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Readers' Hit Books of 2023 (So Far, That Is)
We’re halfway through the new year, believe it or not. Time flies when you’re reading!
At any rate, that means it’s time for our annual midyear check-in, where we suss out Goodreads members’ most popular books of the year so far. As always, these selections are based on the total number of reader reviews and which titles are making their way to Goodreads members’ Want to Read shelves.
This time around, we’ve sorted out the top nine books in each of the usual-suspect categories, in order of popularity. So, glancing below, you’ll see that Ann Napolitano’s Hello Beautiful currently holds the top spot in contemporary fiction. The genre designations can get a little blurry, but we do the best we can.
Scroll down to find the top nine books in historical fiction, mystery, fantasy, science fiction, horror, romance, young adult, and nonfiction. This can be a fun jumping-off page and a place to get a sense of what’s resonating in the culture. Haunted houses, androids, and insomnia, evidently. And storm hags. Ah, well, these are anxious times. On the upside, you might find your happy place.
Click through the cover images below for more details, and don’t forget to feed your Want to Read shelf.
Contemporary Fiction
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Historical Fiction
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Mystery
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Fantasy
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Science Fiction
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Horror
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Romance
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Young Adult
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Nonfiction
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Which 2023 new releases have been hits with YOU? Tell us about them in the comments below.
Comments Showing 201-225 of 225 (225 new)
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shell [NO POLL REQUESTS] wrote: "something’s happened to the book industry this year, so dead… missing last year when we talked about every new book that was published all year long"Things we hide from the light was a 4 star read for me. I read both books in this series and waiting restlessly for book 3 to drop soon.
I've only read three from these suggestions and I loved them all: The House of Eve, The House is on Fire, and Romantic Comedy.
beth ☆ wrote: "Can someone reply to me and tell me which ones on this list are worth it?"I really enjoyed the new Jojo Moyes book - quick read. I would qualify Pineapple Street as a true generational novel that wasn’t too long (as they can be). I don’t know what all the fuss is concerning Romantic Comedy…it was meh
beth ☆ wrote: "Can someone reply to me and tell me which ones on this list are worth it?"I don't often read non-fiction, but I read "Spare" by Prince Harry and totally loved it. I also read "The Covenant of Water" and even though it was really long it was worth every minute it took to read it.
I've never even heard of most of the books on this list, but there are a couple I have on "reserve" at the library.
beth ☆ wrote: "Can someone reply to me and tell me which ones on this list are worth it?"It is so subjective what someone likes. I would recommend you browse this list of what all of Goodreads likes and find ones that sound like they will work for you.
I've read or am reading:Yellowface
Divine Rivals
Warrior Girl Unearthed
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries
I liked or am enjoying these titles
I'm also reading Fourth Wing, but I'm too close to the beginning to offer up an opinion either way.
beth ☆ wrote: "Can someone reply to me and tell me which ones on this list are worth it?"beth ☆ wrote: "Can someone reply to me and tell me which ones on this list are worth it?"
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano, Someone Else's Shoes by Jojo Moyes, and Spare by Prince Harry are all great!
beth ☆ wrote: "Can someone reply to me and tell me which ones on this list are worth it?"Just read The Wager. It was a page burner for me. reads like a novel but at only 260 pages I'd wait for the paperback.
I have read ( list below) but my 3 favorites from this list would have to be: I feel like the books are WAY better this year than last. There were some weird books and themes in 2022 and it's still messing me up when I look at books to read this year. 1. The Covenant of Water, Abraham Verghese
2. Hello Beautiful, Ann Napolitano
3. Lone Women, Victor Lavalle
READ:
• The Wager, David Grann
•The Covenant of Water, Abraham Verghese
•Victory City, Salman Rushdie
•Hello Beautiful, Ann Napolitano
•Birnam wood, elanor catton
•The ferry man, Justin Cronin
•Lone Women, Victor Lavalle
•How to sell a haunted House, Grady Hendrix
•A House with good Bones, T. Kingfisher
•Bad Cree, Jessica Johns
shell [NO POLL REQUESTS] wrote: "something’s happened to the book industry this year, so dead… missing last year when we talked about every new book that was published all year long"i think everyone has shifted to Instagram this year!
i usually discuss books there. @a.bookdragon <3
beth ☆ wrote: "Can someone reply to me and tell me which ones on this list are worth it?"Stolen heir totally worth it.
All the Dangerous Things was such a good read! I also found a new to me author in horror, Stephen Graham Jones, that makes me want to hide under the covers and devour all his books.
Goodreads, please add Urban Fiction as a category. Those authors never get any recognition when you pose questions. Thanks!
Holly wrote: "beth ‧ ₊˚୨୧ ₊˚ wrote: "Can someone reply to me and tell me which ones on this list are worth it?"Can't speak for all of them, but Maame was SO good and that's one I'd definitely recommend."
I agree, Maame was a debut novel that had so much heart and truth in it. It Shines!
So far I’ve read The Housemaid’s Secret and What Lies in the Woods. Both were pretty decent.
I love Jojo Moyes! I think I’ve read just about every one of her books and this latest one is just as enjoyable as her other books.
As a former social worker, I’m interested in Poverty by America. Sounds like something that would be “required reading” for social work students today.
beth ☆ wrote: "Can someone reply to me and tell me which ones on this list are worth it?"Depends on what genre you're looking for/asking about. I'm currently reading The Wager (non-fiction) and am absolutely enthralled thus far. That's the only one I can speak for at the moment although several others (all non-fiction) are on my list.
i>beth ☆ wrote: "Can someone reply to me and tell me which ones on this list are worth it?"the ferryman was amazing!
Defining Me by LM Berthiaume should be ok here. Are we able to nominate?
Richard wrote: "The law of averages says I should have read - or at least heard of - some of these, right? I've heard of 3 of them and have read none of them. What has happened to good books? While I always have i..."If you've only heard of 3 of them...how do you know they aren't any good? They're just pulling the raw data from each genre listed and consolidating them all here. There's nothing wrong with your tastes not aligning with the popular books, but that doesn't mean that the popular books aren't worth reading. Every book has its readers.
If I can just get my library to buy some of these. Like pulling teeth!!!!
I adored Pineapple Street. Not so much Hello Beautiful. Really Good, Actually is not on this list but I found it super fun. Just started What Lies in the Woods.
beth ☆ wrote: "Can someone reply to me and tell me which ones on this list are worth it?"
Fourth WingDivine RivalsA Day of Fallen NightSisters of the Lost NationAtalanta