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!