December 2023 Reads

December was an enjoyable month of reading. With the Christmas holidays I was able to settle in and read a number of books, bringing my total for the year to 55.

The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy

This was a short chapter book I had been meaning to read for a while. I really appreciate the way Tolstoy writes; his storytelling is unique and a lot of his stories centre on themes of love and death and what it means to live a good life. This wasn’t a “nice” story; Ivan Ilyich being a man who almost wills death to come to him through his despair, and the reactions from his family as he meets his gradual demise. It did, however, make me excited to also finish reading Anna Karenina (also Tolstoy). Positives! 3.5 stars.

The Tempest by William Shakespeare

For Christmas, my dad bought each of us a Shakespeare play. I read this in high school (did I actually though?) and saw the play performed live, so the plot wasn’t unknown to me. This may have helped me understand the story when I read it last month, but either way, I did enjoy it! While I didn’t quite grasp every single line, by reading it in about four chunks I was able to receive the story as a whole. This was advised, rather than checking the footnotes or researching it as you go, to help you read and enjoy Shakespeare. 4 stars.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

My first time reading this well regarded children’s book. This story had more depth than I was expecting, in the way it explores a robotic society under the influence of darkness, and how it integrated science and technology into that situation. Because of this, it nearly felt modern. In all of the children’s classics I love, the main character goes through inner turmoil, normally surrounding an obvious fault they feel separates them from their family or kids at school. I love this aspect of children’s novels and this one did not disappoint. 4.5 stars.

Sailor Moon by Naoko Takeuchi

Yes, this is manga. Yes, this is the first manga I’ve read. Yes, I am now committed to reading the entire collection. Another gift at Christmas, I liked discovering something new. 4 stars.

Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber

I don’t often read fantasy as it can be a bit much, but I loved this one. About a young woman who faces heartache and makes a deal with the wrong person to fix it. This story was engaging and clever. What drew me in was how often it felt like a fairytale; the imagery of the lands they travel to are vivid and beautiful. The world building was done effectively, as was the character development. 4.5 stars.

Sarah xx