Book List

40 Most Anticipated Books of 2023

  • FICTION

    AGE OF VICE

    JAN. 3, 2023

  • FICTION

    HELL BENT

    JAN. 10, 2023

FICTION

HELL BENT

by Leigh Bardugo

Well-drawn characters introduce the criminal underworld to the occult kind in a breathless and compelling plot. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    THE SURVIVALISTS

    JAN. 10, 2023

FICTION

THE SURVIVALISTS

by Kashana Cauley

Funny and fresh, Cauley’s prose moves dynamic characters through a vivid, living New York City. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    VENCO

    FEB. 7, 2023

  • FICTION

    VICTORY CITY

    FEB. 7, 2023

FICTION

VICTORY CITY

by Salman Rushdie

A grand entertainment, in a tale with many strands, by an ascended master of modern legends. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    WESTERN LANE

    FEB. 7, 2023

  • FICTION

    THE SUN WALKS DOWN

    FEB. 14, 2023

  • FICTION

    I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU

    FEB. 21, 2023

FICTION

I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU

by Rebecca Makkai

Well plotted, well written, and well designed to make its points. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    BIRNAM WOOD

    MARCH 7, 2023

FICTION

BIRNAM WOOD

by Eleanor Catton

This blistering look at the horrors of late capitalism manages to also be a wildly fun read. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    THE DOG OF THE NORTH

    MARCH 14, 2023

FICTION

THE DOG OF THE NORTH

by Elizabeth McKenzie

McKenzie has created a wonderful addition to the crew of damaged characters beloved by readers, so very endearing and real. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    THE CREATIVE ACT

    JAN. 10, 2023

NONFICTION

THE CREATIVE ACT

by Rick Rubin

Learn, do, have fun: terrific encouragement for anyone embarking on a creative project, no matter what it might be. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    ROUGH SLEEPERS

    JAN. 10, 2023

NONFICTION

ROUGH SLEEPERS

by Tracy Kidder

A searching, troubling look at the terrible actualities of homelessness. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    THE BIG MYTH

    FEB. 21, 2023

NONFICTION

THE BIG MYTH

by Naomi Oreskes & Erik M. Conway

A timely, well-argued contribution to the literature of economic inequality and regulation. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    OSCAR WARS

    FEB. 21, 2023

HISTORY

OSCAR WARS

by Michael Schulman

This Oscars history mixes all the expected glitz and glamour with enough industry intrigue to power an award-winning drama. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    WHO GETS BELIEVED?

    MARCH 7, 2023

NONFICTION

WHO GETS BELIEVED?

by Dina Nayeri

An unflinching, compelling look at how “calcified hearts believe”—and disbelieve. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    THE TEACHERS

    MARCH 14, 2023

NONFICTION

THE TEACHERS

by Alexandra Robbins

An important and eye-opening book that all parents, teachers, and educational administrators should read. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    POVERTY, BY AMERICA

    MARCH 21, 2023

NONFICTION

POVERTY, BY AMERICA

by Matthew Desmond

A clearly delineated guide to finally eradicate poverty in America. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    MONSTERS

    APRIL 25, 2023

NONFICTION

MONSTERS

by Claire Dederer

Bringing erudition, emotion, and a down-to-earth style to this pressing problem, Dederer presents her finest work to date. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    SIXTY-ONE

    JUNE 20, 2023

  • TEEN

    HIGHLY SUSPICIOUS AND UNFAIRLY CUTE

    JAN. 3, 2023

TEENS & YOUNG ADULT

HIGHLY SUSPICIOUS AND UNFAIRLY CUTE

by Talia Hibbert

A zippy rom-com with strong characterization, bursting with Gen Z–approved verbal sparring and stolen kisses. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • TEEN

    THE GIRL I AM, WAS, AND NEVER WILL BE

    JAN. 10, 2023

  • TEEN

    UNRAVELLER

    JAN. 10, 2023

TEENS & YOUNG ADULT

UNRAVELLER

by Frances Hardinge

Brightening toward the end, frightening throughout, psychologically acute. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • TEEN

    IRON WOLF

    FEB. 21, 2023

  • TEEN

    SHE IS A HAUNTING

    FEB. 28, 2023

TEENS & YOUNG ADULT

SHE IS A HAUNTING

by Trang Thanh Tran

Both the ghosts and the humans in this richly layered work are alluring and deadly. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • TEEN

    NEARER MY FREEDOM

    MARCH 7, 2023

  • TEEN

    INTO THE LIGHT

    MARCH 28, 2023

TEENS & YOUNG ADULT

INTO THE LIGHT

by Mark Oshiro

An important and searing read on the value of family, agency, and belief. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • CHILDREN'S

    AN AMERICAN STORY

    JAN. 3, 2023

CHILDREN'S

AN AMERICAN STORY

by Kwame Alexander ; illustrated by Dare Coulter

With powerful art from a bold new talent, this is a probing and sensitive take on a devastating chapter of U.S. history. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • CHILDREN'S

    SISTERS OF THE LOST MARSH

    JAN. 3, 2023

CHILDREN'S

SISTERS OF THE LOST MARSH

by Lucy Strange

So engrossing a tale and world that readers won’t want to come up for air. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • CHILDREN'S

    MR. LINCOLN SITS FOR HIS PORTRAIT

    JAN. 3, 2023

CHILDREN'S

MR. LINCOLN SITS FOR HIS PORTRAIT

by Leonard S. Marcus

A fresh angle offering yet another reason to regard Lincoln as our presidential G.O.A.T. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • CHILDREN'S

    MY STRANGE SHRINKING PARENTS

    JAN. 10, 2023

CHILDREN'S

MY STRANGE SHRINKING PARENTS

by Zeno Sworder ; illustrated by Zeno Sworder

A clever and poignant tribute to the love of all those who made the journey. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • CHILDREN'S

    VERY GOOD HATS

    JAN. 10, 2023

  • CHILDREN'S

    REMEMBER

    MARCH 21, 2023

CHILDREN'S

REMEMBER

by Joy Harjo ; illustrated by Michaela Goade

A contemplative, visually dazzling masterpiece that will resonate even more deeply each time it is read. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • CHILDREN'S

    JUMP IN!

    JAN. 31, 2023

CHILDREN'S

JUMP IN!

by Shadra Strickland ; illustrated by Shadra Strickland

A moving, grooving snapshot of urban life where kids create the fun and beckon everybody in. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • CHILDREN'S

    THE FOREST IN THE SEA

    FEB. 21, 2023

CHILDREN'S

THE FOREST IN THE SEA

by Anita Sanchez

Fact-loving, sea-loving, science-loving, and just plain curious readers will find much to chew over here. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • CHILDREN'S

    A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING

    FEB. 28, 2023

CHILDREN'S

A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING

by Dan Santat ; illustrated by Dan Santat

Full of laughter and sentiment, this is a nudge for readers to dare to try new things. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

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  • The Kirkus Star

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  • The Kirkus Prize

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