I finally finished up Pachinko, by Min Jin Lee, which I ended up enjoying! A simple, but well-told, story of one family's history and them trying to make the best of some bad situations. The story struck a good balance of bittersweet- sometimes things didn't work out for this family, but it made the moments when things did work out even better.

I have yet to start anything new this week because of visiting family and prep for the holiday, but my next planned reads are Spinning Silver, by Naomi Novik and Fevre Dream, by George R.R. Martin. And perhaps something nonfiction!

I FINALLY finished The Name of the Wind, by Patrick Rothfuss . I guess it didn't take me that long. Only 5 weeks, but it felt like a long time for me. I have to say I was pretty disappointed in it. The writing, world-building, and plot were all amazing but I found the character of Kvothe to be a Mary Sue. Even when he did do wrong (though he was always, in some way, in the right), he got a leg up in the world. He was either infuriatingly perfect or ~dashingly roguish~. I will pick up the next book later this year, though.

I finished Spinning Silver, by Naomi Novik. Loved this book, though I wish the weather outside matched the winter of the novel. It was fun and interesting and had a unique premise (Judasim, Rumplestilskin, and ice faeries). I also loved the character of Miryem.

I finished The Book of Essie, by Meghan MacLean Weir as well. It was definitely lacking in a lot of ways but it was such a fun read. I adored the character of Essie, who was always one step ahead of all the adults. I guess I like my calculating young woman.

I'm starting:
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead. I'm about half way through and dang it's interesting. Loving Cora so far.

American War by Omar El Akkad. I guess I'm reading two books about the American Civil War, one from before the war and one after a fictional second war. I've only just read the intro and the language is beautiful and haunting and feels so realistic.

This week I finished Spinning Silver, by Naomi Novik, which I enjoyed a lot! She did a great job of adapting the fairy tale and making it into a new story, and infusing the world she created with a sense of magic a mystery. I was also afraid that she was going to shoehorn in a love triangle or romantic subplot, so I was pleased how everything turned out in that respect. My only criticism is that some of the different characters’ narrative voices could have been a little more unique or differentiated a little better, but overall I really liked this one.

I also started reading Fevre Dream, by George R.R. Martin which I’m liking so far. I’m enjoying Martin’s style and the characters and the story, but maybe the book seems to be more tired than it actually is because I’ve seen the “vampires in the South” trope done a few times by now. The steamboat angle is cool, though, and I think (hope) that the narrative is going to take a turn into some new territory soon. Definitely going to finish it though because I love vampire stories!

Chasing New Horizons: Inside the Epic First Mission to Pluto, by Alan Stern Pretty engaging story. How do you get NASA to give you $700 million to launch a mission to Pluto? This is more about putting together the mission, including interesting politics between APL and JPL, than about the science.

Spinning Silver: A Novel, by Naomi Novik A bit of a fairy tale. The narrators switches frequently between characters, and the tone is always right on the twee line. Sometimes over it. Not terrible, it is a fun story.

Rogue Heroes: The History of the SAS, Britain's Secret Special Forces Unit That Sabotaged the Nazis and Changed the Nature of War, by Ben Macintyre Incredible stories, but too much blow-by-blow (shot-by-shot?) detail for me.

John Dies at the End, by David Wong This was a hate read. Please, David Wong, get an editor, please.

Finished: Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik: I had never read anything by her before I picked up Uprooted which I loved! So, I read Spinning Silver next and it didn’t disappoint. I loved the world building and the moody atmospheric fairytale retelling.

Started: Normal People by Sally Rooney: I became a huge fan of Rooney after reading Conversations with Friends. It’s probably my favorite book I read in 2018. Since I heard some buzz about this one too, I knew I had to give it a try. I’ve only just started but pretty interested to see where it goes.

This week I finished The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer. This feels blasphemous to say, but I think I actually preferred the film! I really struggled with the letter format and found it too easy to lose track of who was writing.

Next up I finished To End All Wars: A Story of Protest and Patriotism in the First World War by Adam Hochschild. This was fantastic. It's the second book I've read by him, and I'll definitely be buying more. He makes overwhelming topics easily digestible and fascinating at the same time.

My current read is a new release! Spinning Sliver by Naomi Novik. I loved Uprooted, so I bought this as soon as I saw it in the shops. I'm liking it a lot so far. Similar themes to Uprooted, with enough differences to keep me interested and not feeling like I'm reading the same thing again. My only criticism is that her three main characters are hard to tell apart when the perspective changes. After a few sentences I'm back in the flow, but it can be jarring trying to work out who is talking. Anyway I'm in the last 60 odd pages and very interested in how the story will wind up!

I finished Spinning Sliver by Naomi Novik. I really liked it. Similar themes to Uprooted, with enough differences to keep me interested and not feeling like I'm reading the same thing again. The ending was a little frustrating, but not enough so that it spoiled the book in general.

My current read is Edith Cavell by Diana Southami. It's just ok... I'm 3/4 in and don't feel like I know much about Edith as an individual. I'll persevere though.

I also picked up Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain. This has been on my To-Buy list for around 2 years now - I finally bit the bullet and got it from my local library. I've only just started but I'm hoping for good things!

I finished A Whole New World, by Liz Braswell and started Spinning Silver, by Naomi Novik.

Just finished Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik and absolutely loved it! Starting Binti by Nnedi Okorafor at lunch today.

I finished re-reading Uprooted by Naomi Novik, and just started re-reading Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik.

Finished Spinning Silver, by Naomi Novik. Was a great read. Ready to be disappointed by the movie which, given the book, will happen at some point.

The Lay of Atrou and Itroun, by J.R.R. Tolkien - The first non-Middle Earth book I've read of his. Tolkien wrote a lot of retellings of Breton/Celtic myths, as well as Arthurian legend. This book contained three epic poems--all involving the influence of a malevolent Breton fairy/forest spirit known as the Corrigan--and commentary on the context from Christopher Tolkien. The titular poem was pretty depressing but a good read.

Spinning Silver, by Naomi Novik - this came out on Tuesday, and after reading Uprooted earlier this year (which was fucking charming) I had to pick this one up. Many more character perspectives in this one, which was interesting. Really liked how the supernatural tension (humans vs. Staryk) was neatly mirrored by the cultural tension of Miryem's family being Jewish and treated poorly by nearly everyone they encounter. Well done and very enjoyable.

Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik. Maybe not as good as Uprooted but I'm really enjoying it.

Finished:

The Tattooist of Auschwitz, by Heather Morris

Where'd You Go, Bernadette, by Maria Semple

Started:

Spinning Silver, by Naomi Novik

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Been on a roll lately after a long slump!

Finished:

The Changeling, by Victor LaValle - I have a lot of feelings about this book, and all of them good. Highly recommend.

Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse - Interesting worldbuilding, a native american protagonist. If you're looking for a quick urban fantasy read, check this out. Looking forward to some character development in the next installment.

Witchmark, by C.L. Polk - Steampunk fantasy, gay protagonist. Quick, fun read.

Started:

Melmoth the Wanderer, by Charles Robert Maturin I've been on a gothic lit kick for a while. Also, in preparation for reading Melmoth by Sarah Perry.

Spinning Silver, by Naomi Novik Really enjoyed Uprooted by her, so high expectations for this one as well!

Preacher vol. 1, by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon Watched the first season of the TV show a while ago, so interested to see how the comic compares.

I started Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik.

Ghost Wall, by Sarah Moss - This was an amazing shorter read about Sylvie and her family going on an archaeological recreation excursion with a professor and his students. It's very dark though...it details Sylvie's inner thoughts while being bullied and abused by her father in a manner typical of perhaps the 1950s (though the book is set in the early 90s). This book manages to feel claustrophobic though Sylvie is literally traipsing through the countryside foraging for food.

I've started Spinning Silver, by Naomi Novik and it's good so far, but I'm less apt to love novels with multiple perspectives, so I hope this one lives up to Uprooted.