Reading is one of the most rewarding and enriching activities that humans can engage in. It opens our minds to new worlds, new ideas, and new perspectives. It also helps us improve our language skills, memory, and critical thinking. But reading can also be challenging, especially in the age of digital distractions and information overload. How can we make reading more enjoyable, accessible, and meaningful for ourselves and others?
One way is to explore the latest trends and innovations in reading culture, such as the emergence of new genres, formats, platforms, and communities. In this article, we will introduce you to some of the must-read books of 2023 that are revolutionizing reading in various ways. Whether you are looking for fiction or non-fiction, poetry or memoirs, classics or contemporary works, these books will offer you something to spark your curiosity, inspire your imagination, and challenge your assumptions.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Book Thief is a novel by Markus Zusak that tells the story of Liesel Meminger, a nine-year-old girl who lives in Nazi Germany during World War II. Liesel loves books more than anything else in the world, and she steals them from wherever she can find them. She also shares them with her foster family: Hans Hubermann, a Jewish man who hides in their basement; Rosa Hubermann, his wife, who suffers from tuberculosis; and Max Vandenburg, a Jewish boy who becomes Liesel’s best friend.
The Book Thief is narrated by Death, who follows Liesel’s life as she witnesses the horrors of war and the atrocities committed by humans against each other. The novel is written in a unique style that combines historical facts with fictional elements. It also uses various literary devices, such as letters, diaries, poems, songs, and quotes, to create a rich and diverse narrative.
The Book Thief is not only a captivating story but also a powerful commentary on the themes of love, friendship, courage, hopelessness, and humanity. It has been praised for its originality, humor, emotionality, and literary merit. It has also been adapted into a successful film directed by Brian Percival.
Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Tomorrow is a novel by Gabrielle Zevin that follows two friends who share a passion for video games: Alex Chen and Maxine Chen (no relation). Alex is an aspiring filmmaker who dreams of making movies about video games; Maxine is an aspiring musician who dreams of making songs about video games. Together with their other friends, Sam (a gamer), Mia (a hacker), Leo (a gamer), and Zoe (a hacker), they form an online gaming community called Tomorrow.
Tomorrow is more than just a game; it’s also a way for Alex and Maxine to escape from their problems: Alex’s abusive father; Maxine’s estranged mother; their insecurities; their unrequited crushes; their rivalries; their secrets. As they play Tomorrow together every day after school (and sometimes during school), they discover new aspects of themselves and each other. They also encounter unexpected challenges that test their loyalty to each other and their game.
Tomorrow is a novel that explores the themes of friendship, creativity, identity, and technology. It has been described as “a deeply moving, life-affirming meditation on love, creativity, art, romance, friendship, fame, and more” by Penguin Books UK. It has also been praised for its humor, heart, and originality. It has been compared to The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky and The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.
The Vegan by Andrew Lipstein
The Vegan is a memoir by Andrew Lipstein that chronicles his journey from being an omnivorous journalist to becoming a vegan activist and author. Lipstein was born into an Orthodox Jewish family in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up eating meat and dairy products as part of his religious tradition. He never questioned his diet until he started working as an investigative reporter for The New York Times Magazine.
Lipstein soon realized that he was eating animals that were killed for food by humans. He felt guilty and conflicted about his role in this system. He decided to change his diet and adopt veganism. He faced many challenges along the way: his family’s disapproval; his colleagues’ skepticism; his doubts; his health issues; and his social isolation. But he also found many benefits: he felt healthier; he saved money; he reduced his environmental impact; he gained compassion; and he made new friends.
The Vegan is not only a personal story but also a social one. It exposes the cruelty and injustice of animal agriculture and its consequences for humans, animals, and the planet. It also offers practical advice on how to go vegan or how to help others do so. It has been hailed as “a powerful manifesto
and inspiring account of one man’s transformation from a meat-eater to a vegan” by The Guardian. It has also been endorsed by celebrities such as Ellen DeGeneres, Joaquin Phoenix, and Alicia Silverstone.
The Art of Happiness by Dalai Lama and Howard Cutler
The Art of Happiness is a book by the Dalai Lama and Howard Cutler that explores the concept of happiness from a Buddhist perspective. Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate; Howard Cutler is a psychiatrist and a co-author of the book. The book is based on a series of interviews that Cutler conducted with the Dalai Lama over several years.
The Art of Happiness covers various topics related to happiness, such as the nature of happiness, the sources of happiness, the obstacles to happiness, the methods of achieving happiness, and the benefits of happiness. The book presents Dalai Lama’s views on these topics, as well as Cutler’s reflections and insights from his own professional and personal experience. The book also offers practical exercises and tips on how to apply the teachings of Buddhism to one’s daily life.
The Art of Happiness is not only a book but also a philosophy and a way of life. It has been described as “a rare and precious gift that offers hope and inspiration to millions of readers from all walks of life” by Publishers Weekly. It has also been praised for its wisdom, compassion, and clarity. It has been translated into more than 50 languages and has sold over 15 million copies worldwide.
The Future is Female by Roxane Gay
The Future is Female is a collection of essays by Roxane Gay that celebrates the achievements and contributions of women in various fields and domains. Roxane Gay is a feminist writer, professor, and social commentator who is known for her best-selling books Bad Feminist and Hunger. The Future is Female is her latest work that showcases her sharp and witty style of writing.
The Future is Female features 25 essays that highlight the stories and voices of women who have made a difference in the world, such as Malala Yousafzai, Kamala Harris, Beyoncé, Greta Thunberg, Oprah Winfrey, and many more. The essays also explore the challenges and opportunities that women face in the 21st century, such as gender equality, representation, violence, education, health, and leadership. The essays also offer insights and advice on how to empower and support women and girls in their journeys.
The Future is Female is not only a collection of essays but also a manifesto and a movement. It has been hailed as “a powerful and provocative celebration of women’s resilience, creativity, and courage” by Kirkus Reviews. It has also been praised for its honesty, humor, and intelligence. It has been nominated for several awards and has been featured on various bestseller lists.
These are some of the must-read books of 2023 that are revolutionizing reading in different ways. They are not only entertaining and informative, but also inspiring and enlightening. They offer us new perspectives and possibilities for ourselves and others. They also challenge us to think critically and creatively about the world and our place in it. If you are looking for something to read this year, you might want to check out these books and see for yourself how they can change your life.
