TYF Column: What Are We Reading?

I used to read all the time. I know this is a common phrase people say to justify how little they read now, but I truly mean it; you couldn’t drag a book out of my hands once I’d grown attached to it not matter the circumstances. The only time I can recall being “grounded,” the consequence was my books. I had been reading Harry Potter in class, and the teacher tattled.

The sad thing that happens so often is that high school partially and college mainly takes away the joy of reading for leisure. I myself, historically practically glued to the page, have barely read anything in years.

In order to spark some excitement back into the world of literature, welcome to our new monthly column What Are We Reading where myself and other writers talk about what books are our current obsession. A collaborative effort we hope to engage other fellow readers who are looking to be enthusiastic about reading again (like me). Make sure to comment below about what’s your current page turner and/or if there are any recommendations you have for us!

Happy reading!

Gaby is Reading: Lady Renegades by Rachel Hawkins

Ryan is Reading: Rebel Rebel: All the Songs of David Bowie ‘64 to ‘76 by Chris O’Leary

Aside from listening to his music on repeat, David Bowie’s death in January also sent me on a re-read of Chris O’Leary’s tremendous blog Pushing Ahead of the Dame. In the blog, O’Leary writes extensively and knowledgeably about Bowie’s entire discography in chronological order, song by song. O’Leary has adapted a portion of his blog – running from Bowie’s first single “Liza Jane” in 1964 through to Station to Station in 1976 – into a book, Rebel Rebel.

Rebel Rebel significantly expands and revises the entries on Pushing Ahead of the Dame that makes it worthwhile for both longtime readers of O’Leary’s blog and newcomers to his writing. The result is that O’Leary has written the essential tome on Bowie’s music. It is an endlessly readable, fascinating reference work that is to Bowie what Ian MacDonald’s Revolution in the Head is to The Beatles. It also doesn’t make his blog redundant. In addition to the original posts, the blog also has an incredibly fascinating comments section and, of course, entries that continue past where Rebel Rebel ends (a second book, that will adapt the rest of the blog from Bowie’s work on Iggy Pop’s Lust for Life through to Blackstar has been announced, but it’s a few years off)

Rebel Rebel is absolutely essential for anyone who wants to know more about Bowie’s music. No music fan’s bookshelf or Kindle should be without it. 

Alana is Reading: Strange Light by Derrick C. Brown

Apart from reading “All About Love: New Visions” by bell hooks for Emma Watson’s Our Shared Shelf book club, I’ve spent most of March re-reading one of my very favorite poetry collections, “Strange Light” by Derrick C. Brown. Brown’s poetry is magnetic magic — I fell in an instant, electric love with it about a year and a half ago after watching him perform the titular piece at Sanibel Island Writers Conference, an experience I doubt I’ll ever forget. “Strange Light” is imaginative, sweetly sour and on the cusp of a witty, self-aware Bohemia. It’s filled with love, longing and joie de vivre that zig-zag into your soul and leave you starry-eyed and inspired. Run to get this, Brown’s final collection of poetry, and clutch it close to your heart. I know I do.

Brooke is Reading: The Gilded Razor by Sam Lansky 

The Gilded Razor by Sam Lansky isn’t as pretentious as it may seem. This is Lansky’s debut novel, a memoir no less, and it is worth the time spent. It’s not the best novel I have read, and it’s certainly got content that has been done on a better quality level. But, there’s just something so addicting about Lansky’s voice that allows readers to table their struggles, and figure out how Lansky solves his. It’s a perfect novel for young readers without forcibly instilling misplaced awe. For older readers, it clings to a sense of nostalgia, bitterness, and the heartbreaking moments as Lansky reflects on his addiction and self-loathing in latter teen years. It’s a well executed memoir by Lansky, and at points, it’s hard to know if Lansky is exaggerating his past experiences or if the vulnerable side of Lansky finally cracked itself all the way open.

Note to readers: Be aware of the content. This novel discusses heavy material.

Leigh Anne is Reading: Flawed by Cecelia Ahern

Ally is Reading: Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton 

I’ve made enough poor choices in regards to picking YA books in the past few months that I’ve been mildly put off by the genre, however with the recommendation from fellow TYF writer Bri I’ve gotten my hands on Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton. I’m going into the book relatively blind to what it’s all about but already the first few pages have me hooked. Promising magic, adventure and a heroic and strong leading lady, it has everything it needs to be an automatic page turner. For a book I just finished (poor timing in regards to this post on my part), Alan Cumming’s autobiography Not My Fathers Son is a brutally honest retelling of abuse, survival and learning to love yourself and all of life’s imperfections.

Evan is Reading: Star Wars: Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn