The Best Books of 2023… So Far

It’s about halfway through the year and I thought it a good time to recommend some of the best books I’ve read this year to you. I’ve read 23 books and am just 2 behind on my 52 books-in-a-year reading goal. Things are going great. Looking over my list of books, overall things have been pretty meh. I’ve read many books that were just okay and a few that we abject duds. However, I’ve also read a few that were wonderful, and informative, and got me to think in new ways. Here is my list of the best books of 2023… so far:

War and Peace in the Global Village by Marshall McLuhan

This was the second book I read this year and I feel like it is a must read for any McLuhanite. The version I read (at left) had an introduction by Douglas Coupland who I love and of course the amazing Quentin Fiore graphic design. The book distills some of McLuhan’s philosophy down into an interesting, easy-to-digest package via the aforementioned Fiore design. Reading it in 2023 it’s quite amazing how much McLuhan predicted about our modern world in the 1960s, especially the idea of how we would become a “global village” through media and how technology impacts society. The book outlines McLuhan's perspective on how individuals may be unaware of the media and technological environments in which they exist, much like fish not being aware of the water they swim in. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in philosophy, design, and 1960s counterculture.

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

I read this book right after I finished War and Peace in the Global Village and it was a definite 180 from the mood of that book. This book reminded me of the Lifetime movies I loved watching as a kid, obviously sad and at times very fucked up, but ultimately triumphant. The book chronicles McCurdy’s relationship with her overbearing and at times abusive mother who pushes her into an acting career and an eating disorder. She leaves no detail to chance and we get a glimpse into the really dark inside of child stardom. In addition to her mother we learn of her experience with the creator of iCarly whom she calls “The Creator” (Dan Schnieder). The book is well written and McCurdy is a talented author who infuses her tale of woe with humor and self-deprecation. I found it to be quite the page turner.

A Secret History of Consciousness by Gary Lachman

This book had been sitting on my shelf for years, calling out to me to read it, and I finally delved into it a few months ago. This book was absolutely delightful and came to me at just the right time as I began exploring some of the concepts in the book on my own. The book chronicles different philosopher’s ideas of how our consciousness developed and where it’s potentially going in the next thousand years. I loved the way Lachman distilled complex philosophy down to simple terms. It’s not for the faint of heart but anyone interested in esoteric concepts. Fun fact: Lachman is also the bassist for Blondie.

The Club King: My Rise, Reign, and Fall in New York Nightlife by Peter Gatien

I’ve been obsessed with all things New York Mega Club since I first learned about the Club Kid murderer Michael Alig years ago. Since I’ve devoured everything I could get my hands on from Party Monster to Clubland and tons of documentaries. When I saw that Peter Gatien had a book in his own words, I knew I had to read it. I really enjoyed getting the backstory on his rise to the height of the club world in the mid 80s and you can see that Gatien is a passionate and sharp businessman. I will say that I felt this book left out some of the more salacious aspects, barely mentioning the Alig murder for example, but it was a fun read with lots of cameos and New York nostalgia.

A Generous Vision: The Creative Life of Elaine de Kooning by Cathy Curtis

After I read Ninth Street Women last year I fell in love with Elaine de Kooning. I admired her for her commitment to her craft and her bullish sensibility as one of the few women artists of the time who was taken seriously because she demanded it. This book gave a detailed look into her life and didn’t subsume it into her husband’s legacy. I wish I could have studied with her at the famed Black Mountain College in the 1950s and 1960s. I loved all of the prints and color plates of her work throughout. She was an amazing creative force and I am so happy I got to learn more about her through this book. I recommend this book for anyone who loves abstract expressionism and wants to learn more.

The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity by David Graeber

Another book that came at just the right time for me as I had just finished reading A Secret History of Consciousness a few months before. That book primed me for what this book had to offer. This book clocks in at over 800 pages so not for the faint of heart and the material at times is a bit dense and repetitive, but I am so glad I read it. This book reexamines the archeological record with fresh eyes, asking new questions, and allowing for nuanced thinking. Obviously, the scope of human progress was not an easy linear slope but had much back and forth and our ancestors made choices about how they thought it best to organize society. While originally set out to answer the questions “What are the origins of inequality?” the book does a good job of making you believe that different futures are possible, just as they were for our neolithic ancestors. I recommend this book to every human being.

So that’s my list so far! I just finished another book today and am beginning a reread of a Timothy Leary biography. I have recommitted to my reading goal and am excited to spend a lot of time reading outside this summer. What are you reading? Anything good? I feel like everyone I know has fallen in love with reading so I’m excited to hear what you’re reading. I’ll have my part 2 coming in December!