The 27 New Books We Can’t Wait to Read in 2023
Updated: May 19, 2023From memoirs to mysteries, these titles deserve a spot on your list of new books to read this year
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New books to read in 2023
Carving out some daily “me time” to read books isn’t just good for your mental health. Studies have shown that reading every day can help increase your IQ, grow your vocabulary and may even add years to your life. And fortunately for book lovers, new titles are released all year long, meaning it’s always a good time to add a fresh batch of new books to your reading list. Not sure where to begin? We’re making it easy for you with a list of new books to read this year.
The most-anticipated books of 2023 appeal to every type of reader, whether you gravitate toward nonfiction or fiction books, romance novels or juicy murder mysteries. Some of the titles we selected are must-read books for women, while others will appeal to nonfiction readers interested in real-life experiences, historic events or self-help guides. And because the literary world is more inclusive than ever, many of these books are told from diverse voices and offer fresh perspectives.
Every title on our list of new books to read in 2023 will debut this year. We made our picks by scouring pre-release book reviews, assessing what upcoming titles have bibliophiles buzzing and reading upcoming books ourselves. This list includes selections from Reader’s Digest editors—look for the “Reader’s Digest Editor’s Pick” seal. Will any of these new books be bestsellers—or maybe even make the list of the best books of all time? Only time will tell, but we bet there are a few contenders!
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1. The Stolen Heir by Holly Black
Genre: Young adult fantasy
Release date: Jan. 3, 2023
With the release of The Stolen Heir, prolific YA author and queen of faerie fiction Holly Black returns to the fantasy world of Elfhame, where runaway queen Suren’s attempts to hide from her brutal past and birthright are complicated by the appearance of Prince Oak, an untrustworthy former flame. They must band together on a quest to confront Suren’s past and save the future. Black has a huge following among YA readers—The Cruel Prince was an instant New York Times bestseller and kicked off her first teen book series set in Elfhame—and they’ve been champing at the bit for this latest installment.
2. City Under One Roof by Iris Yamashita
Genre: Crime fiction
Release date: Jan. 10, 2023
Big-city detective Cara Kennedy finds herself embroiled in a murder mystery in a tiny Alaskan town that’s been cut off from the rest of the world due to a blizzard. It’s hard to know whom to trust, especially when all the residents live in the same high-rise apartment building and everyone seems to have a secret. Kennedy has her own demons to battle as she tries to get to the bottom of an increasingly sinister case in a hauntingly isolated setting. In City Under One Roof, author Iris Yamashita has crafted a smart whodunit full of memorable characters, three engaging points of view and a creeping sense of claustrophobia. If your go-to book genre is mystery or crime fiction, this is a must-read.
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3. Spare by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
Genre: Memoir
Release date: Jan. 10, 2023
Whether you have royal fever or only a passing interest in the palace across the pond, you’d be hard-pressed to miss the gossip that follows Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wherever they go. Harry’s sensational and highly anticipated memoir will do little to quell it, but with Spare the public will finally get more than tabloid fodder—they’ll get the inside scoop, straight from the source. Centered around the tragic loss of his mother, Harry’s book is as much a memoir as it is a study of a grief-stricken little boy who came of age in the public eye and had to find his own road—and himself in the process. Expect more ruffled feathers in Buckingham Palace and among the British press.
4. The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre by Natasha Lester
Genre: Historical fiction
Release date: Jan. 10, 2023
Alix St. Pierre is the complicated protagonist of Natasha Lester’s latest richly woven page-turner. Her saga begins in an orphanage but leads her to the world of Hollywood and, improbably, to life as a quick-witted spy in World War II. After the war, Alix settles in Paris and finds success in the glamorous fashion industry. But when a figure from her clandestine past appears, threatening her new, peaceful life, she sees an opportunity to find justice and heal from tragedy. This sweeping story—told in three parts—is a must for historical fiction lovers.
5. How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix
Genre: Horror
Release date: Jan. 17, 2023
Start the year off with a scare by picking up the latest from horror master Grady Hendrix. When their parents die unexpectedly, estranged siblings Louise and Mark are forced to combine efforts to save themselves from financial ruin. Yet their remaining asset, their childhood home, is full of disquieting mysteries—like why their parents taped newspaper over the mirrors and nailed the attic door shut. Part humor, part spine-tingling scariness, How to Sell a Haunted House makes a great read for a dark, stormy winter night—if you dare!
6. The Reunion by Kayla Olson
Genre: Romance
Release date: Jan. 17, 2023
If you love a good second-chance romance, pick up The Reunion for a swoonworthy rom-com with a side of Hollywood glamour. Liv Latimer is returning to her roots, joining castmates for a reunion of the show that made her famous as a teen. It’s been two decades since she’s seen everyone, including former best friend and onscreen love interest Ransom Joel. While Liv’s life as an indie film darling helps her stay mostly out of the spotlight, Ransom is shining brightly as a bona fide movie star. When the two reconnect, sparks fly. But Liv isn’t sure she’s willing to step back into the spotlight—even for love. Well-drawn characters, a romance with plenty of chemistry and a fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpse at filming elevate this romance, making it one of our go-to book recommendations of the year.
7. Hanging Out: The Radical Power of Killing Time by Sheila Liming
Genre: Nonfiction
Release date: Jan. 24, 2023
Maybe you remember hanging out with friends when you were a teenager—before smartphones, social media and 24-7 stimulation. We could all use more of that blissfully unstructured social time, posits Sheila Liming in the well-considered series of arguments found in Hanging Out. Accepting lunch invites, participating in online groups and even huddling by the water cooler will all take on new significance once you’ve read this book. On that note, you might want to pick up an adult coloring book for your downtime.
8. Maame by Jessica George
Genre: Women’s fiction
Release date: Jan. 31, 2023
In her moving debut novel, Maame, Jessica George examines race, culture, familial duty and self-awareness through the immensely likable Maddie, a wide-eyed Londoner who’s caring for her ailing father and struggling in a stifling job. When her mother returns from Ghana, she finally grabs a shot at independence, which includes getting her own apartment, dipping her toes into the dating pool and standing up for herself as a Black woman in the workplace—all while trying to find the balance between what she owes her family and what she owes herself. It’s impossible not to root for Maddie as she sets out on her own, flings her heart open and navigates family encounters that’ll have you reaching for the tissues. With her unforgettable first novel, George will easily become your next auto-buy author.
9. Someone Else’s Shoes by JoJo Moyes
Genre: Women’s fiction
Release date: Feb. 7, 2023
Fortunes collide in this funny, warmly told story of the unexpected turns life can take in the blink of an eye. When Nisha’s husband divorces her and cuts off her funds, her Christian Louboutin heels wind up on another woman’s feet and life-changing, heartwarming hilarity ensues. JoJo Moyes is the New York Times bestselling author of Me Before You and The Giver of Stars, and her new book release is poised to make just as big a splash. Not sure what new books to read next? Catch up on the best books of 2022.
10. Seven Faceless Saints by M.K. Lobb
Genre: Young adult fantasy
Release date: Feb. 7, 2023
M.K. Lobb’s engrossing YA novel, Seven Faceless Saints, combines a murder mystery, fantasy world and themes of the weak rising up against the powerful. When Rossana’s father is murdered by a ruthless military, she takes vengeance into her own hands and uses her mystic powers to foist rebellion. The boy who broke her heart years ago is ostensibly her enemy—until they team up to discover the even darker truths lying underneath a sinister society.
11. I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai
Genre: Mystery
Release date: Feb. 21, 2023
Part murder mystery, part women’s literary fiction, this highly anticipated novel from Pulitzer Prize finalist Rebecca Makkai sees protagonist Bodie Kane return to her unhappy place: the New Hampshire boarding school where her roommate was murdered. When her students make the case the center of their true-crime podcast, Kane confronts her own flawed recollection of events and begins to suspect that the open-and-shut case wasn’t quite the slam dunk she remembers. Perhaps the wrong person was convicted—which means the real killer is still out there.
12. Wolfish: Wolf, Self, and the Stories We Tell About Fear by Erica Berry
Genre: Nonfiction
Release date: Feb. 21, 2023
An enticing blend of memoir, science, history and cultural criticism, Wolfish centers around OR-7, the legendary Oregon wolf who left his natal pack and wandered thousands of miles. Erica Berry uses OR-7 as a metaphor for investigations into fear, storytelling, gender bias and grief. There’s a lot to unpack here, but the deft storytelling makes for a sensitive, satisfying read.
13. The Queen of Dirt Island by Donal Ryan
Genre: Historical fiction
Release date: Feb. 28, 2023
Lovers of historical fiction—and of Ireland—will get lost in this sweeping tale of four generations of women living under the same roof. Tragedy, triumph, intrigue and betrayal are artfully woven by master of prose Donal Ryan (keep an eye out for some characters from Ryan’s Strange Flowers). Early reviews describe The Queen of Dirt Island as a page-turner from the get-go.
14. Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Genre: Cozy mystery
Release date: March 14, 2023
When a dead body shows up in Vera Wong’s San Francisco tea shop, the inquisitive lady takes it upon herself to solve the murder. Some may say she’s a busybody, but Vera knows the truth: She can do a better job than the police. But when she gathers her suspects she finds more than she expected—like friendship and something close to family. This comical, entertaining whodunit, the follow-up to Jesse Q. Sutanto’s bestseller Dial A for Aunties, is part Only Murders in the Building and part Agatha Christie mystery with a dose of Murder, She Wrote thrown in.
15. The London Séance Society by Sarah Penner
Genre: Historical fiction
Release date: March 21, 2023
This spine-tingling, suspenseful story takes place in 19th-century Paris, where protagonist Lenna Wickes teams up with renowned psychic Vaudeline D’Allaire, who is known for her ability to contact murder victims and suss out killers. To solve the mystery of her sister’s death, Lenna confronts her own skepticism as she becomes Vaudeline’s understudy and the duo encounters a crime far more complex than they’d bargained for.
16. Ellie Is Cool Now by Victoria Fulton and Faith McClaren
Genre: Rom-com
Release date: March 21, 2023
Ellie wasn’t always cool, but those nerdy high school years are behind her. Now a TV writer, she’s come into her own. And life’s about to get even better with the possibility of a promotion—if she hits up her high school reunion first. Set on showing her classmates the older, better, cooler version of herself, Ellie heads to the party with a reunion bucket list. She’s out to prove she’s cool now … and maybe get that long-awaited kiss. Ellie Is Cool Now is just the breezy, feel-good book you need when your mood could use a little boost.
16. The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise by Colleen Oakley
Genre: Contemporary fiction
Release date: March 28, 2023
Ambitionless 21-year-old Tanner needs a place to live but gets a lot more than she bargained for when she agrees to work as live-in caregiver for Louise, a vodka-swilling, sharp-as-a-tack elderly woman. The little old lady might not be as innocent as she seems, though, especially when she tells Tanner they need to make a quick getaway. Is Louise the culprit behind a legendary jewel heist? With a wild road trip, a classic car and a love interest reminiscent of a young Brad Pitt, The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise is tailor-made for fans of Thelma and Louise.
17. Homecoming by Kate Morton
Genre: Historical fiction
Release date: April 4, 2023
When down-on-her-luck Australian-born journalist Jess returns home for a family emergency, she stumbles across a true-crime book about a 1959 murder in a small Australian town. As she reads about the flawed police investigation and unresolved killing, she discovers a shocking family connection. Homecoming, the sixth novel from New York Times bestselling author Kate Morton, examines family ties, secrets, the complexity of motherhood and how the truth always finds a way out.
18. Going Zero by Anthony McCarten
Genre: Thriller
Release date: April 11, 2023
You might notice shades of Squid Game in this fast-paced thriller that pits 10 participants against a new spyware that purports to find anyone on earth, no matter where they try to hide. For the spyware creator, a huge government contract is in play. For the person who eludes the chase, it’s a life-changing cash prize. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and for the book’s protagonists, it’s about a lot more than money. With an Oscar-nominated screenwriter at the helm (Anthony McCarten was behind The Theory of Everything, Darkest Hour and Bohemian Rhapsody), you know this book is going to be a thrill ride worthy of the big screen.
19. Happy Place by Emily Henry
Genre: Romance
Release date: April 25, 2023
We’re flagging this one for our 2023 summer reading list—Emily Henry’s Happy Place is one of the most fun new books to read in 2023. Longtime couple Harriet and Wyn are so perfect together and so adored by their mutual friends that they can’t bear to tell anyone they’ve broken up. When a beach holiday with their besties finds the ex-couple sharing a room together and lying about their relationship status, sparks and hilarity ensue.
20. Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane
Genre: Thriller
Release date: April 25, 2023
Race, class and immigrant traditions collide in this searing effort from Dennis Lehane, author of Mystic River and Shutter Island. In Small Mercies, he takes us to Boston’s “Southie” neighborhood in the tumultuous summer of 1974, where racial tensions and mob violence leave no family unscathed. As working-class heroine Mary Pat Fennessey hunts for her missing daughter, she finds connections to the seemingly unrelated murder of a young Black man—and starts asking too many questions.
21. The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece by Tom Hanks
Genre: Literary fiction and graphic novel
Release date: May 9, 2023
Get ready for a laugh or two—plus plenty of nostalgia in this decades-spanning novel from Academy Award–winning actor Tom Hanks. When a returning World War II soldier has a brief encounter with his young nephew, he inspires a chain of events that leads to the present-day production of the next big superhero film. Hanks’s insider knowledge of the caprices and eccentricities of the filmmaking process provides wonderful color to this fun tale. There’s a little bit of something for everyone here: slices of historical fiction that take place in 1947 and 1970, a contemporary tale and three comic books (that tie into the story) created by Hanks. If you’re the type of reader who appreciates film adaptations of your favorite books, you won’t want to miss this story.
22. Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
Genre: Contemporary fiction
Release date: May 16, 2023
When failed author and basic white girl June Hayward has the chance to steal a manuscript and a writer’s identity, she takes it. The book is a hit, and June—under a pseudonym—is the new literary darling. But how long can she pretend to be an Asian American author and hide her deception? Yellowface, the latest from New York Times bestselling author R.F. Kuang, takes an unflinching look at diversity, race, identity and cultural appropriation.
23. Central Park West by James Comey
Genre: Crime fiction
Release date: May 30, 2023
Controversial former FBI director James Comey’s first effort at crime fiction takes him into familiar territory: a murder investigation that involves politicians, lawyers and organized crime. Just as federal prosecutor Nora Carleton finally has a shot at convicting a notorious mob boss, her plans are derailed by a surprising offer of evidence for another high-profile murder. Comey’s experience as a New York City mob prosecutor brings plenty of credibility to this fast-paced legal drama.
24. Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan
Genre: Romance
Release date: June 6, 2023
Here’s another one to tuck into the beach bag with your new books to read. Sam, the protagonist of Annabel Monaghan’s Same Time Next Summer, has it all: the right fiancé, the right career and the right life trajectory. But her sense of certainty is upended when she runs into her long-ago ex—the childhood sweetheart who broke her heart 14 years prior. Their connection is as strong as ever, and Sam is faced with a painful choice. The ultimate beach read, this heartfelt and romantic story will transport you to a place filled with ocean breezes and the crash of waves.
25. Everything’s Fine by Cecilia Rabess
Genre: Romance
Release date: June 6, 2023
More than a meet-cute story of opposites attracting, Cecilia Rabess’s debut novel, Everything’s Fine, examines issues of race, politics and power as it introduces instantly lovable Jess and eventually lovable Josh for a poignant and frequently hilarious take on whether love really can conquer all. Fans of enemies-to-lovers romances will want to scoop this up: She’s black, he’s white; she’s liberal, he’s conservative. About all they have in common is their mutual dislike of each other. The chemistry between these two is palpable, and Rabess’s writing is very much of its time.
26. Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead
Genre: Historical fiction
Release date: July 18, 2023
Pulitzer Prize winner Colson Whitehead’s Crook Manifesto drops readers into 1970s Harlem, in a New York City teetering on the verge of a meltdown. In this setting, bad guy turned good guy turned questionable guy Ray Carney seeks to keep his family and business afloat with the help of a colorful cast of characters. Small-time crooks, big-time mobsters, Hollywood stars and aspiring politicians all cross paths in this vividly entertaining romp from one of the greatest Black authors writing today.
27. Learned by Heart by Emma Donoghue
Genre: Historical fiction
Release date: Aug. 29, 2023
At a 19th-century York, England, boarding school, there’s nothing quite so forbidden as Anne Lister and Eliza Raine’s secret love affair. Emma Donoghue based her account on Lister’s diary and its real-life account of her enduring relationship with Raine, an orphan heiress. While Learned by Heart is a fictionalized account of their taboo relationship, this LGBTQ historical romance is rich with period detail and passionate, heartbreaking storytelling.
