DIVERSE READING HABITS SHAPE 2023'S LITERARY LANDSCAPE
In a dynamic shift of interest, readers gear up for a year of varied literature, embracing everything from entertainment novels to translated works and nonfiction.
Cameron Jordan
- 2024-01-06
- Updated 04:19 AM ET
(NewsNibs) - As 2023 unfolds, literary enthusiasts are reshaping their reading lists, with many opting for a shift in genres and exploring wider literary territories. One writer, after five years delving into the history of the British Empire, is planning a lighter reading schedule focused on novels solely for entertainment. Among their chosen titles are "The Bee Sting" by Paul Murray and "You Are Here" by David Nicholls, with classic literature also in view, notably Charles Dickens' "Great Expectations".
EXPLORING DIFFERENT CULTURES THROUGH LITERATURE
Words of the world are also drawing attention, with "There Are Rivers in the Sky" by Elif Shafak, which explores literatures impacted by rivers in diverse regions such as Mexico, South Korea, and North Africa, expected to be released by Viking in August. Esteemed writings by Valeria Luiselli, Laura Esquivel, and Han Kang, among others, are also on the horizon for readers seeking to broaden their cultural horizons. Meanwhile, Sathnam Sanghera's "Empireworld: How British Imperialism Has Shaped the Globe" is set for publication on January 25, further expanding literary discussions. Sarah Waters, Michel Faber, and classic science fiction authors such as Octavia E. Butler and Stanisław Lem are also seeing renewed interest among the scientific and historical reading communities.
REVISITING CLASSICS AND EMBRACING AWARD-WINNING NOVELS
The allure of the classics remains strong, with a resurgence in legacy texts like Virgil’s "Aeneid". "Cuddy" by Benjamin Myers, which recently won the 2023 Goldsmiths prize, is becoming available in paperback, along with Sebastian Barry's "Old God's Time". Journeys through nonfiction are represented as well, with works such as "The Climate Book" edited by Greta Thunberg and "You Just Need to Lose Weight" by Aubrey Gordon promising to stir debate and insight. On the edge of history and memoir, "In Memoriam" by Alice Winn, adds to Viking’s line up. Books in translation are not left behind, with the prose of Olga Tokarczuk and Lucas Rijneveld piercing through language barriers to reach a global audience.
Diverse reading plans exemplify the expansive interests of modern readers, highlighting an impending year rich with literary exploration and the promise of newfound favorites across genres and forms.
