The top book selections of 2023 are broken into three categories, fiction, non-fiction and children’s books. The non-fiction selections were few and far between. And the top selection in the category actually hails from late December 2022. But recent events make it imperative to include.

As usual, the fiction list is the most difficult to produce as more than ten vie for just ten spots. And the children fiction list contains holiday specific titles so Christmas buying might not be appropriate. However, books for kids tend to stand the test of time. And at least one is appropriate for gift-giving this holiday season.

My top selections in Non-Fiction:

1. Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry
2. Home Grown Herbs-A Complete Guide to Growing, Using and Enjoying More than 100 Herbs by Tammi Hartung
3. Adrift: America in 100 Charts by Scott Galloway
4. More Twist-and-Turn Bargello Quilts by Eileen Wright
5. The Great Displacement: Climate Change and the Next American Migration by Jake Bittle

Of the above books, the most impactful was Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing. The reading will be even more poignant in light of the author’s recent death. I consider this an incredibly important read. Both Home Grown Herbs and More Twist-and-Turn Bargello Quilts have become handy reference guides for my hobbies. Clicking on each title will direct you to the individual review.

Again, click on the link for the individual review.

1. Thank You, Omu by Oge Mora
2. Con Pollo by Jimmy Fallon and Jennifer Lopez
3. The Great Eggscape! By Jory John
4. Peyton Picks the Perfect Pie by Jack Bishop
5. Thanksgiving Here I Come by D.J. Steinberg

The Childrens’ books reviewed in 2023 are all geared toward the younger set. Con Pollo is a board book and the remaining titles are story books for preschoolers through early grade school. All tested and loved by my trio of grandkids.

The fiction category always serves as a challenge and the book selections for 2023 could have included top reads such as Livid by Patricia Cornwell. The following books moved me the most. Warning- a few are tear jerkers.

1. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
2. The Escape Artist by Jonathan Freedland
3. Zero Days by Ruth Ware
4. Exiles by Jane Harper
5. Nightwork by Nora Roberts
6. Dead Mountain by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
7. Good Night, Irene by Luis Alberto Urrea
8. Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews
9. The Recovery Agent by Janet Evanovich
10. The Downstairs Neighbor by Helen Cooper

I made it through my personally horrendous year of 2023 by reading fiction. Some escape in front of the television but I turn to books. The fiction book selections of 2023 list includes a variety of genres. Each individual review can be accessed by clicking on the title of the book. I hope you can find something of interest as well as gift ideas on these lists.