Culture | Shelf help

The best books of 2023, as chosen by The Economist

This year’s picks transport readers to mountain peaks, out to sea and back in time

An illustration showing a person sat atop a large stack of books looking out at lots of other stacks of books.
Image: Bianca Bagnarelli

Current affairs and politics

Explore more

This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline “Shelf help”

Culture

December 9th 2023

From the December 9th 2023 edition

Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents

⇒Explore the edition
Reuse this content
Hare looking through a window

Why memoirs involving animals are so successful

“Raising Hare” is just the latest example of a popular literary trend

Rusty barbed wire around an old book

A forgotten CIA programme that changed minds

Thanks to the agency 10m books made it into the eastern bloc

A close up eye with a red iris. The light reflecting in the pupil resembles a skull

Hungry for more “Hunger Games”? There is plenty in store

Behind the franchise’s success—and the draw of dystopias

An insider’s guide to economic warfare

A recent history of American sanctions and more offers a timely, riveting world tour

Sneakernomics and the surprising future of sneakers

After a surge in interest, trainers are less popular

Is there anything left to learn about The Beatles?

The famous band has been amply covered. But analysing one friendship offers new insights