Jill Cox-Cordova and Liz French

Moving memoirs, historical accounts, lively performing arts books, and scientific inquiries number among these real-world reads.

Best Books is almost here! On December 2 we announce our winning titles. To celebrate we are counting down to our big reveal by highlighting some of our 2023 picks, titles we still treasure, reread, and suggest widely. This week, in advance of Thanksgiving, we offer two choices, a van life adventure and a cozy-adjacent crime fiction debut.

The Best Arts & Humanities titles of 2023 include intriguing conversation starters, special tributes to pioneers, and fresh takes on creative art forms and people.