December 4, 2023 Illustration © 2023 Jim Tsinganos |
Best Books of 2023
By LJ Reviews 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. |
Best Pop Fiction of 2023 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. |
Best Romance of 2023 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. |
Best Crime Fiction 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! |
SPONSORED CONTENT Mystery Mashups Offer Readers Something New
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?
Read more>>> |
Best Horror of 2023 By Melissa DeWild & Becky Spratford
From intensely unsettling to heartbreakingly beautiful moments, the best horror novels of 2023 offer fresh spins on terrifying tropes. |
Best SF/Fantasy of 2023 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. |
Best Literary Fiction of 2023 By Barbara Hoffert
The best literary fiction titles of 2023 probe human nature, celebrate creativity, depict history, and investigate the stories we tell ourselves. |
Best World Literature of 2023 By Barbara Hoffert
The best world literature books of 2023 examine colonialism, limn loss, juxtapose past and present, and scrutinize human relationships. |
Best Short Stories of 2023 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. |
SPONSORED CONTENT
Penguin Random House Winter Book & Author Festival 2023
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.
Register today>>> |
Best Graphic Novels of 2023 By Tom Batten & Melissa DeWild
Impactful illustrations complement poignant, thought-provoking tales and memoirs in these unforgettable best graphic novels of 2023. |
Best Poetry of 2023 By Barbara Hoffert
Discover verse with style and substance, unsettling proclamations, and contained majesty in the best poetry collections of 2023. |
Best Arts & Humanities 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. |
Best Cookbooks of 2023 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. |
SPONSORED CONTENT No Misinformation, Please. Reference Sources Worthy of Your Trust
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.
Read more>>> |
Best Memoir & Biography of 2023 By Jill Cox-Cordova
The best memoirs and biographies of 2023 have three traits in common: they’re insightful, evocative, and direct. |
Best Social Sciences of 2023 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. |
Best Science & Technology of 2023 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. |
Job Zone utilizes unique job matching technology to help you find the perfect job (and employers find the perfect candidate), whether you’re actively seeking or just keeping an eye out for your possibilities. Log on today and check out our newest features, including automated job and candidate matches, and email alerts. JOB OF THE WEEK
The UC San Diego Library is seeking a Head of Music and Media Metadata Librarian. |
|
