Finally, spring is on its way. Persephone is running late this year.
This winter has been drearier than most, so the warmer weather should hopefully bring bright skies soon, in more ways than one. Spring is a time of renewal. New life, new hope and new beginnings come with the banishment of the frigid winter air.
This wasn’t planned, since I write about my seasonal reading at the beginning of the month the seasons change anyway. However, today is also World Book Day! Funny how that works out. Happy World Book Day!
Let’s move onto the books of the hour, shall we?
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
I’m not big on the classics, but this year I am attempting to read more of them.
Wuthering Heights is one of those stories I have heard a lot about but never watched or read. Not sure why, but that will change soon.
In this gothic romance, two families are united by both love and hatred. Cathy finds herself being torn between love for two men. Her husband and her childhood love. The choices she makes will leave someone dead.
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
I mentioned a while ago that I read and loved Six of Crows after my sister lent me her copy.
The new Netflix adaptation of Shadow and Bone, a book by the same author and set in the same universe, is coming soon. My sister is letting me borrow another one of her books for me to read before it comes out.
Shadow and Bone follows Alina Starkov, a fighter in her war-ravaged country of Ravka. When a mission goes wrong, she taps into her hidden power to save her best friend. Soon she is carted off to train her power to become a Grisha.
Life in the royal court isn’t as idyllic as one might think. With the country in such a fragile state, things look ready to shatter any second. She must learn, and learn fast.
The Book of Wonder by Lord Dunsany
Back in January, I attended a virtual lecture called D&D and Fantasy Fiction: Giants in the Oerth. It was amazing. John D. Rateliff discussed how D&D was originally inspired by fantasy fiction, yet now popular works of fiction are inspired by D&D.
There was more to it than just that but the lecture is up on YouTube for free, so go check it out if you are interested.
Anyway, Rateliff mentioned how not only J.R.R Toilken but also H.P. Lovecraft were both inspired by the work of Lord Dunsany, someone I had never heard of. As soon as I learned this, I vowed to read his work. Rateliff recommended starting with The Book of Wonder, I ordered a copy that night.
The Book of Wonder is a collection of 15 short fantasy stories, weird ones too if their titles are anything to go by. I’m looking forward to reading it.
Quag Keep by Andre Norton
The Book of Wonder wasn’t the only book mentioned during that lecture. In fact, near the end, the chat was noting but book recommendations!
Anyway, Quag Keep is a special novel, as it is the first novel ever written based on the world of Dungeons & Dragons.
A group of players end up in the fantasy campaign they have been playing. They must work together with their newfound skills to figure out why this happened and to librate Quag Keep from the person who might be behind the whole thing.
Vermintide by Bruno Lee
Remember a while back when I ranted about my obsession with Vermintide 2?
Well, not only did I find out that there is an official Warhammer book with the same title, but I managed to find a copy for a decent price since it is now out of print.
In this dark fantasy, Erwin Rohmer is sent on a mission to investigate a series of mysterious thefts. When he discovers the truth of these crimes, no one believes him. I mean, walking and talking rat-men? He is dismissed, called a madman and must flee for his life. He has only one option left, the proud dwarven folk. Will they help this lowly madman?
What books are you planning on reading his season?
Nerd Rambles 
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