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The best books of 2023

This list is part of the best books of 2023.

We've asked 1,639 authors and super readers for their 3 favorite reads of the year.

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My favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of The Thirteenth Tale

Veronica Fuxa Why did I love this book?

I loved this book because it had me on the edge of my seat. I could not put it down until I finished reading it.

It is a suspenseful mystery book with great characters and dark secrets revealed throughout the pages.This is an excellent book to read as a book club because the characters’ actions are so deviant of what normal people would do.

By Diane Setterfield,

Why should I read it?

6 authors picked The Thirteenth Tale as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

'Simply brilliant' Kate Mosse, international bestselling author of Labyrinth

***

Everybody has a story...

Angelfield House stands abandoned and forgotten.

It was once home to the March family: fascinating, manipulative Isabelle; brutal, dangerous Charlie; and the wild, untamed twins, Emmeline and Adeline. But the house hides a chilling secret which strikes at the very heart of each of them, tearing their lives apart...

Now Margaret Lea is investigating Angelfield's past, and its mysterious connection to the enigmatic writer Vida Winter. Vida's history is mesmering - a tale of ghosts, governesses, and gothic strangeness. But as Margaret succumbs to the power…


My 2nd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Heartless

Veronica Fuxa Why did I love this book?

I love retold fairy tales and stories, and this one is an excellent retelling of Alice in Wonderland, one of my favorite classic novels.

This is the origin story of the villain in Alice in Wonderland, the Red Queen. It’s dark, romantic, and devastating, full of twists and turns you’d never expect. It also tastefully incorporates other fairy tales and stories into the plot.

By Marissa Meyer,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Heartless as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.

What is this book about?

From Marissa Meyer, the #1 New York Times–bestselling story of Wonderland's most notorious villain: the Queen of Hearts.

Long before she was the terror of Wonderland―the infamous Queen of Hearts―she was just a girl who wanted to fall in love.

Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland, and a favorite of the unmarried King of Hearts, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, all she wants is to open a shop with her best friend. But according to her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for the young woman who could be the next queen.…


My 3rd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Out of the Easy

Veronica Fuxa Why did I love this book?

I loved this book because it was a heartbreaking story. The author writes with a great voice and emotion for a teenage girl.

She grows up in poverty and constantly takes care of other people she cares about, except herself. Despite not growing up like her, I related to a lot of the emotions and events she experiences in the story.

I kept wondering what would happen next to the heroine in the story as she always gets into trouble and has to figure out how to get out of her predicament. 

By Ruta Sepetys,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Out of the Easy as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 14, 15, 16, and 17.

What is this book about?

Out of the Easy is set against the vivid backdrop of 1950s New Orleans. Written by New York Times bestselling author Ruth Sepetys, this novel has something for everyone: love, mystery, murder, blackmail and warmth.

Josie Moraine wants out of The Big Easy - she needs more than New Orleans can offer. Known locally as a brothel prostitute's daughter, she dreams of life at an elite college, far away from here.

But then a mysterious death in the Quarter leaves Josie caught between her ambition and a clandestine underworld. New Orleans is luring Josie deeper in as she searches for…


Plus, check out my book…

What Is Normal?

By Veronica Fuxa,

Book cover of What Is Normal?

What is my book about?

All Brenden wants is to be normal. A normal guy who goes to work has friends and maybe even falls in love. The only thing that prevents him from his ideal life is Richard. Because of Richard, Brenden is forced to isolate himself from the world. He tries hard to fight back with the help of his friends, who are a little abnormal themselves.

In the end, Brenden knows what he must do in order to get Richard out of his life.

Are you normal? What exactly is normal anyway? We look at people and judge them without even knowing anything about them. We expect everyone to be a certain way. Do we truly know and understand anyone?