In the book world, best seller lists depend on a multitude of factors. Most specifically, it matters where you look and what sources you pay attention to.
Things like the New York Times bestsellers use sale figures among other criteria. Amazon bestsellers focus on number of sales only. Popular book recommendation site Goodreads has its own lists based on readers and rating numbers. Other platforms and publications have their own lists as well.
Although discrepancies exist, it is still possible to get a good picture of top-selling, quality fiction, nonfiction, and other category books published in 2023, and bestselling authors.
Bestselling Fiction Books of 2023
These books released last year focus on diverse and meaningful stories. Literary fiction, satire, history, and adventure blended together to deliver exceptional reading experiences. Eternally popular genres including romance and adventure were also popular.
The New York Times Best Books List
In the realm of exceptional books, popularity lags behind artistic merit for the decision makers at the NY Times Book Review. The winners in 2023 include:
1. The Bee Sting by Paul Murray – A family drama focused on Irish clan life, financial challenges, blackmail, secrets, and more.
2. Chain Gang All Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah – A sick-world satire that tells the story of two death-row inmates in love and the gladiatorial TV show that challenges their lives.
3. Eastbound by Maylis De Kerangal – Originally published in 2012, the translation by Jessica Moore was released in 2023. This is a stark tale of a trans-Siberian train ride with a Russian conscript.
4. The Fraud by Zadie Smith – This historical drama focused on a noble impersonator’s trial in the 19th century, which is followed by a diverse cast of unique characters.
5. North Woods by Daniel Mason – The book covers 300+ years in Massachusetts’ history told in a unique blend of notes, letters, songs, illustrations, and more. It’s a conglomeration that leaves a distinct feeling and understanding behind.
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Top Selling Books Published in 2023
When focused on sales numbers alone, the list looks quite different that those chosen for artistic excellence or historical and social merit.
1. Holly by Stephen King – All releases by this famous author hit the bestseller list. This book revisits a popular character from past stories with a new tale of mystery and darkness.
2. The Exchange by John Grisham – Another return from a famous author, this book is the sequel to The Firm and follows up on characters fifteen years later.
3. The Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros – A fantasy story of dragon riders and war, this book was also a NY Times bestseller and optioned by Amazon Studios as a future TV adaptation. Iron Flame in the same series also hit the 2023 releases bestseller list.
4. The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese – This family epic in Kerala is fraught with drownings, drama, faith, and love. It was an Oprah’s Book Club pick.
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Romance is always the top-selling fiction genre and continues to include multiple books on the list for 2023. These not only sold the most copies, but also earned recognition from the New Yokr Times and other prominent publications and groups.
5. Things We Hide from the Light by Lucy Score – Romance, crimes, and southern charm combine in this book from NYT and USA Today bestselling author.
6. Happy Place by Emily Henry – A perfect couple, second chance romance, and amazing friend group at the beach make this a fun and romantic read.
7. Icebreaker by Hannah Grace – This cute romance book about an ice hockey player and a figure skater sold over 1 million copies in 2023.
8. Colleen Hoover’s name comes up again and again on the 2023 top book lists. This prolific writer placed among the highest sales figures with Heart Bones, Never Never, and Too Late.
9. Children’s books also made the list with Dog Man: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea from Dav Pilkey, number 18 in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series: No Brainer, and the Little Golden Book Taylor Swift story. The Chalice of the Gods from the popular Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan also made a splash in the market last year.
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Bestselling Nonfiction Books of 2023
Top-quality nonfiction books released last year focus on unique stories of individuals and groups who either perpetrated dramatic things or lived through them. They touch on themes both essential to the understanding of history and today’s complex world.
The New York Times Best Books List
1. The Best Minds by Jonathan Rosen – Follow the story or Michael Laudor, schizophrenic mental health advocate and murderer, that delves deep into the connection between insanity and brilliance.
2. Bottoms Up and the Devil Laughs by Kerry Howley – This book involves the conviction of a National Security Agency contractor, espionage, and details about surveillance, conspiracy, and security in the modern world.
3. Fire Weather by John Vaillant – The multi-faceted story of the 2016 wildfires in Alberta, CA follows a variety of people affected and the life of the fire itself.
4. Master Slave: Husband Wife by Ilyon Woo – The historical book brings to light the escape from slavery of Ellen and William Craft and their following years as outspoken abolitionists.
5. Some People Need Killing by Patricia Evangelista – This book covers the years of extrajudicial killings under Philippine’s president Rodrigo Duterte and related historical and social concerns.
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Top Selling Books Published in 2023
Nonfiction had an impressive year in the ranks of the top-selling books. While fiction always outshines fact-based tomes in popular competitions, there were some marked showings. In fact, the first book on this list held the top spot overall.
1. Spare by Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex – This autobiography follows the life of the second UK prince, his experience with losing his mother, Princess Diana, and growing up, meeting Meghan, and leaving the royal family.
2. The Woman in Me by Britney Spears – Her memoir dives into her life and especially her recent challenges. This hopeful book focuses on self-empowerment, love, and music.
3. The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin – This book focuses on giving artists and creators a well-illuminated path toward personal success. It celebrates and supports creativity.
4. The Wager by David Grann – Get a new perspective on this dramatic tale of a shipwreck, mutiny, and court cases in the 1740s
5. Outlive: The Science & Art of Longevity by Dr. Peter Attia – A supportive and scientific book describes a strategic approach to living better for longer. It combines practical and inspirational physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
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Summary: Top Selling Books of 2023
While the above-listed books are undoubtedly successful and have sold a multitude of copies, they are not necessarily the most popular overall from a numbers or sales data perspective. Publishers’ Weekly tracks book sales from those publishing in previous years as well.
Novelist Colleen Hoover placed four times with two books, It Starts With Us and It Ends With Us taking the top two sales spots. It Ends With Us book review highlights often praise its emotional depth and impactful storytelling. Prince Harry’s book Spare, published on January 10th, was the third bestseller on this list with over 1.2 million sold.
While these books were published in 2023, others on the top seller list are quite old. For example, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, which was published first in 1969 claimed a spot alongside famous self-help book Atomic Habits, released in 2018.
By any specific criteria, all the books mentioned in this article are bestsellers in their own right. Whether you prefer to focus on the New York Times expert lists, check online retailers like Amazon for popular sellers, or focus on sales numbers alone, you will find something interesting and new to read.
