Picking 23 books i MUST read in 2023...no more procrastinating!

Check out Book of the Month here - www.bookofthemonth.com/
Get your first book for only $5.00 with the code: WONDER
Thank you so much Book of the Month for your support and supplying the readers of the world with such wonderful books!
Hi friends,
So, I have some reading resolutions for the new year. The main one being to finally read the books I've been saying I want to read...but haven't been reading...oh the joys of being a mood reader fighting against an ongoing reading slump!
If I don't read at least half of these books in 2023, I give you all full permission to yell at me! :P
I'd love to know which books are on your "must read in 2023" list, so feel free to share that with everyone in a comment! :)
Here's to accomplishing our reading goals and resolutions!!!
Sending my best wishes to you!
Carolyn Marie :)
***Check out curated lists of my recent reads and all time favorite books in my Amazon Storefront - www.amazon.com/shop/carolynma...
My Social Media: CarolynMarieReads
***My Etsy shop - www.etsy.com/shop/CarolynMari...
***My Website/Portfolio - carolyncastagnaart.wixsite.co...
***Art/Book Instagram - / carolynmariereads
***GoodReads - / carolynmariereads
***Business inquiries: [e-mail]
***Want to write to me or send something?
Carolyn Castagna
P. O. Box 773
Greenlawn NY 11740
United States
**Please don't feel like you need to send me anything, but if you'd like to I would be honored!!!** :)
***About me -
I'm a freelance illustrator and writer who recently graduated from college at the Fashion Institute of Technology with my Bachelors of Fine Arts in Illustration with a minor in English/Writing.
My greatest passion in life is combining my love of illustrating, writing, and reading!
Happy Reading :)
#booktube #reading #tbr

[@perrywarner648]

Your pain of indecisive reading is so relatable. Not being able to read hundreds of books at once is the ultimate reader's curse.

[@aesyfreedom9655]

On another note… you’re absolutely my comfort creator. ❤

[@CarolynMarieReads]

I’m honored and incredibly glad! 💕

[@luzsalas7583]

Sooooo true!!!!

[@ame1861]

Carolyn, don't be afraid of the Karamazov Brothers. It is hefty indeed, but it's not a difficult book. I read it in my senior high-school year and left its mark on me for eternity. You are going to like it so much, I'm sure it'll be a fast read. So get cozy and turn that first page. 💪😄

[@bad-girlbex3791]

If anyone can tackle some serious Russian tomes and manage to get the rest of us all on board, it's our girl here! #GoCarolyn

[@hasikakankanithantri8857]

The Brothers Karamazov is one of my favourite books of all time. It convinced me that faith is the answer to nihilism and therefore suppressed my atheism. I can confidently say it has changed my perspective on life.

[@sofyaantonova5583]

I would say once u get through the Old Zosima part, the pages will start flying

[@alder6667]

@@bad-girlbex3791 why exactly should we be interested in literature of a decaying empire? What views can be expressed there that we haven't seen in any other empire?💀💀

[@noneofyourbusinesslove1445]

If you liked gloomy Dostoevsky you might also want to read Bulgakov's satirical Master and Margarita. It's my favourite book of all times with its mixture of touching drama and heartwarming comedy.

[@circleofleaves2676]

Sometimes meaty, long classics are the perfect thing to get over a reading slump, because they are so immersive. I feel like reaching for some short, light, so-called easy to read very modern books can 'seem' like they'd be easier in a slump, but not being that into reading one alleged 'easy' book after another can put us in a slump. Like when we think we don't have the attention span or time to sit down and watch a film, documentary or longer video, so we dip in and out of one shorter video (or tiktok) after another and before we know it, we've spent almost the same amount of time doing things we're not as immersed in, and we could have just treated ourselves to something longer. That was a ramble. I'm in a post-IVIg-fog (treatment for my rare disease) fog, so I hope that made sense.

[@jamesduggan7200]

Yes, that made perfect sense: I believe many of us struggle between investing time into the big class when it's possible to read four, five, or even six shorter works. As an example: the first time I read Don Quixote it was every day for about 45 minutes on the bus (I tended to nap after work not read), and my first time with War and Peace was on lunch breaks. Now I have huge chunks of available time so there's less struggle but definitely I remember wanting t read what everyone else was reading besides my door stops. Thanks.

[@noneofyourbusinesslove1445]

It absolutely did and I can very much relate, dear. All the best to you

[@carolinalopes7842]

death at intervals is my favorite saramago book! basically it deals with an alternative reality where Death takes a vacation and Saramago explores the problems and situations that come up when people don't die

[@trallivalli9055]

I accidentally bought "East of Eden" in a second hand shop, knowing nothing about the author. Now it's one of my favorite books of all times! Greetings from Russia 😊

[@rustyshackelford934]

East of Eden is fantastic. Definitely in my favorite Steinbeck’s and my favorites of all time. It’s big and can be a little daunting, but it sucks you right in. And you never want it to end. So jealous for you Carolyn, that you get to read it for the first time lol

[@noneofyourbusinesslove1445]

Who's your favourite Russian author, if you have one?

[@betinaceciliafeld9854]

Haha, I was yelling at my cell phone "You DO own Northanger Abbey" while watching the first part of this video 😂😂😂. I love the way you went through your shelves as if you were at the bookstore, it's so fun to do that! I made my own list of essential readings for 2023, I have no idea how I'm going to read all of them but it's important to try 😅 BTW, I'm so glad you're getting back into classics 😁

[@01real1]

7:38 - 7:59 'I was working in a nursing home... and I was on the dementia unit so I dealt with memory loss every day - and I had to reintroduce myself to all the patients all day.' You had the time, the will and the strength helping people with dementia. That's both touching and impressive. :-) 11:48 - 11:52 - 'That's when you know you have too many books - when you think you have a book and you don't'. So true - and only us, the book nerds will be familiar with this. :-)

[@dailycarolina.]

Tip on Blindness by Saramago. It doesn't have the normal punctuation most books have.Keep that in mind when your read it so you don't get confused.

[@carolilopes4939]

the housekeeper and the professor was one of my favorite reads this year!!

[@d_saff]

Such a beautiful story! One of my faves

[@wandering0wonderland]

For more fun and higher stakes, unhaul any that you do not read! I did that this year and read them all, it was such good motivation ✨

[@anavidreader277]

I won’t list all 23 but I’ve committed to reading: -Anna Karenina (well finish it as I technically started last month) -A Suitable Boy -Don Quixote -The Three Musketeers Those are my 4 really big reads I’d like to get through! I have tried to take your advice and conquer my big book fear :)

[@ProseAndPetticoats]

I almost finished reading Don Quixote - it's a big one but it's easy to read and very enjoyable! 🩶

[@serenitymartinez1043]

i also want to read don quixote! & also the count of monte cristo. :)

[@emmairena]

proud of you for tackling big books!! they can be daunting but honestly, personally i prefer long books bc you really get to know the characters so intimately bc of how much time you spend w them!! have so much fun!

[@anavidreader277]

@@emmairena I’m trying to think of them as similar to tv shows - they take longer to watch than movies but like you said you get to know the characters better! :)

[@anavidreader277]

@@ProseAndPetticoats did you struggle with the language? I’ve read the beginning bit but really hope the language gets a bit easier as it goes on :)

[@LexieMoon321]

The beginning is actually me when I reorganize my bookshelves. That many books makes you just wanna cry

[@sharon152]

Remains of the day is wonderful. For me better than never let me go.

[@ashutoshdas7574]

The way i just always wanna pause the video at any given time and just appreciate the way your eyes sparkle when you talk passionately about books!!

[@Luna-35]

Saramago's 'Blindness' is a classic here in Spain and Portugal. Also I recommend you 'Hopscotch' by Cortázar if you haven't read it. It is probably one of the first, if not the first, choose your own adventure.

[@WordTrix1]

Good luck with “Blindness.” I made it halfway through it this year before I DNF’d it. I just couldn’t stomach it.

[@ravensandblots]

I love master and margarita! It’s so strange but such a gripping book! I loved it!

[@Sarah.reads.sometimes]

*coming back to this after watching the Game of Tomes announcement just to see how many overlap 😂😝*

[@CarolynMarieReads]

🤣🤣🤣 so many

[@aye.p]

I will be doing a challenge for the first time next year. The point is to reduce your physical tbr. Btw, Saramago's work Is amazing. Anything you pick by him you won't be able to stop. But please check trigger warnings for Blindness. 🤗

[@NatalyaVins-blueflower775]

Flowers for Algernon is AMAZING. I’ve read the both the short story and the novel. If you enjoyed The heart of the dog you will probably love Master and Margarita, but it’s not my personal favourite of his works.

[@toliyeptho3313]

Reading flower for Algernon was the best thing ever, I do adored the book. Thankyou for reminding me ☺️

[@readiculousreads4164]

I have that same copy of If On A Winters Night A Traveler, it's so pretty!

[@Eden-Restored]

Northanger Abbey is good although not perfect (being Austen’s first novel) but I enjoyed it and there were definite flashes of genius within its pages. 📚😊

[@maitemino4372]

Maybe a fun way to get to these books when you don't know what to read next could be a challenge where you numerating them from 1 to 23, taking a random number generator and read the book corresponding to the number selected. Also, I slowly want to make my way through Steinbeck's works, and east of eden has been calling me. I would love to follow a readalong if would consider it maybe ☺️🌟

[@karenyates6797]

I bought East of Eden because of your rec, Carolyn but have yet to read it. Let's all read it together! I second the motion!

[@hmm6411]

The Brothers Karamazov first because you will need the time to get though it, then measure out he rest of the year. Second East of Eden to clear your conscience. The rest should take care of itself. I have faith in you CMC!!!

[@ame1861]

I subscribe to your comment 😅

[@hmm6411]

@@ame1861 to a clear conscience or a getting a jump on the year?

[@ame1861]

@@hmm6411 Both

[@hmm6411]

😎

[@AllyEmReads]

For Flowers for Algernon, I would recommend reading it along with the audiobook, bc for about half the book the words are all misspelled on purpose so having the audiobook will really help with figuring out what is actually being said ❤❤

[@sarahmu2626]

I totally get the struggle with choosing books to read for the upcoming year. I am in the same boat! A goal I have for myself is to read more french books as I can read french and I feel like I haven't read in french in forever. So, I hopefully get to read le Comte de Monte-Cristo or les trois mousquetaires this year. I have also started reading Anna Karenina and I'm loving it so far, so thank you for the recommendation! Other than that, I need to get through my bookshelves and stop buying as many books 😂

[@vanessamay3689]

I use audiobooks as I can listen while walking. Some books are big and seem to be overwhelming.

[@dayannycardenas7404]

I’m beyond exited for you and some the books you’ve chosen, as I’ve already read them and they were absolutely incredible! 🎉 I read Anna karénina earlier this year and that’s how I came upon your channel, you were my silent cheerleader, because I was scared to start such massive work but whenever I felt like giving up I remembered your love for it and needless to say, it blew my mind. So thank you 🙏

[@christinam6516]

Great picks! I look forward to following your reading next year and hearing your thoughts on them!

[@natasharanawake6866]

Reading The Remains of the Day for exams - No spoilers - But lots of Nostalgia for me, a definite rainy-day read :) Really enjoyed your upload as usual. Thank you Carolyn.

[@michellemp1626]

I just found your channel and I'm so glad I did. Your video was refreshing and your passion and love of reading really shines through. There quite a few books I want to read because of this vlog. Thank you!!! One being the Housekeeper and the Professor.

[@TheFox776]

Hey Carolyn, I got my Dickens/Tolstoy portrait in the mail and it looks amazing! It is framed and sitting proudly on my shelf next to War and Peace and Anna Karenina. Just wanted to say thank you!

[@marjoriedybec3450]

Mme Bovary should make the list.

[@s2lech86]

Yes! This video has helped me solidify my reading goals for 2023 as well. I will def read East of Eden, Master & Margarita, War & Peace, and Gravity's Rainbow as my challenge reads for the 2023 year. But I def would like to read at least three or four books a month. Thanks for your creative and inspiring videos. Happy Holidays to you. :)

[@wickedmusicalmad]

I love your channel so much! You really inspired me this year to read more particularly classics - I don’t think I could make long term plans to read books like you have I this video though haha. When I finish a book I never know truly what I will read next. Looking forward to 2023 and reading more!

[@mimishimaineko1173]

🎄Happy holidays, and thank you for sharing your exciting list of 2023 must-reads!🧡

[@booklika]

You should totally read Northanger Abbey! I read it this summer and I really liked it. Its so funny and felt lighthearted in a way, since the main character is pretty young and naive.

I read Flowers for Algernon in high school in my English class (English is my second language) and it was so good! You'll love it and fly through the pages!

[@eelsaacf]

I’m watching a lot of your videos and I just love the way you talk about books ❤

[@Onechaoticlibrarian]

I read “Blindness” this year. It’s also in one of my vlogs. It was very hard to read but so worth it. One if my favorite books of 2022. Highly recommend. Wishing you and yours a happy new year. 🥳🥳🥳

[@thelazybookworm3193]

OMG I totally relate to you having so many books you forget what you have. Also, a bold suggestion but if you read The Master and Margarita could you do maybe a read along I've been wanting to read it for ages & I keep putting it off.

[@jamesduggan7200]

It would be cool watching you climb around your bookshelves on those little plastic finger and toe holds they use in the indoor mountain climbing places. Good luck with your 2023 tbr/resolution list. Who knows, maybe I'll be able to read along some of them. Take care.

[@hadriankun]

I know many people don't like northanger abbey, but it was such a worth read to me! I love the vibe of the book

[@LeaReads]

This inspired me to come up with my own list of books to get me excited for the new year! ❤ PS: You have no idea how excited I got to see Brothers Karamazov make it in your list! 😂

[@mariavittori2415]

ohhhhh! You´re gonna love "The master and Margarita"! It is one of my favorite books of all time.🥰🥰🥰 Happy 2023, girl! Hugs from Argentina

[@emilyross2307]

I just recently read the awakening and fell in love with it! Can’t wait to hear what you think!

[@nataliegoerlich3132]

You have such a soothing voice it’s calms my anxieties❤

[@asaffffff]

always a joy when you upload. thank youu

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Thank *you* :)

[@AChilly]

Knowing Carolyn’s Goodreads said she is reading Heidi so no need for book hitting 🎉🎉 haha keep up the amazing work girl!

[@kurtfox4944]

Hahaha... Not sure if anyone is like me, but I have a book on goodreads that says I started... in 2018.... (I probably should just mark it as DNF). Heidi is a quick read, so I hope she knocks that one out soon.

[@DRmakeupgirl]

I'm fascinated by your need to read! I have confidence in your ability to read all 23 books plus more in 2023. Do you happen to catalogue your book collection of read/unread selections? There's no way I can read 23 books in a year but I plan on reading more than I did this year. I want to read more Jane Austen(Sense & Sensibility) and Anne of Green Gables series especially in 2023. I want to read Alice in Wonderland and Charlotte's Web too. At 61 I thought I was too old to read children's books but you've convinced me otherwise. Thank you for that.

[@vanessamay3689]

I enjoy children’s books too. Wind in the Willows I listened via audiobook on YT. I live in New Zealand and many books are difficult to get. I order through Australia but it’s not a fast service.😢🎉

[@DRmakeupgirl]

@@vanessamay3689 Wind in the Willows is on my TBR list. YT has several audiobooks and I just might go that reading route this year too.

[@amysbookishadventures]

Thanks for sharing this video. I'm going to be trying to figure out which of my books from my shelves I need to read in 2023. It's never easy because there's so many books!! 📚

[@scout11238]

I am with you with your lists. Have nice reading time!!!

[@mariegagnon9815]

The remains of the day certainly is my favourite Ishiguro novel! I just love the vibes and the themes, it’s such a fun book to analyse and re-read

[@nadeshkaholmes9511]

This is such a good idea to finally read those books that had been in my tbr for a long time. Thank you Carolyn 😊 and I would definitely suggest you to prioritize Saramago ;)

[@valfem]

I love your contemporary list ✨ I wanna read them too.

[@yesyes2815]

Two of my favorite books: The Master and Margarita and East of Eden! I’m so glad you’re reading these amazing books! :)

[@Abby-wu2fw]

Kate Chopin is my favorite short story writer!! Her works are phenomenal!! Excited to hear about your thoughts on “The Awakening”:)

[@Maddiexz]

You can do it Carolyn you got this! 😭❤️ this makes me want to tackle my books that have been on my tbr the longest. 2023 is gonna be that year i hopefully do it loool

[@kathy2539]

Northanger Abbey is a definite read! It’s one of my favourite books

[@vanessamay3689]

I love all the Jane Austen books. Mostly listened via audio books 📕 due to time.

[@IanArthurNourse]

I was planning on reading Flowers for Algernon next year as well!

[@mrlyn13]

I have read both East of Eden and Grapes of Wrath, almost back to back when I was 17, I still think about East of Eden to this day. Would recommend that one before grapes of wrath! Great video!

[@verucasalt4535]

I love the intro! 😂 This year I'm not playing any TBR games to choose my books and only reading books I've wanted to read for ages. I read a lot of books I wasn't crazy about in 2022. A few I want to read are: Crying in H Mart, The Fifth Season, Legends and Lattes, The Fire Keeper's Daughter, Swan Song, The Sword of Kaigen, 1Q84 by Murakami, a whole list of other books by Japanese authors, and a truckload of nonfiction. 📚

[@Rosa-bb5hi]

A PSA from me on the Brontës: Agnes Grey is a really wholesome cozy book 💕 Villette (imo) is Charlotte Brontë’s best book :))

[@carolinalopes7842]

hi Carolyn! i'm SO thrilled to see blindness on your list :) i really hope you have a pleasant reading experience

[@adisneylullaby1445]

I adored Agnes Grey! I also loved both Mansfield park and North and south ❤

[@carolinagarnero3361]

Carolyn you have a beautiful amount of books to read! I write down the titles because I love them. I read Hamnet and it's wonderful! All of Magguie O'Farell's books are worth reading. I will also read 23 books. 🤩Happy reading and thanks for always making such nice videos.🥰

[@Movingthebookmark]

The remains of the day is so good!!!

[@cassiopeiathew7406]

Ahh, Orlando is so good!! I think your going to love it

[@jessicaloomis2687]

Remains of the Day! It's soooooo good!

[@rogston39]

Murakami's 'Norwegian Wood' is so beautiful; absolutely superb !

[@senseijutsu]

babel was one of my fav books this year, i hope you enjoy it too🧚🏻‍♀️💝

[@jay_poet]

My goal next year is to read only from my wishlist and not get sucked into FOMO on bookstagram, but read the books I’ve truly wanted to read for a while. Steinbeck, Hemingway, Capote and Hardy are my favourite authors so I’d like to read a lot more from them.

[@johnsaxongitno4life588]

Love this video and your amazing intro especially dropping your books 📚 please enjoy your reading 📖 Merry Christmas 🎄 love your family friend John ❤❤❤

[@veera7522]

read the housekeeper and the professor this year and absolutely loved it

[@AlexAnn210]

I loved the housekeeper and the professor! I hope you get to read it this year, it's a lovely story

[@diananoemi6796]

I hope you read East of Eden! It was so meaningful book to me...and also the the Master and the Margarita...splendid writing in both books!

[@asteroefstathiou5407]

Remains of the day is excellent! I loved it.

[@halloweenjax]

You pick your books the way I do, the yes pile, the maybe pile, want to read all of them really but there are only so many hours in a day. Definitely read East of Eden, it's wonderful. My TBR choices this year: Atwood's Alias Grace, Shelley's Frankenstein, Nabokov's Invitiation to a Beheading, anything I can by Mieko Kawakami, definitely something by Yukio Mishima, and a re-read or two of some Vonnegut. Happy reading!

[@noteworthyfiction]

Just read the Housekeeper and the professor last night/today. Beautiful. Don't wait. read it now. SOOO good.

[@theyingyang13]

East of Eden I read when I was 16/17 and it always stuck with me! If On a Winter’s Night a Traveler is amazing- although I gave Calvino’s Invisible Cities a 1 lol. I added the Saramago book to my TBR… I’m so intrigued by the series! And also The Awakening has been on my TBR- going to read it in 2023 for sure. :)

[@catswhit]

100% read East of Eden!!! It was a favorite of 2022 for me. More steinbeck is on my 2023 reading list 💓

[@kristinerodriguez5310]

AHHHHH I loooove Norwegian Wood! It's the first book I read this year and I couldn't get enough!

[@abookhug]

Hi Carolyn, regarding Ishiguro, both are great books so it's really up to you! Just wanted to let you know that Remains of the Day and An artist of the Floating World are very similar in terms of the themes so these two I wouldn't recommend to read close to each other. :)

[@pbeck610]

I loved reading The Housekeeper and the Professor.

[@scotthacker2265]

Enjoyed The Light Pirate. Also a member of Book of the Month. Like seeing their debut authors.

[@The_WriterVerse]

Calvino is so fun! He would be a great joy after an arduous classic.

[@Lyleelou11]

Queen of dropping all of her books 👑

[@Ozgipsy]

What an great TBR. I’m stealing a few of these.

[@ObstinateHeadstrongGirl]

I vote for Remains of the Day! So good. I was thinking about a reread of it this year.

[@tamaragrottker7677]

I'm glad you picked up Babel. I'd be interested on your take on it. I don't read a lot of fantasy, but I too heard a lot of great things about this one and got my copy last week. I want to read Cain by Saramago. So many books......Right now I'm deep into Don Quixote combined with the online Open Course from Yale. Really good. My brain is exploding with all the connections and rabbit holes from that book!

[@manipods]

cold enough for snow has the perfect atmosphere for a january read!

[@lisasstitchingandsuch]

Definitely prioritise the Jane Austen. They are all so good! I don't know what I'll end up reading in 2023 BUT the one specific book I really want to read and have already bought so I am committed is Don Quixote. I've bought the Vintage edition which is the Edith Grossman translation and dipped into it and it seems very readable. Another idea I have been toying with is reading Hamlet and then going down the rabbit hole of reading books inspired by Hamlet and watching various adaptions (including the Lion King lol)

[@neshkavirdure8289]

🎇🙋🏻‍♀️😊This has Inspired me To Create a TBR 2023 List of My Own, Thank You For This😊📚

[@vinireads]

Orlando and the awakening are very good, best wishes for your reading ! :)

[@Alyssa-nb7lo]

I love Northanger Abbey so much, and I hope you will love it too 💕 For 2023, I chose 10 (tentative) books to read for my library's reading challenge: -Hamlet (reread) -Anna Karenina (in translation) -The Secret History (about your favorite season) -The Fifth Season (weather or disaster) -A Kind of Spark (illness or disability) -Çalikusu/The Wren (a different culture) -My Sergei (athlete/sport) -Goose Girl (friendship) -Station Eleven (art/artist) -The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina (staff recommendation)

[@denisefreitas6727]

Hi Carolyn! Yes, read Blindness, by Saramago. You are going to want read more of him! I'm going to read Shakespeare (Romeo and Juliet) and Jane Austen (Lady Susan) too. Orlando is fantastic, hope you like it. Have great readings, sweetheart! 💖

[@roger8640]

Love yours videos Carolyn , keep doing it Even whit more entusiasm 👍😗🤗🥴😎

[@ianp9086]

Some wonderful books for you to look forward to this year! I love the Saramago, the Bulgakov and the Calvino. My top two Ishiguros would have to be Artist of the Floating World and The Unconsoled (which is a wild ride in a dream world) so I hope you get to them one day.

[@PoorPersonsBookReviewer]

Flowers of algernon, is on my must reads too I been told it makes you wanna cry, don't get intimidated of bro Karamazov. Lol

[@peachyb6528]

I started Master and Margarita, and I love the Penguin Deluxe edition, but was not feeling it at the time. Maybe I’ll pick it up in 2023? Lol. You’re not alone, I feel you with the classic slump. I’ve gotten better by at least trying to set a goal of at least 12 classics per year!

[@Floridiansince94]

Please read the master and Margarita!!!! You are going to adore it! I bought that same edition to my daughter for Christmas!