The best books of 2023

This list is part of the best books of 2023.

We've asked 1,705 authors and super readers for their 3 favorite reads of the year.

My favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of The Couple at Number 9

Roxie Key Why did I love this book?

You know when you read a book and you wish you had written it? THAT. This book is nothing short of pure brilliance, full of deliciously dark twists and constantly whipping the rug out from beneath your feet. I listened to the audiobook, and I was honestly OBSESSED. I thought it was such a good concept–Saffron and Tom move into a cottage that was left to Saffron by her grandmother, Rose.

During some building work, a body is discovered in the garden… a body that was put there whilst Rose lived there. But Rose has Alzheimer’s, and she can’t remember a thing. And the body in the garden is just the tip of the iceberg. Love, love, love it!

By Claire Douglas,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Couple at Number 9 as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

It was the house of their dreams. Now it's their worst nightmare . . .

'Spine-chilling' SUNDAY TIMES
'A well-plotted tale . . . Intriguing. Twisty. Surprising. Touching' DOROTHY KOOMSON
'Secrets, skeletons, mothers and daughters - and some absolutely corking twists! A cracking thriller, I loved it' EVE CHASE
_________

BODIES FOUND UNDER PATIO

When pregnant Saffron Cutler moves into 9 Skelton Place with boyfriend Tom and sets about renovations, the last thing she expects is builders uncovering a body. Two bodies, in fact.

POLICE INVESTIGATE

Forensics indicate the bodies have been buried at least thirty years, which leads the…


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My 2nd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Wrong Place Wrong Time

Roxie Key Why did I love this book?

Gillian McAllister is one of my go-to authors–if she’s written a book, chances are I’ve read it and loved it. But this was another level. Just when I think Gillian McAllister has peaked, she publishes this mind-bender. A MAD concept that works SO well.

When Jen witnesses her son, Todd, taking another man’s life, she thinks it’s game over. But the next morning, she wakes up to find she’s been catapulted back to the previous day before the murder took place. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough as, day by day, Jen slipped further and further into the past to try and figure out what she needed to do to stop the event from happening. Ridiculously good on so many levels.

By Gillian McAllister,

Why should I read it?

10 authors picked Wrong Place Wrong Time as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

CAN YOU STOP A MURDER WHEN IT'S ALREADY HAPPENED?

'Perfection, every word, every moment. One of the best books I've ever read' LISA JEWELL
'Ingenious. A book to blow your mind and break your heart' ERIN KELLY
'Extraordinary' HARRIET TYCE
'I am totally in awe. This is one story I will not forget' HEIDI PERKS
'Genre-bending and totally original. A tour de force!' CLAIRE DOUGLAS

PRE-ORDER THE BOOK EVERYONE HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT
_________

It's every parent's nightmare.

Your happy, funny, innocent son commits a terrible crime: murdering a complete stranger.

You don't know who. You don't know why. You…


My 3rd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of The Four

Roxie Key Why did I love this book?

Believe. The. Hype. I saw this book all over social media and couldn’t miss the hot pink cover. I’ve never read dark academia before, but this book by Ellie Keel has made me want to read more of it.

Marta, Rose, Sami, and Lloyd each win a scholarship to an exclusive boarding school, High Realms. What should have been the best experience of their lives turns into a nightmare when Marta does something that jeopardizes the whole group.

With darkness woven into its very core, this book is truly unputdownable and surprisingly sapphic. It is harrowing in places but had me racing towards the end. I loved it.

By Ellie Keel,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

*Special Collector's Edition. With foiled design underneath the dust jacket and special endpapers. EXCLUSIVE to the first print run and available while stocks last*

***

'A dark, compelling and beguiling novel of revenge, guilt and love - Ellie Keel is a dazzling new voice' Kate Mosse

'An intensely gripping, thrilling and darkly beautiful debut. I was hooked' Karin Slaughter

'Sharp, powerful, tragic and addictive' Chris Whitaker

'This is The Secret History for millennials' Daisy Goodwin

🎓

We were always The Four. From our very first day at High Realms.

The four scholarship pupils. Outsiders in a world of power and…


Plus, check out my book…

The Deadly Spark

By Roxie Key,

Book cover of The Deadly Spark

What is my book about?

My book is a blend of psychological suspense and police procedural (and yes, that’s because I couldn’t quite decide which genre I preferred!). It’s set in sunny Brighton, which is my favorite place in the UK, and follows the story of Eve Starling as she investigates a fatal arson attack.

Flashbacks into her past piece together the real reason she’s struggling so much emotionally with this case. Meanwhile, another character’s story unfolds alongside Eve’s.

Anya Fernsby, the girlfriend of the woman who died in the arson attack, threw herself off the cliffs at Seaford Head that same night. Whether it was out of grief or guilt, it was Eve’s job to find out.

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

Book cover of The Smeds and the Smoos

Roxie Key Why did they love this book?

It’s her favourite bedtime storybook at the moment. She’s obsessed with anything to do with space, and there are some pretty cool planets and rockets in it. It’s essentially a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet: the Smeds (the red aliens) hate the Smoos (the blue aliens) but Janet (a Smed) and Bill (a Smoo) fall in love. It’s really quite sweet. It’s very poetic and full of gorgeous made-up words, and the illustrations are wonderful.

By Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Smeds and the Smoos as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

Soar into space with this glorious love story of alien
folk, from the number one bestselling author and illustrator of The
Gruffalo and Stick Man.

'By a loobular lake on a far-off planet

There lived a young Smed, and her name was Janet.

Not far away, on a humplety hill,

There lived a young Smoo by the name of Bill.'

The Smeds (who are red) never mix with the Smoos (who are blue).

So when a young Smed and Smoo fall in love, their families strongly
disapprove.

But peace is restored and love conquers all in this happiest of
love…


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

Book cover of My Mums Love Me

Roxie Key Why did they love this book?

My daughter has two mums, and most mainstream children’s books don’t feature same-sex couples. This one is different. It’s a short story, in a poem format, that tells you about a day in the life of a baby with two mums – Mummy and Mama. She loves seeing her family reflected in the book and points out the three characters and tells us what they’re doing. It’s a joy to read to her, and she loves it so much she’s on her second copy.

By Anna Membrino, Joy Hwang Ruiz (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked My Mums Love Me as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 2, 3, 4, and 5.

What is this book about?

This lyrical and heartfelt picture book is a gorgeous
celebration of same-sex parents and motherhood.
I love my mums
and they love me
together
we are
a FAMILY!

This beautifully-told story about a same-sex family of two mums
and their baby is a love letter to close-knit families everywhere.
Lyrical and calming, it's a perfect picture book to cuddle up
with.



With a gentle rhyming story that will reassure and soothe

Striking illustrations with bright colours and bold lines to
aid engagement

A wonderful gift for mothers - at Mother's Day and all year round
- and children alike


My 2-year-old's 3rd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Tabby McTat, the Musical Cat

Roxie Key Why did they love this book?

My daughter loves cats so much, and this is such a sweet story about a busker who sings with his cat, but they get separated when he has to go to hospital, and the cat finds a new home until they are reunited. A bedtime favourite! As with all Julia Donaldson books, it’s beautifully written with amazing illustrations by Axel Scheffler. The first time I read it to her, it made me cry (just a little bit!). It reminded me of A Street Cat Named Bob (which also made me cry). 

By Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Tabby McTat, the Musical Cat as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

The heart-warming picture book from the number one bestselling
author and illustrator of The Gruffalo, Stick Man
and Zog.

"Me, you and the old guitar.

How perfectly, perfectly happy we are.

MEEE-EW and the old guitar.

How PURRRR-fectly happy we are!"

Tabby McTat is purr-fectly happy, singing along all day with Fred
the busker. But when Fred gives chase to a thief, the two are
separated. Will they ever find each other again?

'Tabby McTat is such a beautiful story about
embracing change and the transitions in life as well - from childhood
to adulthood and people going on journeys.…


Explore all books for 2-year-olds