My Favorite Books from 2023
Inspired by the year-end survey hosted by Perpetual Page Turner
2023 Stats
- # of Books Read: 75 (See full book list here)
- # of Pages Read: 24,263
- # of Re-Reads: 1
- # Read from the "Top 200 List": 4
You can also reference my previous Year in Review posts here:
2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014
Note: My answers pertain to books I read this year, no matter when they were published.
1. Best Book You Read in 2023?
Nonfiction
The Wager by David Grann
Grann skyrocketed to fame with best-sellers Killers of the Flower Moon and The Lost City of Z. Those books are amazing, but I have to say that his newest one is even better. The Wager is one of my favorite nonfiction stories I've ever read. It's a story of the relentless sea, a tragic shipwreck, life-or-death decisions, lies, mutiny, and murder. I finished it in two days.
Fiction
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
Definitely a slow burn, but such a great book. The protagonist is a butler ("Stevens") who served his master honorably for 30+ years. He's also an unreliable narrator, which was my favorite aspect of the book. As Stevens looks back on his career, he begins questioning whether the boss he served was such a great man after all.
2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going to Love But Didn’t?
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
I loved Jackson's novel The Haunting of Hill House and her short story "The Lottery" (probably my favorite short story I've ever read). So when my book club chose this book as our October spooky book, I was excited. Unfortunately, the book fell flat for me. The ending was anticlimactic and the story lacked purpose.
3. Most Surprising (in a Good Way or Bad Way) Book You Read?
Bobby Fischer vs. the Rest of the World by Brad Darrach
I grew up playing chess since second grade, so I already knew that Bobby Fischer's playing ability was matched only by his stubborn personality. But until reading this book, I didn't realize exactly how much of an asshole Fischer really was. This book describes the horde of people who were required to get Fischer to even show up to the 1972 World Chess Championship (and stay there after he arrived).
4. Book You “Pushed” the Most People to Read (and They Did)?
Quit by Annie Duke
Our society applauds grit to the point of driving entrepreneurs to burnout, athletes to injury, and mountain climbers to literally die on hills rather than turning back. Simply put, most of us are bad at quitting. Duke investigates the psychological forces that prevent us from quitting and offers ideas for how to find a better balance between grit and quit.
5. Best Series You Started in 2023?
The Silo series by Hugh Howey
Shout-out to my buddy Tim for this recommendation! I just finished book #1 (Wool), and I'm excited to move onto book #2 (Shift). Wool had so many twists and turns. When I first started reading it, I thought I knew where the story was going, but I was proven wrong multiple times. The story takes place in a dystopian universe where thousands of people live underground in a massive silo. They're not allowed to talk about what's outside the silo. If they do, the punishment is to be sent out to die in the toxic atmosphere that surrounds the silo. Howey's series was recently turned into an Apple TV series, so I just started watching that too.
6. Favorite New Author You Discovered in 2023?
Derek Sivers
I kept hearing about Derek Sivers in books and podcasts, so I figured I should learn more about him. I took the plunge and started to binge his stuff—and it's really good! Check out his appearances on the Tim Ferriss podcast, especially episode #125. So far, I've read Sivers's books Hell Yeah or No and How to Live, and they were both great.
7. Best Book from a Genre You Don’t Typically Read/Was Out of Your Comfort Zone?
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
I don't read many celebrity memoirs, but I read a couple this year, and Jennette McCurdy's was by far the best. I'd be surprised if you haven't seen this eye-popping title in multiple bookstores. McCurdy (of "iCarly" TV show fame) shares page-turning, raw stories of youth stardom, eating disorders, and alcoholism. Along the way, she delves into the unhealthy relationship she had with her mom.
8. Most Action-Packed/Thrilling/Unputdownable Book of the Year?
A Fever in the Heartland by Timothy Egan
This gripping book recounts the rise of KKK leader D.C. Stephenson, a hateful man who had his sights set on someday becoming President. And he almost accomplished his goal, if not for the bravery of one young woman. A Fever in the Heartland is one of the fastest-paced nonfiction books I've read in a while.
9. Book You Read in 2023 That You Are Most Likely to Re-Read Next Year?
Hell Yeah or No by Derek Sivers
Because this book is a mere 122 pages, it's an easy one to revisit often.
10. Favorite Cover of a Book You Read in 2023?
How to Be Perfect by Michael Schur
Funny, irreverent, and meaningful—this book is a hilarious romp through the world of moral philosophy. Schur became fascinated in the topic while researching his TV series The Good Place. He's also one of the writers behind The Office and a co-creator of Parks and Rec, and he brings all that humor to this marvelous book.
11. Most Memorable Character?
Bernard from Wool (Silo Series #1) by Hugh Howey
In Howey's dystopian novel, Bernard is the Head of IT in the underground silo. I won't tell you any more than that. 😉
12. Most Beautifully Written Book Read in 2023?
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
Ishiguro's prose is simple, yet powerful. Here's what the New Yorker has to say about him: "Kazuo Ishiguro writes a prose of provoking equilibrium—sea-level flat, with unseen fathoms below. He avoids ornament or surplus..."
13. Most Thought-Provoking/Life-Changing Book of 2023?
The 1619 Project created by Nikole Hannah-Jones
One of the most meaningful books I've ever read. Ever since the first boat of enslaved Africans docked in America in 1619, slavery has been a defining part of our country's history. In this book, essayists write about the Black experience across topics like capitalism, politics, and democracy. This is the American history that should have been in school textbooks.
14. Book You Can’t Believe You Waited Until 2023 to Finally Read?
The Path to Power (The Years of Lyndon Johnson I) by Robert Caro
In a boxing match, this book would fall into the heavyweight division at an impressive 2.6 pounds and 882 pages. Large books usually scare me, which is one reason I held off on reading this book for a while. But I'm so thankful I finally read it. It quickly became one of my favorite biographies of all time. Caro has devoted most of his life to profiling LBJ—one of the most ruthless, brilliant, and manipulative politicians in U.S. history. This is book #1 of Caro's five-book series on LBJ.
15. Favorite Passage/Quote From a Book You Read in 2023?
From Hell Yeah or No by Derek Sivers
A mentor named Kimo Williams taught music theory to Derek and helped him graduate Berklee College of Music in two years instead of the usual four years. As Derek recounts, "Kimo's high expectations set a new pace for me. He taught me that, 'the standard pace is for chumps'—that the system is designed so anyone can keep up. If you're more driven than most people, you can do way more than anyone expects. And this principle applies to all of life, not just school."
16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read in 2023?
Shortest: How to Live by Derek Sivers (115 pages)
Longest: The Path to Power (The Years of Lyndon Johnson I) by Robert Caro (882 pages)
17. Book That Shocked You the Most?
Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson
Soooo much to learn from Musk, both in good ways and bad ways. He's one of the most intense people I've ever read about, and his passion for changing the world and paying extreme attention to small details is unparalleled. I've read a lot of Isaacson's biographies, and this is now probably my favorite—not because I think Musk is a good person, but because he's a fascinating person. A ton of stuff shocked me in this book, including how ruthless Musk can be. (For example, he fired or laid off about 80% of Twitter's workforce within months of taking over the company!)
18. Favorite Book You Read in 2023 from an Author You’ve Read Previously?
Quit by Annie Duke
Several years ago, I read (and loved) Duke's book Thinking in Bets, and this one is also phenomenal.
19. Best Book You Read in 2023 That You Read Based SOLELY on a Recommendation from Somebody Else?
Bomb by Steve Sheinkin
My aunt Anne and friend Tim both recommended this book, and any time I get multiple recommendations for something, I always know it's going to be good. It lived up to the hype! I read it just in time before watching Christopher Nolan's new movie Oppenheimer. If you enjoyed the movie, this book is an incredible (and fast) read that explores the same story but from a slightly different angle. Sheinkin shines a bigger light on Russia's efforts to steal the atomic bomb.
20. Best 2023 Debut You Read?
The Creative Act by Rick Rubin
I eagerly anticipated this book's release for months. Rubin was previously named one of Time's "100 Most Influential People in the World" for producing the music of artists like the Beastie Boys, Run-DMC, Linkin Park, Johnny Cash, and Adele. This book is his passionate call for embracing creativity as a way of life.
21. Best World-Building/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?
Wool (Silo #1) by Hugh Howey
It's hard to forget the dystopian silo that houses thousands of people.
22. Book that Put a Smile on Your Face/Was the Most FUN to Read?
The Wager by David Grann
This true story was so wild that I couldn't put it down.
23. Book That Made You Cry or Nearly Cry in 2023?
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Zevin vaulted to literary popularity with her 2014 book The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry. Her newest novel tells the story of two video game developers with a complex friendship. But don't let the plotline fool you...this book isn't just for gamers. It's a heart-rending story of friendship, love, disability, sexism, and identity.
24. Hidden Gem of The Year?
Design for How People Learn by Julie Dirksen
This book is super-niche, so I would only expect 1% of my readers to be interested in this sort of thing, but Dirksen's book is a great resource for learning & development (L&D) professionals who want to create better training programs for their team. This book taught me a lot.
25. Most Unique Book You Read in 2023?
How to Live by Derek Sivers
This book's subtitle gives a good peek into how strange it is: "27 conflicting answers and one weird conclusion." In each chapter of the book, Sivers presents an argument for how to live a good life. Many of the chapters contradict each other, and Sivers's goal is to force you to reconcile with your priorities and values to decide which way of living most resonates with you. It was a really interesting book, and I'm glad I read it.
26. Overall, What Were Your Favorite Fiction and Nonfiction Reads This Year?
Non-Fiction Highlights
- The Wager by David Grann
- The Path to Power (The Years of Lyndon Johnson I) by Robert Caro
- The Culture Map by Erin Meyer
- Quit by Annie Duke
- Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson
- A Fever in the Heartland by Timothy Egan
- Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss with Tahl Raz
- Hidden Potential by Adam Grant
- Bomb by Steve Sheinkin
- Hell Yeah or No by Derek Sivers
Fiction Highlights
- The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
- Wool (Silo #1) by Hugh Howey (594pp) - 12/15
- 1Q84 Book One by Haruki Murakami
- Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
- The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
1. One Book You Didn’t Get to This Year But Will Be Your Top Priority Next Year?
Superintelligence by Nick Bostrom
I've been wanting to read this book for a few years, but I still haven't gotten to it. I want to prioritize it next year because I'd like to understand more about artificial intelligence (AI) and the impact it could have on the world.
2. Book(s) You Are Most Anticipating in 2024?
- Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg - Release Date: 2/20/2024
- The Trading Game by Gary Stevenson - Release Date: 3/5/2024
- The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson - Release Date: 4/30/2024
- The Algebra of Wealth by Scott Galloway - Release Date: 4/30/2024
3. Sequel You Are Most Anticipating Next Year?
I'd still love for the final book of The Kingkiller Chronicle series to come out soon, but I'm not holding out hope for that. (It's been 12 years since Patrick Rothfuss published book #2.) Aside from that, I'm looking forward to finishing Hugh Howey's Silo series, but that full trilogy is already out.
4. One Thing You Hope to Accomplish in Your Reading & Blogging Life Next Year?
I've been prioritizing my website over Medium this year, and I'd like to keep doing that next year. Ideally, I'd like to double the daily traffic on my site and keep up the pace of publishing 4+ posts every month.
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Wow. Just wow. I like that you actually cried reading Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow. So did I.
Don can’t stop talking about TIme Egan’s KKK book either.
Isn’t it odd how we reacted so differently to The Wager? I think it may have been the audiobook’s problem. Everyone else whose told me about it, loved it. But no one in my family did and we all listened to it.
I’m moving the memoir, I’m Glad My Mother Died up on my TBI. Carly talked highly of it, too.
Glad you liked/appreciated The Bomb. I think about it quite often.
Happy New Year. Love to you and K.
Oh, that’s an interesting theory about The Wager audiobook. Yeah, that could be it. I’ve often had quite different experiences on audio versus printed page as well.
And yes, I thought Jennette McCurdy’s memoir was incredible. Such a fascinating view into what it’s like to be a child star.
Thanks again for the rec of The Bomb! Such a great book!
Happy new year to you, Don, and the crew as well! 🙂