Sometimes finding the next book to read is the hardest. Pre-ordering a book (or putting it on hold at the library preemptively) can be a great way to ensure you always have a good one coming.
Here are some of my most anticipated reads of 2023, coming out this year and sure to be crowd pleasers. Take a look!
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My Most Anticipated Reads of 2023
My favorite author, Katherine Center, has a new book coming out this July. It’s called Hello, Stranger and it’s about an up and coming artist with sudden onset “face blindness” (a real medical condition), causing her decision paralysis at the worst moment in her life. You can preorder a signed copy from Blue Willow Bookshop.
Stuart Turton, another of my favorite authors, is under contract for two more novels after his first two maddeningly complicated ones: The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle and The Devil and the Dark Water. There is no publish date yet for the next one; am I crazy to hope it’s in 2023? In the meantime, follow @stu_turton on Twitter; he’s snarky and hilarious, though not a very frequent poster.
What could be better than relatable stars and comedy, all in one book? Quietly Hostile by Samantha Irby sounds like my kind of book, even though non-fic rarely makes my list.
Emily Henry has written some of my favorite books lately. My all time favorite was Beach Read, but I’d also recommend Book Lovers (but skip People We Meet on Vacation). She has a new one coming out called Happy Place, due out in April.
Popular New Releases
Here are some books coming out this year that the world is very excited about.
Victory City by Salman Rushdie is due out in February, and fans everywhere are thrilled that he’s made a comeback so soon after a fan rushed the stage and attacked him. His 15th novel, this one is sure to leave you breathless in the best way.
Happily is a memoir in essay form by Sabrina Orah Mark, and it’s all about fairy tales and how they are relevant to modern life. This one is sure to be deep and meaningful, especially if you’re a mom worried about raising your kids the right way.
Jenny Jackson is a first-time author, but she’s belonged in the publishing world for a long time. Her debut novel is due out this year, and sounds intriguing. Look for Pineapple Street soon!
Loathe to Love You by Ali Hazelwood is the latest in her line up, but this one is three novellas in one about women in STEM careers. If you like novellas, be sure to check out the one I wrote a decade ago!
Ideas for Book Club Reads
Our first read is Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson. Beyond that we haven’t decided what else we’re reading this year. I’ve written before about my book club and how we choose books. We vote on some books we’ve nominated based on a theme. If you choose to use this method, here are some options for themes you could try:
Book set in the decade you were born
Genre you don’t normally read
Book by an author you’ve avoided
Book written before 1840
Dewey Decimal system (pick any number range: 300s, 500s, etc.)
Book with a long title
I recommend joining some book discussion groups on Facebook or online book clubs to give you some resources for your real, in-person book club. We do not decide on these themes until the month we need them, but some clubs decide on all twelve themes at the beginning of the year.
A Future of Words
The beginning of the year is always filled with anticipation for me as far as books go.
What will the first book I read be? Spoiler alert, this year my first reads are No Baggage by Clara Bensen (non fic and out of my comfort zone but recommended by my mother who has my number on books) and The Mystery of the Disappearing Cat by Enid Blyton, one of my favorite children’s authors. I found this copy in a used book shop, and most of this author’s books are out of print so I buy every one I can get my hands on. This one I’ve never read before, so I’m jumping in.
Hopefully my most anticipated reads of 2023 give you some great ideas for your next library trip or your next book club meeting. Leave me a comment and let me know what books you’re most looking forward to reading this year or what your book club plans to tackle!
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*Disclaimer: Some of the links you see may be affiliate links. All that means is if you click through and end up making a purchase, I’ll earn a commission.