#BirthdayBookHaul

Hey Readers,

I've been dreading this currently birthday, first one minus both parents + massive kidney infection = 27. Soooo... I bought books. Because of course books? Of course books. They are distraction makers, the perfect gift, great for every occasion, and can you really have to many? Tsundoku implies that you can't, and I'm going with that.

So what did I pick? A delightful combination of non-fiction, a series that is still hot a few years later, and the newest audio pick by one of my favorite authors.

Let's start with the best selling series that I (shockingly) haven't read yet.

Folks, I've never read The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer. 

Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter are the four primary books that make up the Lunar Chronicles. 

The Lunar Chronicles are futuristic re-tellings of classic fairy tales. In CINDER, a teenage cyborg (half human, half machine) must deal with a wicked stepmother,start a rebellion against the evil Queen Levana, and decide how she feels about a handsome prince. As the series continues, Cinder forges alliances with Scarlet, a spaceship pilot who is determined to solve the mystery of a missing loved one — with the help of a magnetic street fighter named Wolf; Cress, a computer hacker who is imprisoned by Queen Levana; and Winter, a princess who's in love with a commoner, and who discovers that Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress may hold the key to saving her kingdom — and the world. (Also, check out Marissa Meyer's site on the books, it is beautiful!) 

Last year, after the death of my father, I was super into fairy tale re-tellings; this series had been on my radar for a while, but something just hadn't clicked for me. Then recently the first book was on sale for Kindle for $2.99 and just like that I bought the core four books. There are two novellas that I'll probably add to my collection soon, Fairest, which falls between Cress and Winter, and Stars Above, which follows the series after Winter. 

Onward! To the Non-Fiction section!!! 

I love non-fiction, but I don't always make it a priority. So for year 27 of my life I want to read 27 non-fiction titles simply because they fascinate me. Not because they're popular, or "I should have read them" but because they're un-put-down-able. 

Starting with these six... (please note I'm utterly enthralled with serial killers, history, and the absurd realities of real life.)

The first book on this list is Conan Doyle for the Defense: The True Story of a Sensational British Murder, a Quest for Justice, and the World's Most Famous Detective Writer by Margalit Fox. I have loved Sherlock Holmes for as long as I can remember. I was a kid watching the Bazzle Rathobone movies with my dad, listening to the audio tapes, reading the stories, watching every new movie and show, Holmes, Mycroft, Watson, they are some of my favorite literary men. Imagine my excitement when I found out about this book! I instantly wanted to get it for my father, so I got it for myself and I'm going to read it for him, and for me. 

"In 1908, a wealthy woman was brutally murdered in her Glasgow home. The police found a convenient suspect in Oscar Slater--an immigrant Jewish cardsharp-- who, despite his obvious innocence, was tried, convicted, and consigned to life at hard labor in a brutal Scottish prison. Conan Doyle, already world famous as the creator of Sherlock Holmes, was outraged by this injustice and became obsessed with this case. Using the methods of his most famous character, he scoured trial transcripts, newspaper accounts, and eyewitness statements, meticulously noting myriad holes, inconsistencies, and outright fabrications by police and prosecutors. Finally, in 1927, his work won Slater's freedom." 


Book 2 on my list is I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara with Foreword by Gillian Flynn and Afterward by Patton Oswalt. Naturally like the rest of the world I've been fascinated with not only this book, but with the story of it's creation. The research, the passion, and the heartbreak that went into this book blew me away. The podcast about it didn't hurt either. I'd highly suggest listening to it before reading the book, 3 episodes of information and insight certainly add a flavor to the book. 

"I’ll Be Gone in the Dark—the masterpiece McNamara was writing at the time of her sudden death—offers an atmospheric snapshot of a moment in American history and a chilling account of a criminal mastermind and the wreckage he left behind. It is also a portrait of a woman’s obsession and her unflagging pursuit of the truth. Framed by an introduction by Gillian Flynn and an afterword by her husband, Patton Oswalt, the book was completed by Michelle’s lead researcher and a close colleague. Utterly original and compelling, it is destined to become a true crime classic—and may at last unmask the Golden State Killer."

Book 3 is Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit by John Douglas and Mark Olshaker. I have always been super obsessed with serial killers, they are a fascinating breed of human. And when the Netflix show came about my mother caught my bug and we had a wonderful shared joy of murderers. This one I'm reading for her. 

"Discover the classic, behind-the-scenes chronicle of John E. Douglas’ twenty-five-year career in the FBI Investigative Support Unit, where he used psychological profiling to delve into the minds of the country’s most notorious serial killers and criminals—the basis for the upcoming Netflix original series.

In chilling detail, the legendary Mindhunter takes us behind the scenes of some of his most gruesome, fascinating, and challenging cases—and into the darkest recesses of our worst nightmares.

During his twenty-five year career with the Investigative Support Unit, Special Agent John Douglas became a legendary figure in law enforcement, pursuing some of the most notorious and sadistic serial killers of our time: the man who hunted prostitutes for sport in the woods of Alaska, the Atlanta child murderer, and Seattle's Green River killer, the case that nearly cost Douglas his life."

Book four was brought to my attention through my friend Jessica, who often gifts me books she's read. This one she told me about when we were discussing cult podcasts. Of which there are many and most are wonderful. Under The Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer hands down has to be one of the weirdest books I've read. I got it for my Kindle but had to buy the paperback because I almost broke said Kindle. I'm about half way through, and apparently there is a shift in the narrative or writing that I'm told makes it feel like a whole new book. I'm excited.

"Jon Krakauer’s literary reputation rests on insightful chronicles of lives conducted at the outer limits. In Under The Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith, he shifts his focus from extremes of physical adventure to extremes of religious belief within our own borders. At the core of his book is an appalling double murder committed by two Mormon Fundamentalist brothers, Ron and Dan Lafferty, who insist they received a revelation from God commanding them to kill their blameless victims. Beginning with a meticulously researched account of this "divinely inspired" crime, Krakauer constructs a multilayered, bone-chilling narrative of messianic delusion, savage violence, polygamy, and unyielding faith. Along the way, he uncovers a shadowy offshoot of America’s fastest-growing religion, and raises provocative questions about the nature of religious belief."

Something else I happen to be obsessed with is The Nixon Era... Mainly because as a history major I clung to a few things that made American history interesting to me, and also because this is an oddly parallel time to Nixon's, which is making some bizarre things weirdly make sense. While I own most Nixon biographies and have read pretty much everything there is on the subject, mostly for funsies, I've never done much digging into the actual Watergate, an entire building full of secrets. I'm changing that right now. 

The Watergate: Inside America's Most Infamous Address by Joseph Rodota. 

"Since its opening in 1965, the Watergate complex has been one of Washington's chicest addresses, a home to power brokers from both political parties and the epicenter of a scandal that brought down a president. In The Watergate, writer and political consultant Joseph Rodota paints a vivid portrait of this landmark and the movers and shakers who have lived there." 

Rounding out my non-fiction picks, and quite possibly the one I'm most excited about is My Own Words by Ruth Bader Ginsberg. I was never big into politics, but there were moments when I'd be watching the news or C-Span and hold my breath until I heard her name called, or see her walk across the platform. Recently I read a collection of her decisions, and even during my undergrad her discussion surrounding Roe v. Wade was inspiring. Mainly because it made me think. I will always appreciate anything that makes me think. Also, there is an amazing documentary about her that has recently killed in the movie circuit, and On the Basis of Sex comes out in December, so I'd better get reading! Side note, please anticipate me to be fully rocking my Notorious RBG shirt and collar necklace at said movie!! 

"The first book from Ruth Bader Ginsburg since becoming a Supreme Court Justice in 1993—a witty, engaging, serious, and playful collection of writings and speeches from the woman who has had a powerful and enduring influence on law, women’s rights, and popular culture.

My Own Words offers Justice Ginsburg on wide-ranging topics, including gender equality, the workways of the Supreme Court, being Jewish, law and lawyers in opera, and the value of looking beyond US shores when interpreting the US Constitution. Throughout her life Justice Ginsburg has been (and continues to be) a prolific writer and public speaker. This book’s sampling is selected by Justice Ginsburg and her authorized biographers Mary Hartnett and Wendy W. Williams. Justice Ginsburg has written an introduction to the book, and Hartnett and Williams introduce each chapter, giving biographical context and quotes gleaned from hundreds of interviews they have conducted. This is a fascinating glimpse into the life of one of America’s most influential women."

My last pick is the newest book by J.P. Delaney, Believe Me, this one is a true treat for my earholes as it's on Audible. I absolutely loved The Girl Before and am crazy excited for this one. I'll give it some personalized love once I've listened, and will tell you all about both books, because they are so incredibly twisty! 

Until Next Time, 

XoXo

BrainyHeroine