Top 5 books to read in 2023

The top books of this year thus far offer a powerful prompt to consistently interrogate the narratives we encounter.

It prompts us to inquire about their origins and the individuals authorized to present them.

As we analyze history’s components from fresh perspectives, a viewpoint frequently adopted by these books, our perceptions shift.

In his gripping recent biography of Martin Luther King Jr., Jonathan Eig offers an insightful glimpse into the activist’s emotional essence.

Through “Dyscalculia,” Camonghne Felix reevaluates her romantic history to gain a deeper comprehension of her relationship with affection.

Meanwhile, in “Biography of X,” Catherine Lacey demonstrates how the convictions we embrace as certainties can disintegrate, as evidenced by the main character’s exploration into her spouse’s enigmatic past.

Presented here are the finest books of the year up to this point.

A Living Remedy, Nicole Chung

In her initial memoir, Nicole Chung, a contributor to TIME magazine, detailed her upbringing as a Korean American adoptee in a predominantly Caucasian town.

Her subsequent work, “A Living Remedy,” extends her exploration of identity, this time delving into her mourning process following the loss of both her parents.

In 2018, Chung’s father passed away due to diabetes and kidney disease. Subsequently, within a year, her mother was diagnosed with cancer and ultimately succumbed to it during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Within the pages of “A Living Remedy,” Chung grapples with these overwhelming bereavements and, in doing so, critically examines the inherent disparities within American society, revealing the obstacles her parents encountered while seeking medical treatment.

The outcome is a poignant portrayal of a daughter coming to terms with her role in a fractured world and finding meaning in a life without her parents.

King: A Life, Jonathan Eig

Jonathan Eig’s book about Martin Luther King Jr. marks the first comprehensive biography of the civil rights luminary in many years.

This revitalizing portrayal of King offers an intimate glimpse into the personal life of a figure whose significant contributions to American history are widely acknowledged, yet whose emotional intricacies remain less explored.

Eig delves into every aspect, encompassing King’s familial origins, his spousal relationship, and the pressures stemming from his rapid ascent to influence early in his career.

Through this, he paints a vivid picture of the late activist, capturing the multidimensional and imperfect human being that he was.

The book is an adroitly researched and remarkably approachable narrative of a leader, providing a fresh perspective on the numerous overlooked facets of King’s narrative.

Our Share of Night, Mariana Enriquez

Across numerous decades, the peculiar and captivating novel by Argentine writer Mariana Enriquez, recently translated into English by Megan McDowell, defies easy categorization.

Flawlessly alternating between historical fiction and supernatural horror, “Our Share of Night” revolves around Juan and Gaspar, a father and son who are grappling with the loss of Rosario, their wife and mother, in a car accident.

Complicating matters is their attempt to evade the merciless cult that Rosario is linked to, known as the Order, which is determined to attain immortality through any means necessary.

Gaspar possesses extraordinary abilities that render him a valuable asset, intensifying the complexity of their situation.

Set against the rich backdrop of Argentine history, “Our Share of Night” provides a captivating insight into a world that is both terrifying and fantastical.

Dyscalculia, Camonghne Felix

Within her first autobiographical work, poet Camonghne Felix recounts how a heartbreaking breakup thrusts her into profound desolation, compelling her to address enduring childhood wounds and battles with her psychological well-being.

Throughout the narrative, she revisits the learning disorder she encountered during her youth, termed “dyscalculia,” which hindered her comprehension of mathematics.

By examining the fragments of her broken relationship, Felix contemplates the errors she might have committed in her understanding of love.

Her memoir serves as a profound contemplation on anguish, heartache, and the essential components required for genuine recovery.