I think I might need to dub 2023 the year of books. Honestly, I didn’t realize how many I read until I started compiling this list. I’ve always been a book lover, but this year I carved out more time in the evenings to read before bed. Several of these books are ones that I read aloud to Jack. It’s one of the sweetest parts of my day and he’s really come to appreciate literature this year.
I’ll be honest and say that I read relatively few non-fiction books this year. That’s something I hope to improve in 2024. Although I do still stand by fiction being good for your bottom line.
But for now, let’s dive into the books I did make it through.
The Best Fiction Books I Read This Year
The Sun Also Rises – I read Farewell to Arms last year and was not a fan of it. But a friend recommended I read The Sun Also Rises because it’s much more hopeful. It’s definitely more hopeful, but Hemingway really paints the picture of the emotional aftermath of WWII in a way that makes it hard to get through at times. There was a lot of self-medicating through excessive drinking. I enjoyed this more than my last Hemingway book, but it’s still not at the top of my list for 2023.
Brothers Karamazov – This book is a beast. But it’s lauded by many scholars as one of the two best fiction books of all time (if you’re wondering, Lord of the Rings is the other). I read Crime and Punishment last year and really struggled through it. I’ll be honest, I struggled through Brother’s K as well. I liked it more than Crime and Punishment, but it was still a challenge for me. The last 30 or so pages were written to be painful for the reader (so that you felt the pain of the main characters,) and Dostoevsky was so successful that I skimmed them. One of my English professor friends said that some people are Dostoevsky people and others are Tolstoy people. I am, most certainly, a Tolstoy person. Which brings me to…
Anna Karenia – This one. I LOVED it! It was incredibly engaging and while I also loved reading War and Peace a few years ago, I loved Anna Karenia much more. Don’t let the size intimidate you. It reads like a 19th century Erin Hilderbrand novel. Only better. And set in 19th century Russia. The main romance is an affair and the book does a wonderful job of demonstrating the devastating effects of that choice. If you a fan of romance novels, give Anna Karenia a try.
Jayne Eyre – I didn’t expect much of this book because I hated reading her sister’s novel (Wuthering Heights) in high school. But guys, I LOVED this book! Jayne is dealt a few challenging cards in her life, but she bears them so admirably. This was such a good read.
Count of Monte Cristo – I’m currently reading this novel after hearing it mentioned several times on a podcast. It’s incredible. I have a lot of respect for the main character Dante and I’m very excited to see how it ends.
Sense and Sensibility – Another book I absolutely LOVED! I watched the 90’s movie version with Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet recently as well and it’s very close to the book – which I always appreciate.
Around the World in 80 Days + Journey to the Center of the Earth – Both by Jules Verne. Both excellent reads. I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect since they’re older science fiction books, but I really enjoyed Verne’s commentary on the effects of science + technology. Verne’s books are often classified as children’s novels, but I think that’s an erroneous classification. The language is too sophisticated for most children and the stories themselves are engaging enough for adults.
Middlemarch – Another 19th century romance novel. While I enjoyed this book, I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as some of the others I read this year. But I do think that after reading all of these 19th century English novels I’ve earned myself a trip to the English countryside. Right?
This Tender Land – I picked this up for vacation this year because I didn’t think I would be able to successfully focus on one of the above classics while at the beach (this was a good decision). This book follows the lives of four Native children who escape from a boarding school and travel down the Mississippi during the Great Depression. It has a bit of a Huckleberry Finn vibe. This book is a sad yet heartfelt read.
Non-Fiction Books I Read this Year
Primal Branding – This book was first published in 2006 but it’s still very relevant today. Author Patrick Hanlon dives into what makes some brands take off while similar ones flop. A beautiful logo is just the start of a brand. If you really want to stand out, your brand needs to reach its audience in several other ways. This book dives into the heart of what makes a strong brand.
10x Is Easier than 2x, Who Not How, The Gain and the Gap – If you can only read a few business books in 2024, let it be these. They changed the way I approach business and getting things done. If you want to hear Davey and I share more about these books before you grab a copy, listen to our mindset shifts podcast episode.
Tending the Heart of Virtue – This is one of those books that was so good, we purchased a hard copy after listening to the audio version. Vigen Guroian dives into several classic stories and the ways that they awaken a child’s moral imagination. This book changed the way I approach reading with Jack and introduced us to several children’s stories that are now on our reading list with Jack. If you’re a parent, I highly recommend this one!
$100M Offers: How to Make Offers So Good People Feel Stupid Saying No – This is another book that spurred us to buy a physical copy after listening to the audio. It’s filled with practical tips for crafting offers that are too good to resist.
Books I Read Aloud to Jack this Year
Chronicles of Narnia – We read the Lion, Witch and Wardrobe as well as Prince Caspian last year. I actually re-read the entire series this year as I was recovering from my surgery in June, and I read Jack The Magician’s Nephew and The Horse and His Boy. There is a part at the end of The Horse and His Boy that is such a beautiful illustration of God walking with us and desiring our good. I cried as I read it to Jack this year. Davey shared a bit of the passage in a reel. I’ve read this series several times in my life and it’s one I’ll keep coming back to.
The Hobbit – I’m a big fan of Tolkien but this was the first time I’ve read The Hobbit. I found an illustrated version on Amazon and the beautiful pictures went a long way towards helping Jack imagine what hobbits, trolls and elves looked like. He was very into this book and keeps asking when we’re going to read The Lord of the Rings. I’m excited for that day, but it’s much scarier so I think we’ll wait a few years.
Pinocchio – Davey and I were excited to read this to Jack after reading Tending the Heart of Virtue (see above). We found a beautiful illustrated version of the story on Amazon, but the language is older and it didn’t hold his attention very well. We only made it about halfway through.
Mouse and The Motorcycle (3 books) and Henry Huggins (a few of these) – A friend let us borrow her copy of The Mouse and the Motorcycle and Jack LOVED it! We ended up reading all three books about Ralph the Mouse. We also really enjoyed the Henry Huggins books and read several from the series.
Stuart Little – This one is similar to The Mouse and the Motorcycle. It was a very quick read and Jack really enjoyed it. Writing this post also reminds me that I never showed him the movie version of this story. I’ll have to add it to my watchlist.
Mary’s Little Donkey – We’re in the middle of reading this book right now. It’s an older book that was originally published in Sweden and I heard about it through the website Heirloom Art Co. (they’re the BEST curators!) It’s a wonderfully written story that really brings the Christmas story alive. A friend gave our kids Shining Light Dolls last year (most are no longer made), and Jack brings them into bed with us to act out the scenes as I read. I highly recommend this one!
The Wingfeather Saga – We started reading this one last month after a friend compared it to Narnia + Harry Potter, it but it’s been a slower start. My friend said that it picks up after a few chapters, but I’m finding the made up words + creatures hard to pronounce and imagine. The style of writing is also, well… just not beautiful. Reading this book had renewed my commitment to only read books that have stood the test of time. We’ll probably pick this back up again at some point, but I think we’re going to dive into The Wind and the Willows next.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – This was a fun one to read to Jack. He loved the silliness of the characters in the chocolate factory. He was also so distraught every time Charlie opened a chocolate bar and did not fine a golden ticket.
Charlotte’s Webb – This book was a big hit as well. Jack loved the talking farm animals in the story and I loved the lessons that it teaches. This is another book recommended in Tending the Heart of Virtue.
And that’s a wrap! I hope you enjoyed reading through my 2023 book list. I have zero plans for books in 2024 so if you have a recommendation, leave it in the comments below!
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