2023 Book Round Up
image: one of my bookshelves in my room. and the bottom of my J.D. Salinger painting.
2023 was my magical year of intellectual enlightenment. Wrapped in changes in my life, books covered me with an unexpectedly beautiful peace constructed by a mind thoughtfully for the sole intention of my reading.
Books and their beauty lie in their distinct ability to make someone feel something. Mary Shelley, Kurt Vonnegut, and even Suzanne Collins—authors write to their readers. To entertain, to challenge, to evoke emotion, to provoke thought—I thank these wonderful books I’ve read this year for all their simple, paperful, beautiful glory.
With all that being said, here are my top ten books of 2023!
- The Brothers Karamazov
After allocating hours upon hours to this classic novel, I think it would be a sin not to give it number one.
The Brothers Karamazov follows the distinct lives of the three Karamazov brothers—Dmitri, Ivan, and Alexei—whose strained relationships with each other and their father, Fyodor Pavlovich, unfold against a backdrop of moral and philosophical exploration. The classic Russian novel explores themes of family, father-child relationship, greed and passion. I absolutely loved Aloshya (the pure) and also all of his dialogues with Ivan (the intellectual). I aspire to be like Alexi.
The Brothers Karamazov is called possibly the best novel written and after reading I must agree. (However, I must admit I did get a little lost will all the Russian names.)
- Frankenstein
Mary Shelly is my idol. And Frankenstein is the reason.
Written when Shelly was 17 (my age!) Frankenstein is an absolute MASTERPIECE. As a genius criticism of modern society, Shelly tells the story of Victor Frankenstein and his created Monster. Told through different literary frames, readers come to understand Frankenstein’s hamartia of pride and playing god. Even better the second read; can’t wait to read this novel again.
Loved this book enough to write an 18 page paper on it.
- Timequake
Geniously funny, heartwarmingly warm, Kurt Vonnegut’s Timequake is near perfection.
Timequake explores the consequences of a sudden glitch in time that forces humanity to relive a decade of their lives, unable to change their actions, but redoing everything exactly as before. The story follows Kilgore Trout, a recurring character in Vonnegut’s works, and Vonnegut himself as he navigates the surreal and absurd challenges of this involuntary time reset.
- God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater
Can’t remember all that happened specially, but I just remember the beautiful feeling it left me with. (Had to put two Vonneguts back to back.)
God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater by Kurt Vonnegut centers on Eliot Rosewater, a wealthy but super-odd philanthropist, who becomes stuck in legal and moral dilemmas as he works to give his money to those in need. The novel satirically explores themes of wealth, mental health, and the societal values surrounding money and compassion. I absolutely loved the social commentary in this novel. Vonnegut never fails to write a truly hilarious but yet so incredibly witty social critique.
- The Things they Carried
Probably the most impactful war novel I’ve read. O’Brian is a poet of prose.
A collection of linked short stories by Tim O’Brien, offering a fictionalized account of the experiences of a platoon of American soldiers during the Vietnam War. The book explores the emotional/psychological burdens carried by the soldiers, both tangible and intangible. O’Brien doesn’t glorify war or shrink behind it, but rather he weighs the absolute travesty of war infront of readers. So many deaths in Vietnam are lost in the terrain of war, but O’Brien gives these soldier’s their lives back. (O’Brien is also from Minnesota, so I enjoyed the Minnesota “speak.”)
- Bit Rot
Nothing is better than Coupland. And truly nothing is better than Coupland essays/short stories.
Bit Rot is a collection of short stories and nonfiction essays by Douglas Coupland, looking into the contemporary challenges and absurdities of the digital age, including the impact of technology on human relationships, identity, and the evolving nature of communication. Through a series of short stories, Coupland reflects on the quirky and often profound aspects of our interconnected, technology-driven world. Coupland is my favorite author. I love the way he mixes our current reality with future (and also past) oriented thinking. No other author captures how the digital age has changed the world forever, quite like Coupland. If you like thinking about modern society this book is a MUST.
- Dreaming in Chinese
This book will make you think about all the words you speak and what it means for the society that built it.
“Dreaming in Chinese” by Deborah Fallows is a non-fiction book that explores cultural insights and observations about China based on her time spent living there. Through anecdotes and reflections on language and behavior, Fallows connects the complexity of Chinese society and the challenges of cross-cultural understanding. Fallows is a linguist (a profession that sounds so awesome!) and I love how she carefully and awarely wrote about all the nuances of the Chinese language and culture. This book reinvigorated my love for the Chinese language.
- The Year of Magical Thinking
This book sliced me so incredibly deep. I will never stop thinking about this Joan Didion masterpiece.
A memoir by Joan Didion, The Year of Magical Thinking, that recounts Didion’s experiences dealing with grief and loss. The narrative centers around the sudden death of her husband, John Gregory Dunne, and the serious illness of their daughter, Quintana Roo. Didion reflects on the impact of these events, exploring the disorienting and surreal nature of grief while also delving into the complexities of memory and love. I’ve never experienced a loss of a loved one that was close to me. Didion made me fear the moment of loss but also I now have a place to turn to when grief surmounts.
- The entirety of the Hunger Games series
What can I say… It’s the Hunger Games.
Following Katniss and her journey through competing in the Hunger Games twice, the trilogy is perfect. I’m a sucker for a good young adult novel and the Hunger Games books are so nostalgic, so right after school got out I just had to binge read all three. Collins also stunned with the prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. So fun for a summer nostalgia read. (Highly, highly recommend reading and watching the movies directly after, preferably with a sister if at hand.)
- Atonement
Wanted to read this book because of the movie edits I’ve seen on Youtube: did not disappoint.
“Atonement” is a novel by Ian McEwan that revolves around a false accusation made by a young girl, Briony Tallis, which changes the lives of her older sister, Cecilia, and their family friend, Robbie Turner. The story spans several decades and explores the consequences of that pivotal moment, addressing themes of guilt, redemption, and the power of a story. This book killed me. With all of the shame, guilt, falsehood and war this novel feels heavy. A classic for a reason. Definitely a good sick read. (Briony, like Victor Frankenstein, plays a little too much god.)
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