What We’re Reading on National Read a Book Day

We celebrate reading every day simply by doing our work over here at BookTrib … but that doesn’t mean we don’t love an extra reason to celebrate!

And how about a double reason to celebrate? On Labor Day, a national holiday, we’re not on our usual work schedule. This means that we’re resting up and taking a break from thinking about books for just one day, right? Wrong. Because this Monday boasts not one but two important holidays; the national one that’s on everyone’s calendars, of course, but also a slightly more obscure one. Reader, today is National Read a Book Day.

We loudly and proudly attest, therefore, that we have a perfectly good and even nationally-endorsed reason to keep reading on a day off. But who are we kidding, we’d be reading anyway. If you are too, we bet you’re always looking out for your next book (and always sticking your nose into other people’s books.) Let us do the work for you; here’s what we’ve been, or are currently, leafing through as the nation prepares for those literal leaves to start falling. If you want to keep the party going, tomorrow, September 7, is National Buy a Book Day … so do with that what you will.

To Hover Over Waters by Jesse Banner

I just finished reading To Hover Over Waters, a debut YA dystopian novel by Jesse Banner. The book ponders the effect of five young children suddenly and separately finding themselves invisible to the rest of the world. It is an emotional and physical struggle for survival. The author has a beautiful, descriptive writing style, you really get into the heads of the characters and his premise offers a world of unique possibilities to explore. You can read my review in October.

 — Jim Alkon

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead

On this National Read a Book Day, I just finished reading The Nickel Boys by the acclaimed author Colson Whitehead. It was a very emotional read. The book speaks to racism in the Jim Crow south and follows young Elwood Curtis as he is sentenced to a hellish juvenile reformatory called Nickel Academy after making one innocent mistake on his way to start classes at a local college. This one mistake is enough to destroy his future. The book is a powerful follow-up to the author’s Pulitzer Prize-and-National-Book-Award-winning bestseller, The Underground Railroad.

 — Barbara Wilkov

Amazon

On the Road by Jack Kerouac

I just finished On the Road by the notorious Jack Kerouac. A prior attempt one high-school-summer left me puzzled and turning to some YA fantasy instead, and well, this is certainly not that. (Or is it?) Fast forward: I recently moved, and while exploring the limited offerings of my new library this novel jumped out at me. Seeing as I’m turning 25 on my next birthday and rather on the road myself, I answered the call. This time I made it all the way through. Yes, it’s every bit as angsty and ridiculous as you’ve heard, but it’s also heartbreaking, starkly profound and casually quartering some gorgeous prose. If you’re skeptical, I highly recommend reading it with a grain of salt and tongue-in-cheek sense of humor, ideally outside in the sunshine and with a writing instrument to underline those celestial passages that will inevitably pause any eye-rolling and chastize any self-righteousness (actually forget that last bit if yours, like mine, is a library copy.)

 — Judy Moreno

Amazon

Cultish  by Amanda Montell

Cultish by Amanda Montell: You know you’re reading a great book when you find yourself gushing about it to anyone with a pulse, and you haven’t even finished it! Combining the thrilling world of cults with the thrilling (if only to me) English language, Montell delivers a page-turning, sociolinguistic examination of everything “cultish” from infamous, capital-C suicide cults, like Jonestown and Heaven’s Gate, to the less-lethal-but-definitely-suspect world of multi-level marketing and the more innocuous realms of fitness and social media. This truly fascinating book will have you side-eyeing your family’s at-home business ventures while your ears remain on high alert for that “cultish” language Montell describes.

 — Chelsea Ciccone

Amazon

Circe by Madeline Miller.

I am currently reading Circe by Madeline Miller. Circe is a retelling of a Greek Goddess you might remember from and her run-in with Odysseus as the enchantress who lived on a deserted island, turning men into wolves, lions, and pigs; oh my! While she wasn’t the main character in that epic adventure, this book brings her front and center. Circe is read from her point of view, allowing the reader to get to know her — not just in a historical context but also through her thoughts and feelings. So far, Circe is a tale of self-discovery and finding your place between two separate worlds.

 — Kelsey Hall

Amazon

The Other Merlin by Robyn Schneider

I just finished reading The Other Merlin by Robyn Schneider. It’s a reimagining of King Arthur with a few unique twists that sets it apart from other retellings; the most notable one being that there are two Wizard Merlins, not one. Twins Emry and Emmett Merlin have both inherited the magic of their legendary father. Of course, as the only boy, Emmett stands to gain the prized position of Court Wizard and serve beside the crown prince, Arthur. Fate has more in store for Emry than she knows, however — and when the opportunity arises, she’ll find herself becoming a legend in her own right. The Other Merlin releases on September 21st; keep an eye out for a full book review then!

— Cameron Kimball

Amazon

We Were Liars  by E. Lockhart

I just finished reading We Were Liars by E. Lockhart (I know, I’m behind) and Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn. I can truly say I have not yet recovered from either of them! We Were Liars had me bawling in my bed with its twist ending, and Sharp Objects was just TWISTED. The writing in both was exceptional; Flynn’s intricate descriptions repulsed and intrigued me, while Lockhart’s flowery double-meanings left me wanting more. These brilliant books satisfied my love for mysteries, complex female protagonists and unreliable narrators. I don’t think I can forget the last few chapters (even if I try).

— Emily LaSita