It’s summer, which means we’ll have more time to read from our to-do lists. Whether you’ve resolved to read more this year or simply need a new book club selection, our list of the Top 5 Novel Books Of 2023 has you covered.
So, what do you think you should read next? There are several interesting new releases this year from some of our favorite authors, as well as breathtaking first works from a broad collection of newbies in just about every genre you can imagine. Many of our Top Books Pick For 2021 (so far!) offer critiques on today’s society or a glimpse into complicated family dynamics; we also have steamy romance novels that will send shivers up your spine, historical books that will take you back in time, and creepy suspense stories that will keep you up past your bedtime.
While some of these books may not yet be on shelves, you should still preorder them; buying books ahead of time not only offers you something to look forward to that isn’t a bill, but it also benefits authors. And, if you think we’ve overlooked something that should be on our list, let us know in the comments — or, if you’ve read one of our favorites, tell us what you thought!
The Push: A Novel By ASHLEY AUDRAIN
Fans of psychological thrillers will enjoy this story about a mother’s bond with her daughter. Blythe wants to develop the strong link she never had with her own mother before her daughter is born. Violet, on the other hand, is convinced that something is wrong with her daughter when she arrives. The awful events that occur after will make you doubt her sanity and the story she’s giving us.
A Crooked Tree: A Novel By UNA MANNION
After their fighting becomes too much for 15-year-old Libby’s stressed single mother, she orders her 12-year-old sister Ellen to get out and walk home one fatal night. What happens next not only breaks the girls’ innocence but also puts in motion a chain of events that uncovers the evil in their tranquil village. This tale emphasizes how a single event may alter the course of one’s life.
Let Me Tell You What I Mean By JOAN DIDION
Joan Didion doesn’t require an introduction, and neither does this incisive collection of her writing, which is primarily from her early years. Martha Stewart, a Gamblers Anonymous meeting, writing itself, and her personal misgivings about it all are among the topics discussed. Fans of Didion should not miss this, and neither should anyone else.
The Wife Upstairs: A Novel
In this feminist reimagining of a classic gothic romance, the plot may seem familiar. Jane, a poor dog walker, has her eye on Eddie Rochester, a wealthy man. Eddie, like her, has a past. Read on to see if any of them will ever be able to escape their secrets, or if their forbidden tryst will end in disaster.
Summerwater: A Novel By SARAH MOSS
This softly frightening tale set in a cluster of cottages in rural Scotland has a growing sense of unease that pervades it. Because they don’t have access to cell phones, the families spend their days peering through the blinds at each other, knowing a little too much about each other. The build-up is gradual, but the payoff at the end will leave you gasping for air.
