After another month off in my series, and back I am with my reading suggestions in what is a semi-hiatus summer. I took on a very high-intensity project at work that has taken most of my time in the last two months, leaving me with no time for anything else. Good I am almost done with it, and September should be the moment I am back to my blogging and fiction writing and all the other nice things I was used to. For the moment, here there are my three for the month, with a caveat: I’ve just started reading them, so my evaluations are only initial. Hence the brevity.
- Random Acts of Senseless Violence by Jack Womack. This one came out one of my critting sessions with fellow writers, and both advised me to give it a read. A 12-year-old, Lola, on a transformative, harrowing experience in a future, hyper-violent Manhattan. The first chapter is just fascinating, and I suspect the rest, too. A review maybe to come after I am done.
2. Roma by Steven Saylor. A historical novel on Ancient Rome. This comes from the blurb: “Spanning a thousand years, and following the shifting fortunes of two families through the ages, this is the epic saga of Rome, the city and its people. Weaving history, legend, and new archaeological discoveries into a spellbinding narrative, critically acclaimed novelist Steven Saylor gives new life to the drama of the city’s first thousand years ― from the founding of the city by the ill-fated twins Romulus and Remus, through Rome’s astonishing ascent to become the capital of the most powerful empire in history. Roma recounts the tragedy of the hero-traitor Coriolanus, the capture of the city by the Gauls, the invasion of Hannibal, the bitter political struggles of the patricians and plebeians, and the ultimate death of Rome’s republic with the triumph, and assassination, of Julius Caesar.” From the start, I can tell it reads really well.
3. The Lost Apothecary: A Novel by Sarah Penner. Another reading suggestion, this one from family. Another historical novel, too. “If you’ve ever wanted to really get back at someone, have we got a book for you. In the 18th century England, a secret apothecary sells disguised poison to the victims of oppressive men. That is, until a client makes a horrible mistake. Meanwhile, in modern-day England, an aspiring historian stumbles onto the story with potentially devastating results.”
What have you been reading in these summer weeks? Let me know in the comments or via social media!
Like you I tend to mix genres, so I’ve polished off some essays and a graphic novel, crime fiction and science fiction, modern Gothic, short stories and a biography, children’s fantasy and, now, some poetry, mostly since July. But I don’t have the excuse of having to work for my bread and butter!
That’s a great reading/writing list! a graphic novel. I just love them. When do you think you’ll publish it?
I’ve just read Dave Hutchinson’s excellent post apocalyptic novel Shelter. However, the setting is right where I live and the action happens in places I know well. This has proved somewhat unnerving to say the least, especially after the last year……
Yes, I can relate. Thanks for the suggestion!