The Best Books of 2023
Last updated: June 28, 2025
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1
Red Sauce Brown Sauce: A British Breakfast Odyssey
by Felicity Cloake -
2
The Joy of Snacks: A Celebration of One of Life's Greatest Pleasures, with Recipes
by Laura Goodman -
3
A Portrait of British Cheese: A Celebration of Artistry, Regionality and Recipes
by Angus Birditt -
4
Breadsong: How Baking Changed Our Lives
by Al Tait & Kitty Tait -
5
Takeaway: Stories From a Childhood Behind the Counter
by Angela Hui
The Best Food Books: The 2023 Fortnum & Mason Food And Drink Awards, recommended by Clare Finney
The Best Food Books: The 2023 Fortnum & Mason Food And Drink Awards, recommended by Clare Finney
Every year, the Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards celebrate the best books across a range of food, cookery and drink categories. Here British food writer Clare Finney, one of the judges for this year’s awards, talks us through the fabulous books that made the 2023 shortlists—and shows how they are about much more than just delicious food.
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1
Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey
by Florence Williams -
2
Vagina Obscura: An Anatomical Voyage
by Rachel E. Gross -
3
Sounds Wild and Broken
by David George Haskell -
4
An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us
by Ed Yong -
5
The Big Bang of Numbers: How to Build the Universe Using Only Math
by Manil Suri
The Best Literary Science Writing: The 2023 PEN/E.O. Wilson Book Award, recommended by David Hu
The Best Literary Science Writing: The 2023 PEN/E.O. Wilson Book Award, recommended by David Hu
Every year, the judges of the PEN/E.O. Wilson Award highlight the best new literary science writing. The 2023 shortlist consists of five fascinating books on subjects including the science of heartbreak, the sensory worlds of animals, and the development of mathematics. David Hu, a professor of mechanical engineering and a member of this year’s judging panel, talks us through their choices.