Reading in 2023
Re-Emerging
I have been a big reader since birth. I have always loved reading and from childhood till now it has been a central passion and pursuit. When I am healthy and generally doing well I enjoy reading a wide range of genres. When I am overwhelmed, or anxious, or depleted I mainly read “fluff fiction,” which is my version of binge-watching TV and I do not include these on my annual reading lists. In May of last year, I finally started reading again after an almost 2-year “fluff fiction” period. My longest stint. And yes, the warning signs were obvious along the way.
The number of books you read annually does not matter as long as you are doing what you need, or what you love, or what you have the capacity for at any given point on the spectrum between surviving and thriving. So don’t compare your reading with others, though it is easy to do. Because I love reading and it is a priority for me, I was happy to read 40+ books last year after coming out of several depleted years. Without going into the details, this was momentous to me because it was a tangible sign that I was doing better and becoming a healthier version of myself. Below is my reading list (organized by topic) in case you are looking for 2024 reads.
Creativity and Design
The Creative Act: Rick Rubin***
Lean Impact: Ann Mei Chang
Joyful: Ingrid Fetell Lee
Creative Quest: Questlove
The Key to Creativity: Hilde Ostby
The Artists Way: Julia Cameron
Memoir
Broken Horses: Brandi Carlile ***
Book of Eels: Patrik Svensson
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings: Maya Angelou (reread)
Kitchen Confidential: Anthony Bourdain
Happy Go Lucky: David Sedaris
How to Write
Body Work: Melissa Febos
On Writing: Stephen King
The Writing Life: Annie Dillard
Art of Memoir: Mary Karr***
Writing for Busy Readers: Todd Rogers and Jessica Lasky-Fin
Be Your Best Self
Enchantment: Katherine May
Atomic Habits: James Clear
See No Stranger: Valerie Kaur ***
The Power of Ritual: Casper ter Kuile
Wintering: Katherine May
Magic/Folklore/Ecology
Witchery: Juliet Diaz
Backwoods Witchcraft: Jake Richards
If Women Rose Rooted: Sharon Blackie ***
Wild Magic: Danu Forest
The Enchanted Life: Sharon Blackie
A Sand County Almanac: Aldo Leopold
Fiction (Fantasy & Sci-Fi)
The House in the Cerulean Sea: TJ Klune ***
Silver in the Wood: Emily Tesh
Legends and Lattes: Travis Baldree
Under the Whispering Door: TJ Klune ***
Cursed Cocktails: S.L. Rowland
A Psalm for the Wild Built: Becky Chambers
Nettle and Bone: T. Kingfisher ***
All Systems Red: Martha Wells
Artificial Condition: Martha Wells
Rogue Protocol: Martha Wells
Exit Strategy: Martha Wells
Network Effect: Martha Wells
A Coup of Tea: Casey Blair
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
Song of Achilles: Madeleine Miller ***
All of these were great and are recommended but I have included (***) next to my favorites, which I count as books that pull me in from beginning to end, evoke a range of emotions, and/or impact me in some deep way (if even for a moment).
Sharon Blackie, Katherine May, and TJ Klune were some of my favorite authors this year and I read two books from each of them. I read much more fiction during the last part of the year because I challenged myself to read more fantasy during the Celtic season of Samhain from Nov 1-Dec 21 and this was wonderful!
Happy reading in 2024!
