The first half of the year has passed and tis the season to look back on your reading goals from January and assess how far you’ve come. I am going to briefly talk about my reading goals I set for 2023, how many I have read, and the standout stories of 2023 so far!
I read 75 books in 2022, the most I have ever read in a year and I was incredibly proud of myself. Thus, my 2023 reading goal is to match up to last year- 75 books for 2023. For the first half of 2023, I have read 21 novels this year so let’s look at some stats!
Out of these 21 novels, they were categorized into 9 ebooks, 1 audiobook, and 11 physical books. I track my reading with a physical journal, and this method works best for me.
- Longest book- “The Final Strife” by Saara El-Arifi (640 pages)
- Shortest book- “Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982” by Cho Nam-joo (163 pages)
- Most read genre- Contemporary fiction
Related: Bite-sized: Short Stories Under 250 Pages
Thus, I am going to highlight 5 novels I read and loved and completely recommend.
“Someday, Maybe” by Onyi Nwabineli
Published in 2022, “Someday, Maybe” tells the story of Eve, a woman who finds her husband after he commits suicide on New Years Eve. She spirals deeply into grief, trying to come to terms with the secrets beyond her seemingly happy husband. In the midst of this, Eve has to deal with a hostile, grieving mother-in-law who never liked her. The author surrounds Eve with so much love, and strength from her family and friends. The sense of community shones fiercely in this story. “Someday, Maybe” is complex, introspective, and offers a nuanced, sensitive perspective on life’s most painful experience- death. I resonated deeply with this novel, and months later, it stands as one of my favourite books of 2023.
Related: Exploring Grief And Lost Love in “Someday, Maybe”
“Lovely War” by Julie Berry
Loosely based off Greek mythology, “Lovely War” is narrated by Aphrodite, who has been caught by her husband Hephaestus, in a tryst with her lover, Ares. However, our story is really about four human characters, living during the WW II. Hazel, a shy pianist, meets James, a British soldier on the eve of his departure. Then we also have Aubrey, a Black American soldier, who falls in love with Colette, a Belgian refugee who has lost everything to the war. The story takes these four characters through heartbreak and romance, falling in and out and in love. Ultimately, the gods explore whether love can still bloom in the darkness of war and death. Asides the perfect storyline, the writing in this novel is exquisite. It is a fresh take on Greek mythology and I completely recommend if you want a unique love story.
‘Let them start their dreadful wars, let destruction rain down, and let plague sweep through. I will still be here, doing my work, holding humankind together with love like this.’
Julie Berry from “Lovely War”
“Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982” by Choo Nam-joo
The definition of small but mighty. This novella narrates the story of our self-titled protagonist and the systemic and domestic misogyny she faces in all stages of her life. It chronicles her life from infant to adulthood, where she is now a mother and wife who is mentally unwell. At its core, this novel is an exploration of the sexism women face daily, and are forced to put up with. This story was so familiar to me, and gave me much food for thought. I highly recommend.
“Take My Hand” by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Inspired by true events, “Take my Hand” was an extremely educative read. We follow Civil, a young nurse who works in a reproductive clinic, giving contraception and family planning services to the poor, black women of Montgomery. She is assigned to India and Erica, 11 and 14, and soon, many events unravel revealing a history of abuse. Reproductive choice is a subject matter that is very dear to me, because it is tied to women’s autonomy, and economic power. “Take my Hand” tells a very important story that is a must-read.
Related: Take My Hand: A History of Lawful Abuse
“Happy Place” by Emily Henry
This is my second book I have read from Emily Henry and I have conclude that she just gets romance. Emily Henry understands how to capture the emotions of love with so much grace. “Happy Place” is a summer romance novel about Harriet and Wyn, who have been in love since college, but broke up 6 months ago. They haven’t told their best friends, and when they are invited to the cottage that has been their friend groups yearly getaway, Harriet and Wyn have the opportunity to face their fears and fall in love again. I loved the writing, and the second chance romance (my favourite trope).
The writing is honest, and a fresh take on romance. I took a few points away because of how it ended, but “Happy Place” really is the most perfect love story.
‘In every universe, it’s you for me. Even if it’s not me for you.’
Emily Henry from “Happy Place”
This is a breakdown of my top 5 favourites from the first half of 2023. To meet my goal, I need to read over 50 books so come back in December to see if I do! All in all, I am discovering new authors with interesting stories, and that brings me joy.