Reading has definitely been a challenge in the last few months. It’s not that I don’t have time to read, it’s just convincing myself to do so. Turn off the news, stop binge-watching my next addiction on Netflix. READ!
Sundays have become my own adult version of “Drop Everything and Read.” Ok, I don’t drop everything because I’m adult and have responsibilities, but Sunday is the day that I treat myself to some quality reading time. I still don’t quite yet have the mental bandwidth to come up with a formal review after everything I read, but I still think these are books worth sharing and talking about.
Here’s what I’ve read recently:
Survivor Song by Paul Tremblay
In a matter of days, the state of Massachusetts is taken over by a virus similar to rabies. Unlike rabies, however, the symptoms begin in a matter of a few hours. Hospitals are overrun with the sick and the government’s protocols are quickly losing effectiveness.
Why would I want to read a book about zombie-like infected in the middle of our own pandemic? It’s not another zombie novel. It’s a pretty remarkable exploration of the human condition in the midst of a pretty devastating pandemic. Brilliant writing, excellent character-building. If you haven’t read any of Tremblay’s books, do so now.
Wonderland by Zoje Stage
Shaw, an artist, and his retired-dancer wife, Orla, leave their urban surroundings behind and head to upstate New York with their two children. This is Shaw’s chance to pursue his passion while Orla gets the chance to reconnect with her children after a very time-consuming dancing career. They are a mile away from the next house and an hour away from the closest town. The sheer remoteness of their situation doesn’t really hit them until it’s too late, and they are forced to confront what lies waiting in the forest.
You know, I thought I wanted to live in a cabin in the middle of nowhere, but now I’m having second thoughts. Give me easy access to civilization, please! The setting that Stage creates in this novel is at first calm and relaxing, almost inviting. That quickly changes and whohoo..is it creepy. Truly unique, the origin-story is one I wasn’t expecting.
Tomorrow I’ll have a few more books I’ve read recently, including a sequel to one of my favorite horror titles and a book everyone is raving about but as of today, I’m still undecided.
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