Women of Genre Fiction Reading Challenge

[przed]

When the lovely just_ann_now posted about the Women of Genre Fiction Reading Challenge, I was intrigued. The goal of the challenge is:

to read 12 books — 1 each by 12 different women authors that you have not read before including 1 random author selection — in 12 months and write 12 reviews.

I love genre fiction, love supporting women writers, and have a ton of writers who's worked I've wanted to sample, so I couldn't resist signing up.

I've finished my first two books, which is exciting. Here's my first review:

The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern
It probably helped that this book was a gift from the very dear soundofthesurf (and was a major inspiration for her lovely circus AU, The Greatest Show on Earth, but that still didn't prepare me for just how much I loved it. Reading it was one of those rare experiences of finding a book that's perfectly suited to your tastes. Set in a circus in the late 19th/early 20th centuries, it's a love story and a gorgeous immersive experience. Celia and Marco have been raised by their respective guardians to be rivals in a competition of real magic, but their mentors don't reckon on them falling in love. Erin Morgenstern's use of language and her descriptions is simply stunning; you feel like you've visited the circus and all it's wonders. The narrative might not be for everyone: it's not linear and it follows a number of characters whose relationships are always clear from the start, but seeing how all the various threads mesh together in the end is satisfying, and increasingly nerve-wracking. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Comments

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

That's a good idea for a challenge! Will be interesting to hear your reviews - I've seen the Night Circus about in shops, but I always prefer recs from people I know, because I trust them more than random newspapers, celebs etc quoted on the books to pick up the sort of things that irritate me or see the things I like.

[solosundance.livejournal.com]

I have The Night Circus on my shelf, loaned by a friend who loved it. Trouble is, it's been on my shelf for a long time, which is never a good sign (not to mention very rude of me... ack!). The cover is beautiful and I love the blurb on the back. But I know I looked inside and thought oh no, another book in present tense... however, I mustn't let this deter me. And ha, I mustn't be so blimmin' hypocritical, seeing as I'm neck deep in a long present tense story :D Actually I can see how pres tense might work beautifully for this type of narrative, and I am definitely tempted now you've reviewed it - I do like the idea of an immersive experience.

Oh, and great idea for a challenge! Can't wait to see what else you read!

[gina-stormgrant.livejournal.com]

I've been meaning to read that, but not sure I'd enjoy it. I'll pick it up soon. Thanks!

[przed.livejournal.com]

I couldn't resist signing up, especially since I've got a number of books by new-to-me women writers languishing on my to read shelf.

I'd had my eye on The Night Circus since it came out, but wasn't quite sure if it was my thing. Turns out it is very much MY THING. The writing is gorgeous, and one of the many lovely things in it is the appearance of a group of fans of the circus that show the writer completely gets fan culture. (Less awesome is the one very brief hint that one of the characters is gay that's never really dealt with. ::sigh::) I will warn you that poking about on Goodreads it seems to be the sort of book that inspires either five star or one star reviews. It's very much love it or hate it, with little middle ground.

[przed.livejournal.com]

I have to admit to indulging in a brief eye-roll when I saw it was in present tense, but I honestly didn't notice it after the first page. And it otherwise an utterly gorgeous book. Made more gorgeous by the inclusion of characters that show the writer completely gets all the best aspects of fan culture. You must read it! I'd love to know what you think. (It's one of those books I'm now planning on giving to as many people as I can manage.)

The challenge has got me energized to read a lot of the books languishing on my shelves, so it's going to be fun!

[przed.livejournal.com]

I definitely lurved it, and would totally recommend it.

[gina-stormgrant.livejournal.com]

I finished it last night. It was awesome. Thanks for the rec!