books of 2023.

Join 1,707 readers and share your 3 favorite reads of the year.

My favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Crosstalk

L. Darby Gibbs Why did I love this book?

Any Willis book grabs me and takes me down a road of intensity: emotionally, physically, and intellectually. Crosstalk took a what-if question and pulled me down the potential overwhelm of how humanity’s best and worst might approach its possibility. 

What if you could share your thoughts with others and they with you? What if it was used against you? What if you couldn’t shut it off or couldn’t keep the voices from mounting up until it was a multitude of people shouting between your ears? And it gets worse before it gets better. 

Every time I put the book down, I felt like I had run a marathon. Crossing the finish line? Glorious.

By Connie Willis,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Crosstalk as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Science fiction icon Connie Willis brilliantly mixes a speculative plot, the wit of Nora Ephron, and the comedic flair of P. G. Wodehouse in Crosstalk—a genre-bending novel that pushes social media, smartphone technology, and twenty-four-hour availability to hilarious and chilling extremes as one young woman abruptly finds herself with way more connectivity than she ever desired.

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR

In the not-too-distant future, a simple outpatient procedure to increase empathy between romantic partners has become all the rage. And Briddey Flannigan is delighted when her boyfriend, Trent, suggests undergoing the operation prior…


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My 2nd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of The Ippos King

L. Darby Gibbs Why did I love this book?

You know how Star Trek would handle race relations from the perspective of different intelligent species and cultures? Once seen through the lens of respect and friendship, beauty fills the vision.

Margrave Sarovek (human) became infatuated with sha-Anhuset of the Kai despite the features that made her more predator than beauty. She had the qualities of a noble warrior and refused to accept anyone who failed to meet her level of honor and loyalty. In her opinion, no human stood a chance of rising to that level, besides they are pink and wormlike. Enter Margrave Sarovek.

The enemy of my enemy is my ally. That is the start of a comradeship that grows into a deep love and a new perspective. However, I don’t think sha-Anhuset will ever change her view of the baked potato.

By Grace Draven,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Ippos King as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The WRAITH KINGS saga continues.


The demonic horde that threatened to devour the world has been defeated, but at great cost.


Plagued by guilt and nightmares, Serovek Pangion sets out to deliver the soulless body of the monk Megiddo to the heretical Jeden Order for safekeeping. Accompanying him is sha-Anhuset, the Kai woman he admires and desires most--a woman barely tolerant of him.


Devoted to her regent, Anhuset reluctantly agrees to act as a Kai ambassador on the trip, even though the bold margrave known as the Beladine Stallion gets under her skin like no other, and Anhuset fears he'll…


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My 3rd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of The Good, The Bad and The History

L. Darby Gibbs Why did I love this book?

The St. Mary’s series is an outstanding time travel series that drags a reader willingly through hill and dale, fire and flood, laughter, and tears, often concurrently.

This fourteenth book in the series is no different. Maxwell and her adventures through time and trouble make me giggle and grip my seat. I’m certain she’s coming to the last of her repeated nine lives. Somehow, she makes landing in excrement, on fire or not, the just right approach to survival and victory, even when it frequently comes with profound loss. Any book that can make my heart race with worry and laugh at the same time is worth a read, more than once.

By Jodi Taylor,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Good, The Bad and The History as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

BOOK 14 IN THE CHRONICLES OF ST MARY'S SERIES, FROM THE MILLION-COPY BESTSELLER JODI TAYLOR.



'Brilliant, hilarious, keeps you on your toes' Reader review
'The characters make me come back time and time again' Reader review
'I have not found another author who can tell a story involving time travel as well' Reader review



St Mary's is under investigation. Their director has been shot and Max is Number One Suspect. Can things get any worse? We all know the answer to that one.

Max needs to get away - fast - and a Brilliant Idea soon leads her to a…


Don‘t forget about my book 😀

Dragon-Eyed Dream

By L. Darby Gibbs,

Book cover of Dragon-Eyed Dream

What is my book about?

By old law, dragon dreamers are put to death at birth or bound by magic, never to cast a spell or meld a dragon. Which fate occurs depends on who arrives first.

Orphaned, ostracized, and magicless, Zyla Powerbane, ward of the headmaster of Wisery Towers, faces a strange request: Trust. She doesn’t trust anyone. Called to her guardian's office, she learns she's the most feared kind of caster. With her magic unbound, she's discharged into the wilds under the care of a stranger. Is he her executioner or her protector? Then the dreams begin.

With the razers determined to put her to death, will she find a haven before she destroys herself and those most dear to her? Read this journey of discovery, belonging, and trial by fire and dragon.