2023 reading wrapped

[bluerthanbluets]

going to list my DNFs bec i still read that shit anyway. this year's list was definitely more than the last but still shorter than i thought i could do. anyway, reading is hard okay! i gotta venture into more local stuff next year.

HOW TO READ NOW by elaine castillo was a very useful text for my class. carries a very impt nugget on writing fiction and empathy: "The concept of instrumentalizing fiction or art as a kind of ethical protein shake, such that reading more diversely will somehow make us better humans--produces a superficial effect." i love elaine and this challenge to continue the learning/unlearning outside of the books we read. 
 

THE AGE OF UMBRAGE by jessica zafra made me cry. i passed this on to one of my advisees. they cried too.
 

TRUST EXERCISE by susan choi was a veeeeery long read for me that when i got to the third act, everything already felt diluted. but what language! i love her prose and her female characters. there was one absolutely unhinged explicit scene in the first few pages of the book that got me clutching my pearls. if u are to read this author though, i suggest her other book, MY EDUCATION. so good.
 

TOMORROW AND TOMORROW AND TOMORROW by gabrielle zevin is a perfect book. helped me bond with my gamer bestfriend haha, and inspired by wonhui ficmix. read this, whether you game or not.
 

BABEL by rf kuang not my genre but burned through this so quickly. very strong world and story. if i were a more diligent reader who had more time in her hands, this would have pushed me to read more of kuang's books.
 

THE ATLAS SIX by olivie blake [dnf]

SEVEN HUSBANDS by taylor jenkins reid [dnf]

ALL THE LOVERS IN THE NIGHT by mieko kawakami went back to this recently while we were working on the editing of my book and came away with more appreciation for my editor and this book, which my editor himself loved. cute.
 

REAL LIFE by brandon taylor [dnf]

IF I HAD YOUR FACE by frances cha in hindsight this felt like it was written to be made onto an episodic drama. i think if this were adapted into the small screen, the multi-pov would work and the reveal would land more efficiently. i still liked this though. i go back to my tweet where i quoted neferti tadiar: women's shared connections are transformative. 
 

NINTH HOUSE, HELLBOUND by leigh bardugo unfortunately my genre is really the most boring classical realism so this one was again an out of pocket read but i liked it! i read the second book as soon as i finished the first, and while HELLBOUND had a difficult job of following up the first, i enjoyed these two back to back. 

 

Y/N by esther choi [dnf]

GREEK LESSONS by han kang one of my most favorite reads this year. i really like how transparent and precise han kang's writing is, a vision i also would like my own prose to achieve one day. 
 

MIRACLES OF THE NAMIYA GENERAL STORE by keigo higashino this read was special bec i finished it the eve of my bday. i loved this. only the second book of the year that made me cry! 
 

COLD ENOUGH FOR SNOW by jessica au this was poetry. so short and simple but beautiful, hypnotizing. writing about this now reminded me of my favorite film this year, perfect days! the vibes, the praise for the mundane... 
 

HAPPY ENDINGS by luis katigbak [reread, new edition] one of my most treasured book purchases this year. luis katigbak was one of the very first writers who made me want to write fiction. i remember reading the very old, now out of print edition of this book in my college's library and wishing the book would not run out of stories. i looked him up just now and found two of his stories available online: dear distance, subterrania. enjoy!
 

EVERYTHING IS REALISM by vicente garcia groyon also one of my most impt books this year. will keep going back to this as i write onwards. every page in this book is a necessary read for fictionists.

 

still reading
 

ORV by sing shong well this one is very long okay. i'm afraid i'm still not halfway through it bec i keep getting distracted while going through the... let me check... 6,000 pages of this light novel. haha its so good though, so im not dnf-ing it. ill finish this or it will finish me. 
 

VICIOUS by v.e. schwab which im reading while i finish my dino cannes fic. writing in a genre im not used to is challenging, esp getting the tone right so ive been reading this and also going thru kang full's webtoons, so maybe that also should be in this list.

that's all for the books... not very satisfied with this list so i hope next year's gonna be more fruitful and i happen into books that changes me on a molecular level or something. its been so long. please touch me.

some fic reading highlights

tearstrung's SPLINTERS OF TIME led me to one of my most favorite writing experiences ever, so i need to give this a shoutout.

my friend bonnomiy also has the best gyuboos out there, and although THE HEAD, THE HEART, THE HAND is ongoing it has some of this year's most excellent writing imo. also a friend in this list but this gift fic/remix of my cat person, THE HILLS AREN'T GOING ANYWHERE by miissedappointments is also a must read. a masterclass on imagery and subtext.

and ANTIFREEZE by hatchimitsuto, which gifted me with countryboy choi seungcheol and the perfect fl in the form of a messy, peppy nayeon. please read.

idk if i'll do a 2023 fic commentary for my own works but right now i have fic feelings @ substack set up, so thats all i have planned for 2024 so far. 

thanks for hanging out!