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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 Mentor Minutes: Reach the Top 1% Of Any Field - Expert Wisdom for Daily Success

Maura Thomas Why did I love this book?

I love this book because it’s written in bite-sized pieces that you can read in just a few minutes, and each provide practical guidance on a specific topic for business success.

As a small business owner, I read a lot of business books, but they are often long and contain too much filler—stories I don’t care about and history that isn’t helpful to me. This book eliminates the fluff and focuses on the specific advice.

It’s quick learning that I can pick up anytime, and reference as the need arises. I find myself coming back to it again and again.

By Jim Cathcart,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

Top Performers in every field have Mentors.


Business leaders, celebrities, athletes, investors, performers and teachers all have mentors.

Make this book your mentor handbook. These Mentor Minutes(TM) capture a lifetime of wisdom from a wide range of experts in many careers, professions and disciplines.


Expertise is measurable. It is a combination of Knowledge, Skill, Experience and Wisdom.

This applies no matter what path you have chosen.

However, there are certain vital requirements needed in all fields.


To rise to the Top 1% of any field you will need the advanced abilities of:

Self-Awareness, Communication, Sales, Problem Solving, Leadership & Influence.…


My 2nd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Employalty: How to Ignite Commitment and Keep Top Talent in the New Age of Work

Maura Thomas Why did I love this book?

This book hooked me because it’s deeply researched and a pleasure to read, with interesting and relevant case studies.

There’s a line that leaders must now "create the best job for the person, rather than finding the best person for the job,” which I think is right on the money in today’s environment. That’s hard to do, but the book offers a simple framework to make it a lot easier.

I found the advice very applicable to working not only with my own team, but also committees and groups in other parts of my life.

By Joe Mull,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

Is your company a departure organization or a destination workplace?

Finding, keeping, and motivating employees is harder than ever. Amid record-setting turnover and staffing shortages across industries, competition for candidates is fierce.

How do you find employees that stay, take on challenging work, and deliver outstanding products and services? How do you keep your best employees from leaving?
Answer: Employalty.

There is a massive recalibration taking place around how work fits into peoples' lives. Winning the new war for talent requires a more humane employee experience, one that meets the needs and values of a changed workforce. Get this wrong,…


My 3rd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Life's Messy, Live Happy: Things Don't Have to Be Perfect for You to Be Content

Maura Thomas Why did I love this book?

I enjoy self-help books that support my growth and my ability to be happy, compassionate, and a better communicator.

I loved this book because it did all of those things and more. I thought the advice about how to diffuse difficult situations so impactful, I use it all the time. Rather than just stuff the book with stories, the author used stories as a framework to illustrate points—a much more relevant way that made them integral to the book instead of extra fluff to take up space.

By Cy Wakeman,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Life's Messy, Live Happy as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A simple shift in thinking can change everything you believe about your own happiness.

By the time we become adults, most of us have joined the religion of suffering, which preaches that unless circumstances are controlled, life will be a mess. We compare ourselves to others and speculate about an impossible-to-know future, holding out hope for an improved life through getting ahead, fulfilling passion, or finding true love. But the idea that happiness comes from putting effort toward altering one’s circumstances is harmful and backward. What if we instead learned to understand that circumstances can rarely be controlled, and that…


Plus, check out my book…

Everyone Wants to Work Here: Attract the Best Talent, Energize Your Team, and be the Leader in Your Market

By Maura Thomas,

Book cover of Everyone Wants to Work Here: Attract the Best Talent, Energize Your Team, and be the Leader in Your Market

What is my book about?

If you want to lead an exceptional team, power your organization's success, and unleash the hidden potential in every team member, read on.

In this guide for leaders and aspiring leaders, Maura Thomas explores how to combat insidious problems that are costing your organization millions. Her step-by-step guidance will energize your team, and provide greater focus, transparency, and accountability in the organization. Imagine every on your team has consistently productive and satisfying work days, and contributes even more to the organization, in a way that's inspiring and motivating instead of overwhelming and depleting.

The techniques in this book will help you, your team, and your organization, and they'll boost your ability to contribute in a positive way to families, your community, and the world.