James Tyler Ball's 3 favorite reads in 2023

My goal this year was to commit to longer books. So, I read A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. It was not too long, but it was too dry. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, however, is Martin’s saving grace - it’s light, relatable, humorous, fun, and atmospheric.

What makes it so great is that it hones in on the story of just two characters whom you get to know intimately: Dunk, a failing hedge knight, and Egg, a royal in disguise.

Martin constructs a narrative of blind optimism in the face of constant failure for Dunk, which is something I strongly identified with. Almost everything I’ve done as a creative has failed, yet I keep pushing forward – nothing will stop me. Seeing this attitude in a book character compelled me to keep reading.

Monstrous Regiment is a work of anti-war propaganda and, despite being set in a whimsical fantasy world, outlines a compelling argument.

Men go to war to die, with or without honor, it doesn't matter, they die fighting someone else's war. In this book, however, it's the lives of a group of women that are put at risk as they enlist disguised as men.

This book isn't just about the brutality of war, but also equality, the women in this book do great things, yet the men are reluctant to recognise them for it, even after they learn that they are women. So, it's also a feminist piece.

Despite all its strong messaging, the part that stays with me is the main character's realisation that the story isn't about her, and her fellow soldiers are their own protagonists, too. As an absurdist, I smiled at this.

As a 23-year-old, I’m a bit late to the Harry Potter party, having only started reading the series last year, but in thinking of my third favourite book, The Philosopher’s Stone was the one that stood out.

Not only did Rowling’s simple writing style reassure me that my own is just fine, but Harry Potter also ignited a love for children’s and teen books that I never knew I had. Since reading Harry Potter, I turned my sights on Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, and Douglas Adams, revelling in the child-like imagination that these authors, including Rowling, bring.

Everyone relates to the Harry Potter series, and it’s almost impossible not to find a character you can identify with. However, I’m not sure who I’d be if I were an HP character, though I’d probably be a member of Slytherin.