Hello readers and welcome to our Weekly FAQ thread! Our topic this week is: How do you discover new books? Do you use local bookstores, publications, blogs? Please post them here!

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In many other forms of text-based media, there are often a good mix of single vs multi authors; TV shows, movies, academic articles, non-fiction books, etc. Yet novels are almost exclusively written by a single author. Why is that? Some of the best fictional movies/TV come from a pair or team of strong writers that bring different strengths. Why doesn’t this apply to novels?

I just finished "The Bell Jar" and really want to share my thoughts and read everyone else's. Coming into this book, I knew it was about depression and I knew Sylvia Plath took her own life when she was quite young, but I wasn't prepared for all the emotions reading it.

First of all, let me just say that I don't think I've ever related so much to a character as Esther Greenwood, and I do not mean this as a compliment to myself at all. She is complex, she is flawed, she has a lot of work to do. And just like me, she is strong minded, she was a genious in school and then struggled to make friends, she sounded rude when she didn't mean to, she was mean and treated others as inferior without meaning to do it. All this was very relatable to me, a 26yo woman, for the better and for the worse, and this was the first time I saw a character like this.

Now, there are definitely somethings I thankfully don't share with Esther/Sylvia Plath, like the infinite amount of racist remarks, fatphobia, her treatment of other girls (the definition of a "not like the other girls")... While reading the book, I decided to look at this with the silver lining that our society evolved to a point where just reading this makes my blood boil. Racism is definitely not over, but writing things like these nowadays would not be acceptable anywhere, thankfully. I will also add here the insanity that was the medical treatment for depression back in the day, because even though I studied it in history class, it's still insane to read about shock therapy and lobotomies irl (not so fun fact, the inventor of lobotomies was my country's first nobel prize, insane)

I also think it's important to discuss the theme of this book: depression and mental health. This was the most realistic depiction of depression I've ever seen in a book and it was heartbreaking. Knowing Sylvia Plath wrote this book while going through depression and her first suicide attempt (and just before taking her own life) just made it all the more real, reading this book you know the author is describing something she was going through herself. I really like that Esther wasn't just a perfect girl who was then sad and mean; she was flawed the whole book, with good moments and bad moments, and her moments of spiraling were so raw that I had to stop reading often.

Another thing I would like to adress is the feminism in the book. Esther was a feminist in some ways: against being forced to marry a man, against patriarchy, against inequality between men and women. She wanted to be a strong, independent woman and that was pretty cool to read. However, I think it's quite obvious that she wasn't a perfect feminist. As mentioned, she constantly criticizes and feels superior to all the girls in her life. She also has quite a toxic relationship to men in general, which I guess would steam from Plath's difficult relationship with her husband (though the book was written before his affair I think). It's an interesting topic to discuss an imperfect form of feminism.

In general, I liked the book. I didn't love the structure of the book with the back and forths because it got confusing at parts, but I also kind of assumed it's to show how the brain of a mentally ill person works. Im also quite curious to watch the movie coming out in 2027, I do think Billie Eilish fits the character of Esther

My god, what a book. It took me a good while to get into it and it was a slow burn, but I couldn’t put it down after a while, and it moved me deeply. What a beautiful and thought-provoking read.

I am particularly impressed by Le Guin’s masterful way of playing with perception through clever perspective-switching. You start off thinking Genly Ai is a reliable narrator and a good guy. It’s even easy to overlook his pretty blatant misogyny. Then slowly you realise his perspective is incredibly limited and limiting, and he is frequently just plain wrong or self-sabotaging. This takes the book from a simple hero’s journey to a much more complex and interesting reflection on culture, communication and the (im)possibility of understanding one another. I loved it, but it’s also a pretty challenging read that I imagine isn’t for everyone. I’d love to hear others’ thoughts on it.

Also, this was my first Le Guin - what should I read next?

Hey!

I've been influenced by BookTook to start the audiobook of the Russian-language, Ukranian-authored fantasy (maybe sci-fi?) YA novel Vita Nostra by Maryna and Serhiy Dyachenko.

As a disclaimer, I quickly need to say I am severely not the target audience for this book. I am double the age of the main chararcter at the beginning of the novel, and even at 16 I found YA a cheesy genre. And yet!

Since I've been quite busy with work, I decided to go for the audiobook, and in hindsight that was quite a happy coincidence.

Let's start by saying, and maybe that's a credit to the translation (I don't speak Russian unfortunately), that the writing is literary, in a beautiful prose, and absolutely stunning in descriptions and historical/cultural context scoping. I don't know much about Eastern Europe in the 90s, and still I consistently found myself immersed in the landscapes, the little-town vibe descriptions, the post-sovietic dark academia. And that's just half of the world building the authors have achieved here.

The other 50% of the world building is the most original feature in this novel. If you've read and appreciated Babel by RF Kuang, you will probably enjoy Vita Nostra's Weltanschauung. The core idea that >!the universe we inhabit is a narrative one, and words (and signs!) have creative capabilities!<, is something I've always dreamt of seeing explored in non-fiction as a philosopher of language, and the literary choice of exploring it through a coming-of-age story is somehow enticing in the end.

You're forced by the world-building and the main character's arc to learn how Vita Nostra's universe works step by step, little by little, consistently being swept away by its complexity alongside a main character that, through the messy confused lens of a growing girl's eyes, is at the same time attracted and repulsed by the almost >!Lovecraftian!< discoveries on her academic path of transformation.

The ending, >!although open,!< was incredibly well written. I've been looking at reviews online, and I've found some readers have found it confusing. I think the main plot point which might have been missed by some could be >!the direct quote of John 1:1, the definition of λόγος, and the Chomskian theoretical/semiotic infrastructure of the world the novel ultimately offers!<. I am not entirely confident some nouances of the plot can be accessible to non-specialists, and especially young adult non-specialists. So maybe that's the question I'm asking here: do people who have read this book and know nothing or very little about philosophy of language, cognitive studies, and semiotics understand the ending?

Another issue I've found raised by other readers is the meaning of >!the early tests with Farit Kozhennikov!<, which according to some has not been fully explained. I think the authors did a great job at positioning it in the wider structure of the plot, instead:>!the tests were aimed at testing Sasha's endurance, and her discipline, and her ability to compromise on her ethical stances and habits for a higher purpose. Basically, her faith !<.

The book overall is a great exploration of magical thinking, of growing out of your roots and family of origin, of getting consumed by a worldview, and of the concept that every choice demands a renounciation. It's also a strong agrument for free will, which I did not expect to find so elegantly depicted through >!time travel/loops!< of all things.

On Reddit I've found a thread I can locate any longer where someone mentioned the novel might make an argument on simulation theory as well. I don't find that to be correct. From my understanding of the plot, >!reality really is influenced by "speech", and the technologies to overwrite reality are only available because reality is affected directly by them.!<

In any case, Vita Nostra is a great book. The only thing I've found icky is the oversexualization of young women, and sometimes the language around this topic sounded quite harsh, but... Hey, what can I say, this book came out 20 years ago. Maybe it was different times. Maybe. Let me know what you think.

By Jasper Fforde

I just finished and it was a fun read. It took me two days only because I had so much else going on. Great for a pick up book when in a line, have a few minutes to yourself, or about to pick up the kids.

A modern fantasy, where there's weakening magic, politics, advertisement deals, and the quark beast.

As with Fforde it is never what you expect. I will refrain from going on so I don't spoil anything.

Rating it a lovely 9/10. I wanted a touch more action, but that's personal taste.

I am excited to find the sequel! If you want more to chew on I recommend "Shades of Grey". It was my first of this author and I fell in love. Society based on color perception. A surreal adventure!

Finally picked up the first Red Rising novel, after hearing about it for years, and it left me with some thoughts!

Going in blind, the dystopian aspect, the - "hunger-games-in-space" setup really caught me off guard.
And especially at the start, there was such a edgy tone to the narration and setup, which, along with the casual violence really did bring up the reminiscence of "YA"

At first I wasn't impressed but when the worldbuilding began to open up, the twists in revised history were revealed, I began to really enjoy this book and reminded me how fun the YA dystopian genre could be.

The pure adrenaline, hype, excitement that pulsed with the MC's anger, wrath, and war path, I was right there with him. The book did a great job making you feel like a God of War.

The tension of the animalistic pack-peer heirarchy, between Darrow, Cassies, Titus, etc- Which of the golden boys will end up on top? The social unrest that's so related to school-years*.* Its been a while since I"ve read a book that really involves itself in that and I forgot how fun it can be.

A few things I wasn't a huge fan of..

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Quickly Humanizing the Worst: Titus and Tactus

With characters like Titus and Tactus, who committed grape, or were attempting to, it was very difficult to gulp down how quickly the novel seemed to try to make me feel emphathetic towards them, and let them off the hook.

There are many other books that contain such brutality, but generally don't so quickly and easily flip it and to make me feel bad for them or completely let off the hook and join the protagonists. They are typically branded as villians throughout. The only other times I've seen it happen were in other YA dystopian novels.

And I understood Titus's reasoning, when the twist was revealed, yet it still did not justify or make me feel emphathetic towards him to the point where the main MC refered to him as "brother" so quickly.

I know there is a hypocrisy in the way I judge these things, since Darrow and many other characters commit brutal acts such as murder and violence- that I don't treat the same way or shun from redemption or emphathy.

But reflecting deeper, perhaps it is because there are many types of physical violence. I can much easier understand hot blooded revenge, ego spats, etc, than I can understand pure psychopathic sadism.

Like even if Titus didn't commit grape, I'd still feel a way about trying to protray him as sympathetic, just for sadistic torturing and violence alone, he felt psychopathic and creepy.

And grape, falls into this later category that is this incomprehensible sadism.

Later on with Tactus, I felt made even worse, for how little penalty he actually faced, how his would-be victim didn't care to see him punished, and how he was able to join the protagonists as a high ranking member and left hand to the MC.

I found Darrow ordering himself to be whipped for Tactus's crimes to be.. very very corny.

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Favorite and Least Favorite Moments

One of my favorite "God Killer" moments of the novel was when Darrow killed Apollo. Striking right at the core theme of the novel; when the game is rigged, you attack the game itself.

The laurels were rigged, Darrow's awnser to Dancer's card game was to eat the card, and during this school battle royale, when the proctor's rigged the game, my favorite moments were when Darrow tricked, defied, and finally attacked the heaven's itself.

The pure childlike adrenaline, hype, excitement, it was all there as he brought the war to Olympus and fought Jupiter.

In contrast, my least favorite moments was at the start. Darrow's wife, Eo- felt like such a prop character. Her attempt to put a battery in her husband's back to start a revolt, was so poorly executed from her pov, and her uncalculated defiance.. felt frustrating.

Another deeply frustrating moment, was when Darrow, using his quick intelligence, managed to finally capture the infamous Jackal, a character truly terrifying in his shadowey buildup, someone Darrow geniuenly feared- and yet, at the cusp of victory, decides to play with.

It was so annoying to see Darrow do anything other than quickly break the Jackal's back and leave him paralyzed. Rip Pax, a very lovable character.

I loved that Mustang didn't betray in the end, and the contrast between her and her psycho borther. Polar opposites, where one is a cold blooded sacrificer, while Mustang teaches Darrow a better way to lead, representing the ideal of what a Gold could be.

For Cassies, I was actually sad they didn't patch things up. As uneasy as it was, I enjoyed their Golden duo friendship. Perhaps I was niave, but I hoped, having pretty much killed him once, Cassies' anger would have abated. An allyship with his family agaisnt the Governer's would have been interesting.

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Conclusion

At the start, I wasn't too thrilled by the book's edgy tone, but man, sooned it picked up and was such a fun ride. Pure, coudn't-put-it-down entertainment I haven't felt in a while.
To me, it feels like the male equivelant of Fourth Wing in many ways, the same demonination of fullfillment fantasy.

Love to hear you guys' throughts on the first book, what was your guys' impressions, favorite moments, worst moments etc?

I just heard of a public school teacher [1] (who continues to be one) Margaret Edson who wrote only one play: Wit (1995) --- the play managed to win the 1999 Pulitzer Prize and spawned a made-for-TV adaptation that also won the 2002 Emmy Award. Since then she declined writing any new works and instead continue be a public school teacher.

That makes me interested in other such authors whose story is like hers.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Edson

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The Prince of Nothing Trilogy by R. Scott Bakker is the modern lord of the rings. It's like if Cormac Mcarthy wrote an epic fantasy novel. Bakker's background is in philosophy and has an interest in neuroscience he uses these concepts to dismantle and recreate the conventions of the epic fantasy genre.

If I was being reductive Lord of the Rings meets Dune through the lense of Blood Meridian exploring the nature of free will and consciousness.

"The Dûnyain," Kellhus said after a time, have surrendered themselves to the Logos, to what you would call reason and intellect. We seek absolute awareness, the self- moving thought. The thoughts all men arise from the darkness. If you are the movement of your soul, and the cause of that movement precedes you, then how could you ever call your thoughts your own? How could you be any- thing other than a slave to the darkness that comes before? Only the Logos allows one to mitigate that slavery. Only knowing the sources of thought and action allows us to own our thoughts and our actions, to throw off the yoke of circumstance. And only the Dûnyain possess this knowledge, plainsman. The world slumbers, enslaved by its ignorance. Only the Dunyain are awake.

"Why do men fear the dark?" "Because darkness is ignorance made visible" "And do men despise ignorance?" "No... they prize it above all things but only so long as it remains invisible"

"Lies are but clouds, giants that blow and rage only to pass, always to pass. But the Truth is the sky, everlasting and elusive, a shelter in the day, an abyss in the night."

"If the Gods did not pretend to be human, Men would recoil from them as from spiders."

"Truth and hope are like travellers in contrary directions. They meet but once in any man's life."

To read Bakker is to stand before a mirror that never gives back an image, only fractures, each crack a scar of absence. The abyss does not answer, it confirms: nothing lies behind the reflection, because the reflection was never there.

S.C. Hickman

I don't usually go for sci-fi, but my partner is a huge fan and is set on winning me over. I read a lot more than I watch, so maybe that's a good avenue to explore. (He's the opposite, so I need the internet's help).

It might be easier to explain what I don't like and why, and ask for suggestions that fall through the cracks or would challenge my assumptions.

- Dystopian societies: my anxiety goes off because I can logically see how we're 2-3 degrees of separation from these scenarios (Station 11, Don't Look Up). I cried a LOT watching these and Station 11 still haunts me. I know it's a book/series and I think this would cement in my mind even more if I read it than when I binge-watched the miniseries.

- Zombies: I hate them. I have never wanted to watch anything with them. The closest I got to them was Plants vs Zombies and even that sometimes gave me anxiety on boss levels. I both hate them and fear them? Idk at this point. But I find them overused and redundant and I cannot be bothered.

- Long, very slow development: Dune. I fell asleep within the first 40 min of the first movie. Excellent vibes for napping. Hans Zimmer should be proud. I made it to see a lot of Oscar Isaac (thankfully) and slept through the rest. Don't get me wrong, I like some world building, but I need things to happen or I will get bored.

- (Hokey) space wars: I never got into Star Wars, Star Trek, or The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (I read the book and bleh). I do not care for this. It's boring to me.

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While I know this knocked out 99% of normal sci-fi stuff, I will say that my partner showed me Bladerunner 2049 and I think that was alright. I saw Her and count that as sort of dystopian/sci-fi and thought that was alright, too. I work in tech and am in the "we should really caution our use of AI" party. The robot humanoids freak me out, but I think it's less sci-fi and more critical thought nowadays, and a conversation worth considering.

I read mostly non-fiction, some fantasy for fun (nothing like the dragon seggs books), more like re-reading HP and LOTR. I read literary fiction and occasionally poetry, but find the latter to be heavily laden with grape, S-A, s-harm, and the like, which is usually too much for me.

I like thought narratives, some world building, unlikely heroes, underdogs, magical realism, feminist perspectives, and unconventional roles, themes, or plot lines. I roll my eyes at predictable plot lines, smut, excessive pew pew, triggers mentioned in the poetry flags, and anything too cheesy.

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With that being said, are there any books you'd recommend for me? I want to believe there's something to be read from this genre before I throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Thanks in advance!

This refers to both snobs and reverse snobs. By snobs, I mean those who sneer at “popcorn” fiction or dismiss modern romance as “book porn.” Just because I want to relax with a favorite fantasy romance after a difficult day doesn’t make me a lowbrow idiot. And just because I mentioned enjoying a sci-fi romance series doesn’t mean I “learned about science fiction from sci-fi porn.” The first long book I ever read in English was “The War of the Worlds,” while “Solaris” by Stanisław Lem will always be one of my favorites.

By reverse snobs, I mean those who roll their eyes at fans of classic literature or literary fiction and believe that the only reason people willingly read “serious” literature is to check titles off a “highbrow” reading list and show it off later.

I’ve read and enjoyed a great many classics of Russian, French, British, and American literature. Yes, “War and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy really is my favorite work of pre-Soviet Russian literature. No, I’m not saying that just to show off. I’m Russian, and I love Tolstoy.

Also, I don’t care for Dostoyevsky. I know, I know! The horror! The sacrilege! The book snobs are going to have a field day with that! However, just the other day, I used a Ouija board to ask the great man himself whether he cared that I read his books before bed to fall asleep faster. He said, “М-Н-Е-Н-А-С-Р-А-Т-Ь.”

What I’m trying to say is that you don’t have to share someone’s taste, but you don’t have to shit on it either. There’s a difference between criticizing a book and mocking someone for loving it. If something isn’t up your alley, just move on and let people enjoy what they enjoy.

So I never read any of the classic books some people have in school. Lord of the Flies, 1984, Moby Dick, Frankenstein, Dracula, Odyssey, Brave New World, The Hobbit, Beowulf, Fahrenheit 451, The Great Gatsby, etc

Only books I have read and completed in my life are Wheel of Time Book 1: The Eye of the World, Ready Player One, Hail Mary Project, Be Water, My Friend.

So what are some classic books you that you read in school growing up that stuck with you, clicked for you and just absolutely loved journey you had reading it, that I might be missing out on? Or am I not really missing out on reading any of these and they were better suited for kids learning to read, do critical thinking and studying the plot as a group.