Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

Fiction

The next three fiction books I read are probably going to be the last three books in the Throne of Glass series, because I am incredibly excited and impatient to see how the rest of this story goes. The book was well named, as the majority of the story follows Aelin working towards her goals through missions and business transactions in the grimy underground and alleyways of Rifthold both on her own and with the rebels. 

I finally became slightly interested in the Thirteen of the Blackbeak clan after a few moments between Manon and her second, Asterin. I usually grudgingly read through all the chapters in her perspective because I found their emotions, those usually being limited to anger and violence, to be so boring. They start to show some individuality finally as they question authority. I am kind of interested to see what path their story takes. 

There are a lot of huge story changing events that occur in this book, one being that a major character dies. I certainly did not expect this individual to die until the final book, which leaves me to wonder what kinds of challenges the protagonists are going to have to face in order to destroy the true face behind the evil. It seems like a lot of them have already been through almost too much, it makes you wonder how much more of a beating in both the physical and emotional sense can some of them take. It’s going to be hard to keep up my practice of trying to alternate nonfiction reads with fiction ones if the next book, Empire of Storms, is as thrilling as this book was.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain

Nonfiction

I think I picked this book up at just the right moment in my life. The things I do in the next few weeks have the potential to change the next few years of my life for the better or worse and I feel like some of the theories I have read in this book might be able to help me. I was recently laid off, and like most people that lose their jobs unexpectedly I didn’t know what to do for a few days. The author posed some questions that I believe by answering will help me figure out what I need to do. 

I found myself relating to so many stories chronicled by the author of people she had met and interviewed. I had so many aha moments, I put post-it notes on several pages of passages I wanted to read again and philosophical questions I wanted to go back and try to answer about myself. Chapter three in particular was when I first made a huge connection to this book. It made me realize why I hated school so much, working in groups, open concept layouts, lack of privacy, introverts hate these things, they can’t concentrate and they don’t produce their best work under these circumstances. I can recall many times in my life when I was required to work with a group for a project, and I always felt that I could have done something better on my own. Or other times when I was in a classroom trying to get a head start on my homework but really wishing I could just leave then and there and do it in my bedroom. 

I think I could read this book several more times and mark several more spots that I want to go back to and reflect on. I feel like this is a book that I am going to revisit many times in my life, especially when I feel like I need to try and learn something about myself or when I feel like I need to accept who I am. I cannot recommend this book enough for anyone who is an introvert or for anyone who wants some insight into the life of an introvert.

Action Park by Andy Mulvihill with Jake Rossen

Nonfiction

My boyfriend and I crossed the parking lot that lay between the restaurant we had just had lunch at and the bookstore next to it. I didn’t want to go inside because I didn’t want to spend any money. He agreed to buy me a book if we did. I honestly don’t know why he even suggested this, bringing me to a bookstore is both dangerous and expensive for anyone who offers to pay for the trip. I ended up presenting him with three books that I really, really wanted, and this is the first of the three that I finished reading. 

As a lifelong New Jersey resident, I have heard tales of Action Park. I was born after its glory days so I never got to experience it. Fortunately for me I found this chronicle written by the original owners’ son. The story is crazier than I could have ever imagined, it is unfathomable how much Gene Mulvihill got away with. The entire time I was reading I was waiting for the chapter in which he was sent to jail for either negligence or evasion and I was shocked and appalled that it never happened. Even if you have never heard of Action Park this is a story that you don’t want to pass over. And if you went to Action Park before all of its safety concerns were acknowledged and dangerous attractions were removed, you’re going to want to hear what went on behind the scenes. I know that there is a documentary out there, there is probably more than one even, but I think you’ll get more out of this book than you would a film if you’re interested in learning more about the park.

The Betrayal Knows My Name, Volume 8 by Hotaru Odagiri

Fiction

I knew it! The series ends, but it feels unfinished. The author states in the final volume that she didn’t want to end it, and that maybe she will be able to bring back these characters in the future, but that she ended it when she had to in what she thought was the best way to do so. I feel bad that the author felt pressured to illustrate and write the story in order to try to get it out in a decent amount of time while struggling with health issues. But, I am disappointed that we are left with so many unanswered questions while only being given a small glimmer of hope that they might be answered one day. And I do feel like the ending was a little bit rushed, she seemed to try to fit as much as she could into the final pages in order to try to give the readers a small portion of what they might have been hoping for. 

Even though I know how the series ends, I am going to watch the animated series to see how it compares to the books. Maybe the story goes further in the show than the author was able to go with her illustrations, that would be a really pleasant bonus.

For anyone who hasn’t been enjoying my passage into manga, I have finally been feeling well enough to have the mental focus to read books that don’t have pictures. So next week will be back to the regular program, with an autobiographical account of someone who worked for the man that once owned a well known New Jersey attraction.

The Betrayal Knows My Name, Volume 7 by Hotaru Odagiri

Fiction

I’m starting to think that volume eight is not the last volume of The Betrayal Knows My Name, just the last volume translated into English. If this is the case, I will be disappointed, but I have the anime to look forward to. So, if I am left hanging I can at least see the resolution in live action rather than in 2D. 

The events of volume seven just make me feel as though there aren’t enough pages in volume eight for everything to be resolved. I might be wrong but I don’t think we have even seen Reiga since volume four, and if we have it is just a brief depiction of him talking to one of his associates. The zweilt are still searching for the kid with the grimoire. I still don’t know what went on in the past to cause such tension between Sairi and Luka, but I bet it’s really intense. Takashiro is still locked in a room with only two people knowing exactly where he is and why. The last volume is only slightly thicker and all of this is going to get answered? I’m not convinced, and I’m slightly skeptical about my curiosity being satisfied. I hope I am not left disappointed, as the series has been really good! I’ll have my final thoughts for you on Friday.