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 Celebrants

Paige Harbison Why did I love this book?

First of all, I love Steven Rowley. He’s hilarious, whip-smart, and writes beautifully. He moves you without ever making you take yourself too seriously.

Rowley has a quality I appreciate sincerely in the people around me and in the art I consume: he can make you laugh in the darkest moment. Gallows humor, but never callous. 

The Celebrants feels deeply lived-in, centered around a group of friends I missed before the book was even over. The characters felt so authentic and connected to each other that I felt a little left out in the beginning—as I would have if I’d appeared in the living room with them in Big Sur. But by the end, they had welcomed me in.

By Steven Rowley,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked The Celebrants as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

New York Times Bestseller
A TODAY Show #ReadWithJenna Book Club Pick

A Big Chill for our times, celebrating decades-long friendships and promises—especially to ourselves—by the bestselling and beloved author of The Guncle.

It’s been a minute—or five years—since Jordan Vargas last saw his college friends, and twenty-eight years since their graduation when their adult lives officially began. Now Jordan, Jordy, Naomi, Craig, and Marielle find themselves at the brink of a new decade, with all the responsibilities of adulthood, yet no closer to having their lives figured out. Though not for a lack of trying. Over the years they’ve reunited…


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My 2nd favorite read in 2023

Book cover of One Italian Summer

Paige Harbison Why did I love this book?

A ghosty book set on the sun-drenched Amalfi coast? Sign me up.

This book sparkled with mystery, intrigue, and an enchanting bit of magic. The mother-daughter relationship felt real and affecting, and by the end, I was nostalgic for a life I had never lived.

By Rebecca Serle,

Why should I read it?

6 authors picked One Italian Summer as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

“[A] magical trip worth taking.” —Associated Press

“Rebecca Serle is a maestro of love in all its forms.” —Gabrielle Zevin, New York Times bestselling author

The New York Times bestselling author of In Five Years returns with a powerful novel about the transformational love between mothers and daughters set on the breathtaking Amalfi Coast.

When Katy’s mother dies, she is left reeling. Carol wasn’t just Katy’s mom, but her best friend and first phone call. She had all the answers and now, when Katy needs her the most, she is gone. To make matters worse,…


My 3rd favorite read in 2023

Book cover of Well, This Is Exhausting: Essays

Paige Harbison Why did I love this book?

Benoit's memoir reminded me that I am part of millennial womanhood. The cool-girl-who-pretends-to-be-chill-by-basically-acting-like-a-stupid-dude thing is not unique to my embarrassing early twenties, for example.

This book is laugh-out-loud hilarious and wry, and by the end, I wanted to be Benoit's best friend. 

By Sophia Benoit,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Well, This Is Exhausting as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

From Bustle columnist and Twitter sensation Sophia Benoit, this “charming and often laugh-out-loud funny” (Vogue) memoir-in-essays explores the ins and outs of modern womanhood—from finding feminism, the power of pop culture, and how to navigate life’s constant double standards—perfect for fans of Shrill and PEN15.

Like so many women, Sophia spent her formative years struggling to do the “right” thing—to make others comfortable, to take minimal and calculated risks, to live up to society’s expectations—only to realize that there was so little payoff to this tiresome balancing act. Tired of trying so hard, Sophia finally let go of the crushing…


Don‘t forget about my book 😀

Book cover of New Girl

What is my book about?

It's hard to be the new girl—especially when she's filling the spot at an exclusive boarding school formerly held by perfect Becca, the girl everyone loved. Becca—the girl who disappeared and may or may not be gone. 

Everyone acts like it's my fault that infallible, beloved Becca is gone and has been replaced by not perfect, completely fallible, unknown Me.

Then, there's the name on my lips: Max Holloway. Becca's ex. The one boy I should avoid but can't. And as much as I'm starting to like it at Manderley, I can't help but think she's out there, somewhere, watching me take her place and waiting to take it back.

My book recommendation list

Book cover of The Celebrants
Book cover of One Italian Summer
Book cover of Well, This Is Exhausting: Essays

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