23 books to read in 2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . p 9

Atomic Habits – James Clear

This is the perfect non-fiction book to read at the start of the new year because it will fill you with motivation and insight on howto make 2023 your best year yet. It gives a straightforward guide on how to build good habits and break bad ones in order to start living an easier and more structured life.

A Room of One’s Own – Virginia Woolf (college appropriate)

This book asserts feminist ideals and brings to life the struggles of women in the 20th century.Iloved every minute ofreading this book and it really had the feminist within me raging in agreement with Woolf’s words. I think everyone needs to read this book to be able to understand the inconspicuous sexism which people often disregard.

The Summer I Turned Pretty – Jenny Han

This is a fast and breezy read for readers of all ages. It is set in a summer house near a beach and follows a love triangle between a girl called Belly and two brothers whom she has known since birth. The summer feeling held within the pages makes this trilogy perfect to read on the beach or by the pool, but it will make you stumble upon an almost impossible decision. Are you team Conrad or team Jeremiah?

Little Women – Louisa May Alcott (College appropriate)

This is another classic which will not make you fall asleep. This novel tells the story of four very different sisters and their coming out in society. Most of them search for love while others search for happiness and freedom but each sister undergoes a journey of their own. The story is so beautifully written and I will forever hold so much love for this book.

The Firm – John Grisham

The Firm is 100% my favourite book by John Grisham. It is so captivating and hard to put down. It follows the story of a man who comes out of Harvard Law and is hired by a veryprestigious Law Firm. However, following a series of deaths he soon discovers that there is more to the Firm than meets the eye and he is determined to uncover the truth from which is being withheld from him.

I Capture the Castle – Dodie Smith

I readthisbook many years ago, but it still impacts me to this day. The storyis set in the 1930s and follows the journey of a chaotic family who struggle to survive in an old castle. The sisters in the book try to find love and marry into money in order to help the family’s financial situation but the love triangle does not follow out as planned… The setting of the book is so well described and I was able to feel present in the book while reading it.

The Song of Achilles – Madeline Miller

This book is a heart wrenching love story between two Greek mythology heroes: Patroclus and Achilles. After reading the Iliad, I was left wanting tofind out more about the two characters relationship and this book did not fail to deliver. The way this book is written is so beautiful and mindful that it makes you fall in love with the characters at once. Although they face obstacles and challenges along the way, their love never falters despite the lovers' tragic fate.

Heartless – Marissa Meyer

The last book on this list is another Fictional Fantasy novel with romance and action which narrates the story of the Queen of Hearts before she became Queen. This book really sets into context the reasoning behind the character’s behaviour in ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and helped me find a new appreciation for this often disliked character. The plot took me completely by surprise but I enjoyed it in a way I hadn't expected. 11