Reading, lately

One of the odd parts of reading from a Kindle is the surprise aspect. When I go to the library, I choose my books based on a number of factors - cover aesthetics, font choices, book thickness, blurbs from authors I like on the jacket. I have a decent idea of what I'm getting into.

Now that I do most of my browsing online, I'll randomly search and add books that look interesting. I can see a cover image and read a quick summary, but that's it. I toss them on my waiting list and when my turn comes, sometimes months later, I check out the book and sit down to read it.

And I have no idea what to expect. At that point I don't remember anything about the book unless it's by an author with whom I'm already familiar. I can't see the cover. I don't know how long it is. I just have to dive in. I read pretty much every genre indiscriminately, so it isn't really a big issue.

{The Passage - image from publisher}

Which is all a very long way of saying that Justin Cronin's The Passage blindsided me a bit. I had absolutely no memory of putting it on my waiting list and I had no idea what it was about (apparently it was pretty well hyped in 2010 so maybe it sounded familiar?). Edit - I heard about it from Lauren, who I really should have guessed was the most likely person to be reviewing this book.

One chapter in and I thought it was going to be a literary novel about a small town single mother. I'm totally game. Love those. One more chapter in and there's mention of a virus discovered on a South American expedition. Okay, shifting gears, but it's a generally promising premise. And then everything pretty much implodes into a government funded vampire-zombie-virus that takes out America. Holy cow.

I loved it. Of course, I love post-apocalyptic worlds, crazy road trips (bonus points for it taking place in a deserted, futuristic California - those were my favorite parts), viruses and zombies, so I'm probably the prime audience. Your mileage may vary.

It's very long (I just checked and it's nearly 800 pages!) and it's only the first in a trilogy. Be forewarned.


Previous reading update: I am still reading the Game of Thrones series but I decided to take a quick breather after the second book. Man, that was a lot of war to digest. I'm hoping the third book focuses a bit more on the various intrigues and a bit less on the actual battlegrounds. I always tend to start skimming during prolonged fight scenes. Unless there are zombies involved. And I was really happy with the season premiere this Sunday - I think book two might actually be more fun to watch than to read.


- The post where I finally give in to the Kindle is here, and yes, I'm still a little embarrassed to have gone over, but I'm even more happy with it after a few months, so I'm getting over it.