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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.

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

My favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of The Love Thief

Margaret Paul Why did I love this book?

The story in this novel was very compelling to me. Her description of narcissism is superb, and it has already helped some of the clients deal with a narcissist in their life.

I loved hearing about all she went through to heal from narcissistic trauma. I’ve never had a desire to go to India, but after hearing about this very special village, now I want to go there! I love the combination of fictional characters and real people, and that I know one of the real people!

By Arielle Ford,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

He stole her heart and crushed her dreams . . . then karma intervened.

The Love Thief is a story of love, betrayal, and unexpected transformation with a juicy revenge sub-plot and a surprise ending. (it's inspired by actual events!)


Arielle Ford's fun and breezy style grabs you from the first page, taking you on a roller coaster ride of love lost and found that will surprise and delight any romantic. When creative, food-loving Chef Holly gets swept off her feet by the handsome and sophisticated man of her dreams, she cannot help but be blindsided by the betrayal that…


My 2nd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Toxic Superfoods: How Oxalate Overload Is Making You Sick--and How to Get Better

Margaret Paul Why did I love this book?

Must reading for anyone interested in health. I’ve been reading books on health and nutrition for over 60 years, and this book greatly opened my eyes. Even though I thought I was eating in a very healthy way, this book has greatly improved my health.

I didn’t know anything about oxalates until reading this book, and in reading it, I realized that I was eating foods that I thought were good for me but were actually doing me harm. Her research is amazing and it’s easy to see why so many people who think they are doing themselves good on the spinach smoothies are actually harming themselves.

I’ve been through an oxalate detox for months now and it looks like my persistent back pain is clearing up. I will be amazed if oxalates were the cause of this pain. I’m now on no oxalates and after going through a painful detox, all the pain is gone.

By Sally Norton,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

An acclaimed nutrition educator reveals how the foods you’re eating to get healthy might be making you sick.
 
“Sally Norton’s well-researched book makes a truly important contribution to the literature in revealing just how much oxalates can damage the human body.”—Nina Teicholz, author of The Big Fat Surprise
 
If you’re eating a healthy diet and you’re still dealing with fatigue, inflammation, anxiety, recurrent injuries, or chronic pain, the problem could be your spinach, almonds, sweet potatoes, and other trusted plant foods. And your key to vibrant health may be quitting these so-called superfoods.

After suffering for decades from chronic health…


My 3rd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs

Margaret Paul Why did I love this book?

This book opens our eyes to the sordid history of drug use in the US and elsewhere and why it’s become such a problem. I was appalled at the things our country did and continue to do that has created this problem, and deeply dismayed at the barbaric way we continue to deal with this, especially since and there are three countries in the world that have resolved the drug problem in their country that should be role models for us. 

By Johann Hari,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Chasing the Scream as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The New York Times Bestseller

What if everything you think you know about addiction is wrong? Johann Hari's journey into the heart of the war on drugs led him to ask this question--and to write the book that gave rise to his viral TED talk, viewed more than 62 million times, and inspired the feature film The United States vs. Billie Holiday and the documentary series The Fix.

One of Johann Hari's earliest memories is of trying to wake up one of his relatives and not being able to. As he grew older, he realized he had addiction in his…


Plus, check out my book…

The Inner Bonding Workbook: Six Steps to Healing Yourself and Connecting with Your Divine Guidance

By Margaret Paul,

Book cover of The Inner Bonding Workbook: Six Steps to Healing Yourself and Connecting with Your Divine Guidance

What is my book about?

The Inner Bonding Workbook can help you heal your psychic wounds and move beyond false limitations to achieve an at-will, moment-by-moment connection with the divine. You’ll learn to move past the junk thoughts and junk food that can create a toxic environment, and that keep you mired in low-frequency feelings like anxiety, depression, guilt, and shame. You’ll discover how to attain the self-love and accountability necessary for spiritual connection and guidance.

With this life-changing six-step process, you’ll learn to tap into a higher source of love and truth at any moment in order to make your best decisions, realize a deep sense of freedom and personal power, and manifest your highest, most passionate purpose in life.