The Bookish Mindset

2023 may already feel like an age away but I want to look back on what I loved last year and share my favourites with you. I had planned to group everything together but it was just turning out to be such a long blog so I’ll keep them separated by genres for now.

Fantasy and magical realism were genres I really leaned back into last year. I love the escapism, I love the journeys made and the worlds they sit in. We have incredible protagonists both fierce and soft, we have the loyal best friends and we have overwhelmingly familiar voices in power. So get your TBR lists ready and let’s get stuck in. In no particular order –

Iron Widow – Xiran Jay Zhao. Fantasy/sci-fi, YA. This book is the embodiment of female rage and I am HERE for it. A retelling of the only female emperor, Iron Widow is set in a patriarchal world where girls are the sacrifices to their male counterparts in giant transforming robots that society uses to battle against enemy aliens. It’s dramatic and passionate and full of morally grey heroes. Glorious. The first of a trilogy and the second due out later this year.

Her Majesty’s Royal Convent – Juno Dawson. Fantasy. If witches and magic are your vibe then do not miss out on this one. I was absolutely engrossed with this book. Dawson has such a talent for writing incredibly deep characters that are so relatable. The second of the trilogy is out already, but coming out later this year is the prequel!

Family Lore – Elizabeth Acevedo. Magical Realism. Now I have to admit, I may be slightly biased here. I was a huge Acevedo fan before I picked this one up. Family Lore is her first adult novel and dips into magical realism where the women of the family have magical powers (I’m talking predicting death causes and magical vaginas, yes really). It’s such beautiful and lyrical prose, I just loved it.

Babel – R. F. Kuang. Dark Academia, Fantasy. Oh wow, where to start with this one? Babel is a story about the things lost in translation, how translation itself is a betrayal to the original meaning. This is an extremely clever and dark book, centring and capitalism, colonialism and racism. This is absolutely one I think everyone should read once but pick your timing!

Pet, Bitter – Akwaeke Emezi. Fantasy, YA. These are the definition of good things come in small packages. These YA reads are short and certainly pack a punch, unpacking what it truly means to be good or evil. It’s reflection on society is so clever, I was blown away. Bitter is the prequel to Pet but released after, so definitely read Pet first.

The Moon Represents My Heart – Pim Wangtechawat. Historical, Magical Realism. A time travelling family with a twist, each member can only travel to a particular time and location. A family broken by travel, loves lost to time, this book is truly heart-breaking and delicate and beautiful. But wow is it worth a read, honestly what a debut.

The Merciless Ones – Namina Forna. Fantasy, YA. The second in the trilogy, The Merciless Ones picks up where The Gilded Ones finishes and the trilogy will end with The Eternal Ones later this year. We don’t do spoilers over here so no spoilers for The Gilded Ones, but we have another YA fantasy set in an unfair patriarchal society with incredible young women willing to take their destiny into their own hands. Do not miss out on these.

Legends & Lattes, Bookshops & Bonedust – Travis Baldree. Fantasy. If it’s cosy fantasy you’re looking for, then these are your books. These were my first of the genre and it became a fast favourite. All the escapism of fantasy without the panic that your favourite characters will be, ahem, cast aside. Also, has anyone tried to make thimblets? Amazing!

I’d love to know which of these you’ve enjoyed or what you choose from the list, leave a comment below!

Buy all these and more through my Bookshop.org storefront here.

Last updated 28/01/2024