Jared's Bookshelf
A look at the books I am currently reading or have recently read, as well as excellent reads I have enjoyed past and present, with a special mention of my all-time favorites and those works from other authors I am passionate to share.
Looking for my full book list? The library archive contains the title, author, and brief description of all books or series I want to share with my readers.
Currently Reading
The Left Hand of Darkness
-Ursula K Le Guin
Jurassic Park
-Michael Crichton
This is a book I probably should have attempted to read before now, but as a much more mature reader, I am attempting it at this point. This book commonly makes the lists of best science fiction books to read. While not as well known as the author's Earthsea series, I am excited to discover what makes this book such an important read.
I started out reading this book because one of my high school students was so interested in it. I didn't even realize that the movie was based on a book! It's turned out to be a great read, predictably far deeper and more interesting than the movie, while also being quite a bit darker. It really gets you thinking about the dangers of biotechnology and messing around with nature and how even when you think you are in control, you are really just courting disaster. A must-read for any fans of the movie, dinosaur, or sci-fi fans.
Current Favorites
More Happy Than Not
-Adam Silvera
I randomly found this gem while pursuing the LGBT aisle of Barnes and Noble. It definitely was NOT the feel-good romance book I usually select in this category (see Date Me, Bryson Keller), but it was another of my 2-day reads because I just had to know what would happen. It also has a bit of a sci-fi, mind twist in that the character tries to wipe out his painful memories, but they come back when he endures another trauma. It's quite a stressful book to get through (it's only a 2-day read because I had to put it down once, not because it was too emotional for midnight), but for anyone struggling with life and especially gay issues, I still recommend it. You will be thinking about it long after the last page.
Ancillary Justice
-Ann Leckie
Flipping over to sci-fi mode, this book was an interesting discovery for me. I came across it while researching agents (it was on the agent's list of favorites) and I ended up listening to the audible version since it proved annoyingly hard to find in print. The narrator was excellent, and the story was worthy of its TRIPLE sci-fi awards, telling a unique and fascinating story of a far future where ship A.I inhabit multiple bodies and an intergalactic leader is at war with herself in an insane twist on multiple personality disorder. The sci themes in this book rightly deserve a blog post to explore them (and probably some academic essays as well, but we'll stick to the blog). The culture of this future civilization was sometimes confusingly brought out by the lack of gender recognition (the narrator refers to all characters as female, even though evidence shows they are not). I couldn't help but picture all of the characters as female, which might have been the author's intention. Overall, a fascinating if highly intellectual read. I plan to continue the series!
All Time Favorites
Date Me, Bryson Keller
-Kevin van Whye
I unabashedly LOVE this book. Over the course of a week, this book made me realize that I am a complete sucker for cute, Hallmark-level gay romance novels, and it is no surprise that this is the one picked up by a mainstream publisher. I plan to have an entire blog post or two devoted to this book. In the course of said week, I read this book twice, which is unheard of for me, but I couldn't stand to leave the characters. I just wanted to revisit their moments again and again. I was immediately inspired to start my own romance book writing venture because of this book and those that followed it, but this one will always be my first. It brings home a bright message about acceptance and love, wrapped in a funny but also adorable love story. It is for the most part an easy-going romance, with minimal tension between the lead characters, no sex, and yet incredibly emotional moments that just make you smile.
Expeditionary Force (Series)
-Craig Alanson (might secretly have been ghost-written by Skippy the Magnificent)
I can't say I've "read" this series, since I listened to all of the books on Audible (still counts as reading imo; I can't read and bike), but it makes the all-time favs list as a series put-together (notably the individual books don't stand out well in my mind. It's all one continuous story). It's an excellent work of military sci-fi that isn't as dry and stuffy as the usual ones I've attempted to get through. It remains serious while also being hilarious at moments, sciency enough to be interesting without going too hard at it, and of course, it has Skippy, which is perhaps one of the best characters in the history of sci-fi. The listening experience, I think, really brought this to life, and while you could just read the print books, I have to recommend this on Audible first. Book after book, it never got old, although I started to see some repeated tropes, but my interest never wavered. I haven't been able to make it through an entire sci-fi series as enjoyably as this one. It's worth it all the way through!
Restart
-Gordon Korman
Restart ranks as the best Middle-Grade work of realistic fiction I have ever read. It might even be able to bump out Wonder (which could easily be put on this list as well). It was originally recommended by a student, who is typically not a reader, but when another teacher showed him this book he demanded that we also read it together. I ended up devouring it over an afternoon, and could not put it down until finished. It is a book I endlessly teach and recommend to all of my students who are even remotely at the correct age and reading level. It tells the incredible and touching story of a boy who, after suffering serious amnesia, gets the opportunity to literally redefine and rediscover himself, transforming from the grandmaster of all bullies to someone who is kind, helpful, and understanding. It keeps you right on the edge, slowly teasing out the truth of the kid's terrible past and walking you through his process of self-REdiscovery. Touching, thoughtful, masterfully organized, and an amazing message to share with kids of any age.