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Bookworms and casual readers alike have a lot to look forward to in 2023, particularly if you’re into female-led novels or high-profile nonfiction works. The upcoming year’s new release calendar is stacked to the brim with great reads, although there are a few that stand out above the rest.
From Prince Harry’s debut memoir, which has the press and British royal family on the edge of their seats, to Curtis Sittenfeld’s new entertainment industry-set novel, there’s something on the way for every preference. And these are just the tip of the literary iceberg.
Whether you’re looking for a thriller, a true story, or a cozy romance, here are eight of the most anticipated books of 2023.
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Prince Harry hasn’t held much back in his recent Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan, but the royal will apparently have even more to say in his memoir, out Jan. 10.
Not much is known about the book beyond press speculation, although we’d expect some bombshells to drop (some outlets have called it “unflinching”). For good reason, it’s one of the most anticipated nonfiction works of 2023.
Thriller fans should add Yellowface to their holiday wishlist. The novel, by the author of best-seller Babel, follows Juniper, who steals a dead woman’s manuscript and publishes it as her own. When her newfound success is threatened, Juniper will go to any length to keep it. Look for it in stores and online May 25.
Women’s sports have often come in second to men’s, which is the core of Lauren Fleshman’s new nonfiction work. The book is both a personal story of Fleshman’s experience as an elite runner and overall look at how sports has failed young female athletes.
The book, out Jan. 10, is perfect for anyone who needs a little extra inspiration to get to the gym in the new year.
This mystery, from the author of The Clockmaker’s Daughter, crosses generations, telling the story of a cold case discovered in Australia. The book centers on Jess, a journalist, and her grandmother Nora, who has a secretive past connected to a tragic crime. Recommend for those who like a page-turner with a focus on family rather than romance.
This star-studded love story brings a sketch comedy writer into the orbit of dreamy pop star Noah Brewster. Imagine Saturday Night Live with a dash of rom-com energy. Romantic Comedy is a follow-up to Sittenfeld’s 2021 novel Rodham, a fictionalized take on Hilary Rodham Clinton, and we expect this to be equally compelling. Look for the novel in stores and online April 4.
What can’t Tom Hanks do? The actor previously published a collection of short stories, but this novel is much grander in scope. Set in Hollywood, it spans 80 years and looks at the effort it takes to make a film. The novel, out May 9, is both imaginative and based on Hanks’ own experience in the industry.
Rebecca Makkai’s last novel, The Great Believers, was the sort of book that sticks with you. Her follow-up, about a professor who is forced to face her tragic past, looks to be similarly gripping. Out Feb. 21, the novel is equal parts a literary drama about collective memory and page-turning mystery.
Fans of novels like Circe should pre-order Phaedra, a retelling of the Greek story of the daughter of King Minos of Crete and Pasiphae. The book, out Jan. 10, is dramatized version of Phaedra’s quest for justice after being married off to Theseus. She’s a lesser-known figure in Greek mythology, but one worthy of her own tale.
