#i really enjoyed the asoiaf novels back then and i love to revisit the world

[mxwhore]

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[lizziestudieshistory]

Books of 2022 - April Reads and May TBR

April was hell: my deadlines are fast approaching for my masters, I've applied for a PGCE, and I've been having migraines again... The joys... This means I didn't read as much as I was hoping to all month, and it doesn't look like it's lightening up for May either. So I'm combining these together as there's a lot fewer books to chat about than normal.

So what did I read in April?

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin (ASoIaF #1) - no surprise here that I really enjoyed this reread! I genuinely love A Song of Ice and Fire, it never fails to suck me back into Westeros and the rich politics of this world. It also never fails to remind me why I LOVE the Lannisters so much, and I'm completely unapologetic about it (BEST CHARACTERS, my top 5 characters are basically just the Lannisters!) I know we're supposed to love the Starks and Dany but I'm a Lannister girl at heart!

I'd still highly recommend these books, even if you've been left with a bad taste in your mouth by the TV show and/or Martin's inability to write The Winds of Winter. Martin's characters are fantastic, his political machinations are without rival in the genre, and his world feels so real - I often think we forget how good these books really are and it's worth going back to revisit them if it's been a while since you last read them! I can guarantee you'll find something new to think about.

The Lay of Leithian by J.R.R. Tolkien - continuing my year of Tolkien with my favourite of his unfinished work. I think the Lay of Leithian is stunning and well worth exploring for those who like Tolkien and epic poetry - it's just a damned shame that he never got to finish it!

I do have issues with Christopher Tolkien's editorial style though... The commentary needs to be in a separate section in the Lays of Beleriand or broken up into footnotes. Placing the VERY academic commentary between the cantos breaks up the flow of the poetry and makes it suffer as a work on it's own. I know the point of the History of Middle Earth series is to explain how Tolkien created the world but diminishing the extant writing to highlight the commentary is not the best way to do that!

Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay - my love! Okay, I adore this book... I'd read Tigana before YEARS ago, I'm talking 10+ years here, when I was too young to really appreciate it. I liked it enough though and now I'm reading a lot more of Kay I thought it was time to revisit. I've never been more glad that I reread books! However, I don't think I can do this justice here. Not so soon after I read it and not in 2 or 3 paragraphs... So I'll definitely be writing up a proper review.

However, I should say Tigana is a book that a lot of people won't like. It's slow, wandering, and deeply interested in its themes. Plot is secondary to the thematic discussion of memory, history, and the destruction of culture in conquest. This isn't to say the plot isn't good (I think it is!) But it's not Kay's primary focus - I'm not sure plot is ever Kay's primary focus if I'm honest...

Tigana is also a product of it's time, there's a few moments that are going to rub people with a 2022 mindset up the wrong way - and these are complaints that are totally valid! I would totally understand if they are deal breakers for people, but they're not for me. They are minor, background features that didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the novel.

However, if you're someone willing to read books with a few "problematic" elements to enjoy the themes and characters of this book then I would HIGHLY recommend Tigana. It's a rich, vibrant, and morally challenging read that's going to get you thinking if you give it a chance to get under your skin.

In May I'll (hopefully) be reading:

The Black Prince by Iris Murdoch - I'm about 80 pages into this one and really enjoying it in a weird kind of way

The Mask of Mirrors by M.A. Carrick - it's about time I started this, I've been excited about it for months and haven't slotted it into my plans yet...!

Fire and Blood by George R.R. Martin - I'm enjoying revisiting Westeros? I have no justification other than I want to read this one? Also A Clash of Kings is huge...

If I finish all of these in my limited free time this month I'll (be very surprised!) probably end up mood reading from my shelves. Might read The Two Towers or a standalone as I'm starting too many series. (I say about to start another series...)