7 Books to Know Me
Part of the User Manual Series where I give some brief overviews of the media, experiences, thoughts that help make me...me. Released hourly on my 32nd birthday.
Fantastic Mr. Fox
The first time I finished reading a book that I considered a "book" and not some kids picture book. I remember sitting in the conservatory in the family home. It was a sunny day so that room tended to get quite toasty. The excitement that hit me as I hit the final page still hits me. I remember running into the kitchen to tell my mom.
I've read a couple more books since then...
Jurassic Park
Just like my movie list, this is one that I have come back to over and over and over again. The book plays out a little bit differently to the movie, but the essence is there. If anything, the book really benefits from being able to slow things down a little bit more as the movie does barrel through the final segments.
It's also got segments and set pieces that only made the cut in later movies which has enhanced my experience of watching the other movies over the years.
I've gone back to this one several times. It's simply fantastic.
The Song of Achilles
Bawling my eyes out to this one. The Song of Achilles is such a powerful romance and a wonderful reversal of every expectation that Hollywood had given us over the years.
It's also been a wonderful entryway into queer fiction for me which has been helpful to explore.
Fallout Equestria
A fan fiction that I was obsessed enough with to have printed into physical books. It holds a prized space on my shelf.
This series is far better than a fan fiction crossing Fallout and My Little Pony together has any right to be.
It also shows the potential reach that a non-traditionally published book can have which is such an exciting thing to see.
Master and Apprentice
There are 10 Star Wars books I could put in this spot for all kinds of reasons but this one captures the feel of the prequel trilogy so well.
Master and Apprentice elevates the Phantom Menace in many ways. It builds out the relationship between Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. Claudia Gray is a fantastic writer and one of the best working on Star Wars in the Disney era.
Project Hail Mary
The audiobook for Project Hail Mary is one of the best productions I've listened to so far. It really brings the book to life - so much so that I actually thought that this was released as an audiobook only for a while. I presumed Audible had commissioned a production from the writer of the Martian.
This is probably the book that I have recommended the most to people since reading it. I've listened to the audiobook three times now and seen the movie twice.
Fist my bump!
I Am Legend
My first foray into light horror and adult fiction. I know that there's a lot of hate when novels get rereleased with horrible movie posters or big stickers saying "Only on Netflix" but, especially before Bookstagram, this was a great way to discover new books to try.
I Am Legend is so different from the movie. It might be the least direct adaptation of a book I've ever seen. It's a fascinating study of loneliness though. It elevated my interest in the movie far beyond what it deserved.
It's not a particularly long read but it's well worth the time.
