Recent reading spree & thoughts

i've went on a reading spree while on vacation last week, diving into stories that have been so unexpectedly interesting, emtionally charged, and have left me thinking.

🔗 Murderbot series, Martha Wells

i started this series per a friend's recommendation and it's been a fantastic read. i really identified with the perspective of the main character who exists in the intersection of being mostly human and being uncomfortable with that. i've learned more about audhd and at least strongly identify with the advice given for those who are struggling with it.

i also really enjoyed the murderbot's uberpragmatic personality and dry anger. binged 4 of these already and still have two more to go.

🔗 Legion, Brandon Sanderson

i wasn't really sure what to expect from this book as i solely picked it up because it was a Brandon Henderson story. it was really cool how this version of "legion" incoporated the aspect of 'many personalities/one mind' and made it a superpower. very Sherlock Holmes-like. the latter half of the book hit me with an emotional weight that i didn't expect, and loved strulgging through it.

🔗 Binti series, Nnedi Okorafor

this was recommended to me in a book club discord. the first book was hard for me to follow at the start. but once I did get about halfway through, i was sold. you are tossed right in to the upheaval that binti has to pass through on her way to becoming a harmonizer. my main struggle was keeping track of the names and words for things. i read all three books consequitively which i recommend. The unredeption/antihero had me feeling so much: anger, sadness, longing, loss. it was a really good read!

🔗 Daring Greatly, Brené Brown

i've been a big fan of Brené Brown for a long time. this was available last minute so i also picked it up for my week long vacation. do not regret it one bit – she's inspiring, and i learned how necessary it is for me to learn how to "live wholeheartedly". i also went ahead and picked up her book called the gifts of imperfection.

🔗 The Reckoning, John Grisham

i grabbed this book because of two reasons: it was immediately available, and I've seen a lot of John Grisham books in my ex father-in-law's library. i really didn't know what to expect and this story had a really cool build up. also almost felt like a historical fiction, which was cool. the resolution at the end hit me like a train. to be honest, i still can't believe it ended that way. looking forward to trying another from this author as well!

🔗 The Giver, Lois Lowry

this is a great dystopian story and I was so much more invested and interested in the original story. i recalled seeing the movie this was based on but didn't realize it was a book... and that there were more in the series as well. going to read the rest of the series asap as well!