recommended
An ultimate guide to the best books of 2023 – as chosen by esteemed Big Issue critics
![Illustration of a face and an eye shape](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1595_books-roundup_-wifedom_1v2.jpg?w=768)
An ultimate guide to the best books of 2023 – as chosen by esteemed Big Issue critics
Our books editor and regular critics choose their favourite books of the last 12 months
Time's Echo by Jeremy Eichler named book of the year 2023 by Big Issue
![Times Echo by Jeremy Eichler](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1595-and-1594-Presentation-1.png?w=768)
Time's Echo by Jeremy Eichler named book of the year 2023 by Big Issue
The definitive guide to best children's and YA books of 2023
![A Way to the Stars cover](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1594_Kids-books_a-way-to-the-stars-3.jpg?w=768)
The definitive guide to best children's and YA books of 2023
Barbie, boygenius and King's Coronation: These are the best cultural moments of 2023
Barbie, boygenius and King's Coronation: These are the best cultural moments of 2023
Duran Duran pick the scariest movies to watch at Halloween – from Dracula to Silence of the Lambs
Duran Duran pick the scariest movies to watch at Halloween – from Dracula to Silence of the Lambs
Autumn reads: the best new books to light up the longer nights
![Illustration of the word 'autumn'](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1584_books-illustration-cr-Chris-Bentham-RGB.jpg?w=768)
Autumn reads: the best new books to light up the longer nights
Top 5 books about Einstein, selected by Samuel Graydon
![Albert Einstein in black and white](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/albert-einstein-1933340_1920.jpg?w=768)
Top 5 books about Einstein, selected by Samuel Graydon
Top 5 books by women in translation, selected by Daniel Hahn
![A book of translation, a daisy and a key](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/key-5105878_1920.jpg?w=768)
Top 5 books by women in translation, selected by Daniel Hahn
Top 5 unlikely fictional heroes, selected by David Jackson
![Illustration of Bilbo Baggins leaning against a tree](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Screenshot-2023-07-11-at-14.47.06.jpg?w=768)
Top 5 unlikely fictional heroes, selected by David Jackson
Top 5 books on British women in sport, chosen by Suzanne Wrack
![Alex Scott wearing yellow in front of Japanese neon signs](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/339298.jpg?w=768)
Top 5 books on British women in sport, chosen by Suzanne Wrack
Top 5 books by Jamaican writers, chosen by Kereen Getten
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/aboodi-vesakaran-sMH_WFNpT0k-unsplash-1.jpg?w=768)
Top 5 books by Jamaican writers, chosen by Kereen Getten
The essential guide to the UK's best book festivals 2023
![Book festivals map](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/books-festival-map-crLizzieLomax-RGB-hero.jpg?w=768)
The essential guide to the UK's best book festivals 2023
Top 5 books set in Berlin, chosen by Emma Venables
![Berlin television tower](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/berlin-5613467_1920-jpg.webp?w=768)
Top 5 books set in Berlin, chosen by Emma Venables
Top 5 Books featuring carnivorous plants, chosen by Natasha Calder
![Venus fly trap plant](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/venus-flytrap-g9939160a2_1920.jpg?w=768)
Top 5 Books featuring carnivorous plants, chosen by Natasha Calder
Best UK music festivals 2023: The essential month-by-month guide
![Best UK festivals 2023](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Festival__1563-Festival_-guide-cover-art-cr-eleanor-shakespeare-HERO.jpg?w=768)
Best UK music festivals 2023: The essential month-by-month guide
The best UK festivals to boost your wellness and wellbeing
![One of our picks for the best wellness festivals - Timber Festival](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Festival__Central-Eng_Timber-Festival_ival-2022-credit-Wild-Rumpus.jpeg?w=768)
The best UK festivals to boost your wellness and wellbeing
Best UK city festivals for amazing music AND a real bed
![Camilla George - among the acts at Glasgow Jazz Festival, one of the best city festivals in the UK](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Festival__Scot_Glasgow-Jazz-Festival_-Camilla-George-2203medium05_CAMILLA_GEORGE_COLOUR_4_YELLOW.jpg?w=768)
Best UK city festivals for amazing music AND a real bed
Find your next favourite band at the best new music festivals 2023
![Pink Pirate is just one artist you could discover at the best new music festivals](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/FEST_NEW-MUSIC-DISCOVERY_pinkpirate-new-music-dot-to-dot.jpg?w=768)
Find your next favourite band at the best new music festivals 2023
Eurovision: Seven weird moments that show why it’s the greatest song contest
![Weird Eurovision star Verka](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Verka-S-credit-Alina-Vozna.jpg?w=768)