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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 Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention—and How to Think Deeply Again

Matthew Kirk Why did I love this book?

There’s so much beauty to machine learning, AI, and data science, but also a dark side. We created so many of these tools to help connect us, and sadly it’s disconnecting us.

I find that through the pandemic that my own friends have become more distracted than ever due to the work I do for a living.

This book is incredible at refocusing on what matters.

By Johann Hari,

Why should I read it?

7 authors picked Stolen Focus as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

THE SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A SPECTATOR AND FINANCIAL TIMES BEST BOOK OF 2022 'If you read just one book about how the modern world is driving us crazy, read this one' TELEGRAPH 'This book is exactly what the world needs right now' OPRAH WINFREY 'A beautifully researched and argued exploration of the breakdown of humankind's ability to pay attention' STEPHEN FRY 'A really important book . . . Everyone should read it' PHILIPPA PERRY Why have we lost our ability to focus? What are the causes? And, most importantly, how do we get it back? For…


My 2nd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of There Are No Accidents: The Deadly Rise of Injury and Disaster―Who Profits and Who Pays the Price

Matthew Kirk Why did I love this book?

My dad was a crane inspector, and generally spent his career making sure that accidents didn’t happen.

He would say that 95% of accidents were operator error. But what was interesting is how much effort he’d put into preventing disasters even if the operator made an error. It has influenced how I approach programming. The user is never wrong, even when they do something very odd.

By Jessie Singer,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked There Are No Accidents as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A journalist recounts the surprising history of accidents and reveals how they've come to define all that's wrong with America.

We hear it all the time: "Sorry, it was just an accident." And we've been deeply conditioned to just accept that explanation and move on. But as Jessie Singer argues convincingly: There are no such things as accidents. The vast majority of mishaps are not random but predictable and preventable. Singer uncovers just how the term "accident" itself protects those in power and leaves the most vulnerable in harm's way, preventing investigations, pushing off debts, blaming the victims, diluting anger,…


My 3rd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less

Matthew Kirk Why did I love this book?

I am a practicing Zen Buddhist. Every year, I spend a week in silence, and it influences how I see the world.

This book is incredible at defining what is essential. It’s not about minimalism, or maximalism; it’s about the essentials. As Dieter Rams is quoted in the book, “less but better.”

By Greg McKeown,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

The life-changing international bestseller that started a global movement - now updated with the new 21-Day Essentialism Challenge and an exclusive excerpt from EFFORTLESS

Have you ever found yourself struggling with information overload?

Have you ever felt both overworked and underutilised?

Do you ever feel busy but not productive?

If you answered yes to any of these, the way out is to become an Essentialist.

In Essentialism, Greg McKeown, CEO of a Leadership and Strategy agency in Silicon Valley who has run courses at Apple, Google and Facebook, shows you how to achieve what he calls the disciplined pursuit of…


My project is...

Engineering leadership in the age of AI

More than anything, I want to cultivate engineering leadership, and best practices with AI/ML.

So that’s why I’m writing primarily on linkedin these days and pairing with Nick Talwar on teaching engineering leadership principles.