My Reading Profile
I've had a strange journey as a reader. Before my senior year of high school, I almost never read, because I rarely found anything that I believed I would like. But on the occasions that I did choose to read a book, I generally fell in love with it (Farmer Boy, From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, and Matilda are still some of my favorites). I also usually ended up loving books required for school. For example, I was required to read Lord of the Flies three times in high school (probably due to some error in curriculum design), and I loved it each time. I read and adored The Scarlett Letter and The Things They Carried in my senior year, and the latter convinced me that I had a special love of literature that I'd never really explored--but by this time I was already 18. As an undergraduate, I decided to do some serious catching-up, and I read almost exclusively classics (Austen, Steinbeck, the Brontës, etc.). I even listened to the 30+ hour book on CD of Anna Karenina. My two favorite books during this time were Frankenstein and All Quiet on the Western Front.
It was not until I began an MFA in creative writing that I then delved into other, more contemporary genres. Mostly, I've spent the last few years reading a variety of literary fiction, fantasy, science fiction, and horror. As far as I know, I've read only one book that could officially be called a romance (Beach Read by Emily Henry), though I've read some romance-adjacent authors like Sally Rooney. Other genres I have little experience with are mysteries, westerns, and historical fiction.
It's hard for me to identify a favorite genre, but in terms of appeals, I gravitate toward books with unique, complicated relationships, particularly friendships. I prefer character-driven over plot-driven stories most of the time (not always), and I am very easily captivated by an imaginative setting. As of right now, my favorite author is probably Kazuo Ishiguro, because of his books Never Let me Go and Klara and the Sun. Other books that have had a large positive impact on me recently are Rainbow Rowell's Carry On trilogy, Fredrik Backman's Beartown trilogy, Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, and Aimee Bender's The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake. I also just read Moby Dick for the first time, and it was a blast!
It was not until I began an MFA in creative writing that I then delved into other, more contemporary genres. Mostly, I've spent the last few years reading a variety of literary fiction, fantasy, science fiction, and horror. As far as I know, I've read only one book that could officially be called a romance (Beach Read by Emily Henry), though I've read some romance-adjacent authors like Sally Rooney. Other genres I have little experience with are mysteries, westerns, and historical fiction.
It's hard for me to identify a favorite genre, but in terms of appeals, I gravitate toward books with unique, complicated relationships, particularly friendships. I prefer character-driven over plot-driven stories most of the time (not always), and I am very easily captivated by an imaginative setting. As of right now, my favorite author is probably Kazuo Ishiguro, because of his books Never Let me Go and Klara and the Sun. Other books that have had a large positive impact on me recently are Rainbow Rowell's Carry On trilogy, Fredrik Backman's Beartown trilogy, Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, and Aimee Bender's The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake. I also just read Moby Dick for the first time, and it was a blast!
Hello! I also loved most of the books I was assigned to read throughout high school! Although I will admit that Lord of the Flies was not one them. For the last twenty or so years, my mom has taught that novel in her English classes in the neighboring district, so I grew up listening to her criticisms which definitely colored my opinion of it before I read it for the first time. I still distinctly remember asking her how her day had gone when she was bringing me home from elementary school and hearing her exclaim that the current unit was almost over because Piggy was dead! Explaining Lord of the Flies to a first grader is not something I think I would attempt, but my mom didn't hesitate; so despite not exactly enjoying the book, I still have a fond appreciation for it!
ReplyDeleteThis is so interesting, and good for your mom for not shying away from the scary discussions! (I fully understand why the book would not be everyone's favorite, haha)
DeleteI was obsessed with the "classics" list of books in high school - I also trudged through Anna Karenina when I was 18 or so but only because my high school English teacher said she didn't think I'd make it through.
ReplyDeleteI also prefer character-driven books - I love Kazuo Ishiguro and just finished Klara and the Sun - so I'm interested to see where our tastes intersect and your work this semester.
Yes, I'm excited too!
DeleteHeya!
ReplyDeleteAfter Things They Carried, did you ever read Going After Cacciato by the same author? I really latched onto the way Tim O'Brien weaves "truth" and "what is true" in those novels. The factual things that happened and the lived experiences of the soldiers. How those things are different but inform one another. Those novels and that kind of thinking about history in those two different kinds of narratives is what inspired me to try to complete a dual history degree with library sciences!
I have not read anything else by Tim O'Brien, but it is extremely cool that his work inspired you to a dual degree.
DeleteWe've got some pretty similar reading tastes, but I have to say you just resurfaced a memory of From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler from my childhood!! I was so obsessed with that book that I think I could recite the first chapter word for word.
ReplyDeleteThat is very impressive! It's always nice to meet another fan of FTMUFOMBEF lol
DeleteHello again! I see my original comment has disappeared so I am commenting again to see if this comment will stick! Fantastic reading profile! I love Song of Achilles and I need to finish reading the Beartown trilogy!
ReplyDelete