They’re simply the best. Better than all the rest. Better than anything. Anything we’ve ever read (or watched). Here’s our staff’s picks for the best books, TV, and movies of 2023!
Adult Fiction & Nonfiction
Sarah:
On Our Best Behavior: The Seven Deadly Sins and the Price Women Pay to Be Good by Elise Loehnen
I Do Everything I’m Told by Megan Fernandes
You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith
Wanting: Women Writing About Desire edited by Margot Kahn and Kelly McMasters
Don’t Fear the Reaper by Stephen Graham Jones
Lauren:
The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
Michael:
In the Lives of Puppets by T.J. Klune
Kathleen K.:
Beautiful Bread by Theresa Culletto
The Chocolate Chip Cookie Book by Katie Jacobs
Danni’s Juke Joint Comfort Food Cookbook by Danni Rose
The Cookie That Changed My Life by Nancy Silverton
Let’s Eat! by Dan Pelosi
Jacques Pépin Cooking My Way
100 Morning Treats by Sarah Kieffer
Bake Smart by Samantha Seneviratne
Heather:
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
Sherri:
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Holly:
Just the Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica
Alice:
Hang the Moon by Jeanette Walls
Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison
Drowning: The Rescue of Flight 1421 by T.J. Newman
What You are Looking for is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama
In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune
The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer
Katy:
To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose
Cathy
The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry
If We’re Being Honest by Cat Shook
The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose
YA
Colleen:
The Black Queen by Jumata Emill
The Wicked Bargain by Gabe Cole Novoa
The Memory Eater by Rebecca Mahoney
Dear Medusa by Olivia A. Cole
Katy:
Unraveller by Frances Hardinge
Youth Fiction and Nonfiction
Middle Grade –
Jessica:
Bea Wolf by Zach Weinersmith
Calling the Moon edited by Aida Salazar
Dear Mothman by Robin Gow
A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat
How to Stay Invisible by Maggie Rudd
Katy:
The House of the Lost on the Cape by Sachiko Kashiwaba
Picture Books –
Sarah:
100 Mighty Dragons All Named Broccoli by David Larochelle and Lian Cho
The Umbrella by Beth Ferry and Tom Lichtenheld
Oona in the Arctic by Kelly Dipucchio
I Am A Dragon!: A Squabble & A Quibble by Sabina Hahn
Cathy:
Remember by Joy Harjo
Movies & TV
Sarah:
Barbie (TV, Max)
Dragula (TV, Shudder)
Colleen:
Succession (TV, Max)
The Other Two (TV, Max)
The Afterparty (Movie, Apple TV+)
Heartstopper (TV, Netflix)
Michael:
Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3 (Movie)
Dana:
Fall of the House of Usher (TV, Netflix)
Cathy:
A Man Called Otto (Movie)
Air (Movie)
Only Murders in the Building (TV, Hulu)
The Bear (TV, Hulu)
Quarterback (TV, Netflix)
Jeff:
Fall of the House of Usher (TV, Netflix)
Heather:
Lessons in Chemistry (Apple TV)