As the year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting back on the rich tapestry of stories that have colored my world and expanded my horizons in 2023. This year has been a literary journey filled with tales that have sparked my imagination, challenged my perceptions, and, most importantly, fueled my artistic spirit.
So, without further ado, here are the stories and narratives that have kept me company this year, transporting me across cultures and time. Here’s my 2023 reading list:
5 non-fiction reads on creative living & more
- What They Didn’t Teach You in Art School by Rosalind Davis & Annabel Tilley
- The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin ★
- Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
- I’d Rather Be in the Studio! by Alyson B. Stanfield ★
- The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck Life by Mark Manson ★
3 books on myths & legends retold
- Mythos: The Greek Myths Retold by Stephen Fry [Ancient Greece]
- Love in Color: Mythical Tales from Around the World, Retold by Bola Babalola [West Africa, Ancient Greece & the Middle East]
- Siddartha by Herman Hesse [India]
2 fictional stories set the art world
- The Muse by Jessie Burton [England/Spain] ★
- Georgia: A Novel of Georgia O’Keeffe by Dawn Tripp [USA]
7 books that transported me across the world, across time
- The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin [Portugal] ★
- Anxious People by Fredrik Backman [Sweden] ★
- The Villa by Rachel Hawkins [Italy] ★
- Dele Weds Destiny by Tomi Obaro [Nigeria] ★
- The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho [Spain]
- Moloka’i by Alan Brennert [Hawaii]
- The Personal Library by Marie Benedict [USA]
7 stories that were set in the familiar
- Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Zevin Gabrielle [USA] ★
- Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus [USA] ★
- The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman [England] ★
- The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman [England] ★
- The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams [England] ★
- Between Us by Mhairi McFarlane [England]
- Magpie by Elizabeth Day [England?]
This journey through my books isn’t just about the stories and things I learn from them, it’s also about the conversations I have with friends about them. Whether you’re a fellow book lover, an artist seeking inspiration, or someone just curious about what I spent time with this year, I invite you to join me in the conversation.
What were your favorite reads of 2023? What would you recommend? Did you read any of the books on my list this year? Let’s share our literary discoveries and celebrate the magic of storytelling.
As we bid farewell to 2023, I’m filled with gratitude for the books that have been my companions through highs and lows. Here’s to a new year filled with more pages to turn, more stories to uncover, and, of course, new parts of the world to explore.
Wishing you a joyous holiday season and a literary-rich year ahead!
Happy reading, Malti
P.S. I’d love for you to become a friend on Goodreads. I love to follow what my friends are reading and am always looking for recommendations!
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