Deciding what books to read in 2023? Explore my most anticipated books of 2023 and start filling your to-read list with exciting upcoming releases.
2023, could you come a little faster?
I know I’m supposed to want time to slow down and not want my children to grow up so fast. Yet, the upcoming releases of 2023 look so promising that I’m willing to rush things a bit.
If you are looking for the best books to read in 2023, I’ve got you covered. If you don’t want to scroll through my full list of upcoming releases, here are my most-anticipated books to read of 2023.
I’m starting with my 10 most anticipated books of 2023, but I plan to update my list as more new releases are announced in the upcoming months.
As always, be sure to let me know in the comments what 2023 new releases you are most excited for!
My Most Anticipated Books to read in 2023
Good for a Girl
Lauren Fleshman
Lauren Fleshman is one of the most-decorated distance runners in the United States. In Good for a Girl, Fleshman tells of how she fell in love with running as a girl and shares her own running journey. Yet, Good for a Girl isn’t just a memoir. It’s a powerful look at how competitive sports is designed for men and boys and routinely fails female athletes, leading to injuries, eating disorders, and mental health issues. Having already read a copy, I can tell you that it will be on my “Best Books 2023” book list!
Yellowface
R. F. Kuang
Although June and Athena went to school together, Athena has found major success as an Asian-American novelist while June struggles to get a foot in the door, probably because she’s just another basic white girl. When June witnesses Athena’s death in a freak accident, she impetuously snatches up Athena’s unfinished work. Publishing it as her own, June rebrands herself as a racially ambiguous Juniper Song and becomes an instant bestseller. Yet as the truth threatens to come out, June must decide how far she is willing to go to keep her secret in one of my top picks for books to read in 2023.
Homecoming
Kate Morton
When the grandmother who raised her ends up in the hospital after a fall, Jess rushes back from London to Sydney to take care of her. While going through her grandmother’s house, Jess discovers a true crime journal, following a notorious murder at a mysterious mansion on Christmas Eve in 1959. As any journalist would, Jess begins to look into the mystery and the surprising connections to her family’s history. It’s been over 4 years since Kate Morton released a book, so Homecoming is undoubtedly one of my most anticipated books of 2023.
The Half Moon
Mary Beth Keane
From the author of Ask Again, Yes comes a highly anticipated book to read in 2023 about a marriage in crisis. When his boss retires, longtime bartender Malcolm jumps at the chance to buy The Half Moon. But Malcolm quickly learns that turning a profit is harder than he anticipated. Meanwhile, his wife Jess’s battle with infertility has her reassessing her life dreams. As Malcolm learns a secret about Jess, a bar patron goes missing and a blizzard strikes.
Hello Beautiful
Ann Napolitano
After a childhood of being ignored by his family, William Waters finds refuge playing basketball in college. When William meets Julia Padavano, a lively girl extremely close to her parents and three sisters, he quickly becomes a part of the close-knit Padavano family. Although cracks start to appear in the family, William never imagined he’d be the wedge to drive them apart.
I think I might call it already. I think I’ve already found the best book of 2023. I liked Dear Edward, but Hello Beautiful is on a completely different level; it’s just that good. Ann Napolitano’s March release is the ultimate book club book. She hits on so many different themes, but in completely relatable and realistic ways. The depth of the characters in Hello Beautiful was astounding; you feel the characters come to life. A homage to Little Women, Hello Beautiful gorgeously describes family and sisterhood, mental health, and forgiveness, in such a way that you will never forget this story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Random House Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Exiles
Jane Harper
A year ago, Kim Gillespie vanished the night of a spring festival, leaving her baby asleep in the stroller. Now, her family and friends gather to celebrate a new addition to the family. Deep in the South Australian wine country, Federal Investigator Aaron Falk begins to notice cracks in this once well-knit group prompting the disclosure of long-kept secrets. Jane Harper is always a favorite with mystery lovers, making Exiles an easy pick for the best books to read in 2023.
Evil Eye
Etaf Rum
When she marries a charming entrepreneur and moves to the suburbs, Yara thinks she has finally escaped her conservative Palestinian upbringing. Yet even her dream job with her dream family doesn’t seem to fulfill Yara. Yet as Yara’s world begins to implode, she realizes that the upbringing that she thought she left behind has lastly consequences for her and her daughters.
The London Séance Society
Sarah Penner
In 1873, spiritualist Vaudeline D’Allaire has made quite the reputation for herself in Paris for conjuring the spirits of murder victims and revealing their killers. Although skeptical, Lenna Wickes has come to Vaudeline for answers to her sister’s death and agrees to become her assistant. When the pair travel to London to help solve a high-profile murder, they suspect they are being used by the killers.
The Bandit Queens
Parini Shroff
Although most of my most anticipated books 2023 are on the serious end, sometimes I like something a little lighter. Five years ago, Geeta’s no-good husband simply walked away and she never heard from him again. However, in her small Indian village, the rumor persists that Geeta killed him. Geeta doesn’t mind since no one wants to mess with a black widow. Until women start asking Geeta for advice on how to off their own husbands and they won’t take no for an answer. Heartwarming and hilarious all at once, The Bandit Queens has a well-rounded story and witty characters that make for an enjoyable, yet thought-provoking, read.
Warrior Girl Unearthed
Angeline Boulley
Perry Firekeeper-Birch has always known her role in her indigenous tribe on Sugar Island. When Native women start disappearing and her family is caught in the middle of a high-profile murder investigation, Perry questions her place as the laidback twin. As grave robbers strike the tribe, Perry must fight to save her ancestors and her tribe members before all is lost.
What are Your Most Anticipated Books to Read in 2023?
What books are you most excited for next year? Any guesses what the best books of 2023 are going to be? As always, let me know in the comments!
More New Book Releases & Best of Lists:
Ruth Shea says
Love Louise Penny…….mysteries, murder, intrigue……historical fiction.
Parker Dawn says
Hi! I am in the midst of Hello Beautiful and am really loving it so far. So engrossing; I’m sneaking moments when I can just to get in one more page, one more hour. So good! It had been sitting on my NetGalley shelf for awhile, and finally opened it a few days ago. Yep, definitely a keeper!