Updating this as I read new titles. A non exhaustive list, along with my thoughts on them.
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
Date: 10/2024
Thoughts: Pretty enjoyable and creative historical romance / fantasy novel. I felt that the characters and writing were a little boring and static. Great worldbuilding though
Going Infinite by Michael Lewis
Date: 05/2024
Thoughts: Interesting deep dive into the world of high finance.
Victory City by Salman Rushdie
Date: 04/2024
Thoughts: Rushdie’s latest work is historical epic, AND it's magical realism, one of my favorite genres! His prose is, as usual, lush and imaginative, but this novel can feel kind of meandering and aimless.
Dune by Frank Herbert
Date: 03/2024
Thoughts: Great. Re-reading before I watch the second movie year.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Date: 02/2024
Thoughts: Yes, I saw this on social media and it lived up to neither the drooling nor scathing critiques. I read it described on the back cover as "nothing you've read before," but this could not be farther from the truth as it leans heavily on every YA trope you can think of. Still, it was super readable and mildly entertaining.
Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See
Date: 01/2024
Thoughts: A beautiful story set in historical China. Can feel a bit melodramatic, but overall it's a great read.
The Red Rising Trilogy by Pierce Brown
Date: 07/2023
Thoughts: I finished this series set in The Society, a future caste-divided dystopia where the protagonist rises from the lowest tier. The world-building and politics are decently believable, and the action is great. Another light read with enough unpredictable twists to feel fresh.
The Witcher Series by Andrzej Sapkowski
Date: 08/2023
Thoughts: Finally finished all 8 books. Highly recommend: a well constructed world with magic, cool creatures, and moral ambiguity. I haven't read the short stories yet
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Date: 04/2023
Thoughts: This was a hauntingly beautiful read that goes through the lives of a blind French girl and a German soldier during World War II. Incredible prose and narrative.
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
Date: 01/2023
Thoughts: Nothing new if you've read historical fiction—it's basically the life of a woman through the Great Depression era.
Circe by Madeline Miller
Date: 12/2022
Thoughts: Another cool reimagined mythology tale from Miller, showing Circe's journey from a witch to a minor goddess. Loved it.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
Date: 03/2022
Thoughts: An interesting perspective on Snow's life. Definitely worth reading if you like the original trilogy.
Game of Thrones Series by George R.R. Martin
Date: 03/2022
Thoughts: George, we're still waiting for Winds of Winter... idk how many years I can take before I build an AI GRRM to finish it.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Date: 01/2022
Thoughts: A classic
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
Date: 01/2022
Thoughts: Great emotional deep dive / mystery into an Asian American family.
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
Date: 10/2021
Thoughts: Very melancholic and reflective read about a sick child and her AI(?) companion. Beautiful writing.