Lists

Peek Over Our Shoulders: What Rioters Are Reading On September 24, 2015

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Liberty Hardy

Senior Contributing Editor

Liberty Hardy is an unrepentant velocireader, writer, bitey mad lady, and tattoo canvas. Turn-ons include books, books and books. Her favorite exclamation is “Holy cats!” Liberty reads more than should be legal, sleeps very little, frequently writes on her belly with Sharpie markers, and when she dies, she’s leaving her body to library science. Until then, she lives with her three cats, Millay, Farrokh, and Zevon, in Maine. She is also right behind you. Just kidding! She’s too busy reading. Twitter: @MissLiberty

reading by the beachIn 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!

Amanda Nelson

Home Fires by Julie Summers: A history of the World War II era of the Women’s Institute. Domestic women’s history is my favorite history! (Paperback)

The Musical Brain by César Aria: For Best Translated Book Award consideration. (Hardcover)

Tangled by Emma Chase: I’m recording an all-romance edition of Get Booked with Sarah Maclean at Book Riot Live, so I’m taking some deep dives into the genre! (Have a romance recommendation request? Email it to getbooked@bookriot and we’ll answer it on the air!)

Jamie Canaves

Copygirl by Anna Mitchael, Michelle Sassa: As much as I try to avoid comp titles I’ve been lured in by “Mad Men meets The Devil Wears Prada.” Does that mean sex-crazed, booze-guzzling, chain smoking villainous boss with smart, sassy, awesome women employees? I must find out! (egalley)

Warren the 13th and The All-Seeing Eye by Tania del Rio, Will Staehle (illustrator): A 12-year-old Victorian bellhop with an evil aunt named Anaconda–how can that not be awesome? And the artwork is unique and fantastic, if I did anymore gimme-hands I would have pulled a muscle. (ARC)

Playing with Fire by Tess Gerritsen: As always I was itching for a mystery/thriller and decided to pick one with historical fiction mixed in. (egalley)

Karina Glaser

Shadows of Sherwood by Kekla Magoon: because I can’t resist retellings of classic stories. (Library Hardcover)

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson: have to read this before the movie comes out! (Library Hardcover)

Kim Ukura 

The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House by Kate Anderson Brower: I picked this one up at random from the library because I love nonfiction that tells the inside story of familiar places. So far, this intimate look at the First Families and the people who help care for them at the White House, is totally fascinating. (Hardcover)

Brenna Clarke Gray 

I Crawl Through It by A.S. King: I couldn’t think of a more appropriate book to read in my office in the dark as my College ran a lockdown drill. Read it to see why. (e-arc)

Step Aside Pops: A Hark! A Vagrant Collection by Kate Beaton: because I’m savouring every hilarious page. (hardcover)

Jessica Woodbury

On Such a Full Sea by Chang-Rae Lee: The surreal “we” narration, the future setting, and the dreamy reading by B. D. Wong are all really doing it for me. (Scribd, audiobook)

The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins: I think everyone at Book Riot has read this except me so it’s time to play catchup. (ARC)

Maya Smart

An Ember In the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir: I saw this promising debut listed in a roundup of five books that help you appreciate being alive and was intrigued. Well-paced and entertaining. (Hardcover)

The Poser by Jacob Rubin: The book jacket calls this one a dark comedy, but I find it more heartbreaking than funny. Rubin’s tortured cast performs loneliness and isolation in three devastating acts I won’t soon forget. Bravo!?! (Hardcover)

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert: Subtitled “Creative Living Beyond Fear,” this text is a romp of a call to action. The bright cover and exuberant appeal to live an inspired, courageous life resonate. (ARC)

Tasha Brandstatter 

Austenland by Shannon Hale: Saw the movie and really enjoyed it, so natch I had to pick up the book! (Hardcover)

Experiencing Colorado Wines by CS Vin: Came across this in a boutique winery and thought it would be edumacational. (Paperback)

The Man with the Twisted Lip by Arthur Conan Doyle: Because Sherlock Holmes. (Audiobook)

Derek Attig 

The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks: More Jewish historical fiction from Brooks. That’s all I need to say. (ARC)

Relief Map by Rosalie Knecht: Great premise, great cover, great writing. (e-galley)

Half-Resurrection Blues by Daniel José Older: Got it in a Book Riot Quarterly box a while back.

Kristel Autencio

The Club Dumas by Arturo Perez-Reverte: This is a long overdue read for me, as liker of thrillers about nerdy secret societies.

On Beauty by Zadie Smith: My first foray into Smith’s body of work. I thought it would be a good idea to start with this since she references E.M. Forsters Howards End in this novel, a recent favorite.

The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas: I realized that reading The Club Dumas is preposterous without having read this classic.

E.H. Kern

The Scarlet Gospels by Clive Barker: The final and definitive chapter on the Hell Priest, also known as Pinhead. (Hardcover)

Rah Carter

The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien: The obvious next book in my desire to read everything Tolkien ever wrote. (paperback)

Aram Mrjoian 

Senselessness by Horacio Castellanos Moya: Any book that gets props from Junot Díaz and Roberto Bolaño is worth my time. (paperback)

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt: Recommended by my boss and on loan. Excited to read it, but worried that it’ll take a significant chunk of time when I’m consumed by so many other books. (hardcover)

Kelly Jensen

Exit, Pursued By a Bear by EK Johnston (March 2016, Dutton): There are not enough rape and rape culture stories, even though we’ve seen a good number publish in the last year or two. The reason we have is because it’s unfortunately always timely and relevant. I’m digging into Johnston’s first foray into realistic fiction. It’s pitched as Veronica Mars meets William Shakespeare. I’m less sure on the Mars alike but so far, so good!

Danika Ellis 

Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More by Janet Mock: I’m finally digging into this and I’m a little ashamed it’s taken me so long. So far, just as great as everyone told me. (Hardcover)

Battle Magic by Tamora Pierce: One of the last Tamora Pierce books I have yet to read. Last year I binge-read more than 20 of her books and was still hungry for more. (Audiobook)

Angel Cruz

Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho: I started this last week and am savouring every page, though it’s difficult because I just want to zoom through the story. (Hardcover)

Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson: I had hoped to get to this book before its release date, but life happens. I’m 10 pages in and it’s captivating so far. (ARC)

Hannah Depp

Animals by Emma Jane Unsworth (ARC out October 10): Ridiculously, absurd humor about some 20something women partying their way through London and facing looming adult responsibilities. I would recommend it for fans of the humor of television humor like Broad City.

The Story of My Teeth by Valeria Luiselli (Paperback original): I am almost finished with this book and angry that I have to work instead. The story of a world famous auctioneer and his teeth, a Mexican factory/ art gallery, and the power of hyperbole, this novel is neither absurd nor fully real, but a dizzying and delightful combination of imagery and deadpan.

As for Me

Dear Fang, With Love by Rufi Thorpe (Knopf, May 24, 2016): I couldn’t hit the download button for this galley fast enough. I freaking loved her last novel, The Girls from Corona del Mar! SO EXCITED. (e-galley)

Afterparty by Daryl Gregory: Holy cats, Gregory is an amazing writer. This book is genius fun. (Hardcover)

Lungdon by Edward Carey (Overlook Press, Nov. 3): The third book in the Iremonger trilogy. I love this series! Think Tim Burton meets Downton Abbey. It’s brill.

Koolaids by Rabih Alameddine: If you’ve never read him, go right now and get one of his books! I’ll wait here. But seriously, he’s amazing, and his Twitter account is fantastic.