Even though, where I live, we had snow like literally two weeks ago, I’m officially calling it summer…
…or spring, at least. I just want it to be a season where I’m not always freezing.
ANYWAY since it’s getting warmer, it’s time to start planning out my summer reading! Here’s what I’ve got on the docket:
Bloodline by Claudia Gray
I bought this book the day it released, and I cannot WAIT to jump in farther (I’m on like chapter two right now). The story centers largely around Leia, as the cover suggests, and it takes place in the space between Return of the Jedi and Force Awakens.
Leia is a Senator in the New Republic, and after years of peace she is beginning to sense the breakdown of the era of peace as the New Republic becomes divided between those wanting a galaxy united under one ruler (how could that possibly go wrong) and a galaxy where each world was given sovereign governing rights. Understandably, Leia is super wary of the people wanting to unite under one ruler.
While I love a good story about Leia kicking ass and taking names, I’m also interested to see how much of Han and Ben we get. I’m assuming they’re saving Ben’s Kylo Origin Story for the actual films, but I’m eager to see a bit of their kid prior to becoming the Dark Side’s whiniest soldier.
Aftermath and Aftermath: Life Debt by Chuck Wendig
Okay, so Aftermath has been out for a bit, but I only got myself a copy a couple weeks ago. Imagine how STOKED I was to hear that because I’m late to the party, I won’t have to wait too long until the second book in the Aftermath trilogy. Aftermath: Life Debt comes out July 12! Of course I’ll have to wait a while for the third book, but that’s Future Kendall’s problem. The Aftermath trilogy, like Bloodline, takes place between Episode VI and Episode VII, and gives us the details of how the galaxy went from chaos under the Emperor to peace to somehow being in chaos again under the First Order. I am so excited about these books, I can’t even.
Lois Lane: Double Down by Gwenda Bond
This is the second book in Gwenda’s Lois Lane series, the first being Lois Lane: Fallout. I’ve been reading this one for a bit, and I LOVE it. Gwenda is doing something totally awesome with Lois, and I love getting to see her as a teen, chasing down stories, and helping the little guy. Of course it’s also fun to see her interact with SmallvilleGuy, but I really like how Gwenda is portraying Lois. Even though she was occasionally portrayed as nothing more than a damsel in distress in the comics, Gwenda shows Lois as she really is. Lois is a hero in her own right. She might not be from Krypton and she might not be from the House of El, but Lois is a badass and she fights for justice. Since she isn’t bulletproof herself, it kind of makes her that much more of a hero. Lois is human just like the rest of us, but she still never hesitates to put herself in harm’s way. I just love that about her. Plus, she’s hella sarcastic which is the quickest way to get to my heart.
Investigating Lois Lane by Tim Hanley
I had to toss a non-fiction book into the mix, right? Plus, I feel like this one is a great chaser for Gwenda’s book. Tim Hanley investigates the history behind the Lois character, and discusses her evolution throughout the comics and even into television shows and movies.
Like I said before, Lois wasn’t always portrayed as a strong, capable character, so it will be really cool to see how she’s changed over the years and how different mediums have treated the character. Here’s hoping they mention something about Terri Hatcher’s version of Lois lane and those epic, nineties pantsuits with the shoulder pads.
But in all honesty, I’m really excited to get to read something that takes a critical, almost academic look at comics. Taking a genre studies in comic books and graphic novels in college is what made me fall in love with them, so I can’t wait to read something about comics that goeses beyond a basic love for the art form and does some deep dive into character evolution. Plus, I don’t have to write a research paper after reading this, so HUGE bonus!
What is on your summer reading list? Have you read any of the books on my list? If you have, give me your non-spoilery thoughts in the comments!
These all sounds so interesting. I think I may add the Gwenda Bond books to my to read list.
I totally recommend her books. She’s the best!
I might check out Bloodline. I just hope I’m not lost/confused since I don’t know much about Star Wars!
I honestly don’t know how lost you’d be. I think if you’ve at least seen the original trilogy–or have a basic knowledge of the story–you should be fine.
I may check out the Star Wars books, both Bloodlines and the Aftermath ones. I enjoyed Force Awakens SO much, but I do have a lot of questions about just what the heck happened in those 30 years, so it’d be nice to have some knowledge to fill them in!
I adore Chuck Wendig’s writing SO MUCH.
This is my first interaction with his writing, but I’ve only heard good things!