Currently reading
My current read is Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler, the second book of the Earthseed series. Parable of the Talents continues the story of Lauren, a young woman who created a new community in the midst of social and climate chaos.
Quite interestingly, the story is told not only through the eyes of Lauren, but also of her daughter. A captivating and thought-provoking read.
Finished reading
First I finished reading Honour by Elif Shafak. Honour tells the story of a family with Turkish roots who immigrated in the UK, focusing on the controversial practice of honour killings. It is a touching and profound story, centered around the cultural struggles of people who immigrate in very different environments compared to their home country.
Reading Shafak is always a pleasure, as I also enjoyed some of her other books such as Three Daughters of Eve and Forty Rules of Love (my review).
The second book I finished was People in the Trees by Hanya Yanagihara. It is the second book I read by Yanagihara, after the famous A Little Life (my review).
The story is about the life of fictional Dr. Norton Perina, a Nobel prize winner who discovered a turtle with life-prolonging qualities on the imagined island of Ivu’ivu. Reading this book was like an emotional rollercoaster – from curiosity and empathy to frustration and sadness, this story has it all.
Yanagihara stated that the book is inspired by the life of Daniel Carleton Gajdusek, Nobel prize winner who was accused of child molestation.
Then I read Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler. Is is a post-apocalyptic novel with focus on climate change and social inequality. The book contains the memoirs of Lauren, who is forced by the context to leave her home and travel North. Lauren is quite a special young lady – at only 17 she creates a new faith (Earthseed) and gathers a community despite all odds.
Parable of the Sower is a super interesting read! It got me hooked up enough to read the sequel as well – Parable of the Talents! 🙂
Reading next
My reading plans for the next period mainly focus on The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson. I have it on my radar for quite a while, and I moved it up on my reading list so that I can participate in a book club discussion in September 🙂
Then I have a few eARCs that I plan to read during the following weeks:
- This Will Only Take a Minute: Canadian Flash Fiction (a collection of very brief stories – from 6 to 500 words) – super curios about this one, as it’s the first time I’m reading Flash Fiction
- Marple: Twelve New Stories (a new collection of short stories featuring Jane Marple)
- Phaedra by Laura Shepperson (reinterpreted mythology)
What are you reading? Any new releases you’re super excited about?
Till next time … happy reading!
Georgiana
Cover photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash
Readers' High Tea 
I’m in the final stretch of Red Comet, a biography of Sylvia Plath. Long but worth it. I’d like to read something by Elif Sharak. And I wasn’t wild about Parable of the Sower, but I’d still like to read Parable of the Talents. I’d like to see what the community Lauren created is like. Thanks for the inspiration!
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I read about half of Parable of the Talents so far, and I like more the first book – it’s more adventurous! Parable of the Talents has its own beauty though – more focused on community life 🙂
I’d also like to read more of Shafak – I have her latest book on my list: The Island of Missing Trees. It was also shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction this year.
Thank you so much for sharing!
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So much awesome reading. I’ve been reading a lot and I need to do a post in the future about what i’ve been reading. I definitely want to read Octavia E. Butler in the future, thanks for reminding me about her books!
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Yes, please write a blog about what you’re reading, I am super interested! I only got very good recommendations from you so far!! 😀
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