GoKawiilThis year, I've been able to really get back into reading. Dungeon Crawler Carl has reignited my passion for reading and listening to books, so I wanted to share what I've been reading with the world. My tastes aren't all that eclectic, though. I love sci-fi and fantasy but little else. So I asked my colleagues here at CNET what they are reading and what they have planned on their to-be-read lists.
Most of these books are available in physical, digital and audio versions. I became partial to audiobooks in my time as a courier, and the voice-over work has become so much better that it's well worth a subscription to Audible at this point. Right now, you can score three months free -- which will give you three credits to buy books -- and get a $20 voucher to score a couple more. That's four to six books for no up-front cost.
We asked the CNET team for their picks, and to no one's surprise, they have great taste. This list covers a lot of ground -- sci-fi, romance, memoirs, thrillers and more. Whether you're looking for a beach read or to be transported to a different world (literally in some cases), you'll find something here. Your TBR list is about to get a whole lot longer. You're welcome.
'A Novel Love Story' by Ashley Poston Read by Katelyn Chedraoui Have you ever wanted to live inside the world of your favorite book? I mean, really dive in and meet your favorite characters? Stroll the same streets as the protagonists? Eat their go-to meal at the local diner? Well, that's what happens to our girl, book lover Eileen, in "A Novel Love Story" by Ashley Poston. But once the initial excitement wears off, she quickly realizes it's harder than it seems to escape her favorite fictional town -- even with the help of the town's grumpy bookseller, who is the only other person who knows they're living in a novel.
This book is essential reading and one of my most-recommended books, particularly if you're looking, like Eileen, to escape the horrors of real life to dive into a story you know has a happy ending. 1 credit/$20 at Audible
Legacy of Shadows series by Jen Karner Read by James Bricknell Former CNET writer Jen Karner has written a fantastic little series of books in the Legacy of Shadows. Drawing inspiration from shows like Supernatural, Buffy and other tales of fantasy, Cinders of Yesterday is the first of two books currently in the series, with Sins of Survival the second. The best way I can describe it is to imagine the Winchesters weren't brothers or related in any way. What shenanigans might they get up to? It's a sapphic story, in the middle of a fantasy one, and it's a lot of fun. $23 at Amazon
'Tiny Beautiful Things' by Cheryl Strayed Read by Ingrid Cruz Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed was originally published in 2012. However, I reread it about once a year because of Strayed's powerful essays, empathetic advice and vulnerability.
What makes this book so fun is that it began as the Dear Sugar column. The book has taken a life of its own, and episodes of Dear Sugar are available as a podcast. After Tiny Beautiful Things became a Hulu series starring Kathryn Hahn, I reread it. I recommend not only reading the book itself but also listening to the podcast or watching the Hulu series if you're ever feeling confused and in need of a little authenticity. I have yet to see the live play (adapted by Nia Vardalos), but that, too, is on my list. $6 at Amazon
'East of Eden' by John Steinbeck Read by Kaylyn McKenna As a NorCal native, Steinbeck's work always hits close to home. This is my favorite Steinbeck novel, and I just reread it last month. It's a multigenerational tale of two intertwined families in the Salinas Valley that explores identity, love, complex family relationships and the power to choose between good and evil.
There is a Netflix adaptation coming out this fall with Florence Pugh, so it's a great book to add to your summer reading list, so that you can read the book before you watch the show. $9 at Amazon
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