Hello there! What have you been reading this week? I've felt like I've had a little less time and concentration for reading this week, but I've still read some excellent things and made progress on a couple of my reading goals.
I'm really getting into short fiction more at the moment, and the below are two wonderful examples. I'm also half-way through listening to an audio version (at Escape Pod) of the excellent, Hugo-nominated That Game We Played During the War. Can't wait to listen to the rest.
Northern Lights by Philip Pullman.
This week I started my re-read of His Dark Materials (in preparation for the release of the first volume of The Book Dust in October). I'm nearly half way through this first book in the trilogy and really loving it, both for the story itself and the chance to re-discover all the little details I forgotten since the last time I read it. I love the world-building in this book, the creation an intriguing "universe like ours, but different in many ways." That's one of the things I enjoyed most about this book the first time round, and that hasn't changed for me since.
Monstress, Volume 1: Awakening by Marjorie Liu (writer) and Sana Takeda (artist).
My goodness, the artwork in book this is gorgeous! The story is also very dark and intriguing. I'm about two-thirds of the way through and on the whole enjoying it, though I have found it a little dense to get into. Takes a lot of concentration, and time to absorb the story and details properly, but feels worth it.
Owl Vs. The Neighbourhood Watch by Darcie Little Badger.
I listened to the podcast of this story earlier in the week. It's a pure and honest depiction of depression, mania and fear of catastrophe. I loved the use of the Owl mythology, it created a visceral impression of the depth of the narrator's fear, and also something very real to confront. Overall, I found this to be a moving, magical, and ultimately (I think) hopeful story of living with mental illness.
A Fist of Permutations in Lightning and Wildflowers by Alyssa Wong.
This is a bewitching, breathtakingly raw story of two powerful sisters, "apart and together". There is a real sense of fierce desperation threaded through this story. The looping timelines carry the reader with them, circling and weaving around a story that is rich in its telling yet cleverly holds back the specifics. Beautiful.
Sunday, 23 July 2017
Friday, 21 July 2017
4 books that rescued me from my reading slump
As I've mentioned previously, my year got off to a painfully slow start reading-wise. Nothing seemed to grab me and I felt like I was getting through books at a snail’s pace (and I'm not a super speedy reader to start with). I don’t know if I wasn’t really finding the right books, or if my brain was just too much elsewhere, but this reading slump was proving annoyingly difficult to shake off.
Fortunately, things started to pick up around mid-March, thanks to some really excellent books. I want to share the four that really grabbed me the most. It was an amazing feeling to all of a sudden have my enthusiasm back for reading!
1. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood – This one was a re-read for me, but it has been about 5 years since I last read it, so it felt very fresh and just as terrifying and shocking the second time around. More so, in fact, given the terrifying state of affairs in the world today (it doesn't really stretch the imagination too much to consider how the events of the book could come to be). I read this for a book group, and reading and discussing a book with others was also a great way to jump-start my enthusiasm for reading again. As you can imagine, there was a lot of discussion to be had about this book! It was a very invigorating experience.
2. The Power by Naomi Alderman – This book was already on my radar (mostly because I’m a big fan of Zombies, Run!) but it was also recommended at the book group I mentioned above. I brought it almost straight away, and read it soon after. This book is gripping, thought-provoking and fascinating. It explores some really interesting themes around gender, power, control and fear, though a really creative and engaging central premise and story. Stayed with me for a long while - chilling and powerful.
3. Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor - I discovered this book via a BookRiot list entitled 100 MUST-READ YA BOOKS FOR FEMINISTS AND FEMINISTS-IN-TRAINING and thought it looked like my cup of tea and brought a copy out of curiousity. I’m so glad I did – this book was a absolute joy to read, bursting with imagination, and so gripping too. I found it hard to put down. I'm now working my way through Nnedi Okorafor’s other books. I’ve read both Binti and Home (read last week), and have a ordered a copy of Who Fears Death.
4. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers - I found a copy of this book for a £1 in a charity shop, which seemed far too good an offer to miss for a book I had already heard so much about. Warm, witty and deeply absorbing, this book is one of my favourites of the year so far. The plot in essence is simple, but the characterisation and world-building were so rich and exciting. Each place, each character, each detail felt so real and believable. Beautiful, moving stuff.
I am so glad I "found" these books. My reading has felt re-focused since, my tastes re-defined a little, and overall I feel so happy to spend time lost in a good book again. And off the back of these books, I have discovered so many others. I don't think I'll be at a loss for something to read any time soon.
Fortunately, things started to pick up around mid-March, thanks to some really excellent books. I want to share the four that really grabbed me the most. It was an amazing feeling to all of a sudden have my enthusiasm back for reading!
1. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood – This one was a re-read for me, but it has been about 5 years since I last read it, so it felt very fresh and just as terrifying and shocking the second time around. More so, in fact, given the terrifying state of affairs in the world today (it doesn't really stretch the imagination too much to consider how the events of the book could come to be). I read this for a book group, and reading and discussing a book with others was also a great way to jump-start my enthusiasm for reading again. As you can imagine, there was a lot of discussion to be had about this book! It was a very invigorating experience.
2. The Power by Naomi Alderman – This book was already on my radar (mostly because I’m a big fan of Zombies, Run!) but it was also recommended at the book group I mentioned above. I brought it almost straight away, and read it soon after. This book is gripping, thought-provoking and fascinating. It explores some really interesting themes around gender, power, control and fear, though a really creative and engaging central premise and story. Stayed with me for a long while - chilling and powerful.
3. Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor - I discovered this book via a BookRiot list entitled 100 MUST-READ YA BOOKS FOR FEMINISTS AND FEMINISTS-IN-TRAINING and thought it looked like my cup of tea and brought a copy out of curiousity. I’m so glad I did – this book was a absolute joy to read, bursting with imagination, and so gripping too. I found it hard to put down. I'm now working my way through Nnedi Okorafor’s other books. I’ve read both Binti and Home (read last week), and have a ordered a copy of Who Fears Death.
4. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers - I found a copy of this book for a £1 in a charity shop, which seemed far too good an offer to miss for a book I had already heard so much about. Warm, witty and deeply absorbing, this book is one of my favourites of the year so far. The plot in essence is simple, but the characterisation and world-building were so rich and exciting. Each place, each character, each detail felt so real and believable. Beautiful, moving stuff.
I am so glad I "found" these books. My reading has felt re-focused since, my tastes re-defined a little, and overall I feel so happy to spend time lost in a good book again. And off the back of these books, I have discovered so many others. I don't think I'll be at a loss for something to read any time soon.
Sunday, 16 July 2017
What I've been reading this week....
This week has been a fairly productive reading week for me. I've read two short stories, finished two books, and started another. Not bad at all by my slow and easily distracted standards! This also included two items for my Hugo Awards goal - I'm up to 5 now (plus half-way through reading two other), so well on track to have read at least ten by the time of the awards in August.
I've really enjoyed everything I've read this week, which is always a wonderful feeling. Hope you have had a excellent week too :)
A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers
I always worry when reading a follow up to a book I adored that it won't live up to my expectations. Fortunately, this book didn't disappoint. I found it to be a heartwarming, enjoyable read from start to finish. The characters were vivid and warm, and the book's exploration of identity, purpose and belonging for both organic and AI characters was really compelling. I loved the way the Sidra and Pepper's stories wove together - beautiful stuff.
Home by Nnedi Okorafor
I am so glad I have discovered Nnedi Okorafor - the strength and scope of imagination in her writing is such a joy to read. I love the way this story blends the traditional, the magical and the technological in its world building. (Maths! Spaceship fish!) And Binti is such a wonderful character and her story is gripping and moving, exploring themes of trauma, personal identity, and family expectations. I can't wait for for the next instalment.
Our Talons Can Crush Galaxies by Brooke Bolander
This story is short but my god is it mighty. I am in awe of what the writer managed to do with so few words. It's beautifully raw, the imagery stunning, and the no-nonsense way it reclaims the narrative of the victim is incredibly powerful. I also loved listening to this one as read by Erika Ensign on Uncanny Magazine Podcast Episode 13A, and the interview in the same episode with Brooke Bolandar was a fascinating insight into her writing processes and inspiration.
The Evening and the Morning and the Night (from Bloodchild and Other Stories) by Octavia Butler
This story is haunting. I found it an engaging yet chilling read, a tale of social exclusion and neglect of the sick and vulnerable. It presents a frightening yet (sadly) all too believable world. This is the second story I have read so far in this collection (the other being Bloodchild itself - what a story!). I really enjoyed reading them both, but I especially loved the afterwords by Octavia Butler, exploring the inspiration behind her ideas.
The Geek Feminist Revolution by Kameron Hurley
I haven't read much of this collection yet (just the first section - "Level Up"), but what I have read I've really liked. It's fierce, passionate and honest. I especially like the discussions of the importance of persistence and community. I'm very much looking forward to reading the rest of this book and can already tell I'll probably checking out some of Hurley's fiction in the near future too.
I've really enjoyed everything I've read this week, which is always a wonderful feeling. Hope you have had a excellent week too :)
A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers
I always worry when reading a follow up to a book I adored that it won't live up to my expectations. Fortunately, this book didn't disappoint. I found it to be a heartwarming, enjoyable read from start to finish. The characters were vivid and warm, and the book's exploration of identity, purpose and belonging for both organic and AI characters was really compelling. I loved the way the Sidra and Pepper's stories wove together - beautiful stuff.
Home by Nnedi Okorafor
I am so glad I have discovered Nnedi Okorafor - the strength and scope of imagination in her writing is such a joy to read. I love the way this story blends the traditional, the magical and the technological in its world building. (Maths! Spaceship fish!) And Binti is such a wonderful character and her story is gripping and moving, exploring themes of trauma, personal identity, and family expectations. I can't wait for for the next instalment.
Our Talons Can Crush Galaxies by Brooke Bolander
This story is short but my god is it mighty. I am in awe of what the writer managed to do with so few words. It's beautifully raw, the imagery stunning, and the no-nonsense way it reclaims the narrative of the victim is incredibly powerful. I also loved listening to this one as read by Erika Ensign on Uncanny Magazine Podcast Episode 13A, and the interview in the same episode with Brooke Bolandar was a fascinating insight into her writing processes and inspiration.
The Evening and the Morning and the Night (from Bloodchild and Other Stories) by Octavia Butler
This story is haunting. I found it an engaging yet chilling read, a tale of social exclusion and neglect of the sick and vulnerable. It presents a frightening yet (sadly) all too believable world. This is the second story I have read so far in this collection (the other being Bloodchild itself - what a story!). I really enjoyed reading them both, but I especially loved the afterwords by Octavia Butler, exploring the inspiration behind her ideas.
The Geek Feminist Revolution by Kameron Hurley
I haven't read much of this collection yet (just the first section - "Level Up"), but what I have read I've really liked. It's fierce, passionate and honest. I especially like the discussions of the importance of persistence and community. I'm very much looking forward to reading the rest of this book and can already tell I'll probably checking out some of Hurley's fiction in the near future too.
Sunday, 25 June 2017
3 mid-year reading goals
Well, hello there! It feels like a long time since I have written in this blog.... and it has been - over two years now. Shocking! I have no idea where that time has gone. (Probably to the same place all my good intentions for blogging went, those elusive little buggers.)
The beginning of this year was a slow one for me in terms of reading. I was in the middle of an ugly reading slump that was proving difficult to shake off, and didn't really start to disappear until mid-March. Because of this, I didn't set myself any reading goals or projects at the start of the year, so have decided to set myself a few mid-year readings goals instead. I feel in the mood for a more focused approach to reading again.
So, without further ado, here are my new reading goals....
Read at least 10 items from the list of finalists for the 2017 Hugo Awards:
I've always been interested in SFF, but this year I've really started to engage with the genre much more. This was the one thing, more than anything else, that helped me fall in love with reading all over again. I decided therefore that this would be a good project to help me explore and grow into the genre further. I already have A Closed and Common Orbit waiting for me on my bookshelves, The Dream-Quest of Vellitt Boe downloaded to my Kindle, Monstress on order from the library, and a number of the short stories bookmarked to read. I can't wait to get started.
Read at least 5 sci-fi classics:
I'm not exactly sure how best to define a "classic", however my aim here is to complement my first project with some backlist reading. I want to finally read some of those books that I've always said "I really must read that some day..." about, to explore the titles that have shaped the genre. I read The Left Hand of Darkness a couple of months ago and will definitely be including another of Ursula K. Le Guin's books in this list, as well as at least one by Octavia Butler. The rest I haven't decided on yet, but I am interested to see what journey this project takes me on.
Re-read Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials:
This final project has been on my to-do list for a while, but with the publication of La Belle Sauvage this October now is the perfect time for it. I have really fond memories of first time I read Northern Lights as a young teenager, and I still have the same (now somewhat battered) copy I read then, which has a picture of Iorek Byrnison on the front. It's probably the book on my shelves I have owned the longest.
I am really excited and giddy just thinking about all three of these goals (in my own quiet, introverted way). If you have any suggestions (or things to avoid!) for the first two, I'd love to hear them. I really want to get back into blogging to expand my reading horizons, so recommendations are always welcome :)
The beginning of this year was a slow one for me in terms of reading. I was in the middle of an ugly reading slump that was proving difficult to shake off, and didn't really start to disappear until mid-March. Because of this, I didn't set myself any reading goals or projects at the start of the year, so have decided to set myself a few mid-year readings goals instead. I feel in the mood for a more focused approach to reading again.
So, without further ado, here are my new reading goals....
Read at least 10 items from the list of finalists for the 2017 Hugo Awards:
I've always been interested in SFF, but this year I've really started to engage with the genre much more. This was the one thing, more than anything else, that helped me fall in love with reading all over again. I decided therefore that this would be a good project to help me explore and grow into the genre further. I already have A Closed and Common Orbit waiting for me on my bookshelves, The Dream-Quest of Vellitt Boe downloaded to my Kindle, Monstress on order from the library, and a number of the short stories bookmarked to read. I can't wait to get started.
Read at least 5 sci-fi classics:
I'm not exactly sure how best to define a "classic", however my aim here is to complement my first project with some backlist reading. I want to finally read some of those books that I've always said "I really must read that some day..." about, to explore the titles that have shaped the genre. I read The Left Hand of Darkness a couple of months ago and will definitely be including another of Ursula K. Le Guin's books in this list, as well as at least one by Octavia Butler. The rest I haven't decided on yet, but I am interested to see what journey this project takes me on.
Re-read Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials:
This final project has been on my to-do list for a while, but with the publication of La Belle Sauvage this October now is the perfect time for it. I have really fond memories of first time I read Northern Lights as a young teenager, and I still have the same (now somewhat battered) copy I read then, which has a picture of Iorek Byrnison on the front. It's probably the book on my shelves I have owned the longest.
I am really excited and giddy just thinking about all three of these goals (in my own quiet, introverted way). If you have any suggestions (or things to avoid!) for the first two, I'd love to hear them. I really want to get back into blogging to expand my reading horizons, so recommendations are always welcome :)
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