I've been meaning to write about books again for a while! Lots of books to talk about - I've been reading more recently. I read 50 books in 2016, the most since starting college, but I wasn't reading steadily; I read a lot over the summer, and only occasionally during the school year. But so far in 2017, I have read a lot. And that's mostly during this semester, which is unexpected and a bit impressive to me, honestly. I set my Goodreads reading goal at the beginning of the year: 60 books, ten more than last year. I'm already at 31. It's April. I kind of can't believe it.
I've gotten out of the reading slump I had for a few years; I would go months and months without being able to read or without reading consistently. But I started out strong this year by reading eleven books over winter break, with nine of those books read in 2017. I expected I wouldn't read for fun very much for the next four months as I went back to school. A few books over spring break was all I could really expect. But then I reading a lot throughout the semester, and I haven't stopped.
Well, I actually started listening to audiobooks; that's how I've read 19 of 24 books this semester (19!). I got addicted to audiobooks very quickly once I got back to school. Because I'm constantly listening to something as I go to class or work, do errands, or otherwise have time to do something but not to sit and read (or do homework), audiobooks are a perfect addition to the rotation of podcasts and music that I put on. Hours and hours of audiobooks are evidence that I now love audiobooks. I had previously only listened to them at home, when my brother was obsessed with the Harry Potter audiobooks when he was younger. I didn't think they would be a good way for me to read a book, but I was wrong. I still prefer reading a physical copy, but I love that audiobooks allow me to read when I otherwise don't have time. Plus, I do love stories told in this way, and listening to a good narrator is wonderful. I'm somewhat picky about which books I'll listen to - there are certain things I just want to read on paper - but getting into audiobooks has been perfect.
So, without further rambling, a reading roundup of the year so far! A slightly narrowed down list and book recommendations:
fiction:
A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab: In general, I recommend the adult fantasy trilogy by V.E. Schwab, which begins with A Darker Shade of Magic. A Conjuring of Light is the final book, which I eagerly got my hands on as soon as I could. This inventive, diverse world of four Londons, one of which is a version of our London during King George III's reign, and the others are London of various degrees of magic. Kell, who has the rare ability to travel between Londons, encounters Lila Bard, one of my favorite characters in a long time. In fact, this group of characters is one of my favorites. The books are a wild ride of magic, travel between parallel Londons, tournaments, pirates (or privateers), and hungry, parasitic forces of magic. The series only gets better and better with each book, and I'm so sad it's over, although Schwab wrote an excellent conclusion.
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman: I'm a big fan of Neil Gaiman; I'm steadily working my way through his books, short stories, and essays, and his newest book is my most recent. Listening to Gaiman read his own retellings of Norse myths was wonderful, and it exposed me to branch of mythology of which I only knew the very basics. Gaiman is also an excellent narrator - I also finished listening to his recent book of essays, The View From the Cheap Seats, this year.
Passenger & Wayfayer by Alexandra Bracken: This YA duology spans centuries and jumps from place to place, as Etta is thrown from present day New York to colonial America, where she meets Nicholas. When Etta discovers she is a time traveler, she also discovers a complicated war between families that not only stretches through history but has significant implications for history itself. I enjoyed this far more than I expected to; I don't read time travel stories very often, but I found Bracken's books to be an fun, different, and adventurous take on it. I actually ended up flying through both books, staying up until 4 am because I simply could not put them down. With a journey around the world and through time, Etta and Nicholas stop everywhere imaginable in their quest, all the while developing a surprisingly lovely, interesting relationship.
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers: A sci-fi novel that takes the tropes of the genre and really has fun playing with them. Chambers built a complex and unique futuristic world, gave us a diverse and entertaining cast of characters, and tapped into sci-fi's ability to explore and comment on race, sexuality, gender, and politics, with adventures and strong friendships thrown in for good measure.
Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan: A contemporary novel about a strange bookstore, its quirky owner, a mysterious book club (or secret society, perhaps), and the Silicon Valley, tech-savvy guy who becomes the store's clerk during the late night hours and exemplifies millennials. It's a peculiar but clever book about books, the transition from old to new technology, and an odd group of characters who join the clerk, Clay: the titular bookstore owner, an enthusiastic designer, a devoted Google employee, his nerdy best friend who became a multi-millionaire from his start-up, the weird members of the enigmatic book club. This is a very singular, unusual novel, unlike anything else I've read.
Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly: I'm a big fan of historical fiction, and one of my favorite time periods of the genre is WWII. Lilac Girls focuses on three women during the war, each in different places, positions, and lives. Caroline is a retired actress who works at the French consulate; Kasia is a teenager in Poland who gets involved in the resistance; Herta is a young German doctor with big ambitions. Their stories eventually come together in a fascinating way, inspired by true stories (Caroline was a real woman, and Kasia's experience is drawn from reality). Lilac Girls is heart-wrenching, intense, and haunting, but anchored by strength and courage.
nonfiction:
Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly: I absolutely loved the film adaptation of this book when I saw it at the beginning of the year, so I knew I had to read the book. I wanted to learn more about the trail-blazing, inspiring African-American women who worked at NASA during the space race and segregation. The book delves even deeper into the untold stories of these incredible women. It's informative and fascinating, maddening and inspiring, all in one.
Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions & We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The former is adapted from Adichie's response to a friend asking how to raise her daughter as a feminist. The latter is an essay adapted from her excellent TED talk, which had been formative for me as a teenager and baby feminist. These small volumes are compelling, intelligent, and rooted in personal writing. Both are powerful, effective works. Another recent powerful, feminist read: Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit.
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah: This isn't the wide-ranging comic memoir you might expect from the host of the Daily Show. What it is, though, is a memoir focusing on his childhood in South Africa during apartheid, told in Noah's strong voice that is both thoughtful and witty (and if you've ever watched him on the Daily Show or his standup, the voice comes through very clearly as you read the book). His essays are absorbing, informative, and emotional, and they're a captivating read.
Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson: A very, very funny reflection on mental health, as well as relationships, confidence, writing, family, embarrassing moments, and being determined to be happy. Furiously happy, in fact.
Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick: I've always liked Anna Kendrick and I'm not ashamed to admit I like behind-the-scenes memoirs of entertainers. I listened to the audiobook, read by her, which definitely added to the reading experience. Anna Kendrick is very funny and sarcastic, sharp and self-deprecating, which comes through in every bit of the book.
Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher: The late and wonderful Carrie Fisher wrote a sharp, very funny book that combined the typical memoir form with her fascinating old diary entries from the filming of the first Star Wars movie. The book essentially focuses on Star Wars - filming, the audience reaction, fame, and her affair with Harrison Ford, the revelation that swept through entertainment news last fall.
Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen: I grew up listening to Springsteen, thanks to my mother, a lifelong fan. This is a very well-written, thoughtful, and engaging memoir, probably the best one I've read in a while. His stories about everything from music, creativity, and performing to class, Catholicism, mental health, and, of course, New Jersey are compelling and personal.
rereads:
Harry Potter by JK Rowling: I've been meaning to reread the Harry Potter series from start to finish for a while; I've reread the first book several times and the others here and there over the last few years since my last full reread, but I wanted to commit to reading all seven books together. This semester, I finally did it. I reread the entire series by listening to the audiobooks for the first time in years. It was an excellent and delightful experience. Obviously, I recommend the series, but in this case I just want to point out that the audiobooks are wonderful and a really fun way to reread the series. Jim Dale's narration is perfect.
The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater: Another series reread via audiobook. I adore this series, and I couldn't help rereading the four books now that the series has ended. The audiobooks are a lovely version of this series, perfectly matched with the feel of the books. I'm not really sure how to describe this series. It's a young adult fantasy series about teenagers searching for a ley line and a dead king, and about psychics and dreams, and about curses and doomed love. I could write a whole blog post or an essay about how much I love these books and the thoughts I have on its depiction of Virginia (Maggie Stiefvater and I share a home state), class, friendship, anxiety, and grief, not to mention the magic of the books - the actual magic. I love this raven gang and their small Virginia town and their ley line. The books are atmospheric, with gorgeous writing, plus great characterization and pitch-perfect humor. I also had an unexpected amount of feelings about the accents in the audiobook. I could go on and on about how much I love these books, but you should read them, and come talk about them with me.
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater: Ah, the first Maggie Steifvater book I loved. I read her standalone novel before I read The Raven Boys but after reading her first series, The Wolves of Mercy Falls, in middle school, and absolutely fell in love with this one. Based on a mythological story, Maggie Stiefvater creates a little island where there are monstrous horses that come out of the sea and a monstrous race where people ride those killer horses each year. Puck Connolly and Sean Kendrick are both racing that year, Puck the first woman to attempt it and Sean the returning winner of the race. Their relationship develops in a beautifully quiet way, just as Stiefvater builds a unique world around them. Puck's grieving family is similarly drawn in a quiet way, and Sean's solitude and frustration are subtle but aching. Combined with vivid imagery and Stiefvater's usual humor, this book keeps drawing me back, like Sean is drawn to the sea and the horses. I've read this book at least five times, and I still love it. It's an under-appreciated YA novel that I always recommend.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern: This is another favorite I recently reread. Narrated by Jim Dale, like the HP audiobooks, this was such a wonderful listen. I've loved this book for years, and it was so fun to revisit it several years since the last time I read it. The Night Circus is a beautiful, sweeping tale of a circus only opens at night, a circus with magic in the air, a circus at the center of a strange group of people and an even stranger challenge. It is one of the most inventive books I have read; there is no end to the creative circus tents and magic tricks. The atmosphere is simply magical, the imagery lush, a wondering but knowing voice telling it all. The story moves back and forth in time, jumping from city to city, and shifting between storylines and characters in a way that is expertly bound together, carefully coming together in a seemingly-effortless puzzle. Oh, how I'd like to visit le Cirque des Rêves.
up next:
I'm currently reading The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater (a reread) and I Must Say by Martin Short (a thoroughly entertaining listen). My next read will probably be One Day We’ll All Be Dead and None of This Will Matter by Scaachi Koul, my pick from the Book of the Month club.
A few of the books on my to-read-soon list are The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, Hag-seed by Margaret Atwood, The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner, The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley, The Unseen World by Liz Moore, and The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.
A full reading list is coming soon, as summer is near and I have a very long, ambitious reading list for the occasion!