Top Five Books of 2023
- List of the Month
- December 2023 (see all)
- Description
- The year is coming to an end, and our December List of the Month is dedicated to LibraryThing members' Top Five Books of 2023. Please note that books don't need to have been published in 2023, just read this year. You can see the LT Staff picks on the blog: https://blog.librarything.com/2023/12/top-five-books-of-2023/, and you can join the conversation on Talk: https://www.librarything.com/topic/355740
1
3,402 members
146 reviews
½ 4.4
Score 139.63
Added 2023-12-08, 02:49 PM
- 39 Members
- laytonwoman3rd, seabelis, erinclark, zhejw, sipthereader, JMC400m, terran, kxn11, LDVoorberg, bell7, shaunie, msf59, CarltonC, lindapanzo, michigantrumpet, vwinsloe, exfed, HelenGress, nmaners, Laura1124, bsmuts, Juneberry, WendyRobyn, Kendra_Gale, quondame, AnrMarri, ijamiedee, GinaHMM, Kat_by, NancyAK, KaCatte, Craftybilda, rfl22338, jlkbmcd08, Tboehne, anniesrun, GMbooks, BelindaNagelMcDonald, GoodGT
2
5,418 members
289 reviews
4.2
Score 87.03
Added 2023-12-17, 11:42 AM
- 25 Members
- LibrErica, Morphidae, foggidawn, kristenl, MAJic, jeanned, rebcamuse, bigcurlyloz, TheoClarke, HelenGress, nmaners, bsmuts, REW67, baughga, slittleson, ijamiedee, Onj, Kat_by, MaureenONeill, jlkbmcd08, Tboehne, ChoChoLin, jerigoins, anniesrun, mjmurphy1980
3
- 23 Members
- kellyslist, erinclark, mzonderm, Micheller7, kxn11, bjappleg8, LDVoorberg, lizzy50usa, Copperskye, L-Anne, edparks, PaulCranswick, nmaners, msjudy, jbjohnsonius, Juneberry, Kendra_Gale, baughga, Kat_by, NancyAK, soniamk, Tboehne, GoodGT
4
- 21 Members
- knerd.knitter, mahsdad, kxn11, wanderlustlover, bigcurlyloz, ehough75, exfed, timetunnel, garylivingston, quondame, slittleson, RODNEYP, Bubu1969, Kat_by, kyle555, Craftybilda, josie2479, melorafaelas, acristina00, revtizzy, mjmurphy1980
- Explanations
- knerd.knitter: This book was so much fun to read. The kind of book that you simultaneously want to read as fast as possible and read slowly so it never ends!
5
1,276 members
73 reviews
½ 4.3
Score 63.38
Added 2023-12-08, 09:44 AM
- 18 Members
- kellyslist, majkia, mvo62, abbottthomas, jeanned, Copperskye, L-Anne, Sarielle, traceylkb, frfinch, AbigailAdams26, garylivingston, hikarugenji, AnrMarri, AnaraGuard, tabareads, jlkbmcd08, yomnathefairy
- Explanations
- traceylkb: Listened to the recorded book. Enjoyed it very much, but want to "re-read" the physical book, so it is still on my wish list.AnaraGuard: All the books in the Thursday Murder Club series are a delight to read, but this one takes the characters to deeper places, and brings the reader along. Some serious topics of dementia and death are handled gracefully and generously. A good one to tide us over for a few years until he writes another one.
6
1,560 members
76 reviews
½ 4.4
Score 63.35
Added 2023-12-08, 10:06 AM
- 19 Members
- aprille, cornerhouse, kxn11, bell7, perennialreader, PaulCranswick, traceylkb, nmaners, Laura1124, msjudy, bsmuts, Kendra_Gale, rcarpent, GinaHMM, Kat_by, NancyAK, Craftybilda, lacinsinna, anniesrun
7
4,788 members
210 reviews
4.1
Score 52.93
Added 2023-12-08, 09:49 AM
- 16 Members
- wookiebender, schmootc, knerd.knitter, kxn11, Eat_Read_Knit, rebcamuse, specialkay, vwinsloe, Juneberry, AnrMarri, ijamiedee, NancyAK, smoore14, MaureenONeill, Tboehne, yomnathefairy
- Explanations
- knerd.knitter: So many things in this book were familiar to me, having grown up in the 80s/90s and enjoying video games and online role-playing games. It’s always fun to read a book where you can relate to the experiences of the characters.
8
1,251 members
68 reviews
3.8
Score 49.9
Added 2023-12-08, 09:49 AM
- 15 Members
- ursula, ablachly, jilld17, Chatterbox, LDVoorberg, N1na, bparsons, vwinsloe, amyshaff, YPlfl, GinaHMM, Carrieida, NancyAK, roxrosengarten, yomnathefairy
9
- 14 Members
- raidergirl3, redbookforest, Violette62, vancouverdeb, FerneMysteryReader, DeborahJ2016, Kendra_Gale, AnrMarri, GinaHMM, zzora, roxrosengarten, CelticGreyWolf, acristina00, bdeforest
- Explanations
- FerneMysteryReader: An author's debut that is stunning in storytelling and beautifully written, atmospheric, and immersive. I loved the strength of the women, the determination, reaching deep within themselves, confident that the natural world empowers them and that their legacy from the past is greater than the men who wish to control them. I found the women resilient and inspiring. They are women to remember not as characters but as the women who came before us and why their strength can become ours.
10
- 12 Members
- tardis, LadyUndomiel, Storeetllr, tabemono, okeres, corcra, BookLizard, oceancat, jennifergeran, quondame, hikarugenji, hrendahl
- Explanations
- Storeetllr: Murderbot. What else needs to be said? Oh, right. ART. Murderbot and ART. And Three. And 2.0!!! Well, sort of. The saga continues.
11
2,640 members
170 reviews
4.2
Score 37.2
Added 2023-12-10, 05:45 PM
- 11 Members
- erinclark, raidergirl3, amyshaff, jeanie0510, DeborahJ2016, REW67, baughga, LindaLoretz, Tosta, smoore14, Retired2006
12
- 11 Members
- Chatterbox, terran, sallylou61, rebcamuse, lindapanzo, perennialreader, HelenGress, Kendra_Gale, Craftybilda, lacinsinna, Tboehne
13
- 9 Members
- LadyUndomiel, Storeetllr, Eat_Read_Knit, merrystar, cabyrum, Constant2m, lovelypotato111, Daveann, hiboutimide
- Explanations
- Storeetllr: As advertised, this is high fantasy with low stakes, though the stakes are worth fighting for, just not in the way you might imagine, what with an orc involved. So much fun!
14
- 9 Members
- Chatterbox, kristenl, thornton37814, bjappleg8, okeres, vwinsloe, YPlfl, roxrosengarten, Aviva95
15
- 9 Members
- Ling.Lass, sundancer, RODNEYP, lovelypotato111, josie2479, zzora, roxrosengarten, cheree_blossoms, Retired2006
- Explanations
- sundancer: A delightful read- beautiful imagery, amazing storytelling, and excellent word building.
16
- 7 Members
- Copperskye, gypsysmom, JenMDB, debann6354, bsmuts, WendyRobyn, roxrosengarten
17
by R. F. Kuang
4,851 members
112 reviews
4
Score 25.45
Added 2023-12-08, 09:49 AM
- 8 Members
- ablachly, revbean, claire.rivers, tabemono, msjudy, AnrMarri, RODNEYP, Librarian_Liz1
18
1,709 members
86 reviews
4
Score 24.6
Added 2023-12-09, 07:27 AM
- 7 Members
- erinclark, PaulCranswick, amyshaff, Boand, RODNEYP, rfl22338, airedalerd
- Explanations
- Boand: Simply my favourite book of the year! A completely new way of looking at this period of history from a woman’s point of view. Excellent and intriguing stuff
19
- 7 Members
- tardis, amberwitch, Chatterbox, revbean, okeres, oceancat, quondame
- Explanations
- oceancat: the imperial radch trilogy should be read first but this is an amazing story about personhood set in the same universe
20
5,464 members
365 reviews
4.1
Score 22.25
Added 2023-12-09, 03:49 AM
- 7 Members
- laytonwoman3rd, yoyogod, ahef1963, hikarugenji, slittleson, YPlfl, josie2479
21
by Kate Beaton
821 members
51 reviews
½ 4.3
Score 21.5
Added 2023-12-08, 05:03 PM
- 7 Members
- bookwoman84, Deedledee, LadyUndomiel, charl08, claire.rivers, tabemono, Capybara_99
22
- 6 Members
- wookiebender, wanderlustlover, bell7, KatyBee, amyshaff, baughga
23
256 members
15 reviews
½ 4.5
Score 21.08
Added 2023-12-08, 04:28 PM
- 6 Members
- foggidawn, lizzy50usa, merrystar, KaCatte, Craftybilda, alai3
24
- 6 Members
- anglemark, wdwilson3, cipeciop, hikarugenji, mazecto, phantasmbunny
25
1,760 members
90 reviews
4.1
Score 20.08
Added 2023-12-09, 08:04 PM
26
1,960 members
135 reviews
4.2
Score 18.4
Added 2023-12-08, 10:48 AM
- 5 Members
- thornton37814, CarltonC, SirThomas, bsmuts, airedalerd
- Explanations
- CarltonC: Harrowing subject matter, but beautiful and clear storytelling.
27
by TJ Klune
6,325 members
331 reviews
½ 4.3
Score 17.77
Added 2023-12-09, 03:48 AM
28
by Ed Yong
1,262 members
43 reviews
½ 4.4
Score 17.77
Added 2023-12-08, 04:27 PM
- 5 Members
- lorax, sipthereader, wdwilson3, lizzy50usa, arsmith1994
29
1,277 members
32 reviews
½ 4.3
Score 17.08
Added 2023-12-08, 09:57 AM
- 5 Members
- lorax, susanna.fraser, corcra, hikarugenji, ManWithAnAgenda
30
- 5 Members
- timspalding, charl08, WendyRobyn, quondame, ijamiedee
31
- 5 Members
- Deedledee, craso, cabyrum, ChrissyQuise, hollythepenguin
32
5,491 members
269 reviews
3.9
Score 15.27
Added 2023-12-08, 04:04 PM
- 5 Members
- wdwilson3, HelenGress, Carrieida, nojod, revtizzy
33
- 5 Members
- Chatterbox, charl08, bookcookie1920, lscan2, YPlfl
34
35
1,562 members
34 reviews
½ 4.4
Score 14.4
Added 2023-12-08, 08:12 PM
- 4 Members
- Constant2m, sailorfigment, mattries37315, Librarian_Liz1
36
by K.C. Davis
669 members
14 reviews
½ 4.3
Score 13.44
Added 2023-12-14, 12:26 AM
- 4 Members
- LibrErica, schmootc, bcbcmarianna, bookmelon
37
- 4 Members
- lorax, hipdeep, norabelle414, DeborahJ2016
38
- 4 Members
- pdebolt, Stewdar, vancouverdeb, exfed
39
843 members
31 reviews
3.9
Score 12.71
Added 2023-12-08, 05:18 PM
- 4 Members
- Storeetllr, Whisper1, Tosta, KeithChaffee
40
- 4 Members
- seabelis, ReluctantTechie, YPlfl, rfl22338
- Explanations
- ReluctantTechie: A vivid, detailed true story from a child's point of view of a illegal immigrant's journey to the USA, without any politics mentioned. Powerful.
41
- 4 Members
- TheoClarke, CarltonC, Boand, Tosta
- Explanations
42
10,828 members
253 reviews
4
Score 12
Added 2023-12-12, 07:06 PM
- 3 Members
- bcbcmarianna, LovingLit, rhbouchard
43
- 3 Members
- jeanned, sturlington, RachelGMB
44
- 4 Members
- CarltonC, PaulCranswick, traceylkb, Boand
- Explanations
- Boand: A many layered Irish novel which gradually peels back the years to reveal several shocking underlying truths. Very sad and beautifully written story of the Irish Republic’s history through the protagonist’s eyes.
45
4,201 members
120 reviews
½ 4.5
Score 11.58
Added 2023-12-13, 06:12 PM
- 4 Members
- laytonwoman3rd, wdwilson3, gypsysmom, josie2479
46
- 3 Members
- FAMeulstee, Stewdar, Bubu1969
47
11,822 members
783 reviews
4.1
Score 11.36
Added 2023-12-08, 09:50 AM
48
by Clint Smith
1,242 members
40 reviews
½ 4.6
Score 11.36
Added 2023-12-08, 06:09 PM
49
- 3 Members
- raidergirl3, RidgewayGirl, nankuo
50
6,653 members
119 reviews
½ 3.7
Score 11.04
Added 2023-12-12, 07:07 PM
51
by bell hooks
2,404 members
43 reviews
3.8
Score 10.83
Added 2023-12-08, 09:50 AM
- 3 Members
- claire.rivers, mice_elf, arwa-fm
52
- 3 Members
- Minthe, FAMeulstee, vwinsloe
53
by Marge Piercy
2,587 members
52 reviews
3.9
Score 10.4
Added 2023-12-13, 01:04 PM
- 3 Members
- elahrairah, zzora, alai3
- Explanations
- elahrairah: Fantastic and heartbreaking story; a novel the same age as me that forsaw where capitalism was taking us at a time when most people couldn't even predict Reagan or Thatcher. A novel that showed us very clearly that our parents had a choice between utopia and dystopia, and they chose dystopia.
54
1,540 members
24 reviews
4.1
Score 10.19
Added 2023-12-08, 04:37 PM
- 3 Members
- kleo, timetunnel, Bubu1969
55
by Anna Funder
225 members
5 reviews
4
Score 10.09
Added 2023-12-18, 11:43 PM
- 3 Members
- digitalmaven, rhbouchard, ChrissyQuise
56
57
2,034 members
48 reviews
4.2
Score 9.87
Added 2023-12-10, 07:17 AM
- 3 Members
- lorax, FAMeulstee, birder4106
- Explanations
- birder4106: A book that has influenced my view of nature and the world almost as lastingly as [The Origin of Species] by [Charles Darwin] and [The Origin of Continents and Oceans] [Alfred Wegener].
58
3,249 members
164 reviews
4
Score 9.71
Added 2023-12-19, 08:21 PM
- 3 Members
- Deedledee, okeres, airedalerd
59
60
- 3 Members
- Stewdar, mattries37315, Bubu1969
61
62
63
- 3 Members
- zottel, msjudy, MaureenONeill
64
- 3 Members
- uru, blackhornet, RachelGMB
65
2,287 members
130 reviews
4.2
Score 9.02
Added 2023-12-18, 02:48 PM
- 3 Members
- casvelyn, mzonderm, hiboutimide
66
2,865 members
58 reviews
4.2
Score 8.54
Added 2023-12-18, 07:04 AM
- 3 Members
- Minthe, nx74defiant, alai3
- Explanations
- nx74defiant: Favorite Trollope so far. The focus on greed is still relevant. I really enjoyed Paul Montague growth from a push over to standing up for himself and what he believed was right.
67
68
- 2 Members
- realSandy, BonnieJune54
70
71
- 2 Members
- revbean, bigcurlyloz
73
- 2 Members
- RidgewayGirl, boo-radley
75
- 2 Members
- sturlington, BLBera
78
- 2 Members
- kellyslist, boo-radley
79
- 2 Members
- jnsp13, phantasmbunny
80
1,443 members
62 reviews
4.1
Score 6.83
Added 2023-12-14, 02:24 PM
- 2 Members
- LadyUndomiel, Librarian_Liz1
82
83
- 2 Members
- pitjrw, BookLizard
84
64,832 members
3,494 reviews
½ 4.3
Score 6.68
Added 2023-12-19, 11:25 AM
86
- 2 Members
- acceptance, alai3
87
- 2 Members
- Ciruelo, BookLizard
88
90
by Sid Meier
186 members
4 reviews
3.9
Score 6.68
Added 2023-12-08, 09:54 AM
- 2 Members
- timspalding, Lauren-at-LT
91
- 2 Members
- N1na, PaulCranswick
92
136 members
11 reviews
4.2
Score 6.68
Added 2023-12-08, 03:45 PM
93
- 2 Members
- kleo, aethercowboy
96
1,016 members
29 reviews
3.8
Score 6.4
Added 2023-12-08, 09:33 PM
97
98
99
100