March’s Reads

Remember writers are readers first.

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Here’s what I read in March.

Robin Reardon’s, A Question of Manhood

A brilliant balancing act! I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked this up to read, wondering if it would feel plastic and forced like too many novels featuring gay characters; or worse, if it would stray closer to erotica. I was delighted to find Robin Reardon, a masterful storyteller who needs no stereotypes or steamy scenes to keep the reader turning pages. It beautifully recreates early 1970s America, tired of war and struggling to navigate cultural changes while exploring the timeless question of what it means to be a man, not from the perspective of a marginalized character, but rather through the eyes of a straight young man grabbling with the knowledge that his older brother is gay.

Ursula K. Le Guin’s, Steering the Craft

Having no formal training as a creative writer, I welcomed the workshop format of this book. Le Quin offers sound advice, ample examples, and easy-to-follow, opening-ended exercises for any writer wanting to grow their skills. I did a quick read from start to finish to familiarize myself with Le Quin’s vision before beginning the exercises. After reading this book, it becomes abundantly clear that she is a reader first, forever immersing herself in the beauty of words. Her conspicuous love of language certainly fuels Le Quin’s ability to craft vibrant stories, like her Earthsea Trilogy. The most important thing I learned from Steering the Craft is to take the time to read, read, read! 

Brandon Sanderson’s, Edgedancer

A must-read for any fan of Sanderson’s evolving saga about Roshar, this novella bridges books two and three of the Stormlight Archive to offer a first look at what the legendary heralds have been up to since betraying their oath at the end of the last desolation. The size and scope of the Stormlight Archive serves up a dizzying array of characters and settings, and this small book gives the reader a rare chance to stick with one character from the front cover to the back. This fast-paced story of a girl trying to outwit a dangerous assassin while navigating the end of the world is rife with ludicrous hilarity, showing Sanderson at his most playful.

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What have you been reading? Let me know in the comments.