I remember when I first started to read, I longed to read good books, but I would always spend endless hours at the library to unearth the next Harry Potter to no avail. Internet was not mainstream yet and the lack of good reading recommendations bothered me. I knew I was missing out on gems that were only sitting there with no reader to entertain.
Ever since I stumbled upon Goodreads, my life changed. I discovered a new world and now I don’t get stuck wondering what to read next anymore.
However, there are so many options out there that sometimes I find it difficult to know which book I should give priority. I know for that matter that most of the time, friends’ recommendations usually become my all-time favorites. It is now my turn to give back by sharing with you all those unforgettable books I have come across. Here we go !
** For those who would like to follow me on Goodreads, you can add me. You will be able to see all the books that I’ve read, my next reads and all my reviews.
1) Élisabeth Vonarburg — The Maerlande Chronicles
To begin with, I suggest that you dive into the science-fiction world of Vonarburg, a Quebec author with a remarkable career history. She is well known for having written a wealth of books that have had an impact in the genre by upending our ways to perceive the world. Each installment becomes part of her groundbreaking work that pushes back the limit of themes that address gender, religion and science. Her mastery of the French language is a delight, and she does not hesitate to enrich it with her own coinages. Vonarburg is definitely a linguist at heart.
In the dystopic world of the Maerlande Chronicles, we follow Lisbeth, a young girl who grows up in a matriarchal society in which the redefinition of gender spurs you to take a fresh a look at everything you thought you knew including creationist myths and the use of the language itself. If you would like to challenge your preconceptions, this masterpiece will not fail to deliver !
2) Marie Lu – Warcross
I have read all of Marie Lu’s books since Legend. It is one of those authors with the most well-balanced skills : she crafts heart-thumping plots and unforgettable characters. She lingers over those interesting little details and her prose flows well, which makes her writing accessible to most readers. Each time I read one of her books, I feel this satisfaction that each and every single one of her sentence interlocks perfectly so much that I feel like I am gently drifting down a stream.
This duology is by far my favorite from her. Warcross is an online game played worldwide in which high-performance teams compete. Emika finds herself swept along into this extraordinary competition. As if that was not enough, her special relationship with the gamemaker spices things up just enough to pull an all-nighter. As usual, Lu offers complex characters and a plot that will draw you in quickly.
3) Veronica Roth — Carve The Mark
Since her Divergent series, I’ve always respected Roth’s ideas who strives to find interesting concepts. She also has a knack of having couples who must withstand terrible ordeals that jeopardize their relationship. It is a cocktail that can be quite addictive.
In this duology, Carve The mark is not a fast-paced book. The enjoyment lies in the details and the richness of the world Roth crafted. She was able to blend in rich cultures and to create languages that are authentic to its different peoples. I must say that she has a talent for imagining fleshed-out surreal worlds, which is something I admire. This book is the perfect match for those who crave new worlds to explore.
4) Pierce Brown — Red Rising
I haven’t read many male authors, but Brown is one that has a unique style. He can push a world and its rules to another level. The society he created in his Red Rising saga is utterly impressive and complex. He can condense a lot of information in a handful of words that are vivid.
Originally, Red Rising was a trilogy which later became a saga. For those who like to imagine what colonizing space could look like, this is the book you need. I really liked that the main character is more mature and thus suiting adult readers. It allows for showing a more realistic view of this dystopic world where the role you play in the community determines your color. I highly recommend this series if you are looking for a full-on experience.
5) Ursula LeGuin —The Left Hand of Darkness
Last but not least (actually, she could be on top of the list!). One of my recent reads during this pandemic, and I was not disappointed at all. I heard people say so many good things about LeGuin that I finally decided to indulge myself. What a great surprise! LeGuin knows how to use language to get across concepts and complex worlds with subtlety, without being too serious. Her use of an accurate and sophisticated vocabulary also makes it easy a breeze to understand. LeGuin tackles deep issues that bear many repercussions.
After a fairly difficult first chapter, the rest of the novel reveals itself like a flower in the sun. The envoy who was sent to a winter planet must communicate with its people, but it is no simple thing. We follow his run of bad luck in a land which seems hostile, yet misunderstood. The relationship that the main character develops with its inhabitants is powerful and will have you ask for more.
If you have any other suggestions please feel free to share them in the comments !
See you soon and happy reading !
David M. Snow
