It might be almost 3/4 of the way through 2023 already but there are still some amazing new book releases coming our way this year. Here are the ones that jumped out at me and I can’t wait to read. I also have lots of love for the illustrated cover theme coming through.

5 new 2023 books on my radar

/ Aisling Ever After by Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen
Published: 31st August 2023

OK, so Aisling Ever After has been released (only just, hence its inclusion here!) but I’ve been looking forward to it since I heard it was coming. This is the fifth and final book in the wonderful Aisling series. If you’re not familiar, Aisling is an Irish woman with a heart of gold. This series follows her life, and by this point she feels so real I need to know how things end up for her.

/ A Haunting in the Arctic by C.J. Cooke
Published: 12th October 2023

I love a good ghost story and have previously enjoyed The Ghost Woods and The Lighthouse Witches by C.J. Cooke, so I’m very much looking forward to A Haunting in the Arctic. It moves the Gothic action to the fittingly isolated setting of a ship, adds in a spooky history of said ship and you know that’s a recipe for a brilliantly creepy tale.

/ The North Light by Hideo Yokoyama
Published: 12th October 2023

Now this book sounds very interesting – by Japanese author Hideo Yokoyama, who is renowned as a master of mystery storytelling, The North Light features an architect who loses his way in life slightly and when he finds out one of his finest creations is now an abandoned house, he is determined to find out why. I’m intrigued.

/ The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett
Published: 26th October 2023

Sorry, is it too early for the C-word? The thing is, I only recently read and totally enjoyed (full review coming soon!) The Appeal, Janice Hallett’s best-selling modern epistolary novel. The whole mystery is unravelled through emails, texts and newspaper articles – it’s such a clever read so I’m delighted she has written a Christmas special.

/ Playing Games by Huma Qureshi
Published: 9th November 2023

Sometimes you just need a gentle read to cosy up with as the evenings draw in, and Playing Games sounds ideal for that. This is the story of sisters Hana and Mira – opposite in personality, their family dynamic is explored and I’ve seen great things written about Huma Qureshi’s writing style, so I’m excited to start reading.

What do you think – will you be adding any of these to your TBR list?