Peek Over Our Shoulders: What Rioters Are Reading On October 30, 2014
In this feature at Book Riot, we give you a glimpse of what we are reading this very moment.
Here is what the Rioters are reading today (as in literally today). This is what’s on their bedside table (or the floor, work bag, desk, whatevskis). See a Rioter who is reading your favorite book? I’ve included the link that will take you to their author archives (meaning, that magical place that organizes what they’ve written for the site). Gird your loins – this list combined with all of those archived posts will make your TBR list EXPLODE. Then again, that might be just what the doctor ordered for summer weekend plans. Enjoy!
We’ve shown you ours, now show us yours; let us know what you’re reading (right this very moment) in the comment section below!
Turn Around Bright Eyes by Rob Sheffield: Who can resist a memoir about love and karaoke by a tried and true Rolling Stone music reporter? (ebook)
Bird Box by Josh Malerman: When a bunch of Rioters say a book is so scary that you have to put it in the freezer, you buy the book and gird your girdable parts. (ebook)
A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James: I heard Marlon read an excerpt from this gigantic, choral novel at a reading several years ago and I knew I had to read it. It was finally published this month! A story of Jamaica, violence, Bob Marley, and the lives caught in the middle. (hardcover)
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande: I love Atul Gawande and his latest has been getting rave reviews. (Print galley)
Sisters of Treason by Elizabeth Fremantle: I really enjoyed her first, Queen’s Gambit. (Print galley)
Illusive by Emily Lloyd-Jones: I’ve had this YA novel sitting on my bookshelf for quite a while, and for some reason, it took me a few months to finally get to it. Which I’m now sincerely regretting. Just a few pages in, and I can already tell this is going to be a hard one to put down, and likely a new favorite. The short of it? A virus vaccine gives a very small number of those treated SUPERPOWERS, and those who end up with these gifts have a choice. Work for the government, or get locked up. The main character doesn’t want to do either, so she becomes a thief. And it is awesome so far. (Hardcover)
The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey: I bought this the day is came out, but it has kept slipping in my queue. I really loved The Fifth Wave. Kept me guessing and doubting with every new chapter. About halfway through the sequel, and it’s just as thrilling as the first book.
Wise Men and Their Tales: Portraits of Biblical, Talmudic, and Hasidic Masters by Elie Wiesel: Still on a biography binge (although I’m not sure if this qualifies as a biography) and Elie Wiesel is a wonderful writer. I should mention that the title is misleading. Several of the people included are women. (Paperback)
The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. by Washington Irving: I’m a huge fan of the TV-show Sleepy Hollow which is based on two stories in this collection, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle. The TV-show is now in its second season so I figured I should read the stories it’s based on. (E-book)
The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss: Because Patrick Rothfuss. And Auri. (Hardcover)
The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert: I met Liz at a book event in New Orleans last year, and she signed a copy for me. The actual book is so beautiful, I didn’t want to touch it. So glad I decided to pick it up this week. It lives up to the hype. (Hardcover)
The New Black, an anthology of noir from editor Richard Thomas. While I find my definition of “noir” differs from that of Mr. Thomas, I have to say that this is an anthology of unusual quality. Fantastic, outstanding writing.
Ghost Story by Peter Straub. A classic of the horror genre, though I’m still waiting for the shivers to hit.
I am having the best time with my newly discovered love of book polygamy!
Fram by Steve Himmer because hell yes there is a new Steve Himmer. (Print galley.)
The Orenda by Joseph Boyden because several people have told me it’s one of the best books of the year, so I want to read it before said year is over. (Hardcover.)
The Lesser Dead by Christopher Buehlman because Halloween. (Hardcover.)
The Collected Stories of Grace Paley because Ann Patchett wrote that if you want to be a writer, you must read these. I don’t know about being a writer, but I’d eat live bees if Ann Patchett told me it was something I should do. (Paperback.)
How to Be Both by Ali Smith: Sharp as a tack, Smith is, and the Booker judges are almost that bright, because they had this book on their shortlist. (print galley)
Divergent by Veronica Roth: Wanted to read this after seeing the movie (which is fantastic, by the way). (ebook)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling: Every fall, I start craving apple cider and pumpkin pie, and Harry Potter. Maybe I should add butterbeer to that list? (audiobook)
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel: I started reading it in preparation for her appearance at the Texas Book Festival, and when I wasn’t able to make it, I consoled myself by powering through the middle. Now, I am slowing down to savor the end. (eBook)
The Apex Book of World SF 3 edited by Lavie Tidhar: looking to expand my horizons and learn more about contemporary scifi (paperback)
Superman: The High-Flying History of the Man of Steel by Larry Tye: fascinating story about the genesis of this most famous superhero (audiobook)
Cinder (ebook version) by Marissa Meyer. I love re-imagined fairy tales and totally down with steampunk themes, so yay for this one.
2 A.M. at the Cat’s Pajamas by Marie-Helene Bertino. This book is so fun, such a quick read, and positively kinetic. Loving it. (Hardback)
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn: I finally got to see the movie and immediately wanted to reread the book. (Paperback)
The Underground Girls of Kabul by Jenny Nordberg: Swapna gushed about this one on Twitter, so I had to read it. I love books that get inside hidden cultures – in this case, a cultural trend of Afghan girls growing up as boys. (Hardcover)
I Want it That Way by Ann Aguirre. Randomly picked a book to start reading on my phone on a lunch break. Also, even if the main character is way too young to understand, Backstreet Boys! (ebook)
Batman: Year One by Frank Miller et al. Bought a lot of Batman during an anniversary sale, and figured this was a good place to start. (ebook)
Shopaholic to the Stars by Sophie Kinsella: Because Sophie Kinsella makes me laugh out loud. (Hardcover)
Eichmann in Jerusalem by Hannah Arendt: I was immediately inspired to pick this up by a brilliant blog post on Arendt’s controversial concept of the “banality of evil,” and the timing was especially good after reading Martin Amis’s The Zone of Interest a few weeks back.
J by Howard Jacobson: This one is starting out slow but Jacobson always gets a solid chance with me.
Ruby by Cynthia Bond: I started this on a recommendation from my mom, wherein she called it haunting and brutal. Such an accurate description so far and the author’s narration is spot on. (Audio)
The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber. Because Book Riot wildfire spreads. (Galley)
Ghost Stories by M.R. James: The bookstore had a display of classic horror books for Halloween; this book was most enticing having seen a film based on one of the stories. (Paperback)
As for Me…
Yes Please by Amy Poehler: Because, Amy Poehler. (ebook)
The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber. What Rachel Manwill said… #truth. (ARC)
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