my reading profile

Since I started working at a public library five years ago, I been reading more than ever before and experienced my reading preferences evolve and expand immensely (tracking everything on Goodreads definitely helped). Until about two years ago, I read predominantly non-fiction, specifically essay collections and memoirs, or anything with a focus on queer and/or feminist theory. However, I’m now in the throes of a fiction renaissance, reading a lot of contemporary romances, short story collections, and graphic novels. Recently, I’ve noticed I’m getting very into horror, which is surprising to me because I generally consider myself a coward and rarely even watch scary movies, but I find myself deeply immersed in these stories in a way I haven’t experienced with anything else! I’ve also begun dipping my toes into science fiction via audiobooks, and that’s been successful so far. 

Generally I’m a fan of books that are character-driven, funny/satirical and/or heartfelt (depending on my mood), but also atmospheric and usually a bit strange or unconventional. Basically, if it leaves me with something to chew on or feeling like I’ve been sucker-punched, I’ll remember it forever. I’ve noticed I have difficulty getting into books that rely heavily on world-building; little details bog me down no matter how much I wish they didn’t. I also don’t usually go for books that are longer than 300ish pages, as “shelf groaners” require a large emotional commitment I often don’t feel prepared to make (“The Appeal of Books,” p.4). However, I’ll give most things a try if they’ve been recommended by a trusted source, though there are quite a few genres I have yet to properly explore. I’ve been in a few book clubs, most recently with my library colleagues, and that has definitely helped expand my literary horizons.

Here's a list of my favorite books from recent years:

• In the Dream House – Carmen Maria Machado (Absolutely indescribable reading experience: genre-bending, haunting, inventive, and deeply profound; probably my all-time favorite book)
• Plain Bad Heroines – emily danforth (This is the book that made me realize I liked horror!)
• Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators – Ronan Farrow
• Several People Are Typing – Calvin Kasulke*
• Crying in H Mart – Michelle Zauner
• Tacky: Love Letters to the Worst Culture We Have to Offer – Rax King (It takes a lot to get me to laugh out loud at a book, especially reading it in public, but this got me good several times)
• Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me – Mariko Tamaki & Rosemary Valero-O’Connell
• The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet ­– Becky Chambers* (Cried so many times listening to this one; nothing gets me like the found family trope!)
• Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls – T Kira Madden*
• The Bride Test – Helen Hoang (This one properly started my contemporary romance kick; never before thought romance could be so moving and engrossing)
• Priestdaddy – Patricia Lockwood 

And here are some of the authors I will return to forever:

• Carmen Maria Machado
• Ali Hazelwood*
• Samantha Irby
• Melissa Broder
• David Sedaris
• Helen Hoang
• Roxane Gay
• Kristen Arnett
• Patricia Lockwood
• Freya Marske*
• Mariko Tamaki

*read last year (2022) 

Reference

NoveList Editorial & St. Louis Public Library Staff (n.d.) The appeal of books. NoveList.