book recommendations
i'll read just about any medium. storytelling is just the same destination using different cars. i try to be broader with genres as well because i also believe i can be convinced of anything as long as the writing's good enough (it turns out i will stick with it if the writing is bad, too, but i have some standards!).
fiction is my first love and i am trying to read more nonfiction. i'm starting to dive into historical waters as well. only in the kiddie pool.
notes:
- hover over/click photos for color.
- i won't spoil anything or describe plot in the descriptions.
books
i think i average about 5-8 books yearly since i've reached adulthood. i did a bit better when i was younger. i'm not trying to out-pace anybody, though. i like taking my time and savoring a good read. i tend to know if i'll like a book about 20 percent of the way in, sometimes even less. i guess i know what i'm looking for...
i've probably written a quick and more real review on my storygraph for the following books. they're my absolute favorites!
title
between two fires (2012)author
christopher buehlmangenre
horror, fantasyan absolute ride. this was the first book i read in 2022 and (almost) everything else paled in comparison.
if you are even vaguely interested in religious medieval horror, try this. the character relationships were the cherry on top. fear is because of love, when you think about it.
title
daughter of the forest (1999)author
juliet marilliergenre
fantasy, adventurecoincidentally, i read this right after between two fires. probably the best reading month experience of my life. don't let this premise fool you! it may be based off a fairytale (one of my favorites ever) and contains a romance, but the way i was gagging and tearing my hair out for more than half of the story was no damn joke.
my first of many marillier books-my guilty pleasure. her prose is so beautiful to me, and she knows how to do real romance.
title
hawk mountain (2022)author
connor habibgenre
suspensereading this was a transformative experience that explored the question: can we actually move on? the story is an ouroboros. i felt tense and nervous reading. i felt grief. there is romance, but not the feel-good kind. i will carry this story with me always.
manga
at heart, i'm a "reading manga after school on the family computer" child. these are some i hold dear to me that i think deserve more highlighting.
title
basara (1990)author
tamura yumigenre
adventure, fantasyi came onto basara on the late train but i'm so glad i got to it eventually. it's one of the most heart-wrenching bodies of work in the shoujo game and it's beautifully illustrated as well as a masterclass example of good storytelling.
in my head i call this one akatsuki no yona's wartorn, yet warm and loving grandmother.
title
i want to hold aono-kun so badly i could die (2016)author
umi shiinagenre
horror, romancei could wax poetic about umi shiina's ability of pacing and atmosphere and character development but i must have already some time ago. aono digs deep into horror as a vehicle for first loves, family trauma, and self-worth. i love the characters deeply and am probably due for yet another reread sometime soon.
title
discommunication (1991)author
ueshiba riichigenre
supernatural, mysteryi personally think the first few volumes are probably its best despite not reading through all the sequels. the first part of this story cracks open such a vivid and wonderful world. i enjoyed the main duo's dynamic a lot. very beautiful art.
comics
i'm big on comics. a really fun and immersive medium.
title
sleepless (2017)author
sarah vaughnartist
leila del ducagenre
romance, fantasythere was nothing like having this on your pull list when it was still coming out. i'm a huge shoujo fan and this ticked all the boxes for me. the plot is solid, the art is lovely, and when i tell you i will never live down lady poppy and her cyrenic. swinging my feet just thinking about them.