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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 The Gospel of Inclusion: Reaching Beyond Religious Fundamentalism to the True Love of God and Self

Lynita Mitchell-Blackwell Why did I love this book?

I was introduced to Bishop Pearson’s work through a mentor, Rev. Virgie Seltzer, when I questioned the lack of love that I saw moving through some religious circles in the name of God.

She sent a video of Bishop Pearson being interviewed on “Larry Reed Live,” and I was hooked. He said God loves all of us, regardless as to whether we have accepted Jesus as our savior, particularly since some people will never have the opportunity to do so.

I watched the Netflix movie based on his life, which led me to this book. It expanded not only the concept of God’s love being expansive enough to cover everyone and inclusive enough to desire to do so but also the charge to each of us to want to follow the same model of love for our fellow man and woman everywhere we meet them.

It is a model that I subscribed to and work toward every day.

By Carlton Pearson,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

Fourth-generation fundamentalist Carlton Pearson, a Christian megastar and host, takes a courageous and controversial stand on religion that proposes a hell-less Christianity and a gospel of inclusion that calls for an end to local and worldwide conflicts and divisions along religious lines.

The Gospel of Inclusion explores the exclusionary doctrines in mainstream religion and concludes that according to the evidence of the Bible and irrefutable logic, they cannot be true. Bishop Pearson argues that the controlling dogmas of religion are the source of much of the world's ills and that we should turn our backs on proselytizing and holy wars…


My 2nd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Finding Me

Lynita Mitchell-Blackwell Why did I love this book?

Viola Davis is one of my favorite actresses. Her rise from the first time I saw her over 20 years ago as a young actress in the army to now being one of the few EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) winners in the world has been extraordinarily pleasing to my soul. I love that she has never tried to hide who she is or where she came from, and she doesn’t allow her past to define her present or future.

This book is a biography of Viola’s life, and it is brutal and beautiful. She spares no one – not her family, the institutions that educated her, her profession, nor herself in assessing support, failings, abuse, and love.

It is the failings that led to the breakthroughs, the achievements that led to the understanding, and the acceptance that led to growth.

This book empowered me to be more transparent about my struggles and to put myself out there on more podcasts to share my story so I may empower others to embrace their entire lives!

By Viola Davis,

Why should I read it?

5 authors picked Finding Me as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

'A breathtaking memoir...I was so moved by this book.' Oprah

'It is startlingly honest and, at times, a jaw-dropping read, charting her rise from poverty and abuse to becoming the first African-American to win the triple crown of an Oscar, Emmy and Tony for acting.' BBC News

THE DEEPLY PERSONAL, BRUTALLY HONEST ACCOUNT OF VIOLA'S INSPIRING LIFE

In my book, you will meet a little girl named Viola who ran from her past until she made a life changing decision to stop running forever.
This is my story, from a crumbling apartment in Central Falls,…


My 3rd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times

Lynita Mitchell-Blackwell Why did I love this book?

I have admired and respected Michelle Obama for most of her husband’s political career. She managed the delicate balance of motherhood, career, supportive wife, and political wife with such grace and elegance as the first African-American First Lady of the United States of America.

So when she wrote this book, I was happy to dive in to find out how life had been post-presidency. And I was not disappointed to know that the same grace and elegance that I saw the 8 years in the White House continues to inspire and uplift other people. One of those people is a distant cousin who serves as her right-hand woman; how she was so kind when she found out that my cousin’s father had been incarcerated.

The Light We Carry is one of kindness and love in the face of unkindness and darkness. And we are all empowered to share it at all times.

By Michelle Obama,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

The powerful, inspiring follow-up to the critically acclaimed, multi-million #1 bestselling memoir Becoming

In The Light We Carry, former First Lady Michelle Obama shares practical wisdom and powerful strategies for staying hopeful and balanced in today's highly uncertain world.

She considers the questions many of us wrestle with: How do we build enduring and honest relationships? How can we discover strength and community inside our differences? What do we do when it all starts to feel like too much? Michelle Obama believes that we can all lean on a set of tools to help us better navigate change and remain…


Plus, check out my book…

Live Life on Fire: The Guide to the Ultimate Successful Life Full of Peace, Joy, and Fulfillment

By Lynita Mitchell-Blackwell,

Book cover of Live Life on Fire: The Guide to the Ultimate Successful Life Full of Peace, Joy, and Fulfillment

What is my book about?

Live Life on Fire is the guide to live a happy life full of peace and joy. This book is the “cheat sheet” to answer the question, “Who am I living for?”

Through life and business stories that will make you laugh, cry, get mad, and release  - sometimes in the same chapter! Learn tools to build a life that is both internally and externally pleasing, a life full of good health and great relationships, self-love, and worldly recognition.

A life that is whole and complete - not a perfect life, but an excellent one where you define your own standard of success and live it unapologetically. And in doing so, be of service to your family, friends, community, business, and your SELF.

My 16-year-old's favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of The Break Down of the Circus

Lynita Mitchell-Blackwell Why did they love this book?

My daughter's cousin wrote this book, but she just read it this year. They spent a lot of time together during the family reunion and started talking about things that were important to them. When she found out that he was an author and that he had actually written the book when he was in middle school, she was fascinated. And she really loved the book! 

It's a wonderful read on friendship and loyalty, two qualities my daughter treasures.

By Justin C. Young Jr., Courtney Monday (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Break Down of the Circus as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Best friends Dan and Chris are excited to see the circus. It's a big deal because they live in a small town where not much happens. Everyone can't wait to see the greatest show to ever come to town... including Dan and Chris. So they sneak in the night before, just to get a glimpse of what's in store, but it all goes wrong when the animals get loose! Join the boys as they learn how to take responsibility for their actions, the value of honesty, and the steps toward forgiveness in this enduring tale of friendship.


Explore all books for 16-year-olds