Last Updated on December 29, 2023 by showitadmin
Are you ready to discover some of the best fiction books of 2023? Â Reading can be a great way to escape into another world and invigorate your imagination, but finding the right book can sometimes be tricky. Â To streamline your search for must-read fiction, we’ve rounded up ten excellent titles that have been released in 2023. Â So whether you’re a literary connoisseur or just getting into reading, you can be sure that these books will offer compelling storylines, diverse characters, powerful social commentary, or a combination of all three. Â So, without further ado, let me introduce you to 10 of the best fiction books of 2023!
Y/N by Esther Yi
“Y/N” is a captivating debut novel by Esther Yi that explores the theme of longing for transcendence in a globalized world. The story revolves around an unnamed narrator who becomes infatuated with Moon, a member of a popular Korean boyband. As the narrator delves into writing fanfiction, the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur, highlighting the loneliness of modern life.
“Y/N” is also one of the books selected in The 2023 Spring Reading Guide.
Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez
A young father and son embark on a road trip, grieving the loss of their beloved wife and mother. They journey to her ancestral home, where they confront a sinister family known as the Order, who seek immortality through unspeakable acts. Gaspar, the son, finds himself intertwined with this maniacal cult, while he and his father attempt to escape their clutches. Set against the backdrop of London in the 1960s and Argentina’s military dictatorship, “Our Share of Night” is a unique and captivating novel that explores family, the supernatural, and the complexities of love.
In Memoriam by Alice Winn
Set during World War I, “In Memoriam” follows the lives of Henry Gaunt and Sidney Ellwood, two classmates at an idyllic English boarding school. As the war rages on, their friendship deepens into a forbidden romance. When Gaunt’s family asks him to enlist, he eagerly joins to escape his feelings for Ellwood, only to discover that Ellwood has followed him to the front. Amidst the horrors of war, the story explores the tragedies and the blossoming love that unfolds. A captivating debut that combines the devastating realities of war and a forbidden romance.
“In Memoriam” is also one of the books selected in The 2023 Spring Reading Guide and The 2023 Spring Reading Minimalist List.
Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton
Follows the story of Birnam Wood, a guerrilla gardening collective, as they seize an opportunity to occupy a farm in Thorndike for financial stability. However, their plans are challenged when an enigmatic billionaire, Robert Lemoine, claims the property for his end-times bunker. As trust is tested and ideologies clash, the group must navigate a web of intrigue and suspense. With captivating characters and thought-provoking themes, “Birnam Wood” explores the human impulse for survival.
The Three of Us by Ore Agbaje-Williams
In this sharp domestic comedy of manners, long-standing tensions between a husband, his wife, and her best friend reach a breaking point. The story unfolds brilliantly over the course of one day, where secrets are revealed, confidants are tested, and the carefully constructed dynamics of their relationships are thrown into chaos. Told in three captivating parts from the perspectives of the wife, the husband, and the best friend, “The Three of Us” is a subversively comical and emotionally compelling exploration of love, loyalty, and the complexities of human connections.
“The Three of Us” is also one of the books selected in The 2023 Summer Reading Guide and The 2023 Summer Reading List: Minimalist Edition.
Ripe by Sarah Rose Etter
A surreal novel set in Silicon Valley follows the story of Cassie, a woman faced with a difficult decision: how much is she willing to sacrifice for success? Trapped in a corporate nightmare, she navigates long hours, toxic bosses, and unethical projects while witnessing the stark contrast between obscene wealth and poverty. Cassie’s constant companion is a miniature black hole that feeds on her depression and anxiety. As her world unravels, she must confront the allure of Silicon Valley and the absurdities of modern life. “Ripe” is a sharp, vulnerable, and darkly comic portrayal of one millennial woman’s journey through our late-capitalist hellscape.
“Ripe” is also one of the books selected in The 2023 Summer Reading Guide.
Beyond the Door of No Return by David Diop, translated by Sam Taylor
In 1806 Paris, renowned botanist Michel Adanson, on his deathbed, utters the name “Maram,” revealing the mystery surrounding a woman’s identity. Adanson’s unpublished memoir unveils a fantastical and tragic tale: Maram, a noblewoman from the kingdom of Waalo, sold into slavery but escaped to a hidden village in the Senegalese forest. Adanson, captivated by her story, embarks on a journey to find her, exposing the brutality of French colonialism and the depths of the human heart. David Diop’s “Beyond the Door of No Return” is a captivating historical epic, blending love and oral traditions of Senegal with narrative brilliance.
“Beyond the Door of No Return” is one of the books selected in The 2023 Fall Reading Guide and The Fall Reading List 2023 Minimalist Edition.
Tremor by Teju Cole
“Tremor” is a captivating exploration of life’s complexities and the passage of time. Through the eyes of Tunde, a West African man working as a photography teacher, we witness a weekend of antiquing shadowed by colonial atrocities, a walk interrupted by racism, and a loving marriage strained by mysterious tensions. Cole masterfully weaves together history, literature, music, and personal stories to create a thought-provoking and immersive narrative. “Tremor” is a testament to human survival and the possibility of finding joy amidst life’s challenges.
“Tremor” is also one of the books selected in The 2023 Fall Reading Guide.
Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward
“Let Us Descend” is Jesmyn Ward’s haunting masterpiece and a reimagining of American slavery. Set in the years before the Civil War, this novel takes readers on a journey with Annis, an enslaved girl, as she navigates the treacherous world of a Louisiana sugar plantation. With rich storytelling and potent imagery, Ward explores themes of love, resilience, and the supernatural. As Annis confronts her painful past, she discovers a world beyond this one, filled with spirits and ancestral connections.
“Let Us Descend” is also one of the books selected in The 2023 Fall Reading Guide.
Same Bed Different Dreams by Ed Park
In 1919, Korean patriots establish the Korean Provisional Government to protest Japanese occupation. However, after Japan’s defeat in World War II, the government dissolves and civil war breaks out, resulting in the division of North and South Korea. “Same Bed Different Dreams” explores an alternate reality where the Korean Provisional Government still exists, working towards a unified Korea. The story follows Soon Sheen, who comes across an unfinished book allegedly authored by the KPG, connecting famous figures and events to their grand project. This extraordinary novel combines Korean history, American pop culture, and technology to create a captivating narrative.
“Same Bed Different Dreams” is also one of the books selected in The 2023 Fall Reading Guide.
The 10 Best Fiction Books of 2023
- Y/N by Esther YiÂ
- Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez
- In Memoriam by Alice WinnÂ
- Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton
- The Three of Us by Ore Agbaje-Williams
- Ripe by Sarah Rose Etter
- Beyond the Door of No Return by David Diop, translated by Sam Taylor
- Tremor by Teju Cole
- Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward
- Same Bed Different Dreams by Ed Park
What do you think about this list of best books of 2023?
Have you read any books from this list? Â Are any of them on your TBR? Â What books are on your best books of 2023 list? Â Let’s talk all about the best books you read in 2023 in the comments.
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