Unlike my traditional “Book of the Month” articles, I’m going to do this one a little bit differently. Instead of reviewing my recent reads, I am going to discuss my reading year as a whole, the good, the bad and the ugly. I will also list every book I read with a rating between one and five stars. Let’s get into it!
This month will be split into sections. They are as follows:
- Top three books of the year
- A summary of my top three books and why I loved them.
- Reading statistics
- My overall reading statistics for the year with a breakdown of the genres read this year.
- 2024 Goals
- My reading goals for 2024 and what I plan to achieve throughout the year.
Section One: Top three books of 2023
After much deliberation, I have come to the conclusion of my top three books of the year. All of these I have discussed this year through other Book of the Months and will leave links to those articles when each book is discussed for more information. Books will be ranked three to one, with number one being my top book of 2023.
3.) “Jane Eyre”: By Charlotte Bronte:
The only reason that this novel isn’t my number one of the year is because it is a reread. As I’ve stated before, “Jane Eyre” is my all-time favorite book and will always hold a special piece of my heart.
Jane Eyre, the heroine of the novel, is such an incredible main character and role model for all young people. The novel takes the idea of the maiden in need of saving and transforms it so the ‘knight’ is the one who needs saving. A feminist tale of love and redemption, as well as pain and fear. A gothic romance at its finest.
2.) “The Only Woman In The Room” by Marie Benedict:
I recently discussed this incredible novel in the most recent book of the month, but it is still in need of being talked about again.
Picking this book up on a whim was one of the best, or only, good ideas I’ve had recently. A historical fiction novel, the story follows Hedy Lamarr, a famous Hollywood actress and a forgotten inventor. I adore this novel with my heart and soul.
I adored the story of Hedy. She had a story to tell and Benedict told it perfectly. From the abuse to her triumph in Hollywood to her fight for the war effort, Hedy Lamarr is one of the unsung heroes of World War Two.
1.) “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid:
A BookTok favorite, I first read this novel with low expectations. Due to its increasing popularity, I wasn’t sure I would enjoy this book. However, having read “Daisy Jones and The Six” by the same author, I should have known that this novel would be heart-wrenchingly stunning.
Evelyn Hugo, a Hollywood favorite, sets up an interview with reporter Monique Grant. She is finally ready to tell her story. Particularly, the story of her seven husbands. But, none of those seven men would consider the love of her life.
Told through past and present, the story is flawlessly flawed. Evelyn Hugo isn’t a good person, but she isn’t a bad one either. By the end of the novel, I felt as if she was a real celebrity. I felt I didn’t just know of her, but knew her.
Final thoughts: I loved so many of the books I read this year, but these three hold a special place in my heart. I think of them daily and I have learned many lessons.
Section Two: Reading Statistics
I read 142 books in 2023. In doing that, I expanded my reading taste more than ever before. In 2023, my genre breakdown is as follows:
Classics: 16
Romance: 60
Thriller/mystery: 5
Historical Fiction: 4
Fantasy: 7
Poetry: 11
Children: 6
Realistic fiction: 7
Nonfiction: 3
Graphic Novels: 14
Other: 15
Romance is my favorite genre, but I have come to find a deep appreciation for historical fiction as well. Due to not reading the ones I have until December, which is why there are so few represented on the chart and list above. My least favorite genre is non-fiction, due to the often dull and uninteresting writing style. That being said, not all nonfiction novels are bad. Some I do enjoy.
Final thoughts: I am pleased with the overall diverse genres I have read through this year. I have found some genres I enjoy and others I dislike, but each one has shaped me into a better reader by helping me gain knowledge through their works.
Section Three: 2024 reading goals:
As opposed to past years, I have decided to take my 2024 at a light and less stressful pace. Because of that, I have decided to give myself three goals to follow during the year.
- 30 books in 2024
In 2024, due to my hectic schedule and classes, I have decided to keep my goal low. I don’t want to place an expectation that is unneeded on my shoulders. I would rather take time to enjoy what I read and fully immerse myself in those stories, as opposed to reading for a book count. I would prefer to read 30 books that I enjoy than 100 books I didn’t retain.
- Five Classics
With wanting to read 30 books this coming year, I want to have five of those novels be classics. Although not all people enjoy the genre, I find some of my favorite novels of all time are classics and that there is so much to learn from them. The top five classics that I plan to read are:
- “The Woman in White” by Wilkie Collins
- “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee
- “One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
- “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker
- “Dracula” by Bram Stoker
3.) Rereads
I don’t often reread my favorite books, but lately, I have had a burning desire to do exactly that. In 2024, I plan to reread any book that I want to and not restrain myself due to other novels. Just because it isn’t a new story to me, doesn’t mean it isn’t valuable. I have three major novels that I want to reread in 2024.
- “The Phantom of the Opera” by Gaston Leroux
- “The Lightning Thief” by Rick Riordan
- “Inkheart” by Cornelia Funke
Final thoughts: I am pleased with my 2024 reading plans and believe they will be greatly helpful in shaping who I am as a reader.
I am incredibly pleased with how my reading year turned out. As I look back on 2023, the novels I read were reflective of my year as a whole. Through the novels I read, I can express who I am and what I feel. I can’t wait to see what 2024 holds!
