The appreciation for reading seems to be slowly fading. Books are taking a back seat to movies, podcasts, and audiobooks in our multitasking and perpetual busyness. Yet, there’s something so special about the experience of sitting down with a book, flipping through its pages, and immersing yourself in a story.
My love for books started at thirteen when all I wanted to read were silly romances and utopias. Through school in Brazil, I was always surrounded by friends that also loved reading and so I had numerous bookshelves to choose from. We would exchange books and talk about them during lunch, my reading list was always overflowing with titles to read next. Nowadays, I often find myself scouting around the internet for book recommendations beyond the circle of my close friends. Yet, I’m convinced that there are more readers like us out there, and I’m committed to creating a community of reading buddies!
Throughout the four years of college, it was hard to read titles that were not in my classes’ syllabus. And a year after graduation I found myself still trying to find my way back to that habit. At the end of last year, I challenged myself to read at least one book every month throughout 2023. I reached that goal earlier than expected and am currently on book number thirteen. Yay!
While reading a book per month may not break any records and might vary in perceived quantity for others, it proved to be the perfect balance for me—achievable, enjoyable, and an ideal way to rediscover the joy of reading for pleasure after a few years of downtime. Without a rigid plan, my book choices were influenced by podcasts I follow, lingering titles on my to-read list, and revisiting some for a nostalgic trip down memory lane.
As I reflect on this year’s reading journey, the eclectic mix of genres and stories may surprise some. What’s most satisfying is the organic nature of this collection, where each book seamlessly fits into the respective month or season of life in which I read it.
Now, let’s delve into some personal impressions of my highly diverse reading journey of 2023:
- The Defining Decade, Meg Jay
I’ll be honest – kicking off the year with this book wasn’t the best choice. It took me on an emotional rollercoaster, triggering many questions and concerns that were nonexistent before. While it gave me a sense of being ahead in certain aspects, the examples provided didn’t quite resonate with me. In fact, it opened the door to a brief existential crisis that lingered for the next two months. It won’t be making it into my top 10, but if you find yourself feeling stuck in a certain area of your life, and feel a little lost between your teenage years and adulthood during your twenties, this book might provide a helpful nudge.
Thought-provoking | Introspective | Might cause some mild existential crisis
⭐️⭐️
2. 9 Ways to Make Housing for People, DBA
This book caters to a specific niche audience. If you’re not an architecture student, professional, or enthusiast, I would suggest skipping this one. However, if you are, I couldn’t recommend it more—especially for those with an interest in community-focused design. Published by David Baker Architects, a prominent firm specializing in affordable housing in the US, the book delves into various aspects of designing for people in a manner that is both clear and engaging. I loved how straightforward it was, with a perfect combination of ideas and graphics.
Engaging | Inspiring | Graphically dynamic and fun to read
⭐️⭐️⭐️
3. Yes is More, BIG
Despite its unquestionable innovation within the realm of architecture books, this one proved to be a challenging read for me. The book takes the form of a comic, showcasing various architectural projects by Bjarke Ingels Group. I found it to somewhat lack the depth I usually seek in understanding the concept and decisions behind a project. However, this book presents a highly engaging way to dig into many different projects, highlighting the important points in each of them. Although I found that some of the ideas presented can be quite controversial, this was an intriguing read.
Interesting | Dynamic | Highlights some amazing work by Bjarke Ingels Group
⭐️⭐️
4. Winning the War in Your Mind, Craig Groschel
This book highlights many current topics that can potentially influence our spiritual journeys. It explores how our thoughts, consequently all the things that we choose to surround ourselves with, can significantly impact our lives. Personally, I found it to be somewhat repetitive and a little obvious, but much of that might be attributed to my upbringing with a psychologist/coach mother who frequently reiterated many concepts found in this book throughout my life. Nevertheless, the book offers valuable insights into understanding how certain thoughts might be holding you back and provides practical suggestions for initiating positive change, starting now.
Introspective | Vulnerable | Slow but insightful read
⭐️⭐️⭐️
5. The Book Thief, Markus Zusak
I’ve never been one to revisit books, but I had two very different experiences with doing that this year. This one was my favorite book as a teenager, one of the few I brought with me when I moved to the US, so I decided to reread it this year. It was a bittersweet experience. This is a story encapsulated by grief and other hard topics so it made me cry all over again. One of my favorite genres are novels set against the backdrop of World War II, and this one will remain one of my favorites. Unfolded almost poetically, this book is beautifully written and delightful to read.
Delightful | Enticing | Will make you cry
⭐️⭐️⭐️
6. People We Meet on Vacation, Emily Henry
In the summer I always look for something I can read a couple of pages here and there, stop mid-chapter between reads, without losing much of the story. This is a perfect summer read. Light, playful, and easy to read at the beach or on long car rides. The novel follows the story of two very different individuals who, despite their differences, form a close bond during their annual summer vacations. The book explores friendship, love, and self-discovery, with ith a delightful blend of humor and heart.
Light | Quirky | Perfect summer read
⭐️⭐️⭐️
7. The Bookshop on the Corner, Jenny Colgan
This novel is the definition of a very slow-burn romance. Beyond that, it unfolds as a narrative about pursuing your dreams and constructing the life you desire amid the unpredictable surprises that life throws your way. What truly captivated me was the journey of the main character—a journey of self-discovery as she endeavors to unravel her own desires before intertwining her life with someone else’s.
Charming | Inspiring | Great summer read
⭐️⭐️⭐️
8. Rooted, Banning Liebscher
I’ve read this book four times, and I always learn something new. This is the kind of book that will speak to the season you through any season of life. It will invite you to grow closer to God, and every page serves as a reinforcement, guiding you on the journey of growing spiritually and providing profound reasons and actionable steps to dig deeper. A timeless companion, this book will challenge and motivate you, no matter where you find yourself.
Refreshing | Challenging | Timelessly relevant Christian book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The next three books on this list were my favorite this year. Each one of them changed my perspective about certain topics and was a delight to read through.
9. Economia do Reino, Matheus Ortega
10. Finding Me, Viola Davis
11. Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert
I have already written a post about them here.
12. All the Light We Cannot See, Anthony Doerr
This novel is written in such a beautiful way. I love the back-and-forth between chapters, unfolding the lives of the boy and girl that make up this story. The drama is set against the background of both Germany and France during WWII. The story had my heart from the second I started watching the series on Netflix, but the book will guide you deeper into the challenges and limits imposed into both of these lives and the amazing way in which they develop and intertwine. —This one is so good it will probably have its own blog post sometime soon.
Captivating | Inspiring | Beautifully articulated
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This year, I did something interesting I had not tried before—I read books after watching their on-screen adaptations. “Eat, Pray, Love,” a book that I had watched a couple of years back without much care, turned out to be my favorite rewatch this year. At my current age, and with the travel memories that surround me daily, the movie made perfect sense, enlightening all of my senses. It left me with no choice but to immediately delve into the book, which I enjoyed even more. And then came the miniseries of All the Light We Cannot See, on Netflix. A single afternoon was all it took for me to watch all the episodes, inevitably leading me to devour the book shortly after.
I hope you enjoyed this list, and encourage you to add one (or more) of these titles to your own reading repertoire. If reading isn’t already a part of your routine, I hope this will inspire you to start.
Wishing you an amazing week! xoxo
