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 The First Bright Thing

Maura Jortner Why did I love this book?

I loved the heart of this book. It’s queer and Jewish and a historical fantasy—what’s not to love?

It has one of the best twists I’ve ever encountered. I still ask myself, “How did I not see that coming?” Of course the answer is that J. R. Dawson does such a good job with the plot that readers won’t see it before it smacks them in the face. (In the best way, of course.)

Dawson made me fall in love with her characters and the circus all over again. Plus, now I really want my own Spark.

By J.R. Dawson,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

When darkness descends, expect sparks. The First Bright Thing by J. R. Dawson is a spellbinding debut for fans of The Night Circus and The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue.

Welcome to the Circus of the Fantasticals . . .

After the First World War, a select few wake up with frightening magical abilities. Rin can jump through time. Her wife, Odette, can heal the unhealable. And their friend, Mauve, sees what others can't. Alone, afraid and exiled from regular society, the trio create a haven for Sparks - people like them - a circus housing those who are…


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My 2nd favorite read in 2023

Book cover of Dear Evan Hansen

Maura Jortner Why did I love this book?

I was swept into this book at the start because of the main character.

Evan Hansen is filled with anxiety and he’s quickly relatable. He’s so relatable that when he makes a terrible mistake—letting everyone believe that he really was best friends with Connor Murphy—I could understand why he did it and I could imagine doing something similar. I felt deeply for Evan and his plight to admit the truth. 

By Val Emmich, Steven Levenson, Benj Pasek , Justin Paul

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Dear Evan Hansen as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 14, 15, 16, and 17.

What is this book about?

*Read the book before you see the film, out September 2021!*

Dear Evan Hansen,

Today's going to be an amazing day and here's why...

When a letter that was never meant to be seen draws high school senior Evan Hansen into the Murphy family's grief over the loss of their son, he is given the chance of a lifetime: to belong.

He just has to stick to a lie he never meant to tell.

That the notoriously troubled Connor Murphy was his secret best friend.

Suddenly, Evan isn't invisible anymore. And Connor's wealthy parents have taken him in like he…


My 3rd favorite read in 2023

Book cover of The Wicked Unseen

Maura Jortner Why did I love this book?

I loved how this book used tropes from horror movies.

I enjoy watching horror movies... a little. Mostly, I’m just scared while they’re on, but I have been watching more lately because my youngest daughter loves them. Griffis does a great job of using her understanding of horror movies from beginning to end.

Also, Audre, the main character, has a loving and supportive family and I enjoyed reading that. So often in YA the main character’s family is absent or abusive and I liked seeing this family’s love clearly on the page.

By Gigi Griffis,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Wicked Unseen as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.

What is this book about?

The new girl in town is having trouble fitting into a community that believes there’s a secret Satanic cult conducting rituals in the woods. When her crush goes missing, she starts to wonder if the town’s obsession with evil isn’t covering up something far worse. Perfect for fans of Fear Street!

From the moment Audre arrives in rural Pennsylvania, it’s clear she won’t fit in. After all, her nose ring, her horror movie obsession, and her family’s Ouija board collection aren’t likely to endear her to a town convinced there’s a secret Satanic cult conducting rituals in the nearby woods.…


Don‘t forget about my book 😀

102 Days of Lying About Lauren

By Maura Jortner,

Book cover of 102 Days of Lying About Lauren

What is my book about?

Twelve-year-old Mouse was abandoned by her mother in an amusement park and has survived for three months by carefully following her list of Rules to Live By, but when a nosy girl and an impending storm threaten to expose Mouse’s hiding place, it might take more than rules to keep her safe.

This heartwarming work has twists, turns, trials, and triumph. Fans of character-driven middle grade works, like Counting by 7s or The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise, will love it.

My 12-year-old's favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of This Appearing House

Maura Jortner Why did they love this book?

My daughter loved how scary this book was. She often complains to me that books for kids aren’t done right; they’re not very scary.

This book, however, kept her on the edge of her seat. It gave her bad dreams (which, she tells me, she wanted because it’s a sign of a really good book). She thought Jac was a great main character and she liked the friendship between her and her best friend, Hazel.

By Ally Malinenko,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked This Appearing House as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

From the author of Ghost Girl comes another standalone spooky middle grade for fans of Nightbooks and Ghost Squad, about a terrifying house and the girl haunted by her experience with cancer, grief, and healing. Are you brave enough to step inside?

For as long as anyone could remember there wasn’t a house at the dead end of Juniper Drive . . . until one day there was.

When Jac first sees the House, she’s counting down to the five-year anniversary of her cancer diagnosis, when she hopefully will be declared NED, or “no evidence of disease.” But with a…


My 12-year-old's 2nd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Plotting the Stars 1: Moongarden

Maura Jortner Why did they love this book?

My daughter loved the main character, Myra. She (my daughter) sometimes gets in trouble at school and/or wants to ditch classes, so she could relate to Myra from the start.

She also really liked the magic in this book. She couldn’t believe that kids got Creers and even got marks on their bodies from the Creer. In the end, she wished she could be a Botan, too.

By Michelle A. Barry,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Plotting the Stars 1 as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 10, 11, 12, and 13.

What is this book about?

"Moongarden blooms with heart and adventure. A stellar update of The Secret Garden, woven with a little science fiction, a lot of magic, a vibrant heroine, and a plucky robot sidekick to rival R2-D2." —Victoria Aveyard, New York Times bestselling author of Red Queen

The Secret Garden meets The City of Ember. Failed climate change policy, an intergalactic conspiracy, and the magical, unlikely heroine who could unearth it all. An explosive STEAM-inspired series starter perfect for young change makers.

Centuries ago, Earth’s plants turned deadly, and humanity took to space to cultivate new homes. Myra Hodger is in her first…


Explore all books for 12-year-olds

Book cover of The First Bright Thing
Book cover of Dear Evan Hansen
Book cover of The Wicked Unseen

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