WWW Wednesday is a tag currently hosted at Taking on A World of Words. The three W’s are:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?
Last week I ended up not putting up a WWW Wednesday post. My workweek ended up being a bit busier than usual and so I ended up taking a short hiatus so the week wasn’t too overwhelming. But now I’m back (and almost caught up on reviews!), which means I have two weeks of reading to share. I hope that you’ve read lots of good books during October (and wish for the same during November!).
Without further ado, here’s my updates for this week:
Currently Reading:
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
A Little Life follows four college classmates who move to New York. Over time they navigate complexities and their own relationships, but they find that Jude has been struggling and continues to suffer, defined by the unspeakable traumas that defined his childhood and his adult life.
I’ve made some good progress with this book! It’s starting to explore Jude’s history now and I have a feeling I know where it’s going to go. I do wish that I didn’t know as much about this book going in, but regardless I’m very drawn to the story.
I Hope You Get This Message by Farah Naz Rishi
It is rumored that after another planet makes contact with Earth that the world will end in seven days. For Jesse Hewitt, one bad blow after another leaves him indifferent if things were to end now. But for Cate Collins, she wants to use the time to learn about the father she’s never met. And for Adeem Khan, he can’t forgive his sister for leaving. And with only seven days left, these three people are brought together.
I’m already halfway through this book and it’s so interesting! There’s so many situations being explored through the characters and I also find the parallel issues this book draws to our own society is really getting me thinking. I honestly was drawn into this book because I noticed the binary numbers under the dust jacket were translatable and had no expectations beyond that, but so far I’m really enjoying this!
Recently Read:
Things We Lost in the Fire by Mariana Enriquez
Things We Lost in the Fire is set in Argentina where three girls turn to drugs and pain amidst a government-enforced blackout. Their responses and protests demonstrate a haunting, yet familiar reality for many and demonstrate what happens in a world where inequality, corruption, and violence prevail.
This is one of the three group reads for Fortnight Frights. I don’t read short story collections often, but I found this one to be so unlike what I’ve read so far. The way this book explored horror and blended it with reality and contemporary Argentina also created such a unique reading experience.
The Year of the Witching
This book follows Immanuelle Moore, raised by her grandparents in a town where the prophet’s word of law, and her very existence being born out of wedlock is blasphemy. In a turn of events she discovers the truth about her mother and therefore herself, and how her destiny could change Bethel once and for all.
This book was so engrossing and atmospheric, while also blending in so many issues revolving around race, religion, and gender that really got me thinking. Although the pacing got too fast for me in the end and I wanted a little more from this world, I did like the book overall.
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Rebecca follows an unnamed and orphaned narrator who is proposed to by widower Maxim de Winter. The narrator cannot believe her luck until she arrives at the estate, realizing that her new husband’s late wife will cast a shadow over their lives and threaten to destroy their marriage.
I’m glad I finally read this classic. It definitely had a lot of elements that I look for in gothic novels, and was perfect for this time of year. I did also find the pacing to go very fast at the very end, and wished for more out of the ending too! But it definitely surprised me in ways I didn’t expect.
Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu
After a carriage crashes in front of their home, Laura and her father agree to take in Carmilla, the passenger. Laura appreciates the company from someone her age until Carmilla becomes increasingly volatile. Soon Laura becomes increasingly ill, and her and her father set out to find out more about the mysterious guest in their home.
I was very excited to read this one, but I think the research I did ahead of time on this book’s influence killed my expectations a little bit. I still enjoyed it, but I’d like to revisit this book later on after reading more gothic novels from this era (and hopefully the history of works like these as well).
Up Next:
Devonna by Audrey Francis-Plante
Six years after the death of her cousin, Devonna Moreau still carries the guilt of it all. The truth is, that she may have been able to save her if she were able physically feel anything. Until one day, Devonna feels the touch of Bram Hanaghan – but Bram is a ghost. Devonna hopes to use the encounter to find her cousin, but vengeful ghosts have other plans for her.
I won this book in a giveaway from the author. There are lots of books I’m excited to get to this month, but I think I want to read this one next. I’m definitely in a spooky mood still from Halloween and so I thought this would be a good fit for my next pick.
That’s all for this week’s WWW Wednesday. Leave a comment if you participated this week too so I can read your post – or let me know what you’re currently reading below!
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WWW Wednesday: 3/31/21
WWW Wednesday is a tag currently hosted at Taking on A World of Words. The three W’s are:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?
WWW Wednesday: 3/24/21
WWW Wednesday is a tag currently hosted at Taking on A World of Words. The three W’s are:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?
WWW Wednesday: 3/17/21
WWW Wednesday is a tag currently hosted at Taking on A World of Words. The three W's are: What are you currently reading?What did you recently finish reading?What do you think you’ll read next? Happy Wednesday, everyone! This week has been a bit of a diversion from...
So many interesting titles on your post. I have heard so much about ‘A Little Life’. I hope to read it someday. I hope you like it so far. Have a fab week. Happy Reading.
Thank you! It’s a pretty big book so I’m taking it pretty slowly.
I Hope You Get the Message does sound interesting. I love books that make you reflect.
Yes – I love speculative fiction for that very reason! 🙂
You’ve reminded me I really should finally find some time to read Rebecca… I’ve been meaning to for years now. xD I hope you will enjoy your books this week and happy reading! xx
Thank you! I hope that you do get to read it sometime soon. I’ve been meaning to read it for a while too and I’m glad I finally did, so I hope you find the same!
Sadly, I had The Year of the Witching from the library but didn’t get to it before it had to be returned. However, I’m back on the hold list and am looking forward to it based upon reviews like yours. Happy reading!
Here’s my WWW: https://wp.me/pcaKQr-Ol
I hate it when that happens! I feel like library holds always come in around the same time as well which means going to the back of the line. I hope you enjoy it once you get to it!
So many books! I really ought to read Carmilla some time too. I took a Gothic literature course in university that talked about it, but for some reason didn’t actually have it on the syllabus.
I hope you had a good Halloween, despite being busy. Have a great week!
https://musewithmeblog.com/2020/11/04/www-wednesday-november-4-2020/
That’s awesome that you got to take a course on that! I’d definitely love to study it myself, I guess I just have to find a good place to start!
I don’t know why I still haven’t read The Year of the Witching. I really need to get on that. I hope you have an amazing reading week!
Here’s my post: https://www.nbiblioholic.com/2020/11/www-wednesday-november-4.html
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it when you do get to read it!