Largehearted Boy�s Favorite Novels of 2023

11 months ago 48

My favorite novels of the year

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.

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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