Top 5 Books I've Read This Year So Far

No longer human 

Okay, so I want to say that I absolutely loved this book, but it’s not for everyone. The main character is misogynistic at times and borderline sociopathic at best. That being said, it’s just so raw and honest. The main character’s struggle to find human connection is hauntingly beautiful while simultaneously horrifyingly honest. I don’t think I was supposed to laugh, but at times, it was so deadpan that I found it entertaining in moments. 

The Goldfinch

I’ve been meaning to read The Goldfinch forever since I loved the movie and I love The Secret History. Donna Tartt does not disappoint with her gorgeously immersive writing and tragic characters. It’s a bit painful at times because it’s like watching this character you like screw up over and over and you’re just like ‘no no no don’t do it-ahh he did’. There’s a sort of darkness that lingers over the whole thing even in the lighthearted parts that translates beautifully in film and across all of Donna’s writing.

The Idiot 

Charming and enigmatic protagonist Prince Myshkin is devastatingly charming to both the reader and those who encounter him within the novel. However, his youthful innocence being repeatedly exposed as a flaw within the corrupt setting sets the novel up perfectly to explore complex themes of morality which it does, excellently. It’s not quite as easy to engage with as some of Dostoyevsky’s more popular works such as Crime and Punishment, but The Idiot is worth a try if you enjoy classical literature. 

Cities of the Plain

I’d say the Border trilogy could easily be read as a standalone novel but is simply enhanced from its counterparts being placed together. Cities of the Plain is probably a lot more impactful if you’ve started with the first two in the series but, I’d say it has enough voice to be worth reading as a standalone if the second novel’s unique style is weighing you down. It goes back to the gritty roots of All the Pretty Horses, exposing the underbelly of the Border with tactful storytelling and descriptive language.

Circe

Madeline Miller is praised up and down and for good reason. Her retellings of classic Greek literature are nothing short of brilliant and she makes you fall in love with her artful descriptions and emotional monologues. Each scene is drawn out to just the right length to keep you going, but not so short that you lose investment. The story of Circe - while less known than that of Achilles - actually benefits from its obscurity by being able to catch the reader off guard and evoke strong emotional reactions throughout the novel. Her characterization of Circe captures her voice perfectly and the rage portrayed by her character is so compelling that it might bring you to tears.