Hey everyone! It’s been a hot minute since we’ve done a Make It Happen Monday post but we really like do them so here we are. Today I’m providing more recommendations for some of the POPSUGAR 2020 Reading Challenge prompts. As always, if there is a challenge you want us to discuss or some prompts you need recommendations for, comment below or email us at stuckingthestacks123 (at) gmail (dot) com.
Prompt - A Book With an Upside Down Image on the Cover
1- History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera
Quick Take: When Griffin’s first love and ex boyfriend dies tragically in a drowning accident he must grapple with his memories and his own mental health struggles. Heartbreaking and cathartic
2- The Curious Incident of the Dog In the Night Time by Mark Haddon
Quick Take: While Christopher is incredibly intelligent, he relates to animals more than people and understands the world in patterns, rules and diagrams. Then when a neighbor’s dog is killed Christopher’s rational world is rocked Christopher decides to take it upon himself to solve the mystery and is the witty protagonist is a funny, heartwarming story.
3- Teeth in the Mist by Dawn Kurtagitch
Quick Take: This historical horror novel is a historical ghost story/pact with the devil that spans thousands of years. This novels eerie, atmospheric and complex. It’s perfect for fans of historical horror novels and Kurtagitch other works.
Prompt - A Book that passes the Beschdel Test
* The Beschdel Test asks whether a work features at least two women who talk to each other about something other than a man. The requirement that the two women must be named is sometimes added.
1- Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
Quick Take: this contemporary fiction is a fantastic snapshot of suburban life with a little bit of mystery thrown in and plenty of domestic drama. Plus, there’s a recent adaptation of it on Hulu that I hear is pretty good!
Quick Take: I had to include this one because I am finishing up my MA in Classics. Miller’s Circe tells the unknown story of the daughter of Helios (yes it’s the Circe that makes a brief appearance in the Odyssey). It’s a fantastic feminist retelling of an unsung Classical tale. I highly recommend it!
Prompt - Book by an author with flora or fauna in their name
1- Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal
Quick Take: Lovers of Pride and Prejudice, this one’s for you! Basically think Austen’s Pride and Prejudice with glamoring magic. I haven’t read this one yet but it’s been on my TBR forever and I was just reminded that I need to bump it up my TBR mountain (notice it’s not a pile anymore)!
2- The Salt Line by Holly Goddard Jones
Quick Take: This post apocolyptic survival story gets its name from the salt line that protects the inhabitants of this dystopian world from disease ridden ticks. Harrowing, fast paced and engrossing this one is for all those devoted dystopian readers out there.
What About You?
What do you think of our recommendations? Are there any books that you would add to this list? Let us know in the comments!
Thanks for the recommendations! I was actually kind of stuck on an author with flora or fauna in their name. For the Beschdel test, I read If You Want to Make God Laugh, and it was a sweet, heartbreaking book about the AIDS epidemic in South Africa. Amazing book. ❤️
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