Friday Book Debrief Vol 06

Every week we’re sharing what our some of our writers are currently reading. Please join in the chorus and tell us what you’ve been enjoying or slogging through in the comments!

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder - Courtney

After reading two pretty emotionally heavy books (The Hearts Invisible Furies & Little Women) I thought a good way to shake up my reading would be a good ole’ YA-ish fantasy!

Buy it here.

Sula by Toni Morrison - Maggie

Currently reading my first Morrison and am slowly savoring it. Having owned her entire catalogue of work for years, I am loving putting her in the spotlight for all of 2020.

Buy it here.

Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe - Victoria

I don't read a ton of standard nonfiction, so when I do I have standards. I want to learn a lot without being overwhelmed and be entertained enough not to feel like I've gotten the gist halfway through and give up. This checks all my boxes.

Buy it here.

Before and After the Book Deal by Courtney Maum - Mel

I’m in the middle of Catapult’s new release and it’s very special to me because of my connection to their writing program, but, bias aside, Maum has a great attitude that pairs well with some of the tougher details like facing rejection and jealousy, etc. If you’ve ever even contemplated publishing a book, read this first.

Buy it here.

Men We Reaped by Jesmyn Ward - Marian

In achingly poetic prose, Jesmyn Ward’s Men We Reaped captures the sense of community—Gulf Coast MS region—where she came of age. The loss she endures in such a brief span of time makes your heart hurt. This book!!

Buy it here.

White Teeth by Zadie Smith - Nikki

White Teeth doesn't really need an introduction, does it? I wasn't feeling this for about the first 100 pages, but I'm 250 in now and glad I stuck it out. Reading Zadie Smith's dialogue is like living inside a British film, and her cultural observations are frequent, relevant, and very, very funny.

Buy it here.

H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald – Cat

In beautiful and incredibly precise prose, Helen Macdonald shares her story of training a goshawk named Mabel while processing her grief over her father’s death. This is a memoir about Macdonald’s own experiences, but also delves into the history of troubled author and aspiring austringer T. H. White—a strange but compelling combination.

Buy it here.

Cross Her Heart by Sarah Pinborough - Melissa

I LOVED Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough—the twist hasn't left my mind to this day. So, when I saw this book on the shelf at Salvation Army, I snatched it up so fast! I'm about halfway through and can't wait for things to get even crazier.

Buy it here.

A Map to the Door of No Return: Notes to Belonging by Dionne Brand - Akilah

Brand explores her response to being a part of the Black diaspora as a result of the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade. She does not claim that her ideas are popular but they are potent, even shattering.

Buy it here.

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern - Jessica Maria

I volunteered to host my local book club at my house for the month of January and though I usually only allow books I want to read on the vote list, this month I let an impassioned member make a case for this book and I added it to the list. I honestly thought: "none of these suburban mothers are going to want to read a fantasy book, surely?" And yet it was voted on unanimously and here I am, halfway through, part bewildered and part bored. It seems like a book written precisely for a book lover, but it's turning me off so much! Just not my taste, I suppose. But we'll see if it turns around by meeting time.

Buy it here.

grown ups (US)/Adults(UK) by Emma Jane Unsworth - The Book Slut

I am only 74 pages in, and even though I didn't need another reason to love Emma Jane Unsworth, this is it. Yet again casually outdoing herself. I have now put it to one side to be able to fully appreciate it in one go.

We are 10 days into 2020 and I already know that this is going to be one of my favourite books of the year. (or decade?!)

Pre-order it here.