My Top 10 Reading List for 2023
It’s December 25th (in my time zone, at least), and we have 6 days to go until January 1, which is New Year’s Day, or what we Catholics celebrate as the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. And as part of my (near) year-end blog, I would like to share my Top 10 Reading List for 2023. I’ll explain why I will be reading it and I will also give you a background about the book itself.
The Bible
This book is the most essential part of my of this list because I am Catholic. Is there a reason to explain any further?
The Bible is the holy book of Christianity. It is composed of two main sections, the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Catholic Bible consists of 73 books, 46 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
In my opinion, when we think of Jane Austen, we immediately think of Pride and Prejudice, this year I have read this twice, and next year, I will be reading this book because it is just so good. One of the most important reasons to read Pride and Prejudice is to gain insight into how timeless themes of love, class, and family dynamics have been explored throughout the ages. By reading this novel, you can better understand how these themes have evolved and remained relevant in modern society.
The characters in Pride and Prejudice are some of the most beloved in literature. From the strong-willed Elizabeth Bennet to the dashing Mr. Darcy, the characters in this novel are written with depth and complexity. By reading this novel, you can better understand why these characters are so beloved by readers.
Pride and Prejudice is a classic novel by Jane Austen that tells the story of Elizabeth Bennet and her five sisters in the English countryside. It follows their interactions with potential suitors and Elizabeth’s struggle between her feelings of love and her sense of pride and prejudice. The novel is an exploration of social class, manners, and gender roles in early 19th-century England. It is a beloved classic that has been adapted for film and television numerous times.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Jane Eyre is a classic novel by Charlotte Brontë that tells the story of an orphaned girl who grows up to become a governess. It follows her journey from childhood to adulthood, as she confronts challenges and experiences the power of love. The novel is an exploration of themes such as social class, morality, and gender roles in 19th-century England. It is a beloved classic that has been adapted for film and television numerous times.
One of the main reasons that I want to read Jane Eyre is to gain insight into timeless themes of social class, morality, and gender roles. Through the novel, readers can learn about the challenges faced by women in the 19th century, as well as the power of love and the importance of personal growth. The novel also provides an interesting commentary on the class system of the time, and how it affects the lives of the characters.
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
Northanger Abbey is a classic novel by Jane Austen that tells the story of Catherine Morland and her adventures in the English countryside. It follows her journey to maturity, as she navigates the social world of Bath and the mysterious estate of Northanger Abbey.
In the story, when Catherine enters Bath, she is unaware of the societal setting she will encounter. As the story goes on, we can see Catherine mature in her naive attitude, it places a value on a person that in reality, individuals don’t act as they should. Lastly, it includes not trusting someone who has a negative impact on you.
Mrs. Dolloway by Virginia Woolf
Mrs. Dalloway is a classic novel by Virginia Woolf that tells the story of Clarissa Dalloway, an upper-class woman in London, and her inner struggles in the aftermath of World War I. The novel explores themes such as mental health, gender roles, and the consequences of war.
My main reason to read Mrs. Dalloway is to gain an understanding of the themes of mental health, gender roles, and the consequences of war. Through the novel, I can learn about the challenges faced by women in the aftermath of World War I, as well as the power of relationships and the importance of self-reflection. The novel also provides an interesting commentary on the changing landscape of society in the early 20th century.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
One of the main reasons to read The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes is to gain insight into timeless themes of justice, morality, and deduction.
Through the novel, I can learn about the importance of justice and the power of deduction, as well as the power of friendship and the importance of personal growth. The novel also provides an interesting commentary on the changing landscape of society in the late 19th century.
Little Lord Fauntleroy by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Little Lord Fauntleroy is a classic novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett that tells the story of Cedric Errol, an American boy who discovers he is the heir of an English earldom. The novel explores themes such as the power of friendship, the importance of family, and the class system of 19th-century England. It is a beloved classic that has been adapted for film and television numerous times.
I’ve read the first chapter of this book, truth be told. And the impression I am left of the book is: parenting impacts a lot on a child. Mr. and Mrs. Errol, Cedric’s parents did a very good job in raising such an amiable child and this book is not meant only for children but also for parents.
When parents think that they are raising their children right, human as parents are, they commit mistakes, and what great reflection can parents have in reading this book while raising their children. It helps society remember that whatever we teach our youth, it becomes a part of them, so teach them well.
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
Treasure Island is a classic novel by Robert Louis Stevenson that tells the story of Jim Hawkins, a young boy who discovers a treasure map and embarks on an adventure to find buried treasure. The novel explores themes such as morality, friendship, and the consequences of greed.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Little Women is a classic novel by Louisa May Alcott that tells the story of the March sisters, four young women growing up in Civil War-era Massachusetts. The novel explores themes such as family, love, and the power of sisterhood. It is a beloved classic that has been adapted for film and television numerous times. (By the by, Little Women 1994 adaptation is my favorite. Just saying. Tell me in the comment, which of the adaptation of Little Women is your favorite.)
What I daydream when I think about family always goes back to Little Women, I love the book so, so much because although they are in great distress amid war, the March family survives in love and friendship. It gives us a message that through love, we can survive all difficult circumstances. Although Louisa hated this pièce de résistance, people love this.
Just a thought though, I love Marmee, I think she’s an incredible mom, and I think all of you would like to have a mom like her.
Jo’s Boys by Louisa May Alcott
Jo’s Boys is a classic novel by Louisa May Alcott that follows the lives of the March family’s former students as they navigate adulthood. It is an exploration of themes such as friendship, loyalty, and the power of family.
One of the main reasons why people love Jo’s Boys is because it explores timeless themes of friendship, loyalty, and family. Through the novel, readers can learn about the power of friendship, the importance of loyalty, and the strength of family. The novel also provides an interesting commentary on the changing landscape of society in the late 19th century.
The characters in Jo’s Boys are some of the most beloved in literature. From the loyal Nat Blake to the determined Dan Kean, the characters in this novel are written with depth and complexity. By reading this novel, readers can better understand why these characters are so beloved by readers.
The writing style of Jo’s Boys is also a big reason why people love this novel. Louisa May Alcott’s writing style is heartfelt and inspiring, making it a pleasure to read. The novel is a classic example of the children’s literature genre, which was popular in the 19th century and remains an influential force in modern literature.
