At the risk of sounding cliche, reading is fundamental. Whether it’s a paperback, hardcover, audiobook, or ebook, reading is reading. This is true at any age, but I would emphasize that it’s longer-form reading that is most beneficial for adults. In a world where we’re bombarded with pithy observations and rage bait in 280 characters or less, it pays to slow down sometimes. Reading books is something I’ve come to re-ignite in my regular routine, just as much as I encourage it with my children.
With that in mind, I thought I’d take a quick moment to share some of my favorite reads from the past few months. While I usually dabble in a mix of genres, these all happen to be works of fiction with the noted exception of the first book. This was not intentional or by design. Funny how things work out like that sometimes.
Dare to Bird: Exploring the Joy and Healing Power of Birds
Melissa Hafting is a local birder from the Metro Vancouver region, leading youth nature groups with a focus on birdwatching. Dare to Bird is a bit different from what I had expected. I figured it was going to be a light “coffee table” book with more straight reporting about different bird species, their habits, and where to spot them.
Rather, it leans a bit more into the subtitle — the joy and healing power of birds — weaving in the author’s experience with grief after both her parents passed away and how birdwatching offers her a sense of peace and connection. With touching micro-tales and gorgeous photography, Dare to Bird is well-deserving of a spot on any coffee table.
Disclosure: Thank you to Melissa Hafting and Full Complement Communications for providing me with a review copy of Dare to Bird. I was and am under no obligation to promote the book on their behalf. All opinions are my own.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin
Like almost every other kid growing up in the ’80s and ’90s, I thought the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were totally radical, man. Bodacious, even. I watched the original cartoon, got an action figure or two, and played all the video games. The Last Ronin, written by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, exists in a parallel reality where all but one of the turtles are dead. Master Splinter too. And it’s up to the “last ronin” to avenge his brothers.
This is not a graphic novel for children. But, for those of us who grew up with TMNT, it’s a dark and nostalgic trip down how things could’ve turned out for our shell-shocked heroes.
Denison Avenue
Someone I follow on Twitter (X) recently asked:
No, it’s not a uniquely Vancouver thing. In fact, you’ll find it in cities all across North America with a long history of Chinese immigration. Many of these “old Chinese ladies” have been here for decades, often living in or near historic Chinatowns. Denison Avenue, written by Christina Wong and illustrated by Daniel Innes, features one such fictionalized tale of an elderly Torontonian who was recently widowed.
Partly to make ends meet and partly to have some sense of purpose again, she learns the ins and outs of can and bottle collecting from a fellow Chinese-Canadian senior. It’s a quiet, almost melancholic glimpse into the very real human struggles of lo wah kiu in the face of increasing gentrification. The clever mix of English narrative with Toisan transliterations gives Denison Avenue a sense of time and place not often portrayed in mainstream content.
Yellowface
You could say that the Asian American experience is having a bit of a moment these days. Beef, The Brothers Sun, and Everything Everywhere All at Once are all notable recent examples. But, there’s something to be said about the authentic portrayal of that experience too. R.F. Kuang skillfully navigates this difficult subject in Yellowface.
Athena Liu is a rising literary darling, but when he suddenly passes away, her “friend” June Hayward stumbles across an unfinished manuscript by Athena… and passes it off as her own. Yellowface tackles everything cultural appropriation and creative license in a nuanced way where we are forced to ask ourselves who the villain really is in all of this.
Fugitive Telemetry
Maybe you’d prefer something a bit lighter? How about a humanoid security robot from the near future who calls itself Murderbot? The sixth book in The Murderbot Diaries series by Martha Wells, the sci-fi saga of Fugitive Telemetry starts when Murderbot discovers a mysterious dead body on Preservation Station. Murderbot is now tasked with investigating the identity of the victim and what led to their untimely demise.
With fast action, a healthy dash of misanthropic humor, and a murder mystery to be solved, Fugitive Telemetry is a great addition to The Murderbot Diaries.
What Have You Been Reading Lately?
Whether you’re into augmented humans solving murder mysteries on space stations, walking deep into nature with binoculars to spot rare birds, or catching a glimpse into the humble life of an elderly widow roaming the back streets of Toronto’s Chinatown, I hope you find something on this reading list to enjoy.
In that spirit, I turn the comment form below over to you. What books have you been reading that you’d recommend? What about your kids? My eldest just finished the first Hunger Games book and she’s hungry to continue her journey through Panem with Katniss Everdeen. When you’re reading a good book, the odds are always in your favor.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions are my own.
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