Best Books of the Year
Menu

Goodreads · award year

Goodreads Choice Awards 2023

The 2023 Goodreads Choice Awards went to Weyward by Emilia Hart (Debut Novel), Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo (Fantasy) and Yellowface by R.F. Kuang (Fiction), with winners in 12 more categories. 299 books were nominated across 15 categories.

Winners

Debut Novel

  1. Weyward by Emilia Hartsource (opens in a new tab)

Fantasy

  1. Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugosource (opens in a new tab)

Fiction

  1. Yellowface by R.F. Kuangsource (opens in a new tab)

Historical Fiction

  1. Weyward by Emilia Hartsource (opens in a new tab)

History & Biography

  1. The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grannsource (opens in a new tab)

Horror

  1. Holly by Stephen Kingsource (opens in a new tab)

Humor

  1. Being Henry: The Fonz . . . and Beyond by Henry Winklersource (opens in a new tab)

Memoir & Autobiography

  1. The Woman in Me by Britney Spearssource (opens in a new tab)

Mystery & Thriller

  1. The Housemaid's Secret by Freida McFaddensource (opens in a new tab)

Nonfiction

  1. Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmondsource (opens in a new tab)

Romance

  1. Happy Place by Emily Henrysource (opens in a new tab)

Romantasy

  1. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarrossource (opens in a new tab)

Science Fiction

  1. In the Lives of Puppets by T.J. Klunesource (opens in a new tab)

Young Adult Fantasy

  1. Divine Rivals by Rebecca Rosssource (opens in a new tab)

Young Adult Fiction

  1. Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwoodsource (opens in a new tab)

Nominees

Debut Novel

  1. Adelaide by Genevieve Wheelersource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Banyan Moon by Thao Thaisource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Beyond That, the Sea by Laura Spence-Ashsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyahsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? by Crystal Smith Paulsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. I Keep My Exoskeletons to Myself by Marisa Cranesource (opens in a new tab)
  7. In Memoriam by Alice Winnsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzssource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Looking for Jane by Heather Marshallsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Maame by Jessica Georgesource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Monstrilio by Gerardo Sámano Córdovasource (opens in a new tab)
  12. One Summer in Savannah by Terah Shelton Harrissource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Pineapple Street by Jenny Jacksonsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. River Sing Me Home by Eleanor Shearersource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Shark Heart by Emily Habecksource (opens in a new tab)
  16. The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroffsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammersource (opens in a new tab)
  18. The September House by Carissa Orlandosource (opens in a new tab)

Fantasy

  1. A Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannonsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Atalanta by Jennifer Saintsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldreesource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Clytemnestra by Costanza Casatisource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcettsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzssource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Starling House by Alix E. Harrowsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Stone Blind by Natalie Haynessource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Sword Catcher by Cassandra Claresource (opens in a new tab)
  10. The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by S.A. Chakrabortysource (opens in a new tab)
  11. The Book That Wouldn’t Burn by Mark Lawrencesource (opens in a new tab)
  12. The Fragile Threads of Power by V.E. Schwabsource (opens in a new tab)
  13. The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshisource (opens in a new tab)
  14. The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Youngsource (opens in a new tab)
  15. The Will of the Many by James Islingtonsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sandersonsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. VenCo by Cherie Dimalinesource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Victory City by Salman Rushdiesource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Witch King by Martha Wellssource (opens in a new tab)

Fiction

  1. Big Swiss by Jen Beaginsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Birnam Wood by Eleanor Cattonsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Blackouts by Justin Torressource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Evil Eye by Etaf Rumsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Family Meal by Bryan Washingtonsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitanosource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Maame by Jessica Georgesource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Pineapple Street by Jenny Jacksonsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Shark Heart by Emily Habecksource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Someone Else's Shoes by Jojo Moyessource (opens in a new tab)
  11. The Bee Sting by Paul Murraysource (opens in a new tab)
  12. The Celebrants by Steven Rowleysource (opens in a new tab)
  13. The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammersource (opens in a new tab)
  14. The Connellys of County Down by Tracey Langesource (opens in a new tab)
  15. The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrandsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffmansource (opens in a new tab)
  17. The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffersource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Tom Lake by Ann Patchettsource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Wellness by Nathan Hillsource (opens in a new tab)

Historical Fiction

  1. Banyan Moon by Thao Thaisource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Beyond That, the Sea by Laura Spence-Ashsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? by Crystal Smith Paulsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Go as a River by Shelley Readsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Hang the Moon by Jeannette Wallssource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa Seesource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Wardsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Looking for Jane by Heather Marshallsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. North Woods by Daniel Masonsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. River Sing Me Home by Eleanor Shearersource (opens in a new tab)
  11. The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghesesource (opens in a new tab)
  12. The Echo of Old Books by Barbara Davissource (opens in a new tab)
  13. The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBridesource (opens in a new tab)
  14. The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  15. The Keeper of Hidden Books by Madeline Martinsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. The Paris Daughter by Kristin Harmelsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henrysource (opens in a new tab)
  18. The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groffsource (opens in a new tab)
  19. The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allendesource (opens in a new tab)

History & Biography

  1. A Fever in the Heartland by Timothy Egansource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Astor by Anderson Coopersource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Black AF History by Michael Harriotsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Elon Musk by Walter Isaacsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Going Infinite by Michael Lewissource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Killing the Witches by Bill O'Reillysource (opens in a new tab)
  7. King by Jonathan Eigsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Master Slave Husband Wife by Ilyon Woosource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Pathogenesis by Jonathan Kennedysource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Rough Sleepers by Tracy Kiddersource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Star Crossed by Heather Dune Macadamsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. The Book of Charlie by David von Drehlesource (opens in a new tab)
  13. The Confidante by Christopher C. Gorhamsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. The Earth Transformed by Peter Frankopansource (opens in a new tab)
  15. The Nazi Conspiracy by Brad Meltzersource (opens in a new tab)
  16. The Six by Loren Grushsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. There Will Be Fire by Rory Carrollsource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Valiant Women by Lena Andrewssource (opens in a new tab)
  19. When Crack Was King by Donovan X. Ramseysource (opens in a new tab)

Horror

  1. A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfishersource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Becoming the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmarsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Black Sheep by Rachel Harrisonsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Dead Eleven by Jimmy Julianosource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Don't Fear the Reaper by Stephen Graham Jonessource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Her Little Flowers by Shannon Morgansource (opens in a new tab)
  7. How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrixsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Lone Women by Victor LaVallesource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Mister Magic by Kiersten Whitesource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Monstrilio by Gerardo Sámano Córdovasource (opens in a new tab)
  11. My Darling Girl by Jennifer McMahonsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Natural Beauty by Ling Ling Huangsource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquezsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Rouge by Mona Awadsource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garciasource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Sisters of the Lost Nation by Nick Medinasource (opens in a new tab)
  17. The Reformatory by Tananarive Duesource (opens in a new tab)
  18. The September House by Carissa Orlandosource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañassource (opens in a new tab)

Humor

  1. Alexandra Petri's US History by Alexandra Petrisource (opens in a new tab)
  2. America the Beautiful? by Blythe Robersonsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Black Friend by Ziwesource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Congratulations, the Best is Over! by R. Eric Thomassource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Everybody's Favorite by Lillian Stonesource (opens in a new tab)
  6. How to Stay Married by Harrison Scott Keysource (opens in a new tab)
  7. It Was an Ugly Couch Anyway by Elizabeth Passarellasource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Leslie F*cking Jones by Leslie Jonessource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Misfit by Gary Gulmansource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Not Funny by Jena Friedmansource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Quietly Hostile by Samantha Irbysource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Strong Female Character by Fern Bradysource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Sure, I'll Join Your Cult by Maria Bamfordsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Surely You Can't Be Serious by David Zuckersource (opens in a new tab)
  15. The World Record Book of Racist Stories by Amber Ruffinsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Tough Titties by Laura Belgraysource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Unreliable Narrator by Aparna Nancherlasource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Unruly by David Mitchellsource (opens in a new tab)
  19. XOXO, Cody by Cody Rigsbysource (opens in a new tab)

Memoir & Autobiography

  1. A Living Remedy by Nicole Chungsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A Man of Two Faces by Viet Thanh Nguyensource (opens in a new tab)
  3. All My Knotted-Up Life by Beth Mooresource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Becoming Free Indeed by Jinger Duggar Vuolosource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Counting the Cost by Jill Duggarsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H.source (opens in a new tab)
  7. How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclairsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Love, Pamela by Pamela Andersonsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Pageboy by Elliot Pagesource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Paris by Paris Hiltonsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Spare by Prince Harrysource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Tell Me Everything by Minka Kellysource (opens in a new tab)
  13. The In-Between by Hadley Vlahossource (opens in a new tab)
  14. The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardinsource (opens in a new tab)
  15. The Witching Year by Diana Helmuthsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. They Called Us Exceptional by Prachi Guptasource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Thicker than Water by Kerry Washingtonsource (opens in a new tab)
  18. While You Were Out by Meg Kissingersource (opens in a new tab)
  19. You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smithsource (opens in a new tab)

Mystery & Thriller

  1. After That Night by Karin Slaughtersource (opens in a new tab)
  2. All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willinghamsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosbysource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Bright Young Women by Jessica Knollsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Don't Let Her Stay by Nicola Sanderssource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Good Bad Girl by Alice Feeneysource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Happiness Falls by Angie Kimsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Homecoming by Kate Mortonsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkaisource (opens in a new tab)
  10. None of This Is True by Lisa Jewellsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. The Coworker by Freida McFaddensource (opens in a new tab)
  12. The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osmansource (opens in a new tab)
  13. The Leftover Woman by Jean Kwoksource (opens in a new tab)
  14. The Maid's Diary by Loreth Anne Whitesource (opens in a new tab)
  15. The Only One Left by Riley Sagersource (opens in a new tab)
  16. The River We Remember by William Kent Kruegersource (opens in a new tab)
  17. The Villa by Rachel Hawkinssource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutantosource (opens in a new tab)
  19. What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshallsource (opens in a new tab)

Nonfiction

  1. 8 Rules of Love by Jay Shettysource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Build the Life You Want by Arthur C. Brookssource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Butts by Heather Radkesource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Cobalt Red by Siddharth Karasource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Doppelganger by Naomi Kleinsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Eve by Cat Bohannonsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Hidden Potential by Adam M. Grantsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. How Far the Light Reaches by Sabrina Imblersource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Monsters by Claire Dederersource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Never Finished by David Gogginssource (opens in a new tab)
  11. On Our Best Behavior by Elise Loehnensource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Opinions by Roxane Gaysource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Outlive by Peter Attiasource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Punished for Dreaming by Bettina L. Lovesource (opens in a new tab)
  15. The Art Thief by Michael Finkelsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. The Creative Act by Rick Rubinsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. The Good Life by Robert Waldingersource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Trail of the Lost by Andrea Lankfordsource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Ultra-Processed People by Chris van Tullekensource (opens in a new tab)

Romance

  1. A Long Time Coming by Meghan Quinnsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Final Offer by Lauren Ashersource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Hello Stranger by Katherine Centersource (opens in a new tab)
  4. In the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarrossource (opens in a new tab)
  5. King of Pride by Ana Huangsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwoodsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortunesource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Powerless by Elsie Silversource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adamssource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Pucking Around by Emily Rathsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeldsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. The Long Game by Elena Armassource (opens in a new tab)
  13. The Right Move by Liz Tomfordesource (opens in a new tab)
  14. The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Postonsource (opens in a new tab)
  15. The True Love Experiment by Christina Laurensource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Things We Hide from the Light by Lucy Scoresource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Wildfire by Hannah Gracesource (opens in a new tab)
  18. You, Again by Kate Goldbecksource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Yours Truly by Abby Jimenezsource (opens in a new tab)

Romantasy

  1. A Court This Cruel & Lovely by Stacia Starksource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A Dawn of Onyx by Kate Goldensource (opens in a new tab)
  3. A Fire in the Flesh by Jennifer L. Armentroutsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. A Game of Gods by Scarlett St. Clairsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. A Queen of Thieves & Chaos by K.A. Tuckersource (opens in a new tab)
  6. A Soul of Ash and Blood by Jennifer L. Armentroutsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrersource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Bewitched by Laura Thalassasource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Fall of Ruin and Wrath by Jennifer L. Armentroutsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Rule of the Aurora King by Nisha J. Tulisource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Slaying the Vampire Conqueror by Carissa Broadbentsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Sorrow and Starlight by Caroline Peckhamsource (opens in a new tab)
  13. The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbentsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. The Coven by Harper L. Woodssource (opens in a new tab)
  15. The Foxglove King by Hannah Whittensource (opens in a new tab)
  16. The Hanging City by Charlie N. Holmbergsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzonsource (opens in a new tab)
  18. The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashemsource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Throne of the Fallen by Kerri Maniscalcosource (opens in a new tab)

Science Fiction

  1. Ascension by Nicholas Bingesource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Bridge by Lauren Beukessource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyahsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Children of Memory by Adrian Tchaikovskysource (opens in a new tab)
  5. I Keep My Exoskeletons to Myself by Marisa Cranesource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Land of Milk and Honey by C Pam Zhangsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Light Bringer by Pierce Brownsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Some Desperate Glory by Emily Teshsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Starter Villain by John Scalzisource (opens in a new tab)
  10. System Collapse by Martha Wellssource (opens in a new tab)
  11. The Deep Sky by Yume Kitaseisource (opens in a new tab)
  12. The Deluge by Stephen Markleysource (opens in a new tab)
  13. The Ferryman by Justin Croninsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. The Future by Naomi Aldermansource (opens in a new tab)
  15. The Great Transition by Nick Fuller Googinssource (opens in a new tab)
  16. The Jinn-Bot of Shantiport by Samit Basusource (opens in a new tab)
  17. The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Daltonsource (opens in a new tab)
  18. The Marriage Act by John Marrssource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Translation State by Ann Leckiesource (opens in a new tab)

Young Adult Fantasy

  1. A Curse for True Love by Stephanie Garbersource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A Study in Drowning by Ava Reidsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Blood Debts by Terry J. Benton-Walkersource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Bring Me Your Midnight by Rachel Griffinsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Chain of Thorns by Cassandra Claresource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Delicious Monsters by Liselle Samburysource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Foul Heart Huntsman by Chloe Gongsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Foxglove by Adalyn Gracesource (opens in a new tab)
  9. House of Marionne by J. Ellesource (opens in a new tab)
  10. House of Roots and Ruin by Erin A. Craigsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Powerless by Lauren Robertssource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Silver in the Bone by Alexandra Brackensource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Song of Silver, Flame Like Night by Amélie Wen Zhaosource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Spice Road by Maiya Ibrahimsource (opens in a new tab)
  15. The Scarlet Veil by Shelby Mahurinsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. The Stolen Heir by Holly Blacksource (opens in a new tab)
  17. These Infinite Threads by Tahereh Mafisource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Threads That Bind by Kika Hatzopoulousource (opens in a new tab)
  19. What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañezsource (opens in a new tab)

Young Adult Fiction

  1. Five Survive by Holly Jacksonsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Forget Me Not by Alyson Derricksource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbertsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Immortality by Dana Schwartzsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertallisource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzalessource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Nine Liars by Maureen Johnsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. One of Us Is Back by Karen M. McManussource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Pride and Prejudice and Pittsburgh by Rachael Lippincottsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Reign by Katharine McGeesource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Suddenly a Murder by Lauren Muñozsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. The Brothers Hawthorne by Jennifer Lynn Barnessource (opens in a new tab)
  13. The Davenports by Krystal Marquissource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Thieves' Gambit by Kayvion Lewissource (opens in a new tab)
  15. This Time It's Real by Ann Liangsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Together We Rot by Skyla Arndtsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulleysource (opens in a new tab)
  18. We Deserve Monuments by Jas Hammondssource (opens in a new tab)
  19. What Happens After Midnight by K.L. Walthersource (opens in a new tab)

About the Goodreads Choice Awards

Reader-voted award first held in 2009. 2011-2025: every category's winner and final-round nominees from goodreads.com/choiceawards/<category>-<year>. 2009: winners only, from the live Goodreads poll pages (open write-in polls with no fixed nominee slate). 2010: winners only, from the archived official page (category pages are gone); the character categories Favorite Hero and Favorite Heroine are skipped. No vote counts are stored.

Organization: Goodreads. Years are award years, which can differ from publication years. Official site (opens in a new tab)

The most recommended books of 2023

Shares the most books with