I'm a voracious reader, and these are the 15 best books of 2023 to gift to friends and family

The latest romance (and latest New York Times bestseller) from Emily Henry delivers some serious second-chance romance/fake dating trope goodness for a breezy-fun read. In this sweet love story, an ex-couple must pretend to still be together for an annual weeklong vacation with friends ... and, of course, romantic hijinks ensue.

This instant New York Times bestseller from Final Girls author Riley Sager has an incredible hook: a home health aide is assigned to work for a woman accused of a Lizzie Borden-esque massacre decades earlier. Is the woman really a monster, or was she wrongfully accused? 

Anyone with an interest in true crime has surely been glued to the horrifying, tragic story of the murder of four college students in Idaho late last year. The author — who works also as a private investigator! — searches for answers about the bizarre spree, offering an intimate look into the minds and motives of the victims and their suspected killer.

From the author of Killers of the Flower Moon (another book we'd recommend grabbing for history lovers, especially with the recent Scorcese film) is this page-turner about a real-life shipwreck and its complicated, convoluted aftermath. 

I follow the charming B. Dylan Hollis on TikTok, and it's always been a riot watching him whip up some of the most bizarre recipes from the 20th century — so, so much gelatin and mayonnaise! Hollis is a great pilot through these remnants of our past, and this cookbook-cum-time-travel-guide offers equal parts lost recipes that sound delicious and smart commentary on the stranger food trends of yesteryear.

This bestseller from In the Likely Event author Rebecca Yarros ensconces readers in the world of an elite war college for dragon riders, mixing suspense and sexiness with fantasy and adventure for a thoroughly engrossing story. There has been a bit of controversy over the title in recent weeks, but for fantasy lovers who want to keep up with the latest and greatest, this is an essential.

Listen, I'm still reeling from some of the revelations in this viral memoir by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. Anyone in your life who's obsessed with the drama surrounding the British royals needs to give this tell-all a close read straight away.

Speaking of dishy memoirs — Britney Spears' autobiography went viral as soon as it was published, and for good reason. It tells her never-before-really-known perspective on her conservatorship, her relationship with Justin Timberlake, her struggles with fame, the #FreeBritney movement and so much more.

This is the big name in TikTok's #BookTok community. The first in a series, A Court of Thorns and Roses combines action and romance into a breathtaking adventure.

Literary fiction is a good bet for the reader who likes to sample a little bit of everything and/or keep up with the biggest titles out there — and this novel was awarded Amazon Editors' Best Book of 2023. Readers love this story of murder, mystery, secrets and midcentury Jewish and African-American life in small-town Pennsylvania.

A backlog of sure-bet appetizer recipes is so essential for any entertainer's arsenal. This cookbook from the author of the equally-giftable Beautiful Boards curates finger food recipes for just about any occasion, including parties, brunch, everyday and the holidays.

Amazon's No. 1 Best Kids' Book of 2023, The Lost Library is the sweet story of a curious little free library, an 11-year-old reader, a cat named Mortimer and a mystery from long ago. It's perfect for readers from 8-12 years old.

I'm a longtime reader of Rachel Smythe's comic/continuous graphic novel Lore Olympus over on the Webtoon app, so I will always take an opportunity to spread the good word about this gorgeous, modernized rendering of the Hades and Persephone story from Greek mythology. This is not a kids' comic, though — adult readers only. 

Rick Rubin is one of the greatest music producers of all time, involved in the creation of such diverse classic albums as the Beastie Boys' License to Ill, Johnny Cash's American series, Adele's 21 and so many more. In Rubin's own words, with The Creative Act "I set out to write a book about what to do to make a great work of art. Instead, it revealed itself to be a book on how to be."

Both a bucket list and a gorgeous coffee table-worthy book, this travelogue from Nat Geo is a photographic tour of the world's most spectacular destinations, including facts and images to inspire the wandering heart. It's a No. 1 bestseller on Amazon.