Beaverdale Books 24 Most Anticipated Reads of 2023

One of the true perks of working at a bookstore is receiving advance publicity and advance reader copies (ARCs). But one of the most challenging parts of working at a bookstore is seeing all the advance publicity and ARCS. The adage: “So many books, so little time,” is very apt for all of us that work in a bookstore.

Recently someone asked me: “How do you decide which books to read?” Here are six things I often consider. I’d love to hear from others on how they select a book (and hopefully some folks will say, because I saw it at Beaverdale Books.)

Many times, I select a book because it is by an author whose previous books I have loved. Sometimes I choose a book simply based on its cover or title. Oftentimes, I pick the book because I have seen a review or it’s been recommended by someone. And I’m always on the lookout for a book by someone from Iowa. Here’s a collection of new or soon-to-be published books that are on my anticipated reads list. You can find this list, along with book synopses on our website under NEWS.

_{Book cover images from Goodreads.}

2023 Anticipated Reads

Because I Have Loved Other Books by the Author

 

Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead

Release Date: July 18

Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld

Release Date: April 4

Trackers by Charles Frazier

Release Date: April 11

Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal

Release Date: April 18

Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese

Release Date: May 2

The Ferryman by Justin Cronin

Release Date: May 2

Because I Love the Title

 

The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin

Release Date: Jan. 17

Cold People by Tom Rob Smith

Release Date: Jan. 19

I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai

Release Date: Feb. 21

You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith

Release Date: April 11

Because I Read a Great Review

 

Hell Bent (Alex Sturn #2) by Leigh Bardugo

Release Date: Jan. 10

Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey

Release Date: Jan. 11

A Living Remedy by Nicole Chung

Release Date: April 4

The Fitful Sleep of Immigrants by Orland Ortega-Medina

Release Date: April 24

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

Release Date: May 25

Because It's About a Woman

 

Maame by Jessica George

Release Date: Jan. 31

What Happened to Ruthy Remrez by Claire Jimenez

Release Date: March 7

Old Babes in the Wood: Stories by Margaret Atwood

Release Date: March 7

How to Think Like a Woman by Regan Penaluna

(Plus it's set in Iowa, AND it has a great cover!)

Release Date: March 14

Because the Author Grew Up in Iowa

 

The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness by Robert Waldinger, MD & Marc Schulz, PhD

Release Date: Jan. 11

I Swear: Politics is Messier Than My Minivan by Katie Porter

Release Date: April 11

Because I'm Intrigued by the Covers

 

Big Swiss by Jen Beagin

Release Date: Feb. 7

The Last Animal by Ramona Ausubel

Release Date: April 18

Quietly Hostile by Samantha Irby

Release Date: June 6

Beaverdale Books is proud to be the primary 2023 DSM Book Festival bookstore. Attend this year’s event to hear from headlining and local authors, including Chris Bohjalian, author of “The Flight Attendant,” at the Best Book Festival in the Midwest!

The DSM Book Festival brings together people who love books with the people who create them. VIP passes offer reserved seating for headlining authors, access to a VIP suite, autographed books and more, while writers’ workshops, kids programming and hands-on workshops make the Festival a not-to-miss event.