Largehearted Boy’s Favorite Novels of 2023

These novels are my favorites of 2023, the titles I most recommended to friends and Largehearted Boy readers (my personal definition of “favorite”).

Candelaria by Melissa Lozada-Oliva

Melissa Lozada-Oliva’s novel Candelaria is the most propulsive book I have read all year, a stunning multi-generational, apocalyptic debut.

Confidence by Rafael Frumkin

Rafael Frumkin’s novel Confidence is a consuming, hilarious, and smart novel about grifters and love, one of my favorite books of the year.

The Daughter Ship by Boo Trundle

Boo Trundle’s novel The Daughter Ship startles in the best of ways, in its inventiveness, in its humor, and in its truths. This powerful debut is one of the year’s best books.

Happy by Celina Baljeet Basra

Celina Baljeet Basra’ s debut Happy is one of my favorite novels of the year, a book that redefines the coming-of-age story with empathy and grace.

Jonathan Abernathy You Are Kind by Molly McGhee

Molly McGhee’s novel Jonathan Abernathy You Are Kind is a breathtaking debut, a stunning satire of late-stage capitalism.

Lost on Me by Veronica Raimo

If Sheila Heti was Italian and wrote a modern Franny & Zooey, it would approximate how powerful and magnificent Veronica Raimo’s novel Lost on Me is.

The Nursery by Szilvia Molnar

Szilvia Molnar’s The Nursery is an astonishing debut, a novel that honestly and relentlessly examines new motherhood and postpartum depression.

Sea Change by Gina Chung

In prose both precise and alive, Gina Chung’s novel Sea Change is one of the year’s standout debuts.

Take What You Need by Idra Novey

Idra Novey’s novel Take What You Need is a powerful, compassionate, thoughtful consideration of art, family, and inherent bias. Easily my favorite book of the year so far.

We Are A Haunting by Tyriek White

Tyriek White’s novel We Are a Haunting is a breathtaking debut, a book that ambitiously and inventively explores generational trauma.

Your Love is Not Good by Johanna Hedva

After finishing Johanna Hedva’s Your Love is Not Good, I immediately sought out (and read) her other books, it’s that good. This novel is skillfully put together and imaginatively haunting.

For book & music links, themed playlists, a wrap-up of Largehearted Boy feature posts, and more, check out Largehearted Boy’s weekly newsletter.

also at Largehearted Boy:

Largehearted Boy’s favorite nonfiction of 2023
Largehearted Boy’s favorite poetry collections of 2023
Largehearted Boy’s favorite story collections of 2023

If you appreciate the work that goes into Largehearted Boy, please consider supporting the site to keep it strong.

Related