There are many ways to measure a year—in calendar days, school semesters, anniversaries, or birthdays; at LJ we measure the year in books. Our bibliometric datebook is marked by titles we look forward to for months, books we read in one big, delightful spree, and those we savor, re-read, and share. Every year we convene to ponder our top picks. We talk about what we’re reading, suggest titles to one another, and discuss, with growing excitement and anticipation, selections that we just know will be among our best books. Here are our choices: 149 titles across 15 categories; each a work we have treasured. We are excited that these books exist in the world, waiting to be found or read anew.
By Liz French The best pop fiction novels of 2023 journey to self-realization and survival, untangle family ties, slay social shibboleths, and uncover hidden histories.
By Melissa DeWild & Neal Wyatt Flying pirate ships, a family finding its way, and a delightful rendition of the fake-marriage trope are just a few highlights of the best romance books of 2023.
By Liz French & Lesa Holstine This year’s best crime fiction novels contain simmering secrets, rage and revenge, dogged detectives, and plenty of murder and mayhem. Dig in!
Mystery publishers are reveling in a surge of genre mashups. Creative pairings combine classic crime thrillers with elements of genres as wide-ranging as horror, romance, dystopian, sci-fi, paranormal, political, and western. New mystery titles also feature historical characters like Elizabeth I and William Shakespeare. Why this influx of genre mashups?
By Melissa DeWild & Becky Spratford From intensely unsettling to heartbreakingly beautiful moments, the best horror novels of 2023 offer fresh spins on terrifying tropes.
By Kristi Chadwick, Melissa DeWild & Marlene Harris Full of riveting speculative stories, sci-fi/mystery blends, and enchanting fantasy worlds, the best science fiction and fantasy novels of 2023 provide engrossing reading adventures.
By Barbara Hoffert The best literary fiction titles of 2023 probe human nature, celebrate creativity, depict history, and investigate the stories we tell ourselves.
By Barbara Hoffert The best world literature books of 2023 examine colonialism, limn loss, juxtapose past and present, and scrutinize human relationships.
By Barbara Hoffert & Lisa Peet The best short stories of 2023 provide bite-sized but potent looks at life, loss, grief, oppression, isolation, and, of course, wonder and joy.
This December, join Penguin Random House, Library Journal, and School Library Journal for our Winter 2023 virtual book and author festival, a free day-long event celebrating reading, authors, and librarians everywhere! Enjoy a day packed with author panels and interviews, book buzzes, virtual shelf browsing, and adding to your TBR pile.
By Tom Batten & Melissa DeWild Impactful illustrations complement poignant, thought-provoking tales and memoirs in these unforgettable best graphic novels of 2023.
By Jill Cox-Cordova, Liz French & Kevin Howell The best arts and humanities titles of 2023 include intriguing conversation starters, special tributes to pioneers, and fresh takes on creative art forms and people.
By Melissa DeWild & Neal Wyatt The delights of snacking bakes, the flavors of fruit, and the wonders of yogurt and whey help bakers and home cooks discover technique and tastes in the best cookbooks of 2023.
In a world of continuously proliferating sources of information, finding and recognizing reliable information has become harder than ever before. To that end, the reference publishers featured here go to great lengths to ensure that the titles and databases they offer are accurate, free of bias, and genuine.
By Jill Cox-Cordova Racism, poverty, and burnout are dominant themes of many of 2023’s best social sciences books. But there is also joy, along with journeys to find comfort and welcoming communities.
By Jill Cox-Cordova The best science and technology titles of 2023 entice, educate, and entertain readers. These books are a mixture of dirt, delight, and a demand for change.
By LJ Reviews The top 10 book covers of the year, selected from our 2023 Best Books, offer a fabulous first impression, inviting readers to appreciate their design, ponder what might be inside, and, best of all, dive in.
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