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Reading Update

It's been a busy month, for many reasons. I'm yet again a couple of issues behind on The Economist; I think I'm going to try more skimming/speed reading. I definitely do feel much more aware of what's going in the world and world economy, so I feel like I'm getting some value. I'll see if the value is worth the price at the end of the year.

I revived my ereader this past week and read The Winner's Curse and The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski. The first book came up as a $2.99 deal on Amazon, and I recalled enjoying a free sample of the first chapter when it came out. It's a quick read with world-building elements I like, and the author hasn't met a metaphor she doesn't love (fortunately, I loved hers). The two main characters, general's daughter Kestrel and rebellious slave Arin, are a little bland, and their romance obvious from the first sentence. However, I was intrigued enough to continue to the second book, which was meatier in both plot and character development. I'm sure The Winner's Kiss will follow shortly.

I also recently picked up Spark Joy by Marie Kondo and Voyager by Russell Banks at the library. Spark Joy is for those, like me, in the middle of 'tidying up' KonMari-style, and it reinspired me all over again. Post-wedding, I will conquer you, komono! On the other hand, I'd never read Banks before, and probably won't again. I enjoyed the New England specificity of his stories, but the writing style seemed overwrought, and there wasn't enough of a payoff for me. I finished the first novella in the collection, but I'm DNF-ing the rest.

Up next: most likely, The Winner's Kiss; more Economists; and if I'm lucky, The Magician King audiobook from the library.

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