My books in 2023.

Reflecting on my 2023 Books 

    It has become a tradition of mine to reflect upon the books I have had the pleasure of reading in the past year. Usually, my insights and reviews have been shared through Instagram Stories. However, I have decided to change my approach this year by creating a detailed blog post.

    The compilation of books presented is ordered based on my personal enjoyment and connection with each work. It is important to note that the ranking is entirely subjective and does not serve as a definitive measure of these works' literary quality or merit. Each book has enriched my year in its own unique way, and it is my hope that by sharing this list, it may serve as a source of inspiration or intrigue for others.

The list is as follows:

1. Nausea; by Jean-Paul Sartre

A philosophical novel in the form of a diary. The main character Antoine Roquetin is experiencing an ever-growing disillusionment towards humanity. He feels lonely and misunderstood, and often finds himself experiencing a sickening feeling which he calls the nausea. This book will first deconstruct your beliefs on existence and purpose, allowing you to question and later redefine them through a new lens (that of Sartre's existentialism). It is a powerful and hard read, but one that is definitely worth it. One of the few books that has made me re-evaluate my life in all its aspects, creating a sort of before-and-after in the way I approach problems and other inevitabilities of life. 

2. The Passion According to GH; by Clarice Lispector

This work delves deep into the human psyche, exploring themes of existence, identity, and transformation. Lispector's narrative is introspective and philosophical, often blurring the lines between thought and reality. What makes The Passion According to G.H. particularly impactful is its exploration of the human condition, as she examines the essence of being, the nature of existence and the search for meaning. The protagonist's crisis is not just a personal one; it reflects the universal struggle to understand one's place in the world. The book does not shy away from exploring the darker aspects of the human mind, making the book a compelling, though at times challenging, read.

3. Brief Interviews with Hideous Men; by David Foster Wallace

A series of unconventionally written short stories. DFW's writing is one of the most innovative in recent years, and this book is a perfect testament to that. His style is his own; daring and inimitable. Through these stories, he reflects on themes of loneliness and modern (toxic) masculinity. His mastery in language and structure is evident as he experiments with various forms of storytelling, moving seamlessly from straightforward narratives to more unusual formats like interview transcripts. Each story, while unique, collectively paints a picture of the complexities of human relationships. 

4. Journey to the End of the Night; by Céline

Every year I try to read at least 1 war novel, and this was my pick for 2023. It is always important to remind ourselves of the destruction and pain and horrifying acts that humans are capable of. This novel does exactly that, but so much more. The plot follows its main character's struggle through WW1, and the effects this has on him throughout the remainder of his life. It makes the reader uncomfortable, and perfectly depicts the pain that is not only within oneself but all around human existence. Céline was a pioneer in world literature by being one of the first authors to write a book directed for the masses. The book uses everyday language and slang, something very new for when it was written in the 1930s. From a scholarly point of view, it is incredible to see how much influence Céline had on literature, language, and philosophy. Very much recommended.

5. Boquitas Pintadas; by Manuel Puig

Set in a small town in Argentina, the novel tells a story of love, desire, and betrayal. However, what makes this novel really stand out is Puig's mastery of using alternate narrative styles to reveal his plot. The story is told through a series of letters, diary entries, newspaper clippings, and police reports, creating a truly unique literary collage. Boquitas Pintadas is an exploration of the societal norms and expectations in 1940s and 1950s Argentina, particularly focusing on the themes of forbidden love, gossip, and the constraints imposed by small-town life. Puig perfectly captures the essence of each character, their passions, fears, and secrets. If I could describe this book in one word, it would be: beautiful.

6. I Who Have Never Known Men; by Jacqueline Harpman

Set in a dystopian future, the story revolves around a young woman who is among thirty-nine female prisoners held in an underground bunker. The characters, especially the narrator, are carefully drawn, with their resilience and vulnerabilities laid bare. Harpman's ability to create a narrative that is both intimate in its character study and expansive in its philosophical implications is truly amazing. This is one of those rare books that perfectly combines the feeling of "not being able to put the book down" with a sense of philosophical growth while reading.

7. Go Tell it on the Mountain; by James Baldwin

Go Tell it on the Mountain is a profound novel, and one of the most important works of American Literature. The book is a semi-autographical narrative, and explores different themes such as identity, race, sexuality, and religion. Set in Harlem at the start of the 20th century, the story follows John Grimes, on his 14th birthday, his strained relationship with his stepfather, and his spiritual awakening. However, the narrative structure shifts between John's present experiences and the past stories of his family members, providing a further understanding of the characters' motivations and the generational trauma they carry. Baldwin's prose style is both lyrical and powerful, and perfectly captures the intense emotional/spiritual struggles of his characters. 

8. The History of Sexuality Vol 1; by Micheal Foucault

Foucault, a renowned French philosopher, challenges traditional notions of sexuality, arguing that it is not only repressed by power but is also a part of broader power structures. By explaining how the discourse on sexuality has been controlled and manipulated by various institutions, Foucault allows the reader to really understand why we view sex the way we do. An example: He examines how confession, initially a religious practice, became a key tool in eliciting sexual information, thus turning sexuality into  a field of knowledge. This book is extremely eye-opening, but is very intellectually challenging to read. Nonetheless, I consider it a must-read by everyone, atleast in some point in their lives.

9. The Ways of Seeing; by John Berger

Initially, The Ways of Seeing was a TV show on BBC. It was later adapted into a book, encompassing the same ideas and spirit of the show. By analyzing art in different perspectives, Berger reveals much about how we view the world as well. Page by page, we begin to understand why the world is designed the way it is. The book is now recognized as one of the most influential works of all time, and is especially big in feminist movements. His exploration of the relationship between sight and social understanding is eye-opening, demonstrating how our perception is often shaped by external factors.

10.  The Myth of Sisyphus; by Albert Camus

"There is but one serious philosophical problem, and that is suicide." That's the first sentence of the essay, heavy way to start. This book then goes on to discuss Camus' philosophy of absurdism. Camus says that our lives are a lot like the story of Sisyphus from Greek myths. Sisyphus had to keep rolling a big rock up a hill, but every time he almost got to the top, the rock would roll back down and he'd have to start over. At the end of the essay, Camus says "The struggle itself towards the heights is enough to fill a man's heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy". Of course, quotes aren't enough to understand the whole essay. So I vastly recommend everyone read this, it is filled with wisdom and I guarantee it will change your outlook on life.

11. Art Essentials: Street Art; by Simon Armstrong

Many people have probably seen graffiti on the street. Some enjoy it, some not. What most don't know is the story behind graffiti. This book talks about the history of graffiti, its importance on a city's culture, and the influence it has on people. What I enjoyed most about this book was learning about something I never knew there was so much to learn about. Urban art is a form of "anti-art", where there is no ownership of a piece, and no intrinsic value. It is the people's art, and anyone could be the artist. The artist does not chase personal fame or money. They chase something much bigger. Read this book and you will never view the city or the streets in the same way.

12. The Castle; by Franz Kafka

Franz Kafka was taken from this world way too early. There was so much more to his genius than what we were allowed to see. With him, there will always be a feeling that there is more, and there is no better example of this feeling than with this novel. The Castle is an unfinished work by Kafka, and literally ends mid-sentence. Kafka created a setting of intrigue and mystery in the novel, and unintentionally, ends his work in that same way. Kafka died before being able to finish this novel, and had actually wished on his deathbed for the work-in-progress to be destroyed. It was only thanks to his close friend and editor, that the novel survived. The book is strongly metaphorical, exploring themes of religion, bureaucracy, and the general absurdity of life. Looking forward to re-reading it soon, since I am sure that no matter how many times I do, I will never fully grasp the genius that is Franz Kafka.

13. Letters to a Young Poet; by Rilke

Letters to a Young Poet is a series of 10 letters written by Rilke to another young poet (Franz Kappus), who would often write to Rilke seeking advice on his writing. Rilke explains to Kappus that in order to create poetry, a poet must first learn how to live as a poet; loving as a poet loves, feeling as a poet feels, and always seeking the ultimate artistic truth. The book now serves as a source of inspiration for all types of artists, as Rilke's pieces of advice seem to hold a unique timelessness to them.

14. Poor Folk; by Dostoevsky

Poor Folk is Dostoevsky's first attempt at writing a novel. It is clear that by the time Dostoevsky had written the book, he was not yet the man he would later go on to become. However, this does not mean that this novel is not incredible in its own way. The book is written as a series of letters between two characters, where they talk about their lives and daily struggles. There is much literary value, and even more so if you (as I am) are a fan of F.D. But what I enjoyed most about the novel, was how accurately it allows us to visualize the life of the poor folk during 1840's Russia. The book is categorized as fiction, but could easily be taken as a primary source of information due to how multifaceted it is.

15. Queer; by William Burroughs

Burroughs is definitely one the funnest authors to read, and this book is no exception. It follows the main character's journey through Mexico and Latin America looking for the mythical yage drug. But what made me love this book was its themes and influence on the world. Reading Burroughs' life story is a must-do before reading any of his work. Only then will you be able to understand the immense presence he had has on pop culture. Even though Queer was written in the 50s, it still tells a braver story on taboo subjects such as homosexuality and drugs than most books do today.

16. Create Dangerously; by Albert Camus

Create Dangerously is actually a speech, given by the genius Albert Camus, and later adapted into book form. The speech serves as a call to arms to all artists, as Camus believes art is a necessity for a civilized society. He urges artists to create freely and without fear, and explains the unwavering effect that art can have in a person's soul. “To create today means to create dangerously. Every publication is a deliberate act, and that act makes us vulnerable to the passions of a century that forgives nothing.”

17. Bienvenido al Barrio, Homie; by Adrian Salazar Ventura

I picked this book as I was wandering a local book fair. It was one of those moments where one doesn't know what they're looking for until they've found it. Bienvenido al Barrio, Homie is an autobiographical novel, depicting Ventura's most inspirational moments as he attempted to connect with local gangs, in order to promote peace. The reader will follow Ventura as he befriends leaders from rival gangs, and gains respect from both sides. Very much recommended, especially if you (like me) are from Monterrey, Mexico.

18. The Ethical Slut; by Dossie Easton & Janet Hardy

A controversial read, and definitely a book that will not be enjoyed by all readers. The Ethical Slut is an approach to how to successfully be involved in a non-conventional relationship. Even though this book is targeted to only a select group of people, its advice and knowledge apply to all. The book talks about the importance of healthy communication, self-reflection, and safe sexual practices to maintain a level of trust between those involved in any relationship. Definitely a must-read for those who are curious, and have the ability to learn from any experience that life throws at them.