65 books read in 2023 – Who earned a top spot?
As the year comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on the literary adventures that have shaped the past 12 months. Since starting my PhD I have seen my reading list drop, year by year, from my all-time record of 101 books in 2019. This year, I embarked on a journey through 65 books (still a fairly decent number), each one a unique escape into different worlds, perspectives, and emotions. (If you know me, then you know I don’t approve of claiming to have “read” an audiobook. This is a reading only zone! #sorrynotsorry).
Join me as I share my top picks from this year’s reading list and offer a glimpse into the literary gems that have left a lasting impression. I’ve linked each book to Goodreads, so you can add them to your to-read list!
It’s always nice to make friends while reading in the park.
Overview of My Reading Year:
In 2023, my reading journey took unexpected turns, and I delved into a diverse range of genres. I am definitely reading a lot more fantasy than I used to, probably as an escape from Hegel, Husserl, and Hediegger! Participating in reading challenges on Goodreads and setting personal goals added an extra layer of excitement to my literary pursuits.
Top Picks: (I tried to narrow this down to a top ten list but I just couldn’t do it!)
“Women’s Rights, Gender Wrongs” by Kath Aiken (Editor), Sally Wainwright (Editor) (Nonfiction)
I can’t lie, I’m biased. This book features my very first (but not last!) contribution to a book publication. In total 115 women from all around the world contributed to this book, in the form of poetry, research articles, country reports, artwork, etc. I contributed a country report and a piece documenting the encroachment of gender ideology in Taiwan. How proud I am to be a part of this collective of strong feminist voices, speaking out against female erasure. Not only gender ideology but surrogacy, domestic abuse and sexual assault, trafficking, and issues related to women’s rights are all touched upon. It’s a groundbreaking and important read for women and girls (and our allies) everywhere.
“The Change” by Kirsten Miller (Fantasy)
This is a fantastic book filled with magical realism, female friendship, female empowerment, and FEMINIST WITCHES. The novel combines pure fun and revenge fantasies while commenting on social norms and issues. The novel touches upon violence against women, gender roles, sex, menopause, and female friendship in a straightforward way. There isn’t any sugar coating or B.S. Some of the events that occur are hard to read, but humor, love, and romance are woven in to balance the horrors of reality.
“The Good Earth” by Pearl S. Buck (Historical Fiction)
How did I manage not to read this one until now?? Set in pre-revolutionary China, “The Good Earth” portrays the life of a Chinese farmer, Wang Lung, as he navigates the challenges of societal changes, family dynamics, and personal ambition against the backdrop of a transforming nation.
“The Courage to be Disliked” by Ichiro Kishimi (Philosophy)
This philosophical work presents a dialogue between a philosopher and a young man, challenging conventional beliefs about happiness, success, and interpersonal relationships, advocating for the courage to live authentically. A simple, accessible read that I recommend everyone have on their bookshelf!
“Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking” by Malcolm Gladwell (Nonfiction)
Malcolm Gladwell explores the concept of rapid decision-making in “Blink,” revealing the power of intuitive thinking and the factors that shape split-second judgments in various aspects of life. It motivated me to write an article on concept of thin-slicing for the feminist news outlet 4WPub.
“The Glass Hotel” by Emily St. John Mandel (Mystery)
A mystery novel intertwining the lives of various characters (and the author does this so well in all of her novels!), “The Glass Hotel” explores the repercussions of a financial scam, delving into themes of guilt, ambition, and the interconnectedness of lives. It had me in tears by the end.
“The Golem and the Jinni” by Helene Wecker (Fantasy)
Set in New York City in the early 20th century, this fantasy novel follows the unlikely friendship between a golem and a jinni, the book is heavy on folklore mixed with philosophical questions. Everyone loves legends, lore, tales of long ago, filled with heroes and magical beings. They dilate our pupils, excite our imagination and provide the fodder for our dreams. Wecker has written a very grown up fairy tale, bringing to life a pair of magical beings. In doing so she has transported old world legend to a place where and a time when vast numbers of more ordinary people were trying to create new dreams, new legends of their own, immigrating to New York City at end of the 19th century. I absolutely loved this.
“Shalimar the Clown” by Salman Rushdie (Magical Realism)
I’ve stayed away from Rushdie for awhile but was pleasantly surprised by this one. Rushdie weaves a tale of love, betrayal, and revenge against the backdrop of Kashmir, incorporating elements of magical realism to explore the complexities of cultural and political conflicts. Compared to Rushdie’s style in The Satanic Verses his magical realism here is more subtle and toned down to the point where it enhances rather than disrupting my suspension-of-disbelief.
“Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine” by Gail Honeyman (Fiction)
A very moving work of fiction, this novel follows the socially awkward Eleanor Oliphant as she navigates her isolated life, exploring themes of loneliness, trauma, and the transformative power of human connection. This was a powerful, and unsuspecting, read. It really hit me in the feels.
“The Immortalists” by Chloe Benjamin (Historical Fiction/Fantasy)
Spanning decades, “The Immortalists” tells the story of four siblings who, after learning the dates of their deaths from a fortune teller, grapple with destiny, mortality, and the choices that shape their lives.
“Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic” by Tom Holland (History)
Tom Holland provides a historical account of the tumultuous final years of the Roman Republic, delving into political intrigue, military conquests, and the collapse of a once-mighty empire. As a passionate semi-historian I can confidently say that this is probably the most accessible and entertaining contemporary book written on the decline and final turbulent years of the Roman Republic.
Honorable Mentions: While these books didn’t quite make it to the top of the list, they deserve an honorable mention.
“The Night Watch” by Sarah Waters (Historical Fiction)
“The Swerve: How the World Became Modern” by Stephen Greenblatt (History)
“Farewell My Concubine” by Lilian Lee (Historical Fiction)
“Billy Summers” by Stephen King (Thriller)
“The Wolf and the Woodsman” by Ava Reid (Fantasy)
“Nettle and Bone” by T. Kingfisher (Fantasy)
“The Dovekeepers” by Alice Hoffman (Historical Fiction)
“The Water Dancer” by Ta-Nehisi Coates (Magical Realism/Historical Fiction)
Reading Goals for the Next Year:
As I look forward to the next chapter in my reading journey, I aim to read more for pleasure! Studies have shown that people who read for pleasure live longer. Reading literally saves lives! Isn’t that a good enough reason?
As we step into a new year, may our bookshelves be filled with new tales, much needed literary distractions, and endless inspiration. Feel free to share your own favorite reads from the year in the comments below, share them with me on Goodreads, and let’s continue this conversation about the magic of literature. Happy reading!
The chaos that is one of my bookshelves at home
Jaclynn Joyce 