I’ve got some recent reads for today. There simply is not enough time to read all the books I want to read!
Middle Grade:
Palace Beautiful by Sarah DeFord Williams
This book had a lovely, old-fashioned quality to it. It is both serious and hopeful, with a main character who is growing up, but is still young enough to really enjoy childhood treasures like a hidden room and a secret journal.
Kat, Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis
A delightful mix of Regency era problems, magic, and a fun, feisty main character who is, well, incorrigible.
Young Adult:
Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst
I’m not normally big into the vampire genre (more power to you if you are!), but this book was a lot of fun. I loved the main character Pearl, who is so dead pan and hilarious. My favorite line is when she sees a high schooler with a Hello Kitty something or other (backpack, I think?) and hopes, but doubts, that the girl is wearing it ironically. Ha!
Adult:
Normally I am really turned off from adult books narrated by children, but I had heard so much great stuff about this one that I gave it a shot. It did take me a few pages to get used to the unusual narration, but then I was sucked in all the way and couldn’t put it down. Although the premise of the story involves abduction, it is more of a psychological story than a crime story. I’ve never read anything like it and I found it very insightful and interesting.
What have you been reading so far this year? What do you hope to read?
I’ve been reading a few nonfiction (typical), read the Geraldine Brooks and reread a History of Love. I forgot how much I enjoy it. I am currently reading 1Q84. It has A LOT of hype as one of the top books from last year. It’s quite a beast (926 pages) but very compelling. A lot of sexuality but I don’t mind. In Juv. Fiction I got Mara the new Brian Selznick “Wonderstruck” and we are both loving it. It is 2 stories that eventually intertwine. The one in words the other told in pictures. It goes back and forth between the two. It’s fascinating. We’ll let you know how we like it when we’re finished.
Sounds like you’ve been reading some good stuff! A History of Love is on my to read list. I’ve heard a lot about 1Q84, but someone recommended trying one of his other books first if you’ve never ready any of his (can’t remember his name…) so I think I’m going to do that. I liked Wonderstruck, but I loved The Invention of Hugo Cabret, his first book in that style.