8 of the best books to read in 2023

1. A Living Remedy by Nicole Chung

A Living Remedy is a memoir about Nicole Chung's journey to learn about her Korean heritage. Chung was adopted by white parents when she was a baby, and she never knew anything about her birth family. When she was an adult, she decided to search for them, and she eventually found her birth mother and siblings. This book is a moving and insightful exploration of identity, family, and belonging.

1. King: A Life by Jonathan Eig

King: A Life is a biography of Martin Luther King, Jr. Eig tells King's story from his childhood to his assassination, and he does a masterful job of capturing King's complex personality and his important role in American history. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the civil rights movement or in the life of one of the most influential figures of the 20th century.

1. Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez

Our Share of Night is a collection of short stories by Mariana Enriquez. Enriquez is a master of the macabre, and her stories are sure to chill you to the bone. This collection includes stories about ghosts, demons, and other supernatural creatures, but it also explores the darker side of human nature. Our Share of Night is a must-read for fans of horror and suspense.

1. The Wager by David Grann

The Wager is a true crime story about a group of Harvard students who made a bet that they could get away with murder. Grann tells the story of the students' plan and its aftermath, and he reveals the dark side of human nature. This book is a fascinating and disturbing read.

1. This Other Eden by Paul Harding

This Other Eden is a novel about a family who moves to a remote island in Maine. The family soon finds themselves isolated and struggling to survive, and they are forced to confront their own secrets and weaknesses. This book is a beautiful and moving exploration of family, love, and loss.

1. Greek Lessons by Han Kang

Greek Lessons is a novel about a young woman who travels to Greece to study ancient Greek. The woman soon becomes obsessed with Greek mythology, and she begins to question her own identity and place in the world. This book is a thought-provoking and poetic exploration of the human condition.

1. Biography of X by Catherine Lacey

Biography of X is a novel about a woman who is trying to piece together her identity. The woman has amnesia, and she doesn't remember anything about her past. She is forced to rely on the help of others to figure out who she is, and she soon discovers that her past is more complicated than she ever imagined. This book is a fascinating and suspenseful read.

1. Lone Women by Victor LaValle

Lone Women is a novel about a Black woman who sets out to homestead in Montana in 1915. The woman is determined to build a new life for herself, but she soon discovers that she is not alone in the wilderness. She must face the dangers of the land, as well as the prejudice of the white settlers. This book is a powerful and moving story about resilience and perseverance

A few honorable mention books that you might enjoy

• The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson: This novel imagines a future in which a group of people come together to try to save the planet from climate change. Robinson's book is both hopeful and realistic, and it offers a compelling vision of how we can create a better future.
• Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir: This science fiction novel follows Ryland Grace, an amnesiac who wakes up on a spaceship with no memory of who he is or how he got there. Grace must use his ingenuity and engineering skills to figure out how to get the ship back to Earth, and he soon discovers that the fate of the planet may depend on him.
• The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles: This historical fiction novel follows four friends who set out across the country in 1954 in search of a lost fortune. Towles's book is a coming-of-age story that is full of humor, adventure, and heart.
• The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett: This novel tells the story of two twin sisters who run away from home in the Jim Crow South and create new lives for themselves in different parts of the country. Bennett's book is a powerful and moving story about race, identity, and family.
• The Book of Air and Shadows by Michael Ondaatje: This novel is a mystery set in Italy during World War II. Ondaatje's book is a complex and beautifully written story about love, loss, and the power of art.