Top Ten Tuesday: Memoirs and other Non-Fiction

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly blog meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

This week’s Top Ten (5) Tuesday prompt was to focus on something back to school or learning related. In my opinion, books are always (usually) learning related, but I decided to take a step beyond my regular fantasy/historical fiction reads and focus on the non-fiction books I loved (that still have to do with history of course).

3 Books I’m Reading

I’m a picky reader. If a book doesn’t hold my attention, I put it to the side and start something else. Then I end up in a situation where my Goodreads tells the world I am reading eight books at once. After a few months, I clean it out before it starts building up again. Today, I am only at three books, which isn’t too bad. But here they are and here are my first impressions.

Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor

Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor
Genre: Fantasy
3 stars

I really, really wanted to like this book. I really did. At the same time, I don’t want to downplay the importance of Okorafor’s work. The need for non-Eurocentric fantasy, and especially African based fantasy, in today’s publishing world cannot be overstated. Okorafor’s world, her folklore, had so much potential, but I found that potential was waylaid by overused fantasy tropes, awkward pacing, and a rushed ending.

Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

Howl’s Moving Castle
4.5 stars
Genre: Fantasy/YA

“In the land of Ingary where such things as seven-league boots and cloaks of invisibility really exist, it is quite a misfortune to be born the eldest of the three. Everyone knows you are the one who will fail first, and worst, if the three of you set out to seek your fortunes.” 

Diana Wynne Jones is a legend in the fantasy genre. But, like many younger readers, Miyazaki’s animated version of Howl’s Moving Castle was my first glimpse into Jones’s work over ten years ago. I was enchanted by Miyazaki’s interpretation of Howl, Sophie, and the strangeness of their world.