Peek Over Our Shoulders: What Rioters Are Reading on March 17, 2016
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.
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!
Liberty Hardy
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (Sept. 13, Doubleday Books) I am almost finished this book and I can tell you it is devastating and incredible. This one is going to be with me for a long time. I know it’s early, but I call National Book Award. (galley)
Romeo and/or Juliet: A Choosable-Path Adventure by Ryan North (June 7, Riverhead Books) North is delightfully funny and weird and I can’t wait to see how many different ways Romeo and Juliet can play out. (e-galley)
A Song to Take the World Apart by Zan Romanoff (Sept. 13, Knopf Books for Young Readers) Young adult novel compared to I’ll Give You the Sun, with hints of magical realism? YES PLEASE. I’ll take two. (e-galley)
The Heavenly Table by Donald Ray Pollock (July 12, Doubleday Books) Pollock scratches my Clewes/McCarthy/Wooodrell/Portis itches. He’s amazing and, if this is anything like his past books, this will be seriously effed up. (e-galley)
Sarah Knight
Her: A Memoir by Christa Parravani: The author’s husband is a Facebook friend of mine and I happened to see him post that it was the one-year anniversary of her publication. I had been intrigued by Her when it came out but at the time, I had no time for pleasure reading (as discussed here). So I thought I’d go ahead and make it my next read! (Ebook)
Hannah Engler
New Grub Street by George Gissing: I’m reading this because it was referenced in the last book I read (Better Living Through Criticism by A.O. Scott), because reading books about books is my favorite way to find more books (I feel like a treasure hunter following clues). A.O. Scott and I agree that New Grub Street feels eerily (and hilariously) relevant to today’s writing world. I’m tearing through it.
Rebecca Hussey
Wrapped in Rainbows: The Life of Zora Neale Hurston by Valerie Boyd: this is the March pick for the Women’s Lives Club. I’m about 100 pages in, and it’s fascinating. (Hardcover, from library)
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins: for my mystery book group. I’ve read this already, but it was a long time ago and I’m very happy to return to it. (ebook until my husband finishes the print version and then I’m taking his copy)
E.H. Kern
The Deaths of Tao by Wesley Chu: This is the second part of Wesley Chu’s The Tao Series about the alien race the Quasings who inhabit human hosts and use them to manipulate human society. I have already read part one, The Lives of Tao, so now I’m delving into part two. (Paperback)
Någonstans inom oss by Kajsa Ingemarsson: A friend of mine sent me this book as a thank you for helping her with a manuscript. Even though Ingemarsson is one of the best-selling authors in Sweden, I am now reading her for the first time. (Paperback)
Jamie Canaves
Half a Lifelong Romance by Eileen Chang: Set in 1930s Shanghai. And that title! (egalley)
Saving Montgomery Sole by Mariko Tamaki: I very much enjoyed This One Summer so this was a no-brainer. (egalley)
I Don’t Like Where This is Going by John Dufresne: I’ll read anything he writes. (egalley)
Feast of the Innocents by Evelio Rosero, Anne McLean (Translator), Anna Milsom (Translator): That cover and “strange and entertaining” sounds perfect. (Hardcover)
Jessi Lewis
The New and Improved Romie Futch by Julia Elliott. I really enjoyed her work, The Wilds, so it made sense to hop on this one. (ebook)
Love, Loss and What We Ate by Padma Lakshmi. It’s PADMA! I can’t not read this one. (ebook)
The Night Circus by Erin Mogenstern. Why read this now? Because somehow I missed it when the rest of the world was on board. Plus, I’m really interested to tackle a successful NaNoWriMo project. (ebook)
Maddie Rodriguez
The theme of this week is “how the hell have I not read this already?” on both counts. Also both work for my Read Harder challenge!
Gilead by Marilynne Robinson (paperback)
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin (paperback)
Rachel Smalter Hall
Sex Object: A Memoir by Jessica Valenti: when a feminist warrior chooses to share her personal story with all its rawness, flaws, and rough edges, I’m listening. (egalley)
Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes: it’s like having your friend along for your commute, telling womanhood like it is. (audio)
Driven to Distraction by Edward M. Hallowell: because I’m on a journey of self-discovery! (paperback, from library)
Derek Attig
On the Way Back by Montague Kobbé: Basically because it sounded amazing. That’s the best reason to pick up a book, right? And it’s paying off with this one. (egalley)
Notes From a Small Island by Bill Bryson: I read Bryson when I want to feel like I’m curling up with a comforting, kinda weird blanket. (ebook)
The Perfect Egg by Teri Lyn Fisher and Jenny Park: I’m joining a cookbook club, and this is the first book we’re cooking from. (library hardback)
My Boyfriend Barfed in My Handbag by Jolie Kerr: We just moved from an apartment to our first house, which means it’s time for a lifestyle change. (paperback)
Kate Scott
Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup: One of my goals this year is to read more classic books by authors of color. (audiobook)
Democracy in Black: How Race Still Enslaves the American Soul by Eddie S. Glaude Jr.: Review book from Crown. (hardcover)
Ashlie Swicker
I Woke Up Dead At The Mall by Judy Sheehan: I did my first-chapter litmus test after knowing very little about this story and was drawn in by the Our Town references and some unexpected magical realism. (ARC)
Lumberjanes: Friendship to the Max by Stevenson, Ellis, Watters, Allen, Laiho: I’m reading this because it makes me happy, and it contains my favorite exclamation of all time- “Holy bell hooks!” (paperback)
Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik: I choose this title for my book club in celebration of Women’s HIstory Month. I was sold after a description that promised “a mashup of pop culture and serious scholarship.” (ebook)
Claire Handscombe
In Twenty Years by Allison Winn Scotch. I know and like Allison from The List App. She did a cover reveal there, and I loved it – then looked up the book, which is about college friends who are roughly my age reuniting almost 20 years later. My own 20-year-college-anniversary is coming up faster than I’d like, so I relate to this so much. Really liking it so far! It comes out on 1st July. (ARC)
Angel Cruz
Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee: I’m really loving Lee’s focus on Asian (specifically Chinese) characters in historical YA. It’s a great way to bring new perspectives into what might be familiar history to readers here in North America, and reaffirms the contributions people of Asian heritage have made to the United States. (e-ARC)
Nikki Steele
The Etched City by K.J. Bishop: Recommended by one of my most trusted reading friends. (paperback)
Aram Mrjoian
The Good Divide by Kali VanBaale: Just finished this one and really enjoyed it! Keep an eye out for it in June (ARC)
The Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle: Been meaning to give Boyle’s work a read and I’ve had a used copy of this book on my shelf for a couple years that’s gone untouched. (paperback)
Alison Peters
All The Rage: The Boondocks Past and Present by Aaron McGruder. Because I need a break from the current political climate and can’t think of a better way than to revisit this collection of classic Boondocks comics. (paperback)
The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for People Who Have Alzheimer Disease, Related Dementias, and Memory Loss by Nancy L. Mace and Peter V. Rabins. A recommendation from my mom, who’s currently reading this book as a caregiver support.
Karina Glaser
Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond: A meticulously researched book about eight families in Milwaukee who were evicted and their subsequent fall into homelessness. Their stories are powerful and heartbreaking and enlightening, the untold story of the millions of Americans on the brink. (Library Hardcover)
Daughters of the Samurai: A Journey from East to West and Back by Janice Nimura: A terrific history of three young Japanese girls, all raised in traditional samurai households, who are sent to America in 1871 to learn Western ways. (Hardcover)
Emma Nichols
Uprooted by Naomi Novik: It’s recent paperback release reminded me how much I love this standalone fantasy. Uprooted has everything you could want in a fantasy: magic, monsters, best friendship, romance, and a sentient, murderous forest. (Hardcover)
Getting Things Done by David Allen: I’ve been recommended this book a number of times, and I can’t believe I waited this long to read it. Everyone who ever told you this book will change your life; I’m only halfway through and already I feel calmer and more organized. (Paperback)
Tasha Brandstatter
Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater: Catching up with the series before the last book is released next month. (ebook)
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie: Watched the miniseries and wanted to give the book a try. (audiobook)
Swapna Krishna
The Last Days of Magic by Mark Tompkins: This historical fantasy, asking if magic was actually real, is intricate and incredible. It’s a slow read, but only because there is so much within it to unpack. I can’t wait to tell everyone about it. (print galley)
Stealing Buddha’s Dinner by Bich Minh Nguyen: I loved Nguyen’s novels Short Girls and Pioneer Girl, so it’s about time I sat down with her memoir. Her insights on race and belonging are sharp and insightful; this is going to go on my to-recommend list for sure. (hardcover)
