The best books of 2023

This list is part of the best books of 2023.

We've asked 1,624 authors and super readers for their 3 favorite reads of the year.

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My favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of In the Lives of Puppets

Tyrolin Puxty Why did I love this book?

I totally took a risk when I bought this book. Robots? Gay romance? Dystopian future? Not my usual pick, but I had a feeling about it. Boy, am I glad I listened to my spidey-booky-senses, because this was so unique that I still find myself thinking about it.

Firstly, the characters were so fleshed-out that I feel as if I know them. In fact, I miss them. I miss imaginary characters. How bizarre is that? I laughed and I sympathised – a rarity for most characters.

The contrast between high-tech beings living in a secluded, untouched forest provided interesting imagery and the romance wasn’t soppy.

I don’t enjoy romance, but this didn’t throw it in the reader’s face. There was a connection, a spark, and that was it. None of the ‘dizzying head’ tropes.

This book taught me to take a risk on books you wouldn’t ordinarily read!

By TJ Klune,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked In the Lives of Puppets as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

From New York Times bestselling author TJ Klune, In the Lives of Puppets is a queer retelling of the Pinocchio tale, inviting you deep into the heart of a peculiar forest and on the extraordinary journey of a family assembled from spare parts.

'A deeply stirring journey through a world of extraordinary robots' - Chuck Tingle, Hugo-shortlisted author of Camp Damascus

In a small home, built into the branches of a tree, live a human named Victor and three robots. These are a pleasantly sadistic nurse machine, a small vacuum desperate for love and attention, and a fatherly inventor-android named…


My 2nd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Recursion

Tyrolin Puxty Why did I love this book?

I binged a lot of Black Crouch this year and I actually think Dark Matter is equally as strong as his book Recursion. Both books follow an average guy thrown into a scientific experiment. Dark Matter results in our hero losing himself in multiple parallel worlds, determined to return home. Recursion is more captivating, switching between protagonists as it follows a new take on time travel and its repercussions.

The concepts aren’t anything new, but the execution was extremely compelling, his style of writing free-flowing and laidback. I found myself reading too quickly at times and forced myself to slow down so that I could spend more time in his worlds. He has the remarkable ability to write as if you’re watching a movie, so they’re quick and exciting reads.

I recently discovered Blake Crouch is in fact the author of Wayward Pines – a great TV mini-series. I’m shocked his other novels have yet to be adapted, but hey, it’s early days!

By Blake Crouch,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked Recursion as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the bestselling author of Dark Matter and the Wayward Pines trilogy comes a relentless thriller about time, identity, and memory—his most mind-boggling, irresistible work to date, and the inspiration for Shondaland’s upcoming Netflix film.

“Gloriously twisting . . . a heady campfire tale of a novel.”—The New York Times Book Review

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY Time • NPR • BookRiot

Reality is broken.
 
At first, it looks like a disease. An epidemic that spreads through no known means, driving its victims mad with memories of a life they…


My 3rd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Caraval

Tyrolin Puxty Why did I love this book?

This was the book I always wanted to write but just couldn’t quite crack it.

A strong bond between sisters, dark magic, romantically mesmerising descriptions, creative concepts, a subtle twist...it had it all. I was fully immersed in this enchanting tale and I am anxiously awaiting for my paperback copy of the sequel to arrive!

By Stephanie Garber,

Why should I read it?

8 authors picked Caraval as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 13, 14, 15, and 16.

What is this book about?

***The Sunday Times bestseller***

WELCOME TO CARAVAL, WHERE NOTHING IS QUITE WHAT IT SEEMS . . .

Scarlett has never left the tiny isle of Trisda, pining from afar for the wonder of Caraval, a once-a-year week-long performance where the audience participates in the show.

Caraval is Magic. Mystery. Adventure. And for Scarlett and her beloved sister Tella it represents freedom and an escape from their ruthless, abusive father.

When the sisters' long-awaited invitations to Caraval finally arrive, it seems their dreams have come true. But no sooner have they arrived than Tella vanishes, kidnapped by the show's mastermind organiser,…


Plus, check out my book…

Immortal Cells

By Tyrolin Puxty,

Book cover of Immortal Cells

What is my book about?

Malin's only crime is existing. After successfully avoiding arrest for centuries, a selfless act lands the tall immortal in prison, where inmates are fed poison and drained of blood. It’s the ultimate punishment for any monstrosity who refuses to abide by an existential expiry date. But then the impossible happens. An immortal dies, defying all known logic.

As Malin navigates life through the prison, she must come to terms with her destiny...a destiny that will alter the fate of the immortals forever.