In order to spark some excitement back into the world of literature, welcome back to our 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 myself). Make sure to comment below about what’s your current page turner and/or if there are any recommendations you have for us!
I have currently found myself at a time and place where I seem to be purchasing books at a much faster rate than I am actually reading them. I set out a goal for myself to read 52 books by the end of 2016 and am behind with a sad ten. Perhaps if I spend less time on Amazon searching for cheap copies of books I was interested in and more time spent with the actual, physical book in front of me, I’d be on target.
A silver lining? My dream book shelf with a sliding ladder is going to look marvelous with my collection. For now however, I’ve taken to making makeshift stacks on the floor to try and make room for the novels ranging from YA to science fiction to the odd comic book that are eating up every inch of space in my room.
So, TYF readers, what are we reading this month and what are some creative ways you’ve found to organize your books? Let us know in the comments below! (I’m desperate for suggestions.)
Happy reading! To read previous months columns, go here.
Gaby is Reading: “The Unexpected Everything” by Morgan Matson
Whenever I experience that first day of warm weather each year, I have a yearning to pull out a new summer read. When I was a teenager, this usually meant a Sarah Dessen or Meg Cabot novel, but now (since I still read a lot of YA in my twenties), I pulled out Morgan Matson’s upcoming (upon writing this) book, The Unexpected Everything. The bright cover of girl outside an ice cream truck with a huge white fluffy dog is picturesque and totally enticing. I’m not one to judge books by their covers, but this one caught my eye.
I’m about midway through the book, and it’s surprisingly wonderful. The story and the main character feel familiar but there’s a charming quality to the book and its exploration of female friendship. The romance is cute, but it is the way the girls interact and bond with each other that is joyful, deep and fun. While Matson incorporates text messages and emoji dialogue to give an authentic and contemporary flair to the writing, it also provides commentary about how young people can choose between engaging with people and shutting themselves off from the world. It’s easier these days to be so absorbed in your phone (or technology in general) that you opt for solitary activities over social ones. In this case, the author exemplifies what it’s like to find a healthy balance between experiencing the world through and outside a screen. On another related level, it’s about being open and facing the uncomfortable and unexpected challenges life can throw at you. This is far from the main focus of the novel, which is a coming of age story more than anything – but it’s a multi-layered story that tackles and balances a number of interesting themes.
Hannah is Reading: “The Raven King” by Maggie Stiefvater
I’m fairly polygamous when it comes to my reading material, so I’m usually juggling at least three books in different genres at a time. At the moment, I’m nearly finished The Raven King, the last book in Maggie Stiefvater’s Raven Cycle series, which has acquired quite a cult following, at least according to my Tumblr and Goodreads feeds. Latin-speaking trees, psychics, ex-hitmen, dreamers and a whole lot of magic… As a fan, I’m enjoying it, but there are certain glaring flaws as well. The author does have an imagination to be admired though, and I’m interested to see what she comes up with next.
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Camille is Reading: “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” by Jenny Han
It’s actually been awhile since I’ve had time to read because life happens. But with YALLWest just around the corner, I figured now is the best time to finally read a book by Jenny Han.
People have raved about To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before constantly, so I knew this book would be the one to get me out of my reading slump. I haven’t gotten too far into the story but have thoroughly enjoyed the strong and vivid Korean American characters, thus far, that Jenny has brought to life. It’s interesting to read more about the dynamic between sisters, growing up Korean American and falling in and out of young love. Jenny’s way of storytelling is captivating and one that reminds me of why I fell in love with young adult fiction.
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Ally is Reading: “The Art of Fielding” by Chad Harbach
I can’t quite tell you just how this book fell into my lap. While I grew up loving baseball, it was never to the point where I would be reading books about it. However, The Art of Fielding is about so much more than just the sport and instead tackles team dynamics, the pressure of being successful while also being young and grappling with self-doubt and an earnest fight to be the very best self you can be. The emotional core of the book hooked me from the very start, even if the deviation to side characters threw me at first. Henry, Owen, Pella and the rest of the team and their friends have earned a spot in my literary heart to the point where I’m actively worrying myself about them getting deserved happy endings. Not every chapter is thrilling, and I can’t say that I find the plight of Guert Affenlight to be all that compelling (since I’d much rather see the story from Owen’s POV) but regardless, the relationships are richly drawn and the characters’s individual insecurities even more so.
I have about 200 pages to go, and I’m already mourning the loss of these characters while simultaneously restraining myself from sneaking ahead to make sure they get a celebratory end.
Lauren is Reading: “The Amateurs” by Sara Shepard
I am currently reading an advanced copy of The Amateurs by Sara Shepard (coming out November 1, 2016). I picked it up during one of my shifts at my local independent bookstore and could barely put it down after I’d read the first few pages. It’s about a group of young adults who come together after connecting on an online mystery-solving site. They’re trying to solve a girl’s high-profile disappearance five years earlier, but Aerin (the girl’s sister) regrets asking for help, and there are lots of secrets between the group members. I’m not too far in yet, but the mystery and thriller aspect have definitely sucked me in.
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I am also reading The Raven Cycle series by Maggie Stiefvater for the first time. I’m on book two, The Dream Thieves, and really enjoying the magical elements and the unique characters.
