Books To Consider Reading
If you’re like me, you’re thrilled that so many people have used the inconvenience of the past year to catch up on their reading. I have a friend who has read over 100 books in this past year. (Nice work Erin.)
My numbers haven’t been that impressive. I have a 2-year-old, so any free time rendered by the pandemic has been stirred in that direction. I’ve managed to make a dent in my unread pile, (closet, actually) so here’s 5 titles I’ve read in the past year that I would recommend if you’re looking for something new and different.
The Overstory by: Richard Powers. This novel surprised and moved me so, it comes first. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction among other awards, it’s a gorgeous series of interlocking tales that articulate humanity’s relationship with our environment. Through diverse and unique tales of individuals, The Overstory tells the tale of the natural world running parallel and weaving in and out of ours. The story unfolds like a tree, slow and organic before blooming into a vast, singular picture of its collected influences. I was emotionally drained at the end in the best kind of way. It’s well worth a look for anyone who has marveled at the grandeur of a tree.
The Future Earth by: Eric Holthaus. This book attempts an optimistic discussion of climate change. Instead of outlining how dire our situation is, (and it is) Holthaus looks to the optimistic future. Instead of seeing how difficult the tasks for saving our species are, Holthaus asks what the world will look like once we succeed in those tasks. Based on current data and interviews, Holthaus paints a future 30 years away when climate change isn’t the monster at the gate, but the monster we’ve already defeated. It’s the goal world to have in mind in the heat of the climate battle.
The 99% Invisible City by: Roman Mars & Kurt Kohlstedt. The podcast 99% Invisible explores the stories behind the design and engineering that shape our built environment, 99% of which, are invisible. The people behind the podcast wrote a book focusing on the city with that same perspective in mind. Why are traffic light colors arranged as they are? What do those spray-painted lines at construction sites mean? How did roundabouts become a thing? All of this and more, in the 99% Invisible City: A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design. Perfect for any beautiful nerd.
The Ables by: Jeremy Scott. This is a cheat because I read the sequel to this book this year, but I believe in starting at the beginning. The logic of The Ables works something like this: If superheroes existed, they would form communities to live in security and quiet when not saving the day. Superpowered children would need schools. Just because an individual has superpowers, doesn’t mean they can’t have a disability. What’s it like growing up blind, then discovering you are telekinetic or being able to grow to 60 ft, not wanting to because of your severe asthma? The Ables is a superhero world like you’ve never read about before.
This Is How You Lose The Time War by: Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone. This was the first book I read this year so, it comes last. This is a love story. It’s a love story told across time and dimensional realities. It’s a love story concerning two warriors for competing groups, one nature based, one technology, that are trying to manipulate the strings of reality to ensure a future of their making. It’s wild.
Happy Reading.
