Best books of 2023 in popular categories: mystery, fiction, children’s books, and more
Over the course of each year, the Amazon Editors read thousands of books in order to choose the 10 best new releases each month and the top new books in popular categories. After 12 months of great books, we pare it down to create our Best Books of the Year lists—some years this is more painful than others, and in 2023 it was tough!
Here’s a look at the top categories and the #1 picks of 2023 in each of them—you’ll find January’s picks on our Best Books of the Month page, where you can check back to see the latest and greatest new books each month in fiction, nonfiction, mystery, children’s books, and more.
#1 pick for 2023 overall
and Literature & Fiction #1
Irresistible. The editorial team fell in love with this cacophonous cast of characters and James McBride’s unforgettable story of a small community. It’s as profound as it is ingeniously entertaining, making it one of the great American novels of our time.—Al Woodworth, Amazon Editor
and Literature & Fiction #1
Irresistible. The editorial team fell in love with this cacophonous cast of characters and James McBride’s unforgettable story of a small community. It’s as profound as it is ingeniously entertaining, making it one of the great American novels of our time.—Al Woodworth, Amazon Editor
Mysteries, Thrillers, and Suspense #1
Unflinching, unsparing, unsentimental, Dennis Lehane's incendiary story is a freeway pileup of racism, mob rule, and a desperate mother pushed beyond her last limit. This moving and darkly hilarious novel was the mystery we kept returning to this year. —Vannessa Cronin, Amazon Editor
Unflinching, unsparing, unsentimental, Dennis Lehane's incendiary story is a freeway pileup of racism, mob rule, and a desperate mother pushed beyond her last limit. This moving and darkly hilarious novel was the mystery we kept returning to this year. —Vannessa Cronin, Amazon Editor
Children’s Books #1
This category spans a wide range of ages, and this year our #1 pick is a middle grade novel for ages 9-12. The Lost Library is enchanting and delightful, a story full of compassion and heart, mystery and mistakes, a boy, a cat, ghosts, and—best of all—books that bring people together. Just like this one. —Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor
This category spans a wide range of ages, and this year our #1 pick is a middle grade novel for ages 9-12. The Lost Library is enchanting and delightful, a story full of compassion and heart, mystery and mistakes, a boy, a cat, ghosts, and—best of all—books that bring people together. Just like this one. —Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor
Biographies & Memoirs #1
Jonathan Eig’s definitive and engrossing portrait of Martin Luther King Jr. is remarkable feat of writing and research, revealing the gutting hardships and heroics of a man who changed the world. This is biography at its absolute finest.—Al Woodworth, Amazon Editor
Jonathan Eig’s definitive and engrossing portrait of Martin Luther King Jr. is remarkable feat of writing and research, revealing the gutting hardships and heroics of a man who changed the world. This is biography at its absolute finest.—Al Woodworth, Amazon Editor
Romance #1
This is one of our favorite enemies-to-lovers tales of the year! Full of rich banter, with writing that’s sexy and oh-so-sultry, you will fall in love with Lucian and Sloane's story. —Kami Tei, Amazon Editor
This is one of our favorite enemies-to-lovers tales of the year! Full of rich banter, with writing that’s sexy and oh-so-sultry, you will fall in love with Lucian and Sloane's story. —Kami Tei, Amazon Editor
Science Fiction & Fantasy #1
An epic of world-building and story—this tale of a kingdom under duress, a deadly competition to become one of the elite dragon riders, and the fragile young woman who bucks the odds to become powerful in her own right—is thrilling and impossible to put down. —Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor
An epic of world-building and story—this tale of a kingdom under duress, a deadly competition to become one of the elite dragon riders, and the fragile young woman who bucks the odds to become powerful in her own right—is thrilling and impossible to put down. —Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor
Nonfiction #1
You’ll fly through this true story of an idealistic maniac on a mission to filch priceless treasures—upping the ante with each outrageous crime. A blast to read—but also horrifying, considering what happened to $2 billion worth of art. —Lindsay Powers, Amzon Editor
You’ll fly through this true story of an idealistic maniac on a mission to filch priceless treasures—upping the ante with each outrageous crime. A blast to read—but also horrifying, considering what happened to $2 billion worth of art. —Lindsay Powers, Amzon Editor
Cookbooks, Food and Wine #1
Unpretentious, inventive, and inviting—Big Heart, Little Stove is an elegant and inspirational workhorse for home cooks that brings even more to the table than just amazing recipes. —Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor
Unpretentious, inventive, and inviting—Big Heart, Little Stove is an elegant and inspirational workhorse for home cooks that brings even more to the table than just amazing recipes. —Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor
History #1
Epic…you can almost feel the salt spray on your skin and the frightening panic that wreaks havoc on the HMS Wager. —Al Woodworth, Amazon Editor
Epic…you can almost feel the salt spray on your skin and the frightening panic that wreaks havoc on the HMS Wager. —Al Woodworth, Amazon Editor
Teen & Young Adult #1
This incredible novel is like a WWI story with warring gods instead of countries—romantic, heart wrenching, and sprinkled with enchantments, you’ll be spellbound by this divine romance-fantasy adventure. —Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor
This incredible novel is like a WWI story with warring gods instead of countries—romantic, heart wrenching, and sprinkled with enchantments, you’ll be spellbound by this divine romance-fantasy adventure. —Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor
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