What I Read and Watched in 2023

A happy and healthy New Year to you and yours! I hope you have had a joyful and wide-ranging year of reading, whatever that means in your particular circumstances.

For the past four years, I've kept a running list of books I've finished over the course of the year. Previous lists can find found at the following links:

• 2022
  
• 2021 
• 2020
  

In 2023 I read 123 books...

Out of all of those books, there are a few that particularly stood out to me, which I would enthusiastically encourage you to check out. Part of the fun of recommending books is the connection it can create with another reader, so if you do read or listen something below and enjoy it, I'd love to hear about it!

My Recommendations 

1. Short Stories: "The Curfew Tolls," by Stephen Vincent Benét (which I read in 50 Great Short Stories, edited by Milton Crane); "The Girl of My Dreams" by Bernard Malamud (which I read in an edition of The Magic Barrel), "Sad, Dark Thing" by Michael Marshall Smith (which I read in Ghost, edited by Louise Welsh) at the end of which I whistled and swore softly at the perfect final twist and emotional devastation it left; "Click-Clack the Rattlebag" by Neil Gaiman (in his collection Trigger Warning); "Dinner of the Dead Alumni" by Adam Marek (another story from Ghost), which is deeply off-colour and blackly, disturbingly funny. Finally, "The Mad Lomasneys" by Frank O'Connor (I read it in The Granta Book of the Irish Short Story), with its tragicomic love story, deftly sketched characters, and impossibly perfect dialogue, is terrific fun.
2. Children's and Young Adult: The Enchanted Forest Chronicles hold up to re-reading as an adult, and I loved getting to know the work of Holly Black and Leigh Bardugo.
   
3. Romance: Alexis Hall's work does not always land for me but when they do, they really, really do. Glitterland is a gem.
4. Science Fiction and Fantasy: 2023 was a standout year for my reading (and re-reading) in this genre. So many good books! Reaper Man and The Truth were a glorious introduction to Terry Pratchett. (Sharp and funny--read them both!) Ordinary Monsters is a sprawling, atmospheric Victorian fantasy. From the rereading department, the Paksworld books by Elizabeth Moon were just as diverting and delightful as I remembered them being, and Sharon Shinn's Samaria books continue to be comfort reading.
   
5. Nonfiction: I received a copy of What an Owl Knows for Christmas, gulped it down whole, and proceeded to pepper my family with owl facts for the next five days.
   
6. Dishonorable mention: In general, I figure that a book that wasn't to my taste will be to someone else's, live and let live. But. I so deeply, passionately disliked Lapvona by Otessa Moshfegh, that it earns my first dishonorable mention in four years of writing these posts. It's a well-crafted and totally vile book, set in a medieval fantasy world that plays up all the stereotypes of that world that scholars work so hard to replace with colour and nuance and life.
7. Podcasts:  You gotta listen to Alabama Astronaut, a riveting exploration of the music played in American serpent handling (signs following) churches. Really. Yes, the religion is something I (to put it politely) do not understand, but the music is electric, and the compassion and curiosity with which Abe Partridge and Ferrill Gibbs approach the people and places they come to know gives me hope for a better world.
   
8. On the silver screen:  Good Omens Season 2! Good Omens Season 2! I really can't say enough about how much I adored the second season of that show. And its beautiful, devastating ending. Broadchurch is insanely well-crafted, and Olivia Coleman and David Tennant play off each other delightfully. Diego Luna joins Coleman, Tenannt, and Toby Stephens as an actor whose craft I watch with awe and delight. Andor is incredible.
   

Reading

Fiction

 

Anthologies and Short Stories

1. Parallel Hells by Leon Craig 
2. 50 Great Short Stories, edited by Milton Crane  
3. Trigger Warning: Short Fictions & Disturbances by Neil Gaiman
   
4. The Magic Barrel by Bernard Malamud
   
5. Ghost: 100 Stories to Read with the Lights On, edited by Louise Welsh
6. The Granta Book of the Irish Short Story edited by Anne Enright 

Children's Book and Young Adult

1. Dark Lord of Derkholm by Diana Wynne Jones
2. Year of the Griffin by Diana Wynne Jones
3. The Sherwood Ring by Elizabeth Marie Pope (reread)
4. Fire and Hemlock by Dianna Wynne Jones (reread)
5. Searching for Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede (reread)
6. Talking to Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede (reread)
7. Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede (reread)
8. Calling on Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede (reread)
9. Sorcery and Cecelia by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer (reread)
10. Conrad's Fate by Diana Wynne Jones
    
11. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black (reread)
12. The Wicked King by Holly Black
13. Queen of Nothing by Holly Black
14. How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories by Holly Black
15. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
16. Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
17. King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo
    

Historical Fiction

1. Prize for the Fire by Rilla Askew
   

Literary Fiction

1. Lapvona by Otessa Moshfegh
   

Mystery

1. The Sanctuary Sparrow by Ellis Peters
2. The Raven in the Foregate by Ellis Peters
   

Poetry

1. What it is by Esther Jansma
2. The Poetry of Ennodius translated by Brett Milligan
3. Frost on the window and other poems by Mary Stewart
4. William Cowper: Selected Poems, edited by Nick Rhodes
5. Rochester, selected by Ronald Duncan
6. The Poetry of Robert Frost: The Completed Poems, edited by Edward Connery Latham
7. Good Poems, edited by Garrison Keillor
   

Romance

1. Seven Minutes in Heaven by Eloise James
   
2. Neon Gods by Katee Robert
3. Electric Idol by Katee Robert
4. Wicked Beauty by Katee Robert
5. Radiant Sin by Katee Robert 
6. For Real by Alexis Hall
7. Pansies by Alexis Hall
8. If Only You by Chloe Liese 
9. Goodbye Paradise by Sarina Bowen
   
10. The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas (reread)
    
11. The American Roommate Experiment by Elena Armas (reread)
12.  Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn (reread)
13. The Sum of All Kisses by Julia Quinn (reread)
14. Happy Place by Emily Henry
15. Beach Read by Emily Henry (reread) 
16. Love Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
17. An Unnatural Vice by KJ Charles
    
18.  An Unsuitable Heir by KJ Charles
19. An Unseen Attraction by KJ Charles 
20. Better Hate Than Never by Chloe Liese
21. The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by KJ Charles
22. The Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel by KJ Charles
23. 10 Things That Never Happened by Alexis Hall 
24. Glitterland by Alexis Hall  
25. Beyond Pain by Kit Rocha (reread) 
26. Sorry, Bro by Taleen Voskuni
27. Fumbled by Alexa Martin (reread) 
28. A Scot in the Dark by Sarah McLean (reread) 

Science Fiction and Fantasy

1. Ordinary Monsters by J.M. Miro
2. Archangel by Sharon Shinn (reread)
3. Jovah's Angel by Sharon Shinn (reread)
4. The Alleluia Files by Sharon Shinn (reread)
5. Angelica by Sharon Shinn (reread)
6. Angel Seeker by Sharon Shinn
7. The World We Make by N.K. Jemisin
8. A River Enchanted by  Rebecca Ross
9. A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
10. The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik
11. The Golden Enclaves by Naomi Novik
12. Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell (reread)
13. Ocean's Echo by Everina Maxwell
14. Memory by Lois McMaster Bujold (reread)
    
15. Embers of War by Gareth Powell
16. Angel Mage by Garth Nix
    
17. The Red Scholar's Wake by Aliette de Bodard
18. In Acension by Martin MacInnes
    
19. To be Taught if Fortunate by Becky Chambers
20. Printer's Devil Court by Susan Hill
21. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
22. The Gospel of Loki by Joanne Harris 
23. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Prachett (reread)
    
24. Sheepfarmer's Daughter by Elizabeth Moon (reread)
    
25. Divided Allegiance by Elizabeth Moon (reread)
26. Oath of Gold by Elizabeth Moon (reread)
27. Oath of Fealty by Elizabeth Moon (reread)
28. Kings of the North by Elizabeth Moon (reread)
29. Echoes of Betrayal by Elizabeth Moon (reread)
30. Limits of Power by Elizabeth Moon (reread)
31. Crown of Renewal by Elizabeth Moon (reread)
32. Surrender None by Elizabeth Moon (reread)
33. Liar's Oath by Elizabeth Moon (reread)
34. Angelica by Sharon Shinn (second reread)
35. Angel Seeker by Sharon Shinn (reread)
36. Archangel by Sharon Shinn (second reread)
37. Reaper Man by Terry Pratchett 
38. The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
39. Sealskin by Su Bristow
40. The Truth by Terry Pratchett
41. Soul Taken by Patricia Briggs (reread)
42. Wild Sign by Patricia Briggs (reread)
    

Nonfiction 

Advice

1.  Overcoming social anxiety and shyness : a self-help guide to using cognitive behavioural techniques by Gillian Butler
2.  How to be a person in the world: Ask Polly's guide through the paradoxes of modern life by Heather Havrilesky

Autobiography, Biography, and Memoir

1. Memories by Lucy Boston
   

Cookbooks 

1. New England Open House Cookbook by Sarah Leah Chase
2. The Woks of Life by Bill, Judy, Sarah, and Kaitlin Leung
3. Natural by Love Food
4. Summer Kitchens by Olia Hercules
   
5. Indian Slow Cooker by Neela Paniz
6. The Slow Cooker Bible by Sara Lewis, Saskia Sidey, and Libby Silberman
7. I Dream of Dinner (So You Don't Have To) by Ali Slagle
   

Essays

1. A Slip of the Keyboard by Terry Pratchett
   

Gardening and Nature Writing

1. What an Owl Knows by Jennifer Ackerman
   

History 

1. Before We Were Trans: A New History of Gender by Kit Heyams
2. The Ruin of All Witches: Life and Death in the New World by Malcom Gaskill
3. The Illustrated History of Football by David Squires
4. The Gates of Europe: A History of Ukraine by Serhii Plokhy
   

Travel

1. A textile traveler's guide to Guatemala by Deborah Chandler 
2. Utrecht: Sights and secrets of Holland's smartest city by Anika Redhed

Writing

1.  About Writing by Gareth Powell
   

Viewing and Listening

Movies

1. Star Wars: Episode 4 - A New Hope (1977)
2. Star Wars: Episode 5 - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
3. Star Wars: Episode 6 - Return of the Jedi (1983)
4. Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace (1999)
5. Star Wars: Episode 2 - Attack of the Clones (2002)
6. Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2003-2005)
7. Star Wars: Episode 3 – Revenge of the Sith (2005)
8. Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) (rewatch)
   
9. Captain America: the Winter Soldier (2014) (rewatch)
   
10. Much Ado About Nothing (2011)
11. John Wick (2014)
12. John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)
13. John Wick: Chapter 3--Parabellum (2019)
14. John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)
15. Mission: Impossible (1996) (watched twice, on two separate flights)
    
16. 65 (2023)
    
17. Die Hard (1988) (rewatch)
    
18. Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023)
    

Podcasts

1. Alabama Astronaut
2. Ali on the Run
3. Nobody Asked Us (with Des and Kara)
   

TV Shows

1. Shadow and Bone (Season 2)
   
2. The Expanse (Seasons 1-6)
3. Bridgerton (Season 2)
   
4. Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
5. Andor (Season 1) 
6. Obi Wan Kenobi
   
7. Good Omens (Season 2)
8. Heartstopper (Season 2)
   
9. Salvation (Seasons 1-partway through Season 2)
   
10. Agents of Shield (Seasons 1- 3 ongoing)
11. Loki (Seasons 1-2)
12. Lost in Space (season 1 ongoing)
13. Manifest (Seasons 1-3, ongoing)
    
14. Broadchurch (Seasons 1-3)
    
15. Foyle's War (Season 1-4, ongoing)
16. Castle (Seasons 1-2, in the midst of season 3)
    

Youtube

1. Vlogbrothers (the brothers Green)
   
2. Run and Stretch (running warmups and cooldowns)
   
3. Paola La (figure skating commentary)
4. Full of Lit (book and TV reviews)
   

Goals for 2023

Anything done twice on Barrayar is a tradition. ~ Lois McMaster Bujold, Memory

In addition to my tradition of posting about the books I have read over the course of the year, I have a slightly younger annual habit of writing about my goals for the year (2022 and 2021). Putting them out in public, rather than restricting them to my journal, feels like a better way to keep them in front of me as I journey through the year. 

I accomplished relatively little of what was on last year's lists, so I'm structuring things in a different way for 2023. Under each category, I'm permitting myself only three goals: small, medium, and large. The sizing is based on the amount of effort required to accomplish them. Hopefully this allows me to set goals I have a reasonable chance of achieving.

What are you hoping to do this year?

"Resolutions and goals" by creepyed is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

As a historian... 

My SMALL goal is to attend at least one panel at the International Congress on Medieval Studies, in Kalamazoo Michigan, about medievalism and science fiction.

 

My MEDIUM goal is to finish my reading and notes for my two long-overdue book reviews, organise those notes, send out the drafts of the reviews, and see them published this year.

My LARGE goal is to submit two articles for review. One of the articles will be sent in to one of the following journals I admire: Early Medieval Europe, Florilegium, Journal of Early Christian Studies, Journal of Late Antiquity, Journal of Roman Studies, Speculum, Studies in Late Antiquity, or Viator. These are traditional journals, which only allow libraries and individuals who pay for access to view the vast majority of work published in them; one of my long-term goals as a historian is to make my work freely available to anyone who wants it, without simply ignoring copyright law. (Which is titling at windmills in more ways that one.) To put my money where my mouth is, I also want to submit an article to an open-access journal: Digital Medievalist, Fafnir, Medieval Worlds, Mittelalter, or MOSF Journal of Science Fiction all seem like homes for the kind of work I want to do this year. Noting for future reference that a list of all the open access journals that come up in a subject search for medieval history on the Directory of Open Access Journals is available here.

In teaching...

My SMALL goal is to read and reflect on Jennifer Guiliano's A Primer for Teaching Digital History.

 

My MEDIUM goal is to write a piece for a journal I greatly admire, the Ancient Jew Review, about the third-year module I teach on Ancient Graffiti. Their pieces on teaching are some of the most fascinating and thought-provoking I've read, and I'd love to write one.

My LARGE goal is to rewrite and revise my two modules. I'd like my third-year class on Ancient Graffiti to incorporate digital humanities ideas and methologies more explicitly, and I would like to fully work out my ideas of feminist approaches to teaching the stories of Roman women. Bonus points would be to explore departmental, university, or external pedagogy grants to do so.

In reading...

My SMALL goal is to read one of the following three books about writing and creativity.

1. Twyla Tharp,  the Creative Habit
2.  Ursula LeGuin, Steering the Craft 
3. John McPhee,  Draft Four. 

My second SMALL goal (I'm breaking my own rules and allowing myself two, because my because my eyes are always bigger than my stomach when it comes to books), is to read one of the following three books by Ukrainian authors.

1. Vita Nostra by Marina Dyachenko and Sergey Dyachenko
2. The Museum of Abandoned Secrets by Oksana Zabuzhko
3. Words for War ed Max Rosochinsky and Oksana Maksymchuk

My MEDIUM goal is to read three of the following five nonfiction books. (Many of these come from the fantastic Public Books editors' best of 2022 list and Dr Eric J. Harvey's blog).

1. Chris Begley, The Next Apocalypse: the Art and Science of Survival 
2. Ruha Benjamin, Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want
3. Gabrielle Blair, Ejaculate Responsibly: A Whole New Way to think About Abortion
4. Anton de Kom, We Slaves of Suriname, translated by David McKay
   
5. Serhii Plokhy, The Gates of Europe: A History of Ukraine

My LARGE goal is to finally finish reading Edward Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, a project I have been plugging away at since 2015.

 

As a writer...

Because so many of my goals as a historian, in teaching, and of course in blogging, feature lots and lots of writing and rewriting, setting a separate goal for writing feels risky. But I'll chance it anyway!

My SMALL goal is to pitch a guest post about library cataloguing systems or the care and keeping of manuscripts to Dan Koboldt's Fact in Fantasy series.

 

My MEDIUM goal is to pitch a story about medieval mitten miracles to Piecework, my favourite magazine, or JSTOR Daily.

My LARGE goal is to get to 50,000+ words on my NaNoWriMo 2022 project, which was jointly inspired by my sister's sweetheart of a cat and the time one of my students asked if I'd ever heard of the Lincolnshire witches.

In knitting and sewing...

My SMALL goal is to try at least one new sock pattern, ideally the heart socks pattern from Manmade by Jonne.

 

My MEDIUM goal is to knit a ten-stitch blanket for myself. I have been repeatedly stealing the one I knitted for my mother during my visit to my parents' house; I love the pattern so much!

 

My LARGE goal is to my mother's long overdue and patiently awaited birthday afghan, which has been owed since, er, 2014. Ouch!

My second LARGE goal is one I am carrying over from last year. I want to learn nålebinding and complete a small project using this technique. I'm mildly obsessed with late antique socks, and most of look knitted but are actually made by nålebinding; plus, last year I got the wonderful The Witch's Heart as a Christmas present, and it features needle-binding, which made me want to learn how to do it. (Bookmarking this blog and this post for future reference!)

In running...

My SMALL goal is to try at least one new form of strength training for runners, at least four times over the course of the year.

 

My MEDIUM goal is to complete at least twelve parkruns in 2023 (I managed eleven in 2022, so one a month this year seems doable.) For bonus points, I'll try to beat my current best parkrun time of 24:36, which dates from 2021, and also visit at least one parkrun new to me.

My LARGE goal is to finish a marathon, smiling and uninjured, in under four hours.

In blogging...

My SMALL goal is to finish the series of posts I began writing for #AHAReads--I have notes on the final book, C. Riley Snorton's Black on Both Sides, all typed up so I'd like to finish off the challenge properly, if belatedly.

My MEDIUM goal is to post at least one translation of a medieval Latin text, ideally one for which an English translation is not readily available.

My LARGE goal is to start, and hopefully finish, the series of posts I've been planning to write on history, historians, and the Middle Ages in modern science fiction and fantasy. (This has been creeping up on me as a possible new book project for the past eighteen months.) I'll consider this goal met if I manage to write up the three posts on Lois McMaster Bujold that I've had stubbed for well over a year. I'm excited to nerd out about Dr Duv Galeni and Professora Helen Vorthys, and why I love Bujold's take on the profession of history, in the coming months.

 

I'm not sure how well all of the above balances between my ambitions, my energies, and whatever this year holds, but as Gregor Vorbarra says, let's see what happens.