Reading Recap 2023
As I begin my 2024 reading journey, I’m so grateful for the vibrant and grounding stories by Black women authors that graced my palms throughout the previous year. Last January I burnout, really bad, and one of the things that I leaned on to come back to myself was reading. For a few years, like many of us, I was solely reading self-help books and non-fiction. I was obsessed with all things personal growth and healing and then hit a brick wall. The thought of picking up those types of books made me cringe and it prevented me from picking up another book altogether - until I had the major breakdown at work and ended up on short-term leave.
Within my first two weeks off, my friend Elaisha reintroduced me to the wondrous magic of ✨the library✨. I’ve always loved reading, especially as a kid, and had a lot of time on my hands to rest, heal and focus on myself now. The book I was interested in reading wasn’t available at my location at the time, so I wandered up and down the rows until “We Weren’t Looking To Be Found” grabbed my attention. I didn’t read into it much and decided to start my journey back into reading there. I finished it in 2 days. Due to my declined mental state, I related to the characters more than I was prepared for. However, it was exactly what I needed. It sparked a momentum like no other. The library became my best friend. With each new read, I came closer and closer to myself. Slowly revealing the joy within.
It was important for me to make a conscious effort to read stories written specifically by Black women authors - that did not center Black trauma. I, and many other people I know, are tired of reading stories about slavery, trauma, and our collective pain. So I searched out cute romance novels, young adult tales, thrilling narratives and stories about our regular every day lives. Each story connected with different parts of me; sometimes leaving me shattered, making my crack up, and falling deeper in love with love.
The books are in no specific order, and it would be so hard for me to choose top favourites. I didn’t read to review, I read to reveal the parts of me that I thought I lost. I read to connect deeper within. I read to feel joy. I read to escape… and ended up running straight into myself. The lives and stories of each character touched my heart and soul in ways I didnt know I needed. To read stories about Black women, by Black women, as a Black woman was something I knew I needed but didn’t realize how much. In 2024, I plan to continue supporting the work of Black women authors and showcasing the vast spectrum of stories they have to tell. I hope you are able to connect with the stories below, as much as I was, and come back to yourself this year too.
What were your favourite reads of 2023? Share your recommendations and thoughts in the comments below!
