I’m not sure if anyone remembers that one vine that said: “What’s up I’m Jared. I’m nineteen and I’ve never learned how to read” because ever since I myself have turned nineteen, I feel like I’ve become the embodiment of that vine. I don’t think I’ve finished a single book in about seven months and not for the lack of trying. This reading slump will just not let go and it’s honestly a tragedy for me because I love reading; I just feel estranged from my love. I feel like a lover who’s been forcibly separated from their love by a minor misunderstanding from outside parties that just refuse to understand. Now you might say, “Hey Katherine, stop being dramatic and just pick up a book and read the words.” My response to you lovely readers would be that since winter break I’ve been attempting to read a book but for the past three months I have not been able to get past the second chapter, not because it’s a bad book but because of this freaking reading slump. I miss reading… therefore, the only solution to my problem would be to read. In coming to this most logical conclusion, I’ve made a resolution and a list. This is a list of books that I would like to read during this quarter in my free time, therefore overcoming the dire stretch I am facing.
And now onto the list:
To start off we have the book I’ve been attempting to finish for the past three months and that is the Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter. This book is a fantasy novel which follows the journey of our main character, Tau, who journeys through his world which for the past 200 years has been marred by an endless war. This novel promises epic battles, dragons, and a world that is tangible to all the senses. I’m excited to read this and its sequel; I hope it lives up to all of my expectations.
The next book series I plan on reading is the Shadow and Bone series by Leigh Bardugo. My first experience with this series was when I read the first book, Shadow and Bone, in fifth grade. I finished it, but despite being horribly disappointed by how many unanswered questions I had and how incomplete I felt it was, I never quite realized that it was the introduction to a series. My only motivation for reading this now is that on April 23 the TV show adaptation of the series will be released and if I plan on watching it, I would love to both have a refresher and figure out how the rest of the books end.
The third book on this unofficial list of mine is The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Now this book is a step away from the fantasy genre and is a historical fiction novel. This has been on my TBR list for literal years and I will be finally tackling it. This book follows the story of an old-time Hollywood actress, Evelyn Hugo as she is telling it to an unknown journalist. From the praise I have heard about the book, it’s a chronicle of a life lived and all the hopes that come from looking back on that life. It’s supposed to be a beautiful book of love, hope, and glamour.
I also plan on reading a few non-fiction books in the hopes of learning something more than what is taught within my current course load at UCSC. The non-fiction books in this quarter’s list are Assata by Assata Shakur, How we get Free edited by Keeanga-Yamahttta Taylor, BDS by Omar Barghouti, and Open Veins of Latin America by Eduardo Galeano.
Whether I’ll actually be capable of finishing all the books I’ve set for myself this quarter I’m not quite sure, but I will sure try. If you want, I invite you to read a book with me this quarter and maybe later on we can discuss them. Happy spring quarter everyone. I hope it treats you better than winter quarter did.