Finished reading: Prophet Song by Paul Lynch 📚
Brutal. The atmosphere the author creates had me on edge throughout. I think it benefitted from reading over a short period in a few big chunks.
There was a point where I had to put it down for a while and give myself space to sit with what had happened. I doubt that will be a feeling I forget any time soon.
Totally get why this won the Booker.
Currently reading: Prophet Song by Paul Lynch 📚
Oof, this packs a punch. Only ~100 pages in but I can already see why it won the Booker.
Finished reading: Piranesi by Susanna Clarke 📚
Excellent. A complex narrative balanced by an easy style made this a pleasure to read.
Finished reading: Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler 📚
I wasn’t as engaged with this book as I was with the first in the series. The telling of the story felt disjointed. However I’m pleased to have seen how Lauren’s story unfolded.
Finished reading: China Lake by Meg Gardiner 📚
Looking for a new (to me) crime series with a female lead. Trying out a few options by Meg Gardiner. First up Evan Delaney.
Finished reading: The Shadow District by Arnaldur Indridason 📚
Finished reading: Parable of the sower by Octavia E. Butler 📚
Outstanding. I can’t explain the comfort (not sure that’s the right word… hope, maybe?) this book gave me despite the world it is set in. I’m not ready to let it go yet.
Is it possible to go into a bookshop or library and only come out with the specific thing you went in for? Asking for a friend 📚
Finished reading: Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata 📚
Finished reading: Foster by Claire Keegan 📚
Another remarkable story. We join somewhere in the middle and leave before its end, yet Keegan’s writing always feels like just enough.
I want to read more by Stephen King. I really enjoyed The Long Walk and am wondering if the best place to start would be other novels he published under the Richard Bachman pen name. Would welcome other suggestions too please 📚
Paused reading: The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas 📚
I was really struggling to get into this. Rather than push on I’ve decided it’s just not the right time and am pressing pause. Will try again later in the year.
Finished reading: Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel 📚
Sublime. What a way to start a new year in books. Really want to reread Station Eleven now too.
Finished reading: A Scatter of Light by Malinda Lo 📚
Last book of the year. Indulging my love of queer origin stories.
Finished reading: The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich 📚
My first Erdrich book but definitely not my last. This was a slow burn for me until a little over half way through when I just had to find out what happened next. It’s a rich story based on the history of the author’s own family.
Finished reading: If I Survive You by Jonathan Escoffery 📚
Finished reading: The Galaxy, and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers 📚
Sad to reach the end of the wayfarer series but excited to read more from Becky Chambers and the worlds she creates.
Finished reading: Old God’s Time by Sebastian Barry 📚
Barry is one of my favourite authors and I’ve enjoyed losing myself in his writing before but this one proved a challenge.
Finished reading: Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson 📚
Astonishing. I couldn’t put this down, just wanted to float in the words. There’s an art to writing fiction that feels like poetry. This story is tender and it also punches you in the gut.
Finished reading: This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar 📚
This one grew on me. I enjoyed the letters but felt a little lost in the rest of the narrative. Also not sure I’ve ever read a co-authored fiction book before, and if I hadn’t have known I couldn’t have told you that was the case.
Finished reading: Supporting Cast by Kit de Waal 📚
Finished reading: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin 📚
I devoured this. It is one of those rare books that’s as good as everyone says it is.
Finished reading: Under the Udala Trees by Chinelo Okparanta 📚
Finished reading: Sybil & Cyril by Jenny Uglow 📚
Finished reading: The Perfect Golden Circle by Benjamin Myers 📚
Poetic. I really enjoy the characters and snapshots of their worlds that Benjamin Myers creates.