12 Things I Liked In 2023

Books, Games, and Music

I'm not a fan of lists. They don't leave any space for the in-depth analysis and discussion that I enjoy in my nonfiction writing. Still, R.F. Kuang inspired me to compile a list of things I liked in 2023.

The holiday lull has given me the focus and energy to write fiction again which feels great. I still want to write fiction above all. However, the idea of reflecting on great works of storytelling and word craft that have inspired me this year didn't come entirely out of the blue. I always find time to read, play, consume stories across different media but I hope to be more critical going forward, to spend more time thinking about what I liked, what I didn't like, and what lessons I can take away for my own writing. This list might serve as a tiny start, a reminder.

If you struggle with mindless consumption as well, or if you have any tips on how to read more critically, let me know in the comments!

Read

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez: My second attempt at tackling this seminal work of magical realism and lo, did it take root this time around! The plot is cycles within cycles of family members sharing the same handful of names, doomed to the titular one hundred years of solitude in the small town of Macondo. The analysis sitting in my drafts is still woefully inadequate but I know I will pick it up again. You don't often find books that age like fine wine.

This 2006 paperback version, translated by Gregory Rabassa, is lovingly dog-eared and marked up in pencil.

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke: Got so obsessed that I wrote a review full of my personal theories and associations. If you haven't read this masterpiece yet, what are you doing with your life?

This Is How You Lose The Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone: This was on my reading list for the longest time but once I picked it up, I was blown away—how unique, how poetic, and full of ideas I wish I had come up with myself.

At the End of the Matinee by Keiichirō Hirano, translated by Juliet Winters Carpenter: Found quiet poetry in this love story that doesn't overly romanticize. It merely follows two people who happen to fall in love with each other go through life, struggle with their problems, mess up, and misunderstand each other. Some romance novels you read for the ideal, this one you read for the realism. Hashtag relatable.

Alone With You In The Ether by Olivie Blake: Also a love story but one of extremes. I love how it states early on that their relationship doesn't completely change the protagonists, it just makes everything a little better, a little more bearable. It's broken, manic, and depressive but that's what makes it beautiful.

Do you see a pattern? Clearly I was into flawed love stories this year.

Played

After I had to reset my computer, I didn't reinstall Steam. Instead, 2023 saw me come to the Nintendo Switch for all my gaming needs. Now that I work in the industry, my list of titles to check out just keeps growing. According to Nintendo, these are my most played games in the year of 2023.

Pokémon Violet: The old guard keeps complaining about how Pokémon is not what it used to be. I do too! Still, if you ignore the occasionally funny but mostly annoying graphics glitches and the way the mechanics are dumbed down, this game was surprisingly fun to play. Yes, it could have been more challenging but in the end it is a solid Pokémon game with a solid storyline. I'm looking forward to the DLC too.

Stardew Valley: I prefer this over Animal Crossing: New Horizons nowadays because you can take a break and pick it up again anytime without your neighbours asking where you've been, making you feel bad for abandoning them. My riverside farm is now three years old, with Sebastian tinkering away at his bike in the backyard.

Nier Automata: My first of hopefully many playthroughs also inspired this short story about organic computer networks. Even as I got more and more emotionally invested, part of me marvelled at this masterwork that is so obviously but skilfully designed to tug at our heartstrings.

“Glory to mankind!”

Listened to

The Nier Automata soundtrack: So beautiful it justifies being listed as a separate thing. If I ever get to experience it played by a live orchestra, tears might be shed during Marina Kawano’s 『壊れた世界の歌』 (Weight of the World).

Lana Del Rey: Her hazy, slightly drugged melancholic summer mood speaks to me no matter the season. Don't worry, I'm okay.

STEREOGIRL: 2023 might have been my year of Japanese shoegaze. I especially enjoyed this live recording of 『サバクを見に行こう』 (Let's go to see the desert) and Walking through the River.

Reputation by Taylor Swift: Started listening to this on repeat after watching the Netflix documentary. I was vaguely aware of Taylor ever since 1989 but learning about her struggles as a singer-songwriter, the pressures of the music industry, and her creative process, combined with the badass female power that is Reputation made me fall in love with her. I'm still listening to this album, especially Don't Blame Me, King of My Heart and Dancing With Our Hands Tied.

Our favourite anti-hero.

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Now it's your turn: Which stories did you enjoy in 2023? What inspired you to create? Maybe you have recommendations for me?

I hope to create even more next year than I did this year. This includes appreciating great works of literature and art—creation never happens in a vacuum, after all. It is a discourse, a conversation. I'm also looking forward to conversing more with all of you who comment on my stories and articles.

Thank you for your support, and all the best for 2024. See you on the other side!