Best of 2023: Debut Novels

My favorite new authors and stories

Welcome to 'Best Of' week! I've spent the last few weeks reflecting on my reading year and distilled my favorite reading experiences into a few categories. Each day this week, I'll share a list from one category. Culminating with my Top 10 on Friday.

I love the end-of-year reflection that comes at this time of year. Especially around books. It's lovely to reflect on all the great books from the last twelve months. To remember which ones you loved, which didn't quite hit, and which were unexpected delights.

First up is my favorite debut novels! One of my reading goals in 2022 was to read more debuts. I loved it so much that I carried that go

al into 2023. My favorite way to keep up with debuts is through the Debutiful podcast and blog. Through them, I've discovered so many new authors and great stories. Of all the books I read in 2023, 29 were debut novels.

Here are my six favorites, in no particular order. Wild family dynamics, fresh campus novels, and tender coming-of-age stories are themes that stood out to me from my favorites. And, of course, excellent writing.

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