The New York Public Library has released their list of Best Books of 2023, and from that we pulled a few that might serve you while coming up with ideas for your holiday shopping. There’s something here for adults, teens, and pre-teens too, so something for everyone!
For Adults
All The Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me
by Patrick Bringley
More than just a portrait of an iconic NYC locale and its treasures by a former New Yorker staffer who spent a decade as a museum guard, this book is also a memoir about grief, healing, art, and reinvention.
White Cat, Black Dog: Stories
by Kelly Link
Inspired by the Brothers Grimm, 17th-century French lore, and Scottish ballads, this clever collection of reinvented fairy tales expertly blends realism and the speculative as characters hunt for love, connection, revenge, or their sense of purpose.
The Bee Sting
by Paul Murray
Where did it all go wrong? A patch of ice on the tarmac, a casual favor to a charming stranger, a bee caught beneath a bridal veil—can a single moment of bad luck change the direction of life?
For Teens
What Stalks Among Us
by Sarah Hollowell
A day of playing hooky leads to a waking nightmare when Sadie and Logan find themselves trapped in a never-ending, ever-changing corn maze with the belongings and bodies of those who visited before them—including those of past versions of themselves.
Money Out Loud: All the Financial Stuff that No One Taught Us
by Berna Anat
Tackle your financial fears and trauma with real conversations about money management in real life.
Akane-banashi, Vol. 1
by Yuki Suenaga
When Akane's father is forbidden to become a rakugoka (Japanese storyteller), she decides to become one herself to avenge her father's humilation.
For Pre-teens
Big
by Vashti Harrison
A young girl transcends opinions of her to hold space for herself and own the person she is both inside and out. Powerful, full-page illustrations and striking use of color push the limits of the picture book form.
Bunny and Tree
by Balint Zsako
Bunny is separated from the colony and turns to a shape-shifting tree for help. Through nine wordless, thoughtfully illustrated acts, they brave predators, sail across oceans and fly through the sky in search of Bunny's new home.
Ghost Girl
by Brooke Carter
While visiting their grandmother, 10-year-old Sly discovers the trapped spirit of a long-lost relative. Using their quick wit and intuition, Sly must decipher clues to free both their distant cousin and their grandmother from an eternity behind the mysterious mirror.
How to Bird
by Rasha Hamid
Discover the joy of birding in the heart of the city! This approachable and inclusive guide for children introduces birdwatching strategies that make nature accessible.