Here Are My Favorite Books, Movies, and Music of 2023
As I usually do during this time of year, I wanted to share my favorite books, movies, and music of 2023.
First up, here are the books I’ve enjoyed reading. If you’re looking for a new book over the holidays, give one of them a try. And if you can, shop at an independent bookstore or check them out at your local library.
Favorite Books of 2023:
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store — James McBride
The MANIAC — Benjamin Labatut
*Poverty, By America — Matthew Desmond
How to Say Babylon — Safiya Sinclair
*The Wager — David Grann
Chip War — Chris Miller
The Vaster Wilds — Lauren Groff
Humanly Possible — Sarah Bakewell
*King: A Life — Jonathan Eig
The Covenant of Water — Abraham Verghese
The Best Minds — Jonathan Rosen
*All the Sinners Bleed — S.A. Cosby
The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory — Tim Alberta
Some People Need Killing — Patricia Evangelista
This Other Eden — Paul Harding
*Books that were also on my Summer Reading List
Favorite Movies of 2023:
Earlier this year, writers and actors went on strike to advocate for better working conditions and protections. It led to important changes that will transform the industry for the better.
Here are some films that reflect their hard work over the last year — including some like Rustin, American Symphony, and Leave the World Behind that we were proud to release through Higher Ground.
I’m biased since these movies were produced by Higher Ground, but these are in fact three of the best films I saw this year:
Rustin
Leave the World Behind
American Symphony
My other favorite movies of 2023:
The Holdovers
BlackBerry
Oppenheimer
American Fiction
Anatomy of a Fall
Monster
Past Lives
Air
Polite Society
A Thousand and One
The Color Purple
Favorite Music of 2023:
Here are some of my favorite songs from this year:
TQG — Karol G & Shakira
I Remember Everything — Zach Bryan ft. Kacey Musgraves
Sprinter — Dave & Central Cee
Since I Have a Lover — 6LACK
Cobra — Megan Thee Stallion
Joiner — Blondshell
Midnight Gospel — Alé Araya ft. Joseph Chilliams
America Has a Problem — Beyoncé ft. Kendrick Lamar
Water — Tyla
The Returner — Allison Russell
Unavailable — Davido ft. Musa Keys
My Love Mine All Mine — Mitski
Sittin’ On Top Of The World — Burna Boy ft. 21 Savage
Vampire Empire — Big Thief
Younger & Dumber — Indigo De Souza
Toxic Trait — Stormzy ft. Fredo
Where You Are — John Summit & Hayla
La Bebe (Remix) — Yng Lvcas & Peso Pluma
On My Mama — Victoria Monét
Cast Iron Skillet — Jason Isbell & 400 units
WY@ — Brent Faiyaz
Amapiano — Asake & Olamide
Lose Control — Teddy Swims
Me & U — Tems
Drink the River — Gabe Lee
Crazy Love — Rita Wilson & Keith Urban
Road to Freedom — Lenny Kravitz
It Never Went Away — Jon Batiste
