Book Recommendations

Because I'm a writer, I am in on the business of reading. I don't know how you can be a writer and not read. A lot. And yet, that's something I didn't learn about being a writer until much later than I should have. I grew up thinking a writer just wrote stuff from their brain and never thought about putting material back into it to nurture creativity.

If you are not a writer, reading is still very, very important. It builds empathy. It gives you creative powers. It's fun. It opens your mind. It's relaxing. I don't know how you can enjoy sitting in the sun with a cup of tea unless you have a book in your hands (or ears).

Reading is important.

So without further stuff to get in the way, here are my most ardent book recommendations:

Fantasy: Dark Lord of Derkholm by Diana Wynne Jones.

She wrote Howl's Moving Castle, but in my opinion, Dark Lord of Derkholm is her best work. It's super funny and very intelligent too. Probably a quicker read than most fantasy stories.

Sci-Fi: The Android's Dream by John Scalzi. Also funny. But my oh my is it a fun adventure that massages the brain and ignites its creativity centers. The world-building is so delicately done that you don't even realize all the things you know about the world in the first two chapters. The beginning chapter is probably one of my most favorite examples of how to begin a book. It's just hilarious and breaks a lot of writing rules and still works.

Non-Fiction: Walking on Water by Madeleine L'Engle.

Yes, she wrote A Wrinkle in Time, but these are her thoughts on Christianity and Art. Mostly about art and I've found that it really helps me rediscover the artist inside myself when I am feeling uncreative. It's like a creativity booster. I recommend reading it one chapter at a time and doling it out over a longer period, since you will need to dwell on the concepts she presents. Also, I find that after I read a chapter, I immediately want to go write, so I only get through about a chapter at a time. This book fed my identity as an artist in a way I desperately needed.

Historical Fiction: Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

This book didn't get as good reviews as I think it should have. It sounds like it's a short, little romp into adventure with a lead female character. But really it's an incredibly intense emotional roller coaster that is anything but short and little, because it will stick in your mind long after you finish reading it. It's really good writing, too. And it made me feel like I could actually picture what things were like in WWII. I'm always a sucker for WWII settings, though. Something about the danger calls to me.

Young Adult: Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas

At first I didn't like this book, but then it grew on me, and then I realized how essential it is for knowing the current market of YA books. This is where books are headed: away from teenage vampires and wizards and towards adultier versions that are less silly. Even if you don't relish the thought of reading YA, I believe this is an important read to keep your finger on the pulse of today's publishing. I feel like this is the bridge from what we used to see in YA to what is next. I would recommend Sarah J Maas' more recently published series, A Court of Mist and Fury, but I haven't read that one yet myself.

What am I currently reading? Too many books.

The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson

Stations of the Tide  by Michael Swanwick

Adventures in the Dream Trade by Neil Gaiman

Physik: Septimus Heap Book 3 by Angie Sage

So far, the Rithmatist seems like it's going to be a lesser version of what I've come to expect from Sanderson, but still fun. Stations of the Tide has been boring and confusing and I don't really like it at all, but I'm almost done with it so apparently it's just interesting enough to make me finish it. Adventures in the Dream Trade is more of a curiosity than something I'm looking forward to experiencing. It's a little disjointed, but the writing is still Gaiman quality. And you can almost always catch me re-reading one of the Septimus Heap books. I'm currently on book three of the series, and will probably start right back over again once I finish it for the third time.

Speaking of reading and books, you can find me on Goodreads! Just search for Reesha Rugroden under friends and I will pop up.

MFA thoughts and DIY

Tea: Huckleberry, black

Music: Volcano, Instrumental - Damien Rice

A few years ago I kept asking myself the question if I should go for an MFA in creative writing. Every time someone would mention it or I'd see an ad, I'd think rosy thoughts about a writing utopia of classmates and teachers who would encourage me and me encourage them in turn and I would suddenly become the writer I've always wanted to be. Plus I'd make useful connections I could hopefully turn into a publishing career someday.

But then I'd look at the money and the time and the requirements and realize it wasn't for me.

I stumbled upon this post the other day about a 1000 Day MFA that you do yourself. It reminded me of why I ultimately decided I shouldn't do an MFA: the biggest benefit I would get from it is self-discipline. (There are others, of course: the mentoring, the connections, etc.) I realized what I really wanted was someone to stand over my shoulder and make me write. Make me read. Make me be disciplined. And I realized that if I really want to be a writer that badly, that person standing over my shoulder should be me.

So a DIY MFA sounds really appealing. I'm not so certain of the specific schedule laid out in that post, but I could certainly tailor my own program to fit my needs. (For instance, the schedule says read at least one novel a month. I can't do that. I would be desperate for more like four books a month.)

Even if I don't construct some version of my own 1000 day program, I think it's important to think about daily habits and how serious this business of writing needs to be. If I am dedicated to my craft and want to accomplish the things I have dreamed about since I was a kid, shouldn't I make myself into the kind of person who can manage such daily habits on her own without paying $20,000 a year?

(Just so you know, I greatly admire anyone who has gone through an MFA program. There are lots of benefits and reasons to do so. I'm just not in a place where it would benefit me. Perhaps when I'm a more mature writer.)

Don't be afraid to bring your books with you

Tea: Iccha Kariban, second brewing
Music: Ocarina of Time, End Credits - Monsalve

I have a co-worker who is an incredibly gentle, soft-spoken woman, but who says things that make you realize she has a powerhouse of wisdom behind her and that she could yell truth at you through a single whisper that would change your life forever.

I try to spend as much time around her as I can, just listening to her talk. She's amazing.

At a meeting last year, she presented us with this TED talk on introversion. In it, Susan Cain talks about how she used to bring loads of books with her to camp, but felt afraid to open up her suit case and take them out to read because all of a sudden the world wasn't about sitting quietly to read, it was about being outgoing and energetic.

The other day, this co-worker of mine walked in the door, said a quick hi, dumped two bags on the floor, then disappeared again after propping open the door. She came back with three more heavy bags, put them in the same spot, then picked one up. The entryways at my work all have stairs right after them. There is no way you can get anywhere without going up or down stairs. And she is an older woman. Though she is strong, I'm sure, I worry about her sometimes so I offered to carry her bags up for her.

She thanked me and proceeded to her office. I picked up two of the bags (if I wasn't pregnant I would have tried to take them all), and they were heavier than I expected. I brought them up the two sets of stairs and put them next to her desk. Knowing her well-refined habit of reading, I asked her if they were full of books. She said they were, and went on to say that just having them with her motivates her to get work done. Because if she is able to get all the things done she came in to do, she might have some time leftover to read a book.

When I was just about to go off to college, I packed my backpack with a lot of books and journals and even some drawing pencils "just in case" I had some time to delve into them. They were company. They were friends. They always brought me joy. But my older brother looked at that and said "Oh, Reesha. You'll learn pretty quickly that you only bring with you what you need in college."

He was kind of right. I was carrying around way too much weight in my backpack for it to be healthy that first semester, and was saddened to realize that I had to stop carrying EVERY book I was currently reading for fun, on top of my course books and notebooks, and EVERY journal I was either writing or drawing in.

But after college, I always kind of felt like it was wrong to bring unnecessary books with me for some reason. The idea of practicality stopped me from overloading myself with the fun things just in case I might have time to get into them.

And I think my life was less rich for it.

When I got a smart phone, I felt I was in heaven for the first two months. I could read books anywhere and they didn't cost me an ounce of lifting. I could even write, if I was determined enough. But I soon found myself abandoning those activities on my phone because they just weren't as romantic as the real thing. Sure, I could capture a thought if I needed to. Or I could take in a paragraph here and there that I needed for information. But reading or writing for pleasure wasn't really a part of it.

After carrying my co-worker's books up those steps and realizing that even at her age, she insists on bringing books with "just in case", it warmed something inside me that had long been ignored.

I felt like I had been given permission to bring things along that I don't strictly need, no matter how much they weigh. Books are companions. And reading them on a phone is like trying to connect with a loved one through face-time: sure, you can hear and see them, but it just isn't the same as having them over for a long weekend visit.

I'm very glad I have the ability to read books anywhere at anytime. The thought that I can carry over 3,000 books in my pocket makes me giddy sometimes. God bless technology.

But sometimes you just need the real thing.

So, first I felt like it was suddenly ok to bring books and journals with me again. Even to places where I wasn't certain I would have time to get into them. But then, I decided to hold onto that forbidden feeling.

The books I read with a flashlight under the covers were always so much more fun than the ones I read during the day on the weekend sitting on the couch. (Actually I rarely read with a flashlight because there was a very powerful street light right outside my window that never turned off. How was I supposed to resist night reading when there was such a perfect set-up? But you get the idea.)

My point is, don't be afraid to bring your books with you. Even if you don't get the chance to read them. Susan encouraged her viewers to open up your suitcases and bring out the books you brought. I would encourage you to fill your suitcases with books in the first place.

My husband has been after me about making my bag lighter as it is. He's started to brainstorm ways I can whittle down the amount of stuff I bring to take care of my toddler. Which is great to have him help innovate my carrying techniques. But I think I'm going to insist on at least one book, and one journal. At least until after I'm done being pregnant. Then I can bring more.

Books are worth it. More importantly, our brains are worth it. Do you even know all the things reading does to our brains? I think that's another post for a later time.