Lost in Bookland Best Books of 2023
This extraordinary year has unfolded as a literary adventure, captivating readers with an array of enthralling tales and revealing memoirs. From the soaring skies of dragon-riding sequels to the intimate revelations found within jaw-dropping celebrity memoirs, the literary landscape has been a dynamic tapestry of imagination and insight.
Amidst this bibliophilic journey, the amazing readers of Lost in Bookland have cast their votes to honor the most exceptional among the literary gems of 2023. As the anticipation reaches its peak, the coveted title of the #1 Best Book of the Year has been unveiled, a selection made not by critics or literary elites, but by the passionate and diverse community of book lovers.
The drumroll fades, and with no further ado, we proudly present the pinnacle of literary achievement for the year 2023, the book that has secured the top spot in the hearts and minds of readers—the #1 Best Book of the Year, as chosen by you! This momentous selection stands as a testament to the power of storytelling and the enduring connection between authors and their readers, a celebration of the written word that has illuminated our minds and hearts throughout this remarkable twelve-month literary journey.
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
In this stunning and magisterial epic, Abraham Verghese takes readers on a mesmerizing journey through love, faith, and medicine in the lush landscapes of Kerala. Spanning three generations of a family plagued by a peculiar affliction—death by drowning in a region surrounded by water—The Covenant of Water explores the shifting dynamics of a Christian community amidst the tumultuous changes of the 20th century. Verghese weaves a tapestry of medical ingenuity, humor, and deeply moving stories, offering a shimmering evocation of a lost India and a hymn to progress in medicine and human understanding.
Get it now: Amazon
Holly by Stephen King
Stephen King introduces readers to the return of the compelling Holly Gibney, embarking on a thrilling adventure to uncover the gruesome truth behind multiple disappearances in a midwestern town. As Holly faces unimaginably depraved adversaries, King delivers a chilling masterwork that showcases Holly’s resourcefulness and intelligence. In this suspenseful novel, Holly must summon all her formidable talents to outthink and outmaneuver twisted professors, revealing the dark secrets hidden in the heart of a seemingly ordinary town.
Get it now: Amazon
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
R.F. Kuang provides readers with an insider’s view into the publishing world in this exposing and thrilling book. June and Athena, once literary contemporaries, find their paths diverging drastically. When Athena dies and June decides to appropriate her race and culture by stealing her manuscript, the stakes soar, unleashing a dizzying thriller of epic proportions that explores ambition, cultural appropriation, and the snowballing consequences of secrets.
Get it now: Amazon
Related: The Best Books of 2023, as Crowned by Amazon
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult, Jennifer Finney Boylan
Mad Honey unfolds as a soul-stirring novel that delves into the intricacies of the past and the choices we make to shape our futures. Olivia McAfee’s life takes an unexpected turn, leading her back to her New Hampshire hometown and into her father’s beekeeping business. The novel intertwines the lives of Olivia and Lily, exploring love, trust, and the sacrifices made to become one’s true self. Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan create a riveting narrative that combines suspense, love, and the exploration of the secrets we carry.
Get it now: Amazon
The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson
Set in 1950s Philadelphia and Washington, DC, The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson explores the challenges faced by women and mothers in the pursuit of their goals. Ruby Pearsall and Eleanor Quarles, each on their journey, make decisions that collide unexpectedly, shaping the trajectory of their lives. Johnson weaves a daring and redemptive narrative that examines societal expectations, love, and sacrifice.
Get it now: Amazon
The Celebrants by Steven Rowley
Steven Rowley presents a story of friendship and the value of human connection. Jordan and his friends from Berkeley make a pact to throw each other living funerals as they navigate through loss, marriage, and deception. However, Jordan harbors a secret so profound that it threatens to shatter their pact. The Celebrants explores the intricacies of friendship, honesty, and the impact of hidden truths.
Get it now: Amazon
The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes
Reese Witherspoon’s book club pick, The House in the Pines, unfolds a gripping thriller that follows Maya’s quest to uncover the truth behind a mysterious death connected to her past. As Maya navigates through the haunting memories of a summer spent with Frank, the novel keeps readers guessing until the very end. Ana Reyes skillfully weaves a tale of suspense, love, and the enduring impact of the past.
Get it now: Amazon
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
In the explosive sequel to the dragon fantasy series Fourth Wing, Violet faces the challenge of retaining her humanity amidst escalating danger at Basgiath War College. Rebecca Yarros takes readers on a thrilling journey where the stakes are high, and the only way to triumph may require sacrificing one’s own identity.
Get it now: Amazon
Happy Place by Emily Henry
Emily Henry, known for her heartwarming romances, presents Happy Place—a banter-filled tale of love, separation, and self-discovery. Harriet and Wyn navigate their annual trip with friends while keeping a significant secret—their recent breakup. As the separated couple struggles to maintain appearances, the novel explores the complexities of relationships, love, and the truths that shape us.
Get it now: Amazon
Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
In a dystopian world where prisoners engage in a brutal gladiator-style competition, Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah’s Chain-Gang All-Stars provides scathing social commentary on the private prison industry, racism, and capitalism. The novel captures readers with its nonstop action and thought-provoking exploration of social systems that threaten cultural integrity.
Get it now: Amazon
I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai
Rebecca Makkai’s gripping novel, I Have Some Questions for You, follows Bodie, a professor and podcaster, as she confronts a haunting past. Returning to a New Hampshire boarding school where her roommate was murdered and a man convicted, Bodie unearths new evidence that challenges the narrative. The novel explores themes of justice, memory, and the consequences of buried secrets.
Get it now: Amazon
Homecoming by Kate Morton
In this epic novel spanning generations, Kate Morton unfolds a mesmerizing tale that begins with a shocking murder case in 1959 Adelaide Hills. Sixty years later, journalist Jess, faced with personal and professional challenges, discovers a connection between her family and the unsolved crime. Homecoming explores the power of motherhood, the impact of tightly held secrets, and the healing nature of truth, offering a beguiling and immensely satisfying narrative.
Get it now: Amazon
In this literary journey through the Lost in Bookland Best Books of the Year 2023, readers have been treated to a diverse array of captivating narratives that span genres, themes, and time periods. From the rich tapestry of Abraham Verghese’s The Covenant of Water, exploring love, faith, and medicine in Kerala, to the chilling suspense of Stephen King’s Holly, featuring the return of the ingenious Holly Gibney, each book offers a unique blend of storytelling mastery and thematic depth. R.F. Kuang’s Yellowface delves into the intricacies of the publishing world, while Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan’s Mad Honey explores the complexities of love, trust, and the secrets we carry. Sadeqa Johnson’s The House of Eve and Kate Morton’s Homecoming transport readers to different eras, examining the challenges faced by women and the enduring impact of family secrets. With each book, this collection demonstrates the power of literature to illuminate the human experience, offering readers a rich tapestry of emotions, suspense, and thought-provoking reflections on life, love, and the passage of time.