A Year Of Bookish Adventures
My 2023 Reading Wrap-Up
Hi for the last time in 2023.
Just a few more hours and a new year will be here. As I leave behind 2023, I decided to dedicate my last post to all the stories I read this year and take my time to appreciate them in a few words.
The Shining (Stephen King):
It’s been months since I read it, but the Overlook hotel, grand and isolated, is still fresh in my mind. Packed with suspense, terror, and psychological horror, it was deliciously eerie and uncomfortable.
Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte):
This favourite book of mine only gets better with every re-read. Cathy and Heathcliff’s untamed passion and Heathcliff’s ruthless quest of revenge, along with the iconic Gothic imageries will never stop fascinating me.
Demons (Fyodor Dostoevsky):
Dostoevsky’s dive into the dangers of political extremism, search for meaning against nihilism, and struggle between belief and non-belief. It was a bit heavy on the brain but was definitely worth it.
Resurrection (Leo Tolstoy):
Tolstoy's critique of social injustice and exploration of themes of guilt, justice, and societal reform were very thought provoking. But at some points things got a bit preachy and things went over my head.
Three Sisters (Anton Chekhov):
My first time reading Chekhov. The lives, desires, and disappointments of the Prozorov sisters was fascinating and felt very raw and realistic. I was struck by Chekhov’s complete refusal to pass moral judgements.
Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman (Haruki Murakami):
Another Murakami where I didn’t quite understand what it was about, but probably it was about the loss of a sense (hearing in this case) and how it deepens one’s connection to their inner world.
War and Peace (Leo Tolstoy):
Set against the background of the Napoleonic wars, here Tolstoy challenges the traditional approach towards history and weaves historical facts with masterfully crafted fiction, in a epic tale that mirrors life itself.
The Fall of the House of Usher (Edgar Allen Poe):
My first time reading Poe. It was atmospheric, disturbing and macabre. The Gothic setting and the sustained suspense was brilliantly done, with a very ‘literal’ and hauntingly satisfactory ending.
Tuesday Night Club (Agatha Christie):
The only Christie I read this year, this story was the introduction of my beloved Miss Marple. It was just brilliant, showcasing Christie's skill in plotting and suspense-building, even within a brief length.
Anne of Green Gables series (L.M. Montgomery):
A heartwarming chronicle of the beloved Anne Shirley in the picturesque setting of Prince Edward Island, Canada. Anne goes from a 11 year old orphan girl, starved of love, to building her world full of love and happiness.
Gaza in Crisis (Noam Chomsky and Ilan Pappé):
My first non-fiction book. It was very informative and easy to understand. Insightful explanation of the crisis in the Gaza strip along with the history of Palestine and its 75+ year long occupation.
The Goose-Girl at the Well (brothers Grimm):
My childhood favourite story, a fairy tale from the Grimm brothers’ collection. Even now, I found the old witch with her ugly adopted daughter and their flock of geese just as fascinating, quite to my surprise actually.
A Christmas Carol (Charles Dickens):
My first Dickens since 2008. It was a happy tale. The theme and the intended message were very heart-touching. I also liked Dickens’ writing style and how he immerses the reader deep in the scene.
My reading journey in 2023 has been fun. Apart from reading, I’ve also joined bookstagram and started this newsletter, which has connected me with other readers. It’s made my reading experience even more enjoyable, which I hope will only grow in the coming year.
What about you? What books did you read in 2023? Don’t forget to let me know.
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Also, if you’d like me to write for you, you can contact me at joyiewrites@gmail.com