Author Reader Runner Editor Ham
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 All the Sinners Bleed

Patience Bloom Why did I love this book?

I loved All the Sinners Bleed because of the gorgeous writing, the setting, and how the author spells out the long history of trauma in the place where he is the only Black sheriff. So, more conflict than finding a dead body.

As Titus meticulously does his job and shakes down villains, I respected the author’s page-turning writing and now can’t wait to read his other books.

By S. A. Cosby,

Why should I read it?

5 authors picked All the Sinners Bleed as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

*** THE TIMES - THRILLER OF THE MONTH***
*** MAIL ON SUNDAY - BEST NEW FICTION***
*** FINANCIAL TIMES - BEST NEW CRIME BOOKS***

'A crackling good police procedural....fresh and exhilarating' STEPHEN KING

'S. A. Cosby's novels always hit the grand slam of crime fiction; unstoppable momentum, gripping intrigue and deep character with a hard and telling look at culture and society' MICHAEL CONNELLY

'Titus Crown is one of the most compelling characters I've read in a long time.' STEVE CAVANAGH

A BLACK SHERIFF. A SERIAL KILLER.
AND A SMALL TOWN READY TO COMBUST.

Titus Crown is the first Black…


My 2nd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Carrie Soto Is Back

Patience Bloom Why did I love this book?

I loved Carrie Soto is Back because the protagonist is one I’d never want to befriend, but she is impressive, someone who keeps pushing forward even after failure.

She must win at all costs. But then she grapples with what winning would mean. Is it worth staying on the hamster wheel of being a pro athlete?

By Taylor Jenkins Reid,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked Carrie Soto Is Back 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

From the bestselling author of MALIBU RISING, DAISY JONES & THE SIX and THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO

'There's something about Carrie I will take forward with me in my life, and be a little better for. This book comes out in a few short weeks and you should preorder it. It made me cry twice, and when I finished reading, I had to sit for a minute with the hole it left in my chest . . . just order it' EMILY HENRY

'This Nineties tennis romp is a crowd-pleaser.…


My 3rd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of We Should Not Be Friends: The Story of a Friendship

Patience Bloom Why did I love this book?

Disclaimer, I love everything that Will Schwalbe writes, so I have a bias.

In this, the author writes about an unusual friendship that never would have happened if they hadn’t been in the same club at college. After school and over many years, the two stay friends, even though they each have wildly different lifestyles.

The lesson is that you never know who will be your best friend—and this is exciting.

By Will Schwalbe,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked We Should Not Be Friends as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

PRE-ORDER THE PAPERBACK NOW

From the best-selling author of The End of Your Life Book Club comes a warm, funny, irresistible book that follows an improbable and life-changing friendship over the course of forty years.

'Moving' NEW YORK TIMES
''Schwalbe's memoir shines...Written like a true friend' DAILY MAIL

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in his last year of university, Will thought he knew everyone he cared to know. A per-haired, out gay young man, working at an AIDS helpline in the early days of the crisis, Will found community amongst the theatre students, artists and writers.

He also knew who he wanted to avoid:…


Plus, check out my book…

Romance Is My Day Job: A Memoir of Finding Love at Last

By Patience Bloom,

Book cover of Romance Is My Day Job: A Memoir of Finding Love at Last

What is my book about?

Patience Bloom asked herself this question, many times over.

As a teen she fell in love with Harlequin novels and imagined her life would turn out just like their heroines: That shy guy she had a crush on would sweep her off her feet and turn out to be a rock star. Not exactly her reality, but Patience kept hoping.

Years later she found her dream job, editing romances for Harlequin itself. Every day, her fantasies came true—on the page. Her dating life, however, remained uninspired. She nearly gave up hope. Then one day Patience got a real-life chance at romance, but Sam lived thousands of miles away. Was it worth the risk? Could love conquer all?