The Best Books from 2023
Let us dare to think, read, speak, and write. (John Adams)
For the last number of years, I’ve kept up the habit of sharing my favorite books from the year – and 2023 is no exception. I’ve still got a number of great books on the list, even if this year I’m changing from my previous habit of listing as many books as there are years in the millennium (like ‘22 Books from 2022‘). (And, let’s be honest – that habit could only last for so long!)
One rather notable absence in this year’s list is the theological section. Many of my favorite books this year were historical, and only three on this list are specifically Christian. This is because, while I read far more than this list contains, I only put the very best and most valuable books on this list.
If you need even more recommendations, look at my previous lists (22 Books from 2022, 21 Books from 2021, 20 Books from 2020, 19 Books from 2019, 18 Books from 2018) or, browse through the online Athenaeum for a wealth of other ideas.
As always, a recommendation of any book on this website is not a complete endorsement. I try to alert readers to objectionable content, but always recommend discernment. ‘Reader Discretion’ means that there is content that some readers may dislike or find objectionable. However, this is just a general guideline, so don’t rely too heavily on it.
Click the picture of the book to visit its page on Amazon. I use the following grading system:
5 Stars: A book that is profound, paradigm-shaping, or exceptional in some way. Very few books ever receive five stars from me.
4.5 Stars: An excellent book that I would like to give five stars to – but I can’t quite describe it as ‘brilliant,’ ‘profound,’ or ‘life-changing.’ Still, I would highly recommend it to anyone!
4 Stars: A great book, worth reading, and significantly better than the average book.
3 Stars: An average book. If you are interested in the subject, you will find it useful.
2 Stars: Below average. It may have some good points, but probably not worth your time. Some people may find these books worth skimming.
1 Star: I find no reason to read this book, or even skim it. In fact, it isn’t even worth finishing.
(1) Tools of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World-Class Performers (Tim Ferriss) 5 Stars
This book is a collection of interviews with some of the most influential people in the world today. Ferriss asks several key questions of each individual, then records their answers on such various topics as their most useful purchase, their routines, and how they think about difficulty. The result is something like a gold mine – not everything that you will read is gold (in fact, most is not) but the nuggets that you come across are more than worth the time you invest.
(2) Tribe of Mentors: Short Life Advice from the Best in the World (Tim Ferriss) 5 Stars
Tribe of Mentors is ‘part two’ of ‘Tools of Titans’ (see above). Like that book, not everything will be useful, but the nuggets of wisdom scattered throughout it are priceless.
(3) Superforecasting: The Art and Science of Prediction (Tetlock and Gardner) 5 Stars
You may not think of yourself as a ‘forecaster,’ but you probably make plenty of decisions based on how you assume things will turn out. So what sets apart ‘forecasters’ from ‘superforecasters’? This book points out the traits of the most brilliant ‘superforecasters,’ who bring an incredibly high degree of accuracy to their long-range predictions. Not only will it teach you to forecast better, it will also teach you how to approach thinking with a disciplined mind and process.
(4) Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on It (Chris Voss) 5 Stars
I’ve read this book before, and revisited it this year because it is so helpful. It consists of down-and-dirty tips and tactics for negotiating in the real world. Chris Ross, a former FBI Hostage negotiators, shows you how to negotiate in any situation – even when you don’t have any apparent leverage. The beauty of this book is that it doesn’t focus on philosophy but on tactics that work in the real world, even with terrorists and kidnappers.
(5) 3-2-1 Thursday Newsletters (James Clear) 5 Stars
I first became acquainted with the Thursday Newsletters when I read Clear’s book, “Atomic Habits” (see #12). I decided to read all of his previous newsletters. Just like ‘Tools of Titans’ and ‘Tribe of Mentors’ (#1 and #2 above), reading these newsletters is like mining for gold: there is plenty that is unremarkable, but every once in a while, you come across a thought that is downright profound and life-altering.
(6) Hymns of the Republic: The Story of the Final Year of the American Civil War (S C Gwynne) (4.5 Stars)
Everything S. C. Gwynne writes is worthwhile. This far-ranging overview of the final year of the Civil War is gripping, filled with drama and disappointment. While the first years of the war have often been romanticized, the final year was anything but romantic: a massive body count, trench warfare, and vicious bigotry on both sides. Yet the stories of those who fought is both interesting and instructive.
(7) River of the Gods: Genius, Courage, and Betrayal in the Search for the Source of the Nile (Candice Millard) 4.5 Stars
This is the enthralling tale of the search for the source of the Nile, a mission fraught with danger. For decades, Europeans searched in vain for this mysterious source. It’s a story of hardship, adventure, and larger-than-life personalities. I was completely captivated.
(8) The Aviators: Eddie Rickenbacker, Jimmy Doolittle, Charles Lindbergh, and the Epic Age of Life (Winston Groom) 4.5 Stars
The three men in this book each contributed to the story of aviation, but their lives contained many more fascinating incidents. I knew little about these men prior to reading the book, and I was surprised to find how much they did in their lives, as well as how many thrilling adventures they experienced. It’s a book that kept me on the edge of my seat.
(9) Labyrinth of Ice: The Triumphant and Tragic Greely Polar Expedition (Buddy Levy) 4.5 Stars
I’ve been fascinated with vast, empty places for as long as I can remember. Stories of arctic exploration are always a favorite, because they combine these places with stories of heroism. The Greely expedition was well planned and well provisioned. They had backup plans. And, like all arctic expeditions, anything that could go wrong, did. It’s a tragic story, but illuminated by the heroism of those who persevered through suffering.
(10) Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, a Daring Escape, and the Making of Winston Churchill (Candice Millard) 4.5 Stars
A long-forgotten conflict, the Boer War pitted a few small republics in southern Africa against the might of British Imperialism. Winston Churchill, only a young soldier, soon found himself a prisoner, and his daring escape is a thrilling story. This book does a great job of bringing this overlooked conflict to life, and showing the pulse-pounding danger of Churchill’s escape.
(11) Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae (Steven Pressfield) 4.5 Stars
The Battle of Thermopylae is one of the defining conflicts of Western Civilization, as three hundred Spartan warriors sacrificed themselves to hold off tens of thousands of Persians intent on enslaving Greece. This work of historical fiction brings the conflict to life in an intense and gripping way. Significant reader discretion advised due to thematic content, language, and extreme violence.
(12) Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones (James Clear) 4.5 Stars
This is a book on habits that is enjoyable to read and remarkably practical. Clear shows us the value of habits, as well as common ways that we fail in our pursuit of building a habitual life. It’s filled with thought-provoking ideas, and it’s a worthwhile read for anyone – regardless of how disciplined you already are.
(13) The Screwtape Letters (CS Lewis) 4.5 Stars
Written as a collection of letters providing advice from a senior demon to his junior partner, this book highlights the numerous temptations and methods that our enemy uses to keep us from pursuing the Lord. It provides a unique view on life, and it’s an interesting exploration of 2 Corinthians 2:11 – “so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.” I found myself challenged and reconsidering life in light of this book’s insights.
(14) The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey (Candice Millard) 4 Stars
After a term as President of the United States, and failing to win a second term, Roosevelt decided to go on a sightseeing tour of South America. This plan eventually morphed into a dangerous voyage to explore an unknown river in the Amazon basin. Roosevelt faces it all: tropical disease, hostile natives, and a river that defies exploration.
(15) The 4-Hour Chef: The Simple Path to Cooking Like a Pro, Learning Anything, and Living the Good Life (Tim Ferriss) 4 Stars
The beauty of this book – and what drew me to it – was not that it teaches you how to be a chef. Instead, Ferriss explains the way in which he becomes an expert in new skills. The first part of the book is dedicated to teaching how to learn, and the remainder of the book uses this approach to teach how to be a chef. Whatever skill you want to develop, this is a great way to learn the process of learning.
(16) The Witch Trials of J. K. Rowling (4 Stars)
I’m beginning to include non-book forms of media in my reading list; for example, some podcast series present information that in the past would be in book form. This podcast series is a fascinating look into the way that sexual identity politics is destroying itself. JK Rowling is now in trouble with the left due to her stance on transgenderism. This podcast explores that tension, starting with the opposition to her Harry Potter series from conservatives, and how she is now viewed as a ‘conservative’ by many in the radical left (though she is not – she is a liberal with a consistent feminist worldview). Listener discretion advised due to language and thematic content.
(17) When People are Big and God is Small: Overcoming Peer Pressure, Codependency, and the Fear of Man (Edward Welch) 4 Stars
I first read this book years ago and didn’t notice it’s significance. Now, I reference it often because of how important the subject is. Most everyone deals with some form of the fear of man (though the names that we give to it vary), and we need biblical truth to correct ourselves – which this book is filled with.
(18) Charisma on Command: Inspire, Impress, and Energize Everyone You Meet (Charlie Houpert) 4 Stars
This book (now out of print) does a great job of discussing the basic aspects of ‘charisma.’ It’s a good reminder of how we can create better connections with others and develop friendships more effectively.
(19) Pursue the Intentional Life (Jean Fleming) 4 Stars
Written by an older saint as she contemplates what she wants her older life to look like, I was greatly encouraged by the perspective in this book. It’s a reminder that life is short, but a life lived for Christ will have lasting value. Taking the time to contemplate death, dementia, or the loss of a spouse, I was reminded to take full advantage of every day, and live it in light of eternity.
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