Reading is an unprecedented pleasure. There is nothing else in life that can ground and inspire you at the same time. I find that no matter what I need, reading always seems to be the balm. Stress? Cozy up with a book. A lack of motivation? Head directly to the self-help shelves. Although it can be difficult to prioritize reading when our attention is divided between so many things, I consider it a key habit in my daily well-being routine. And obviously, our team of bibliophiles does the same. That’s why I had to reach out to our editors for their thoughts on the best books of 2023.
Our Slack channels, email threads, and IRL chats often drift toward the topic of reading. Whether it’s social strategy or content planning, anything can result in books we can’t put down. We read not only to learn, but also to experience worlds outside our own, returning to our own lives with greater empathy and understanding of the stories of others. Simply put: books give us a gift and a level of connection that few others can.
The best books of 2023, according to our editors
Whether or not you’ve caught the book bug this year, there’s a beautiful truth about reading: it’s a habit you can always come back to it. Many of us think of reading in the same way that we practice. There is simply not enough time! And of course, even if a busy day doesn’t allow for a multi-hour reading marathon, pockets of time present themselves. Whether it’s in the five minutes between meetings or in the parking lot picking up school, we simply need to be more intentional in how we make space for what’s important. Trade your parchment for a few minutes of reading time. You will never go back there.
So if you’re wondering if our Goodreads are anything like yours or just want to update your TBR for the year ahead, keep reading to discover the best books of 2023 that our editors couldn’t put down. There is something for every taste.
Cleopatra and Frankenstein
The way this book broke me and somehow put me back together. I’m a girl who goes hard for the “no plot, just vibes” genre, and Coco Mellors has perfected it beautifully in this debut novel. Expect stylistic writing, a devastating narrative, strangely lovable characters, and an ending that leaves you feeling empty but paradoxically understood. (Trust me, read -THE.) — Isabelle, editor-in-chief
Dear Édouard
My favorite kind of novel is one that seems so close to reality that you can imagine yourself in the plot – and that’s what made Dear Édouard so heartbreaking and also so beautiful. It’s the story of a boy who must relearn how to live after an unimaginable tragedy and answers the question we all ask ourselves: how do you find the strength to live your life to the fullest when you’ve lost everything? — Camille, editor-in-chief
Anger and the dawn
Khalid, the young king of Khorasan, takes a new bride every night to have her executed at sunrise, until a girl named Shahrzad volunteers to marry him. But she does so with the intention of revenge for the murder of her best friend and the many other wives before her. This was a surprisingly quick and exciting read, more enchanting than a thriller. The narration is beautiful, each of the characters is intriguing, and I finished this story wanting to tell all my friends about it. — Suruchi, food editor
Good inside
We are currently in the thick of living the life of a “three swimmer” with another little one on the way: emotions are high and patience is low. SOS. Life is busy and this book continues to provide comfort, practical advice, and creative ways to support our growing little one. Although I have mostly moved away from parenting books, this is a valuable and relevant resource that I turn to often. If you need empowerment, empathy, or a reminder that your children are good insideit’s worth the shelf space. — Edie, Wellness Editor
The creative act
I’ve always been a fan of Rick Rubin, so I quickly got my hands on this book when it came out in January. It turned out to be the perfect New Year’s read, full of creative inspiration and practical advice on how to embrace your inner artist. — Michelle, executive producer
Hello beauty
Think: Little woman but with a modern and too realistic story. Hello beauty was such a thought-provoking book that addresses realities that are difficult to address in print. It’s a slower read, but one that will mark your way of seeing realistic fiction. —Casey, Editorial Intern
Clues: Master the secret language of charismatic communication
I’m fascinated by the topic of charisma: what gives some people that secret sauce of magnetism and likability? In this fascinating book, Van Edwards breaks it down, and what I love about this book is that it’s full of surprises. If you want to discover the secrets to captivating a room, being a leader, and conveying confidence, a lot of it lies in the body language and vocal inflections that most of us overlook. And it turns out we can subtly change these signals to have more influence. — Camille, editor-in-chief
The guest
If you too devoured Girls, then you know that Emma Cline is capable of weaving a fast-paced story through the development of her characters alone. This relatively short read moves quickly, driven by its protagonist’s desperation to find her place in an unforgiving world. — Isabelle, editor-in-chief
The problem with hating yourself
I’m not usually one to like romantic comedy type books, but this one hooked me right away with lovable characters and a classic enemies-to-lovers arc. The banter of the main characters and the individual plots come together in the best way. This was a fun read for anyone looking for a romantic novel that celebrates culture, friendship, and the strong characters you look for chapter after chapter. — Suruchi, food editor
Naval Ravikant’s Almanac
I was late to the party on this one, but I’m so glad I finally figured it out. I have never highlighted and annotated a book so much in my life! I found it to be an incredible source of wisdom on how to build wealth, cultivate happiness, and live a life guided by your core values. — Michelle, executive producer