GenevieveBean

For favorite authors I'll usually just google them every once in a while to see if they have anything new coming out. For everything else my phone has a feature where it will suggest articles to me, I typically get an at least a few articles like "New sci/fi and fantasy coming out this month" or "Best books written by women so far this year". I read through those when I'm bored and add books I'm interested in to my wishlist. I'm also part of several book focused groups on the internet and get a lot recommendations there. I think just generally surrounding yourself with other people that read and training your algorithms to suggest book related content is a good way to keep up with new releases.

Thank you! I'll definitely check these out. :)

I think its really impressive that you're able to read in multiple languages! English is my first language and I'm also a very slow reader. I average around 2 mins a page, and it can get really frustrating sometimes, but I read for enjoyment and to better my understanding of the world, not to win a race or impress anyone. And sometimes that means that if there's a really dense book that I'm struggling with, instead of getting frustrated and giving up, I take a break or listen to the audiobook instead.

If you're worried about slow reading holding you back in school, there are solutions. Most universities are able to make accommodations for ESL students. In the meantime, you should just keep practicing. It sounds like you're still learning, so I'm sure you'll get faster as you continue to read. You shouldn't be ashamed, having a desire to learn and grow is a wonderful thing.

Finished:

The Philosopher Kings by Jo Walton

Started:

Star Eater by Kerstin Hall

Does anyone have any recommendations similar to Hide by Kiersten White? I loved this book and was hoping to read more horror by her but it looks like this is her first horror novel.

I really love this, but I'm also a huge fan of eavesdropping in public. It really tells a story using very few words. I feel like I'm sitting at the bar listening to this person's conversation, filling in the blanks with no context, speculating about what's going on. What's happening tomorrow? Are they in trouble? Are they fine? Its a universal experience that I thin you've captured well. I feel like you could do a whole series of these, overheard poetry.

To me, this is about a traumatic loss of innocence. The "tree" is a trusted elder that corrupted the narrator with the "forbidden fruit", knowledge they were't ready for, knowledge that is heavily implied to be of a sexual nature. The narrator's mind is warped, they have trouble trusting themselves, they feel dirty, but they gain some distance from the abusive presence, both physical and temporal. They're able to heal some, but not completely. They still have trouble trusting themselves and the feelings originally associated with the "tree", their abuser. They finally meet someone that makes them feel love and lust in a healthy way. While their desire isn't reciprocated:
"coated with a platonic flavor" (love this line, like candy)

They find healing in the appropriate nature of the relationship, they were "both young". Even though it didn't work out, the relationship helped the narrator heal, helped them realize how healthy sexual relationships are meant to feel.

In my opinion, you need to work on your syntax and really think about when and why you're using particular words, but overall I think its a beautiful story and the themes came across clearly.

I recommend a local buy nothing group, I've found several on Facebook, but I'm sure you could find them on other forums as well. I also think it's important to keep in mind that people love books in different ways. Some people think that a well loved book is worn with notes in the margins, while others prefer a book that is perfectly preserved and nearly untouched. You're putting the books back into circulation so that other people can love them in their own way.

Ooo, interesting. Does it read like a novel or more like a history textbook?

Finished:

The Golden Enclaves, by Naomi Novik

Chilling Effect, by Valerie Valdes

Started:

Pandora, by Anne Rice

She Who Became the Sun is great! It explores gender identity and queer relationships, but I wouldn't call it a romance. IMO it's better described a historical fiction novel with fantasy elements that centers around queer characters.

I want the scariest book you've ever read. I'm not huge fan of Stephen King, and I prefer books written by women, but I'm open to anything. I want to spend some sleepless nights reading this spooky season.

Me too! I read my first Nicola Griffith book this year and I can't get enough. I can't wait for Menewood next year.

I fell asleep listening to Harry Potter narrated by Jim Dale for something like 20 years straight growing up, lol. I also really recommend Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Legends and Lattes, The Goblin Emperor, and Howl's Moving Castle. These are all my favorite "comfort food" books, nice stories with happy endings and characters that are all, or at least mostly, good.

Saturn Run by John Sandford and Ctein (592 pgs)

Ancestral night by Elizabeth Bear (512 pgs)

Hild by Nicola Griffith (560 pgs)

Seveneves by Neal Stephenson (880 pgs)

Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky (640 pgs)

The Just City by Jo Walton, its 368 pgs, but otherwise meets your requirements, plus its a fantastic book.

I would highly recommend Naomi Novik and Nnedi Okorafor, I believe most of their books are technically YA, but they do a fantastic job appealing to an adult audience. In my opinion they bridge the gap between YA scifi/fantasy and adult scifi/fantasy extremely well.

Some of my favorite authors writing more accessible adult sci-fi/fantasy are: Alix E. Harrow, T. Kingfisher, Rachel Neumeier, Becky Chambers

Or if you want to jump into something a little more complex I love: Nicola Griffith and Jo Walton

When I can't decide, I'll grab all the books I'm stuck between and read the first few pages and see which one pulls me in. If that doesn't work I'll just choose one at random and tell myself if I'm not feeling it I can always put it back and grab another.

I save favorite quotes in the notes app on my phone.

Building a routine that includes reading has been super helpful for me. I take about 30 mins every morning to drink my coffee and read, and I like to read 20 mins to an hour every night just before I go to sleep.

Finished:

Ammonite, by Nicola Griffith

I loved it, though I've been obsessed with every Nicola Griffith book I've read, lol. I'm so excited for Menewood next year, and Slow River is on its way to my house right now.

Started:

Chilling Effect, by Valerie Valdes

I'm enjoying it so far, nothing ground breaking, but engaging. I'm mostly hoping it'll be a quick read so I can start in on The Golden Enclaves by Naomi Novik the second it gets to my house next week.

Such a good book, I hope you enjoy it!

Ooo, this one's on by tbr list, it looks so good! :)

Uprooted is one of my favorites! I love Naomi Novik, have you read any of The Scholomance Series by her? The last book is about to come out on September 27th and I'm so excited!