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23 books to look out for in 2023: January to June
The stage is set and the witch-hunt is about to begin… Let's begin another incredible six months of reading with one of our wonderful Caboodle Firsts titles! In January, we gave 100 booklovers the chance to read an early copy of Stacey Thomas' spellbinding novel, set during the Civil War, and we’re thrilled it’s almost out! Don't forget that you can still read the first chapter.
For fans of 'Squid Game' and other dystopian delights… 'Chain-Gang All-Stars' is the highly popular, highly controversial profit-raising program inside America's private prison system. Harkening back to the time of gladiators, but watched by millions of live-stream subscribers, prisoners compete for the ultimate prize: their freedom.
From the bestselling co-author of Slay in Your Lane, Adegoke's The List is a sensational, page-turning novel about secrets, lies and our lives online. Our May Caboodle Firsts title, the first chapter is still available to read!
Claire North continues the evocative story of Penelope of Ithaca, famed wife of Odysseus, as it has never been told before.
Last year, we picked Gillian McAllister's highly anticipated upcoming thriller as our December Caboodle Firsts. Julia is the detective heading up the case of a missing 22-year-old. But she must not find out what happened to her. Julia’s family's life depends on it.
From the bestselling author of Room and Wonder, Emma Donoghue's mesmerising new novel tells the heartbreaking story of the tangled lives of two women whose intense, and unlikely, relationship will change them for ever.
Becky Ward's funny, feel-good and oh-so-steamy romance is the perfect read for the Strictly-obsessed.
For fans of beautiful books, this is book that is two books: two intertwined stories printed back-to-back. Gareth Rubin's immersive and unique story is ideal for fans of clever crime fiction.
We're looking forward to reading this extraordinary historical novel from the bestselling author of White Teeth. Based on real historical events, The Fraud is about truth and fiction, Jamaica and Britain, fraudulence and authenticity, and the mystery of 'other people'.
At only 64 pages, Claire Keegan's exquisite miniature asks if a lack of generosity might ruin what could be between men and women. Is it possible to love without sharing?
Think you know the Kings and Queens of England? Think again. David Mitchell's Unruly is a thoughtful, funny exploration of the founding fathers and mothers of England, and subsequently Britain.
In this beautifully haunting fourth novel, translated from the Japanese and featuring signature heart-warming characters and wistful storytelling, Kawaguchi poses: who would you visit if you could travel through time? Begin this stunning series with Before the Coffee Gets Cold.
This festive follow-up to one of our favourite collections of gothic ghost stories, The Haunting Season, features chilling Christmas stories from authors including Bridget Collins, Kiran Millwood Hargrave, Stuart Turton, and many more!
For fans of cosy crime, this culinary cosy crime mystery is from the creator of TV series 'Mrs Sidhu Investigates', featuring Mrs. Sidhu – unofficial Aunty to everyone, caterer, and amateur sleuth from Slough – who spices up the lives of Berkshire's elite with both her mouth-watering dishes and her sharp detective skills. But when she stirs up trouble among the rich and ruthless, she finds herself an outsider in her own community.
This gothic literary mystery, written in sparkling prose, evokes the spirit of 1920s Edinburgh, in all its bohemian vibrancy. One day, Evelyn Hazard’s quiet existence is shattered when her steady, reliable husband Robert makes a startling announcement: he can communicate with the dead.
This splendid edition of Stephen Fry's retellings captures these extraordinary myths for our modern age in stunning colour – in all their dazzling and deeply human relevance.
From the author of Sing, Unburied, Sing, this new novel is a reimagining of American slavery, as beautifully rendered as it is heart-wrenching. Let Us Descend is a journey from the rice fields of the Carolinas to the slave markets of New Orleans and into the fearsome heart of a Louisiana sugar plantation.
From the bestselling author of The Appeal (did you catch it in last year's Hidden Books Game?), this delightful festive mystery was always going make it on our list of best new novels to look out for! One dead Santa. A town full of suspects. Will you discover the truth?
30 years after the publication of his blockbuster thriller The Firm, John Grisham is back with a sequel. Mitch and Abby are living in Manhattan. When a mentor in Rome asks Mitch for a favour that will take him far from home, he finds himself at the centre of a sinister plot that has worldwide implications - and once again endangers his colleagues, friends and family.
Calling all high fantasy fans! Bookshops & Bonedust takes us on a journey of first loves and second-hand books. When an injury throws a young, battle-hungry orc off her chosen path, she may find that what we need isn't always what we seek. The first book, Legends & Lattes, is just as whimsical.
From the Women’s Prize-winning author of The Power comes a dazzling exploration of the world we have made and where we are going.
A handful of friends – the daughter of a cult leader, a non-binary hacker, an ousted Silicon Valley visionary, the concerned wife of a dangerous CEO, and an internet-famous survivalist – hatch a daring plan. It could be the greatest heist ever. Or the cataclysmic end of civilisation.
Set in the elite world of a war college for dragon riders, Fourth Wing was first book in Rebecca Yarros' Empyrean series. Iron Flame is the eagerly anticipated sequel that we can't wait to read.
We're ending 2023 with a heart-warming story about the value of friendship, the magic of reading, and the power of books to unite us all.
Every night, 72-year-old Carl goes door-to-door delivering books by hand to his loyal customers. One evening as he makes his rounds, nine-year-old Schascha appears. Loud and precocious, she insists on accompanying him. When Carl's job at the bookstore is threatened, will the old man and the girl in the yellow raincoat be able to restore Carl's way of life, and return the joy of reading to his little European town?
Browse quizzes, reading lists, and recommendations from our guest booksellers.
National Book Tokens are the ideal gift for booklovers and can be spent in bookshops in the UK and Ireland, and online.