What a year of writing and reading! As far as writing, the biggest difference between this year and last is that I wrote a poem, and not only that, it was published! I was inspired by “The Golden Bachelor” (as one is) and by feeling free to experiment with poetry. The lovely editor at The Disappointed Housewife nominated it for a Pushcart Prize, so if it wins, I will literally (and yes, I mean literally) die.
I had one author interview, seventeen short stories, and one poem accepted for publication this year, and nineteen total publications for the year, by far the most since I began writing seriously in 2020. I’m also very proud of my current novel-in-progress, which i hope to revise, revise, revise over the course of 2024.
On to the list!
I read a total of 112 books to date, and I plan to finish four more by December 26th, when, according to arcane Theiss rules, the book list ends. I am very proud to say my list is exactly 50% writers of color, a goal I set for myself in 2022 and 2021 and didn’t accomplish. I read a wonderful variety of writers, many of which I might not have read otherwise. This includes Chinua Achebe and Tomoka Shibasaki, whose books made a lasting impression on me. Next year, I’d like to read more books in translation, including from Japanese writers like Shibasaki.
I also delved into learning about Buddhism this year, which expanded my list to include inspirational figures like Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche and Dr. Tara Brach. I plan to continue reading and learning about Buddhism in 2024.
I read seventy books by female-identifying authors (one more than last year) and thirteen books by Georges Simenon (the same as last year). I was hungry for books about early humans (eight) and recovery (four), two of my favorite subjects.
As usual, it is very hard to narrow it down to my favorite, but I adored Caroline Knapp’s memoir DRINKING: A LOVE STORY. Although we lost her decades ago, I mourned her death after falling in love with her writing.
Here’s to a new year with plenty of books, inspiration, and reality television!