Friends know I read a lot and they frequently ask me for book recommendations. Well, no one asked this time, but I’m going to share all the books over the last year that gave me a book hangover. What is a book hangover? Readers typically describe it as the inability to start a new book because the one you just read was so intense. These books are ones that elicited strong emotional reactions and deep thoughts. I try to read a variety of genres, so I hope some of these interest you.
When Women Were Dragons, an urban fantasy without the gratuitous sex that includes revelations about the patriarchy. Takes place in the 1950s.
The Knife of Never Letting Go, a dystopian-type that takes place in the future on another planet.
Book 2 is The Ask and the Answer, and Book 3 is Monsters of Men.
The movie Chaos Walking is based on the first book, but don’t bother watching it. As is typical of book adaptations, they left out pertinent information, which leaves the viewer confused.
The Starless Sea is a literary fiction fantasy. It was super popular for a while, and one person I recommended it to loved it while another didn’t understand it. It’s definitely a little different, but sooo good if you can stick with it.
City of Girls is a literary historical fiction set in the 1940s. It’s a bit slow, but I loved the characters and the life lessons. I picked this one up on a whim at a bookstore and happened to get a signed copy.
Project Hail Mary, a sci-fi, is a fairly quick read but full of revelations about humanity. This one is definitely outside my usual genre and I’m so glad I picked it up.
The Every, a dystopian, is the sequel to The Circle, which I read a few years ago. You don’t have to read it before you read The Every. The Circle is also a movie, but once again, the movie leaves out a lot of vital information and isn’t worth your time. I think I saw there was a movie in the works for The Every. I’ll probably give it a shot. Each time I read either of these, I’m off social media for a while. I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re heading right for this world.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t add Death Space to this list. While I may be a little biased since I was blessed to be the editor, this true crime delves deep into the human psyche. Teresa includes an interview with the killer, something that is rare in true crimes. In fact, one author had his book pulled from publication because he claimed to interview the killer but really didn’t.
What books gave you a book hangover? I’m looking for my next one.
Aléna Orrison, Author and Editor 
I’m going to add all of these to my wish list. They all look fabulous. Not that I don’t have a ton of books on two bookshelves and in my Kindle app already. Lol.
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Same! My TBR list will never be finished. If you read one of these, I’d love to know what you think!
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