The best books of 2023

The best books of 2023

How many more books will you read before you die? A few years ago I recommended a so-so book I had just reviewed for The Economist to a friend. He replied that he was likely to read only about 400 more books (since he averaged ten a year and was in his early 40s). He did not want to waste his time on a mediocre one. The mean American reads 14 books each year (and the median American just five), so it’s important to choose wisely. Life is too short for bad books.

As you prepare your gift list or dream of what you will read by the fire over the holidays (in addition to catching up on The Economist, of course), please scan through our list of the year’s best books. Some of our choices will inspire you to think differently about familiar subjects, from Martin Luther King to George Orwell. Others will wow you with the depth of their reporting and research on subjects including China, Ghana and 007’s globe-trotting creator, Ian Fleming. A few of our selections, including “Ultra-Processed People” and “Outlive”, focus on longevity, exercise and healthy eating. This year publishers have given readers plenty of books to devour. Dig in.

Alexandra Suich Bass, Culture editor

Editor’s picks

The best books of 2023, as chosen by The Economist

This year’s picks transport readers to mountain peaks, out to sea and back in time

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Books by The Economist’s journalists in 2023

From our desk to your library

Martin Luther King was among the greatest Americans—and the most misunderstood

Jonathan Eig’s magnificent new biography wrestles with him in all his complexity

Interest in George Orwell and his dystopian fiction is high

But while warning of one kind of “doublethink”, was he blind to another?

Eight of the best spy novels

Former spooks make especially strong authors

Six books you didn’t know were propaganda

Governments influence a surprising amount of literature. Some of it pretty good

How to write a bestseller

No one knows. But a good guess is quickly. And don’t stint on the full stops

The Nobel prize in literature is prestigious, lucrative and bonkers

Lifting the veil on how literature’s most coveted award is judged reveals its arbitrariness

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Diana Garcia Ortiz

Assistant Highways Engineer at WSP | ICE ECN BEng (Hons) | GMICE

1 年

Jhonny Alejandro Moscoso Ortiz any other you would add to the 2023 list?

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Dr. Justus Aluka

Individual and family services

1 年

appreciate it very much for sharing

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Gusun Al???? ???

Educator, Curriculum Designer, Editor & Translator | ATA Associate Member

1 年

I don’t want to think ?? about this, because it get me sad ?? many books ?? still waiting for me and I am still behind of my reading list ??

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Maggie Wong

Demand Generation Marketeer at BOLDLY - Get A Coach

1 年

That's impressive. Thank you.

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Alexander Walle

The Greensboro Police Department, Kotis Properties, Alston Realty Group and City of Greensboro Officials Go On Campaigns Against Tenants And Have For Years

1 年

Eig's "Ali: A Life" is a bit better; I flew through it (like me, you might not like Ali as much as you did before).

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