2023 was a banger year with some incredible new titles released to the magic world, from theory to impressive debut trick collections to rich legacy pieces.

While I have not read every single 2023 book release, I've read enough to make my own list of the Top 5 Magic Books of 2023. This list is entirely based on my opinion and preference; yours will likely be different, and that's cool! I'd love to hear your top 5 as well.

5. THE ELUSIVE ILLUSIVE by Ben Daggers
An under-the-radar release from the reliably great Vanishing Inc, The Elusive Illusive is Daggers' first major release to the magic community. And what an introduction! I'd never heard of Daggers before this book, but I quickly fell in love with his thoughtful approach to performance piece card magic. If you perform in parlour or stand-up settings, this book will be a gold mine for you: clever, economical, playful, and well-structured takes on ACAAN, Triumph, Wild Coin, gambling demonstrations, shuffle tracking effects, and more adorn these pages. For me, Ben's brilliant Drop Shuffle - a rough-and-tumble false mixing sequence that retains a full deck stack within an illusion of chaos - is worth the price of the book alone. If you like sleight of hand card magic for more formal performance settings, this book is a must.

4. PARALLAX by Max Maven
Not a collection of tricks but not quite a theory book either, Parallax is refreshingly complex and defiant of classification, much like its posthumous author. It's hard to overstate the impact Max Maven has had on magic and mentalism, and Parallax - a beautifully produced collection of essays and articles Max wrote for Magic Magazine in the early 1990s - exemplifies his provocative, erudite, passionate brain. Max was someone who saw every bit of potential for magic to be elevated to a legitimate art form, and was not shy in expressing how he felt that much of the magic community fell short of that classification. As a result, he was certainly a divisive figure who ruffled some feathers; but even if Max rubbed you the wrong way, it's hard to imagine any serious magician not getting some stimulating food for thought out of Parallax. You won't come away from this book an innately better magician, but you'll almost certainly emerge invigorated and challenged about the world around you.

3. VALLARINO by John Lovick
Jean-Pierre Vallarino is an underrated yet influential figure in the movement of flashy, flourishy sleight of hand card magic, and 'Vallarino' - written with clarity and concision by John Lovick - is the ultimate collection of his creative legacy. Offbeat original sleights and moves are enough to stimulate the card technician, but the book also offers a hefty selection of Vallarino's signature takes on classic plots like Ace Assemblies, Sandwich effects, Triumphs, Transpositions, Ace Productions, and so much more. Vallarino's approach to technique and method may not suit everyone, but I can't imagine any card technician coming away from this book uninspired. I think it's a must for any lover of close-up, sleight of hand card magic.

2. VERY HUSH-HUSH by John Bannon
No book this year made me grin from ear to ear with more consistency than Bannon's latest collection of card magic with a mental slant. This de facto sequel to Mentalissimo arguably surpasses that book in virtually every way, with exciting variety in both plot and method. Much of the magic favours well-hidden mathematical principles and 'sleight-light' handlings, and the result is a collection of extremely strong card magic that won't bust your knuckles but will regularly make you say 'wow, that's VERY clever.' Sometimes, this subcategory of card magic is more fun for the magician than it is for an audience, with methods that are more clever and interesting than the trick itself. That is not so for Very Hush-Hush: the vast majority of the items in this book are as strong and fooling in effect as they are diabolical in construction.

1. NOTES FROM A FELLOW TRAVELLER by Derren Brown
A bold statement, but I'm sticking to it: Notes From a Fellow Traveller is not only the best magic book of 2023, but one of the most important magic-related texts ever written. Anyone who cares about being a better performer needs this book, which is an endlessly rich collection of essays, journal entries, philosophical musings, anecdotes, and practical performance theory that you will return to for the rest of your magical life. Few magicians have trod the boards with as much cultural impact as Derren Brown, and his well-earned expertise comes from decades of taking big swings, failing miserably, succeeding profoundly, and overcoming even the most unexpected of obstacles onstage and off. The chance to dig into his fertile mind is a gift, and this book really leaves no stone unturned. Essential.

Great selection and succinct and well thought out appraisals to support your choices - I am motivated to look into Ben Daggers book. Thank you!

I'm not familiar with some of those releases as I strictly perform mentalism but now you've got me thinking what actually came out this year. I'd find it hard to put together a list of my favourites so if anyone has any recommendations particularly for mentalism please do share, but off the top of my head and in no particular order:

Max maven's Parallax has to be mentioned. There's not many performers or thinkers you can mention in the same breath as Maven and I'm glad I found this compilation of his essays after hearing of his passing as I very much admire his contribution to magic but hadn't read these before. His words are thoughtful and he challenges the way we approach our magic and urges us to make it more engaging and meaningful.
Scott Creasey's Multidimensional Q&A was also a terrific read. Q and a is undeniably one of the big pillars of mentalism and I don't think I've found any other releases exploring it as comprehensively as Scott did with this. I will find myself referring back to this again and again when I want to put together a strong performance or performances for question and answers.
Luke Turner put out a book titled Thoughts compiling his previous releases such as Real connections and Pin project, this was full of great ideas as well. Luke is a good thinker and it is fitting that he wrapped up his work in this release so you can understand his thoughts on performing.
And of course I can't forget Derren brown Notes from a traveler. This one I was most excited for and after a long wait to hear more of Derren's thought on performance this did not disappoint at all. You'd expect no less from such a household name but even so I think this is his best contribution in terms of books or thoughts he's shared with us on how to level up our performances. I like that this was as the title implies a set of notes he explored while performing and touring and that the points he makes are road tested and well analysed. I'm still digesting this bit solid read.

Thanks for sharing, I am interested in Ben Daggers's one

This year, Reality is Magic has my vote, probably one of best books I have ever read