In the words of bestselling author Ryan Holiday, “Reading serves a purpose beyond just acquiring knowledge; it enriches the human experience, helps us find meaning, understand ourselves, and enhances our lives. Few things offer such value for under $20.”

If you're reading this, you're likely aiming to make 2023 a transformative year. Whether your goals involve boosting your income, acquiring new skills, or achieving fluency in a foreign language, you might feel pressed for time and unable to tackle every book published.

I don't claim to have all the answers, nor will I bombard you with must-read suggestions. Instead, I present a list of 26 engaging books that I’m eager to delve into this year. If any catch your interest, consider checking them out at your local bookstore or library.

Let’s get started!

1. The Courage To Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi. This Japanese work offers deep insights that can help free your authentic self and achieve lasting happiness.
2. How To Survive Family Holidays by Jack Whitehall. A favorite comedian of mine, this book comes highly recommended by friends, though I haven’t read it yet.
3. Born A Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah. This autobiography of the former Daily Show host has received rave reviews, and I’m excited to explore it.
4. What I Learned Losing a Million Dollars by Jim Paul. The title itself is intriguing and promises to be a thought-provoking read in the coming weeks!
5. President Lincoln: The Duty Of A Statesman by William Lee Miller. Growing up in the UK, I wasn’t exposed to American History, but I find learning about Presidents to be fascinating.
6. Adapt: Why Success Always Starts with Failure by Tim Hartford. As a member of the Financial Times editorial board, Hartford discusses the crucial role of failure in entrepreneurship.
7. The Trials Of Life: A Natural History of Animal Behavior by David Attenborough. Originally published in 1990, I recently acquired a signed edition that I can't wait to read.
8. Jony Ive: The Genius Behind Apple’s Greatest Products by Leander Kahney. As a long-time Apple enthusiast, I’m eager to dive into this book.
9. Save The Cat: The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need by Blake Snyder. Highly regarded as one of the best writing guides, I plan to review it after I finish.
10. Filthy Rich: The Shocking True Story Of Jeffrey Epstein by James Patterson. My interest in conspiracy theories makes this Patterson bestseller a must-read.
11. Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg. As the former COO of Facebook, Sandberg discusses gender equality and what it takes to succeed in today’s world.
12. Starry Messenger by Neil deGrasse Tyson. I look forward to this scientific exploration of various issues, all backed by data and research.
13. A Template For Understanding Big Debt Crises by Ray Dalio. With the potential for a U.S. debt crisis, Dalio's insights are particularly relevant right now.
14. The Laundromat: Inside the Panama Papers Investigation of Illicit Money Networks & The Global Elite by Jake Bernstein. This book delves into the Panama Papers and the elite's efforts to hide wealth.
15. The Space Barons: Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, And The Quest To Colonize The Cosmos by Christian Davenport. This intriguing narrative explores how space is becoming the next frontier for entrepreneurs.
16. Undoctored: The Story Of A Medic Who Ran Out Of Patients by Adam Kay. This memoir follows Kay’s journey as a junior doctor and has been a significant success.
17. Thrive: The Third Metric To Redefining Success & Creating A Life Of Well-Being, Wisdom, And Wonder by Arianna Huffington. Huffington encourages redefining success beyond mere financial gain to combat societal burnout.
18. Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind & Win the War Within by David Goggins. The former Navy SEAL shares his philosophy and strategies for success in this compelling book.
19. The First Men In The Moon by H.G. Wells. This classic sci-fi novel, first published in 1901, explores humanity's age-old dream of lunar exploration.
20. Percy Jackson & The Chalice of the Gods by Rick Riordan. The latest installment in the beloved Percy Jackson series is one I'm eagerly awaiting.
21. The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley. Set in a French apartment, this locked-room mystery has garnered rave reviews and piqued my interest.
22. Prodigy by Marie Lu. As the sequel to Legend, one of my favorite young adult novels, I have high expectations for this book.
23. The Last Party by Clare Mackintosh. After enjoying one of her previous novels, I’m excited to dive into this thrilling murder-mystery set during a New Year’s Eve party.
24. How To Stop Time by Matt Haig. Celebrated as a top author, Haig tells a timeless love story that I’m grateful to have a signed copy of.
25. Lost In Time by A.G. Riddle. This gripping tale involves a scientist whose daughter faces a grave injustice in a future where murderers are exiled to the dinosaur era.
26. Skyward by Brandon Sanderson. Set in a dystopian future, this captivating story by one of my favorite authors promises an exciting read.

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Author's note: This piece was inspired by the works of Elisa Gabbert and Marie Kester. Be sure to check out their articles and recommended reading lists!