It’s the first Recent Reads of the year! The last few years, I have shared blog posts with the books I read in the previous quarter. I love sharing what I’m reading!

I’m a bit behind on my reading goals (I’m trying to read 34 books this year) but not by much. Check out what I’ve read and be sure to comment with what you’ve recently read, too.

All Recent Reads | All book posts

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The Picture of Dorian Gray – “The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde’s only full-length novel, is the enduringly eerie story of a naïve and irresistible young man lured by decadent Lord Henry Wotton into a life of depravity. Though Dorian is steeped in sin, his face remains perfect, unlined as years pass—while only his portrait, locked away, reveals the blackness of his soul. This timeless tale of Gothic horror and fable, reveling in the unabashed hedonism and cynical wit of its characters, epitomizes Wilde’s literary revolt against the proprieties of the Victorian era” (x).

I super enjoyed this classic novel! I wouldn’t say that this is a must-read for most readers, but if you’re a classic lover like me, then you would probably enjoy this. Unrelated, but I’ve recently been watching Penny Dreadful, and Reeve Carney plays Dorian Gray. His looks totally line up with what I would imagine Dorian Gray would look like.

19 retellings of classic fiction you need to read

The Glass Hotel – “Vincent is a bartender at the Hotel Caiette, a five-star lodging on the northernmost tip of Vancouver Island. On the night she meets Jonathan Alkaitis, a hooded figure scrawls a message on the lobby’s glass wall: Why don’t you swallow broken glass. High above Manhattan, a greater crime is committed: Alkaitis’s billion-dollar business is really nothing more than a game of smoke and mirrors. When his scheme collapses, it obliterates countless fortunes and devastates lives. Vincent, who had been posing as Jonathan’s wife, walks away into the night. Years later, a victim of the fraud is hired to investigate a strange occurrence: a woman has seemingly vanished from the deck of a container ship between ports of call. In this captivating story of crisis and survival, Emily St. John Mandel takes readers through often hidden landscapes: campgrounds for the near-homeless, underground electronica clubs, service in luxury hotels, and life in a federal prison. Rife with unexpected beauty, The Glass Hotel is a captivating portrait of greed and guilt, love and delusion, ghosts and unintended consequences, and the infinite ways we search for meaning in our lives” (x).

I was given this novel last October when I was in and out of the hospital, and I’m so glad because if it wasn’t given to me then I don’t know if I would have picked it up. It’s my first St. John Madel novel and it is absolutely incredible. I don’t know than anyone else could have written a novel about family, ponzi schemes, addiction, mysterious death(s), and more without it being like something off of HBO. Not that there’s anything wrong with HBO or books that read like HBO, but that’s the best I can describe the type of writing in The Glass Hotel. I couldn’t put this down.

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear – “Readers of all ages and walks of life have drawn inspiration and empowerment from Elizabeth Gilbert’s books for years. Now this beloved author digs deep into her own generative process to share her wisdom and unique perspective about creativity. With profound empathy and radiant generosity, she offers potent insights into the mysterious nature of inspiration. She asks us to embrace our curiosity and let go of needless suffering. She shows us how to tackle what we most love, and how to face down what we most fear. She discusses the attitudes, approaches, and habits we need in order to live our most creative lives. Balancing between soulful spirituality and cheerful pragmatism, Gilbert encourages us to uncover the ‘strange jewels’ that are hidden within each of us. Whether we are looking to write a book, make art, find new ways to address challenges in our work, embark on a dream long deferred, or simply infuse our everyday lives with more mindfulness and passion, Big Magic cracks open a world of wonder and joy” (x).

Big Magic is one of my favorite books of all time, and this was my 4th or 5th time reading it. I own the audible version and the paperback version, and I’ve highlighted and written up my copy. Every year or two, I like to reread it, and I always take away different things. It always inspires me creatively!

17 modern classic novels

Blind Beauty And Other Tales of Redemption – “A blind beauty … a slave girl … a lonely daughter. Immerse yourself in three stories that are unique but reminiscent of tales as old as time. BLIND BEAUTY Jenna has lost her sight as the result of a traumatic accident that caused her mother’s death. When Jenna’s father’s life is threatened by a horrible beast, she is determined to save him. Can Jenna’s lack of sight help her see beyond the beast’s ugly appearance to the cursed young man beneath? Magic hides in unexpected places, and things are not always what they seem. CROSSING TO AFENDIA Faluri, a young slave girl in a brutal land, may be the only one who can save her people from a malevolent evil that lies closer than one might think. HART SPRING Bianca’s stepbrother is dying. Bianca possesses a unique gift that may be the only thing that can save her stepbrother’s life. But, when Bianca’s stepmother seeks to possess Bianca’s gift for herself, hidden secrets about Bianca’s father come to light. Will Bianca find the courage to face her true enemy and find a home? Enter worlds where trees transport you to enchanted castles, evil lurks in mysterious places, and the earth tells of buried jewels. The earth sings … Will you listen?” (x).

This book is a selection of retellings of fairytales. The writing isn’t awesome, and the retellings are a bit too Jesus-y for me (and I’m Catholic). The second story makes me uncomfortable. But the disability rep is good.

Advice books to read (that aren’t cheesy)

Majesty – “Power is intoxicating. Like first love, it can leave you breathless. Princess Beatrice was born with it. Princess Samantha was born with less. Some, like Nina Gonzalez, are pulled into it. And a few will claw their way in. Ahem, we’re looking at you Daphne Deighton. As America adjusts to the idea of a queen on the throne, Beatrice grapples with everything she lost when she gained the ultimate crown. Samantha is busy living up to her ‘party princess’ persona…and maybe adding a party prince by her side. Nina is trying to avoid the palace–and Prince Jefferson–at all costs. And a dangerous secret threatens to undo all of Daphne’s carefully laid ‘marry Prince Jefferson’ plans. A new reign has begun…” (x).

This is the sequel to American Royals, and like that book, I read this one in the span of 24 hours. These books are centered around the question: What if America had a royal family? If there was a royal family from the beginning, these books look at modern American royals. The first book introduces us to that family and what it might look like to be a member of or to spend your time around that family. The second book takes place a month or so after the first one ends, and America has its first queen.

I really loved this book, and I think I like it more than the first. It takes off in a totally different direction that I expected! This is another book that isn’t really for everyone, but if you are someone who is interested in this book, then you’ll love it.

What have you read so far this year?

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