For the past several years, I’ve been a staunch upholder of the “one-book-at-a-time” lifestyle. I’ve plucked one book that captures my attention from the shelf and burrowed into it, insisting that I must finish what I’ve started before progressing on to another literary adventure. I’m not exactly sure what prompted a change in my reading habits (workplace jitters? A cavernous abyss of boredom from approximately six in the evening to ten at night? The exciting buzz of public life returning to normal?) but regardless, I’ve set myself down a path I truly enjoy: reading multiple books at a time.
Right now, the perfect reading recipe for me is a nonfiction, a fiction, and an essay collection, all of which I navigate between with ease. In the case of nonfiction books, which can yield a wealth of historical or pop culture information, I find that I feel more invested in the subject matter when I’ve read a chapter and let my impressions of the author’s writing simmer for a while. Same with fiction reads: I develop a stronger bond with the characters and their surroundings when I’m able to visit and revisit them, almost like leaving on a short weekend trip and returning to their worlds when I’m ready.
So, without further ado, I’ll present to you a set of books I’ve been reading at the same time…and a few sentences about my initial impressions!
The Year of Lear by James Shapiro
We’ve all wondered what it was like to be William Shakespeare, and while we don’t know for sure what was going through his head in the tumultuous year of 1606, nobody can tease apart his potential thoughts with more skill than the esteemed literature professor James Shapiro. At a time when the temperamental King James was struggling to unify an increasingly uneasy England and rebellious Scotland under one crown, Shakespeare was observing the ever-evolving paranoia associated with a fragile monarchy, Papism, witchcraft, and assassination plots and incorporating these topics into three of his greatest plays. Shapiro situates Shakespeare and his performance company, the King’s Men, against a world boiling with political rivalries and social upheavals to show that creativity blooms best in volatile environments.
Daughters of Sparta by Claire Heywood
Historical fiction tends to be one of my go-to genres, and I was especially eager to dive into a story that aims to elevate the voices of two women whom history has overwhelmingly demonized. What is it really like for Helen and Klytemnestra to struggle for autonomy in a world where they have none by default? This book does almost nothing to paint ancient Greece in a romantic light; instead, it seeks to illuminate the sexism and abuse that is left out in traditional epics and odes, with the two heroines navigating tense relationships with ambitious men whom they are bound to without any decision-making power. There isn’t a great degree of hopefulness in this book, but it’s illuminating nevertheless. We see that across social classes, women may be restricted and objectified, but if they find a loophole large enough to wiggle through, the results can be mind-blowing.
Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
I’ve truly wanted to enjoy this book…but in all honestly, the sparks aren’t flying for me, even though they sure are flying between the First Son of the US President and the Prince of England. I’m all for a good romance every once in a while, but these characters took the plunge into love and intimacy a little too quickly for my taste. The secret meet-ups and rambling love letters are feeling more outlandish than swoon-worthy for me. Ah, well…at least I’m experimenting with the romance genre, even though I don’t read it very often.
Stay tuned for additional bookish updates in the coming months!! I have to put together a fall reading list soon…
