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 Four Winds

Natalie Rompella Why did I love this book?

I found this book riveting. I don’t read a ton of historical fiction, but I just loved this one!

I learned so much about the Dust Bowl that I didn’t know and really felt for the characters and all of the challenges they faced. It’s one of those books you think about way after finishing it. I have recommended it over and over.

By Kristin Hannah,

Why should I read it?

5 authors picked The Four Winds as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"The Bestselling Hardcover Novel of the Year."--Publishers Weekly

From the number-one bestselling author of The Nightingale and The Great Alone comes a powerful American epic about love and heroism and hope, set during the Great Depression, a time when the country was in crisis and at war with itself, when millions were out of work and even the land seemed to have turned against them.

“My land tells its story if you listen. The story of our family.”

Texas, 1921. A time of abundance. The Great War is over, the bounty of the land is plentiful, and America is on…


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My 2nd favorite read in 2023

Book cover of Mad Honey

Natalie Rompella Why did I love this book?

I believe I have read all of Jodi Picoult’s books. This one had so many twists and turns!

She does a great job in making the reader learn about something they may not have known about before, and she addresses such important topics that make you think about our world. 

By Jodi Picoult, Jennifer Finney Boylan,

Why should I read it?

10 authors picked Mad Honey as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “Alternatingly heart-pounding and heartbreaking. This collaboration between two best-selling authors seamlessly weaves together Olivia and Lily’s journeys, creating a provocative exploration of the strength that love and acceptance require.”—The Washington Post
 
GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK • PEOPLE’S BOOK OF THE WEEK • ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: PopSugar

Olivia McAfee knows what it feels like to start over. Her picture-perfect life—living in Boston, married to a brilliant cardiothoracic surgeon, raising their beautiful son, Asher—was upended when her husband revealed a darker side. She never imagined that she would end up…


My 3rd favorite read in 2023

Book cover of What Lives in the Woods

Natalie Rompella Why did I love this book?

I discovered Lindsay’s book on Twitter. I grew up enjoying scary books, so when I saw her covers, I knew I wanted to interview her about her new one that wasn’t yet out. In the meantime, I read What Lies in the Woods.

This book is for middle graders, but even I felt it was scary! It read like a movie.

By Lindsay Currie,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked What Lives in the Woods 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?

For fans of Small Spaces and the Goosebumps series by R.L Stine comes a chilling ghost story about a girl living in the decrepit and creepy mansion, who discovers something in the woods is after her.

All Ginny Anderson wants from her summer is to sleep in, attend a mystery writing workshop, and spend time with her best friend. But when Ginny's father―a respected restoration expert in Chicago―surprises the family with a month-long trip to Michigan, everything changes. They aren't staying in a hotel like most families would. No, they're staying in a mansion. A twenty-six room, century-old building surrounded…


Don‘t forget about my book 😀

Malik's Number Thoughts: A Story about OCD

By Natalie Rompella, Alessia Girasole (illustrator),

Book cover of Malik's Number Thoughts: A Story about OCD

What is my book about?

Malik's obsessive-compulsive disorder means his brain wants him to do everything on the count of four.

When he’s invited to a minigolf birthday party, Malik is excited. But he worries about his Number Thoughts. If he has to take four tries to get the ball in the hole, he’ll never win―and everyone might make fun of him. Can Malik say "no" to his Number Thoughts?

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

Book cover of The Crossover

Natalie Rompella Why did they love this book?

My child liked how Crossover was a basketball-themed book, and they had this to say: I play basketball and like watching it. Crossover wasn’t too long. It also had rhymes which sounded cool. I like how there were two basketball players—not just one. You can learn about two different players and their point of view.

By Kwame Alexander,

Why should I read it?

5 authors picked The Crossover 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?

A million copies sold

'With a bolt of lightning on my kicks . . .
The court is SIZZLING.
My sweat is DRIZZLING.
Stop all that quivering.
Cuz tonight I'm delivering'

12-year-old Josh and his twin Jordan have basketball in their blood. They're kings of the court, star players for their school team. Their father used to be a champion player and they each want nothing more than to follow in his footsteps.
Both on and off the court, there is conflict and hardship which will test Josh's bond with his brother. In this heartfelt novel in verse, the boys…


Explore all books for 12-year-olds

My 14-year-old's favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of We Were Liars

Natalie Rompella Why did they love this book?

This novel is told in first-person, following the story of Cadence, who suffers an event that leaves her with scattered memories of her fifteenth summer at her family’s prized island.

My daughter loved we were liars because of the mystery, family, and friend relationships, and plot twists. She told me that it fills its readers with contentment and sadness. Lockhart paints such a scene that she felt as though she was watching the story unfold before her. 

By E. Lockhart,

Why should I read it?

12 authors picked We Were Liars 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 TikTok phenomenon and #1 New York Times bestseller.

A beautiful and distinguished family.
A private island.
A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.
A group of four friends-the Liars-whose friendship turns destructive.
A revolution. An accident. A secret.
Lies upon lies.
True love.
The truth.

We Were Liars is a modern, sophisticated suspense novel from New York Times bestselling author, National Book Award finalist, and Printz Award honouree E. Lockhart.

Read it.

And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE.

Don't miss FAMILY OF LIARS, the thrilling prequel to We Were Liars, published in May 2022.


Explore all books for 14-year-olds

My book recommendation list

Book cover of The Four Winds
Book cover of Mad Honey
Book cover of What Lives in the Woods

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