Thanks to my book clubs, I've been exposed to more books out of my comfort zone--and every once in a while, I'm very grateful. And even if a book isn't my thing, it's still worth it to me to get to discuss it with other people, so it's a win/win for me! That said, I'm finding that I enjoy books from almost any genre and of almost any type--it really just depends on the book itself. Years ago, I would have said that romances and poetry weren't my thing, whereas, now, I'd consider both in my regular rotation. Even a year ago, I might have said mysteries weren't my thing, but now, I find myself reading a few every now and then.
- The Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession, and the Natural History Heist of the Century by Kirk Wallace Johnson--This may be the best book I've read this year, and I wouldn't have read it without a book club. The first few chapters were tedious at times, but set up an incredible and fascinating story that pulls you in for the rest of the book. I learned so much more than I ever thought I'd want to know about fly-tying and feathers, and the whole story makes for great conversation.
- An Amateur Witch's Guide to Murder by K. Valentin--Horror is not my genre, and had I realized that "accidental cannibalism" was a tag for this book, I probably would not have read it. However, even though it was way more gory than anything I'd normally read, the hilarious tone and ridiculous but lovable characters made me very glad I volunteered to review this book!
- The Bell in the Fog by Lev A.C. Rosen--Mysteries and noir are not typically my genre--though maybe that's changing a bit--but I read this for a book club and loved it so much I went back to read the rest of the series.
- The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa--I'm on a streak of not really liking slim literary novellas or short stories that have some quirky gimmick (like, say, a a character whose memory only lasts for 80 minutes) and detached writing, but this one I actually found as touching and meaningful as these types of books are supposed to be.
- Just As I Am by Cicely Tyson--Awkward as it is to admit, I'd never heard of her before my book club decided to read her autobiography. However, she lived a fascinating as well as historically and cinematically significant life, and she tells her story vividly. I'm so glad I read it.
- The Elder Edda--It took me a while, years, actually, to finish reading this collection of myths and epic poetry, but I'm glad I did, because I have a better understanding both of Viking and Scandinavian culture and the source material for Lord of the Rings.
- River of the Gods: Genius, Courage, and Betrayal in the Search for the Source of the Nile by Candice Millard--I never would have read this if not for a book club, but I enjoy Candice Millard's work, and even though I knew nothing about the topic beforehand, this was no exception. Totally wild (and true) story.
- The Heartstopper graphic novels--I don't usually read graphic novels but I just loved the Heartstopper TV show and I tore through these--every bit as adorable as the show.
- The Saint of Bright Doors by Vajra Chandrasekera--Read this crazy and intense story due to a book club and so glad I did. I was the only one who ended up liking it but it's such a powerful work of speculative fiction and a takedown of religious mythos, Sri Lankan Buddhism specifically, which I don't know much about, but learned more about because of the book.
- Signal Fires by Dani Shapiro--I don't usually like Dramatic Family Stories, especially those that are told Stylistically Out of Order, but Shapiro totally pulled this off and made me feel something.
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My library has copies of The Feather Thief and The Saint of Bright Doors 🎉