I've had a very rough year. Full of anxiety, fear, dread and depression. Never before have I felt like this. Like, so sick and in mental health hell that I had to go to therapy.
I've tried to stay positive, and my normal self, and keep doing what I want to. Sometimes it works - getting out of my head is what I need - but mostly, I just don't feel up for anything anymore. There's not much to look forward to anymore. Especially when it comes to social media and the pop culture landscape. I'm definitely taking a break from those.
I don't believe in some of the things I used to. But hey, maybe I'll feel different in one of my better mood changes, which are in flux. I just can't seem to get my messed up mind out of its dark place permanently. If there is one thing I must believe in now, it's that this has to pass. I'll always try my best, and be the best, kindest and most caring person I can be.
When it comes to the books I've read in 2023, I've realised that there are in fact books I wish I'd never read, which my old self would have been appalled by. Knowledge, understanding and empathy are good things; I still stand by that. Though maybe there are things in the world, and in humanity, that my sensitive and overthinking and anxious self can't handle, after all.
But despite everything, I managed to read 241 books this year! I am shocked. I haven't read so much in a long time. Granted, many of them are rereads, graphic novels and picture books, but they count. Most of today's novels are terrible anyway. Loads of them are definitely overrated and overhyped. I won't be reading anything new, not if I can help myself, and resist temptation (I remain a reader at heart, so there's something to feel positive about, at least). When it comes to rereading my old novels, I no longer like a lot of them, and my bookshelf is now considerably low on content. In comparison, my graphic novel bookshelf has grown. I've recently given away around fourteen DVDs, too.
I gave away so much. I reread and rereviewed (and reassessed, even books I liked but have then taken issue with on a few points - such is time and hindsight - but may have not updated on in my reviews) so much.
For the sake of my mental health, and self-care, some distance and change is necessary.
But oh, I'm sorry, this post has become long and sad. This was meant to be a list! A list of the reading I did in 2023, and then close off in a hopeful light in the wake of 2024. Hope that I will feel better and life will get better (socialising and spending time with my family and friends has helped me).
I will start off listing the worst books I read in 2023, to get the negative out of the way before ending on the positive.
I won't count the rereads on the lists.
Right, let's not waste any more time! Here I go!:
Top 18 Worst Books of 2023
18. Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy by Angie Thomas
17. Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson
16. The Witches of Moonshyne Manor by Bianca Marais
15. Starfell: Willow Moss & the Lost Day by Dominique Valente
14. The New Champion of Shazam! by Josie Campbell, (Writer), Evan "Doc" Shaner (Artist), Becca Carey (Letterer)
13. The Lighthouse Witches by C.J. Cooke
12. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
11. Gwen & Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher
10. Crystal Fighters by Jen Bartel, Tyler Bartel
9. Marvel-Verse: Shuri by Various
8. Marvel-Verse: Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider by Various
7. Belle of the Ball by Mari Costa (link to my review here)
6. An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson
5. Marvel Meow by Nao Fuji
4. Belladonna by Adalyn Grace
3. Wonder Girl: Homecoming by Joëlle Jones, (Author, Artist), Adriana Melo (Artist), Leila del Duca (Artist), Jordie Bellaire (Colorist), Clayton Cowles (Letterer), Pat Brosseau (Letterer)
2. Lucinda Belinda Melinda McCool by Jeanne Willis (Writer), Tony Ross (Illustrator)
1. Thumble Tumble and the Ollpheist by A.H. Proctor
Top 32 Best Books of 2023
32. A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin (link to my review here)
31. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum (okay it's technically a reread, but it's a positive one, and it's of a book I haven't read since I was a kid, so I'm counting it) (link to my review here)
30. Rainbow Gey by Laura Ellen Anderson (link to my review here)
29. D&D: Dungeon Club, #1: Roll Call by Molly Knox Ostertag (Writer), Xanthe Bouma (Artist) (link to my review here)
28. Northranger by Rey Terciero (Writer), Bre Indigo (Artist) (link to my review here)
27. Coraline (the graphic novel) by Neil Gaiman, P. Craig Russell (Adaptor/Artist) (link to my review here)
26. A Spoonful of Frogs by Casey Lyall (Writer), Vera Brosgol (Illustrator) (link to my review here)
25. Other Ever Afters: New Queer Fairy Tales by Melanie Gillman (link to my review here)
24. The Witch's Throne (Volume 1) by Cedric Caballes (link to my review here)
23. Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli (link to my review here)
22. The Girl Who Loves Bugs by Lily Murray (Writer), Jenny Løvlie (Illustrator) (link to my review here)
21. Juniper Mae: Knight of Tykotech City by Sarah Soh (link to my review here)
20. Hollow by Shannon Watters (Writer), Branden Boyer-White (Writer), Berenice Nelle (Artist) (link to my review here)
19. The Christmas Carrolls by Mel Taylor-Bessent, Selom Sunu (Illustrator) (link to my review here)
18. Billie Blaster and the Robot Army from Outer Space by Laini Taylor (Writer), Jim Di Bartolo (Artist) (link to my review here)
17. Once Upon a Witch's Broom by Beatrice Blue (link to my review here)
16. The Fairy Garden by Georgia Buckthorn (Writer), Isabella Mazzanti (Illustrator) (link to my review here)
15. Unfamiliar by Haley Newsome (link to my review here)
14. The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl: 2 Fast, 2 Furious by Shannon Hale, Dean Hale (link to my review here)
13. Hellaween by Moss Lawton (link to my review here)
12. Death (Death of the Endless #1-2) (The Deluxe Edition) by Neil Gaiman (Writer), Various Artists (link to my review here)
11. Diana and Nubia: Princesses of the Amazons by Shannon Hale (Writer), Dean Hale (Writer), Victoria Ying (Artist) (link to my review here)
10. Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell (Writer), Faith Erin Hicks (Artist) (link to my review here)
9. Catwoman: Lonely City by Cliff Chiang (link to my review here)
8. The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz (link to my review here)
7. The Moth Keeper by K. O'Neill (link to my review here)
6. Heartstopper Volume Five by Alice Oseman (link to my review here)
5. Neverlanders by Tom Taylor (Writer), Jon Sommariva (Artist) (link to my review here)
4. Fix the System, Not the Women by Laura Bates (link to my review here)
3. That Flag by Tameka Fryer Brown (Writer), Nikkolas Smith (Illustrator) (link to my review here)
2. Anne Frank's Diary: The Graphic Adaptation by Ari Folman (Adaptor), David Polonsky (Artist), Anne Frank (Writer) (link to my review here)
1. Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy: A Modern Graphic Retelling of Little Women by Rey Terciero (Writer), Bre Indigo (Artist) (link to my review here)
So that's it.
I have no plans to read many books next year. Maybe five at most. I am not looking forward to much of anything. Hardly one yet-to-be-published book looks honestly good, or is catching my eye. I will not be fooled by new unoriginal and barely-proofread crap stuff anymore; I've learned my lesson.
I said that I won't read so much last year, didn't I? And look - 241 books. There's a cracking record. But for 2024, I am certain of my statement of reading significantly less. I will be rereading far less (I won't risk feeling any more disappointments and disillusionments), posting far less, and will be avoiding social media in general. Next year I am taking a long, relaxing break. I will be going out more. Living life. In society, in real life, with people.
It's not like anyone visits my blog anyway. Not like anyone cares to read my opinions and views.
At some point I will revisit Disney+ and other steaming services, but that's the best I'll do in terms of updating on my life. I realise I don't want to change that much, and I am in no rush.
Goodbye. For now.
I sincerely wish everyone a Happy New Year. A happy and better way in 2024. After a Happy Holiday. Like I say every year (*sigh*): Keep on hoping. Keep on caring, and be kind and brave.
Love you all.
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