This was a fairly strong year for both fiction and nonfiction. Most years it tilts to one or the other. I will break my ranking into two levels this year: the Top Tier, “Best of” for both Fiction and Nonfiction, then the Second Tier, close to the best, but in my humble estimation, just slightly below. Please feel free to log your difference of opinion, or agreement, in the comments. I greatly appreciate your comments, and always reply. Did I omit one of your favs? Let me know!

The titles I judge to be Second Tier include:

Second Tier, Fiction:

Hello Beautiful, by Ann Napolitano (https://www.margueritereads.com/home/hello-beautiful-by-ann-napolitano)
Homecoming, by Kate Morton (https://www.margueritereads.com/home/homecoming-by-kate-morton)
Birnam Wood, by Eleanor Catton (https://www.margueritereads.com/home/birnam-wood-by-eleanor-catton)

Second Tier, Nonfiction:

Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon, by Michael Lewis (https://www.margueritereads.com/home/going-infinite-the-rise-and-fall-of-a-new-tycoon-by-michael-lewis)
An Immense World, by Ed Yong (https://www.margueritereads.com/home/an-immense-world-by-ed-yong)

The books I deemed the Best of 2023, those that moved me, provoked thought, and were the best crafted, IMHO, include:

Best of 2023, Fiction:

Tom Lake, by Ann Patchett (https://www.margueritereads.com/home/tom-lake-by-ann-patchett)
Thursday Murder Club (series, 4 books), by Richard Osman (https://www.margueritereads.com/home/the-thursday-murder-club-mysteries-by-richard-osman)
Yellowface, by R.F. Kuang (https://www.margueritereads.com/home/yellowface-by-r-f-kuang)

Best of 2023, Nonfiction:

The End of the World Is Just the Beginning: Mapping the Collapse of Globalization, by Peter Zeihan (https://www.margueritereads.com/home/the-end-of-the-world-is-just-the-beginning-mapping-the-collapse-of-globalization-by-peter-zeihan)
Elon Musk, by Walter Isaacson (https://www.margueritereads.com/home/elon-musk-by-walter-isaacson)

One more important nonfiction book I want to bring to your attention as worth your time is Infiltration: The Plot to Destroy the Church From Within, by Dr. Taylor Marshall (https://www.margueritereads.com/home/infiltration-the-plot-to-destroy-the-church-from-within-by-dr-taylor-marshall). You may not be Catholic, or have any interest in the Church. However, this book explains so well for Catholics and non-Catholics alike, the craziness we see with Pope Francis at this time. Marshall has a good understanding of Church history and current Church affairs, so he places the positions the Vatican is taking today in light of greater historical doctrinal and heretical movements. Catholics are greatly distressed at this time, wanting to be faithful to Holy Mother Church, but seeing the current pontiff undercut doctrine and throw out those holy bishops and cardinals seeking to preserve 2,000 years of teaching and tradition. This is an important book for understanding the challenges we face.

Here are a few necessary comments about my choices, that may create differences of opinion:

Tom Lake and Hello Beautiful are very similar books, and I recommend you read them both. I felt Ann Patchett created a book of greater depth, with more economy, lyrical prose and imagery.
Yellowface was such a great commentary on the issue of cultural appropriation, making it a real standout. Lapses in plot believability or tightness can be forgiven, when important issues are handled so artfully. I know not everyone liked this book, but the level of snark was right up my street.
Both Going Infinite and Elon Musk are important to read, since digital currency is here to stay, with the Sam Bankman-Fried case a mere speedbump. Isaacson is a master of biography, and understanding Elon Musk will continue to prove very important going forward, as much for the his accomplishments and the controversies he highlights.

Finally, I urge you to read The End of the World Is Just the Beginning. Even if Zeihan is off in his predictions, he musters evidence for a strong case for particular trends and their eventual consequences. We are already seeing the drama play out with respect to control of the sea lanes and the economic consequences if the US Navy pulls back from maintaining that order, as we will have to do with fewer ships and far fewer sailors to man them. All US military services have missed their recruiting goals by a mile in 2023, continuing a trend. Understanding statistical trends will help you to make sense of what is happening in the world. I would also like to recommend a video series for understanding philosophical and social trends, End of the World, with Jonathan Pageau, found at DailyWire.com.

Finally, look forward to my review of The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel, by Douglas Brunt. I could not include it here, since I have the last fifty pages yet to complete! I can tell you already, it must be one of my Best of for next year— it is terrific!

Happy reading, and Happy 2024!