As a writer and librarian I read a lot. Here’s a look at what I’m reading right now:
“Salt to the Sea” by Ruta Sepetys
A World War 2 story about a group of refugees fleeing to escape ships on the German coast as the Russians advance. A YA title and one of the nominees for Wyoming’s Soaring Eagle Book Award this year. I’m listening to it in audio and so far its just okay. And a little depressing.
“Rebel of the Sands” by Alwyn Hamilton
An arabian nights-esque fantasy following a teenage gunslinger trying to escape her home town before her family marries her off. A desert town on the verge of ruin because the gun factory is shut down. A rebel prince fighting his father the sultan for the throne. Spirit horses that have to be made corporeal with iron to be ridden. So far I’ve liked most of it but there’s a brief section where it becomes very modern feeling and “hey we’re a bunch of high schoolers walking down the road gossiping” like. That section really shattered my immersion and its been difficult to get back into it.
“The Devil of Nanking” by Mo Hayder
A British girl travels to Japan to find proof of a theory she has about the Japanese invasion of China that has everyone at home thinking she’s crazy. I’ve been reading this one off and on as part of a work project for quite a while now. Liking it, but its not one I’m super excited about.
“A Reluctant Assassin” by JC Morrows
The tagline is “What if Cinderella had been sent to kill the prince?”. This is a sci-fi romance. I’m not very far into it, but I’m feeling portents of doom as it seems the characters are on a collision course for an arbitrary romance that doesn’t develop organically, something I can’t stand in any genre. Still, I’m giving it a fair shake and hoping I turn out to be wrong.
