Summer Reading Challenge: Complete

9 books, June thru August

For the second year in a row I opted to participate in my alma mater UMBC’s summer reading challenge. Between the months of June and August, the challenge is to finish 9 books that match the theme/requirements for the year. In return, you are registered for a raffle that includes gift cards for the school’s bookstore as well as some local businesses. As an incentive for joining they also throw a few coupons your way.

This year felt like it was easier to find books to match the themes. In general they seem to promote inclusivity for minority authors as well as some fun categories related to the school.

A book published the year UMBC opened (1966)…

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

A man with reduced mental capacity undergoes an experimental process to become a genius. I’m really glad that this challenge got me to read this sci-fi classic because it’s really well written and sheds a light on how we treated mentally handicapped people 60 years ago (and to a degree still today). The first-person perspective of Charlie Gordon was really effective for me at illustrating the gradual internal changes he was experiencing.

A book with UMBC colors on the cover (black and gold)…

Mongrels by Stephen Graham Jones

A young boy travels the American south with his werewolf aunt and uncle as he awaits the day he will finally transform himself. This was without a question my favorite Stephen Graham Jones novel so far. I loved the way that it kind of meanders without a plot, instead using vignettes to highlight aspects of this world’s werewolf lore. I’m not typically a fan of werewolf media, but this really struck a chord with me.

A book recommended by UMBC alum, staff, faculty, or student…

Assembly by Natasha Brown

A well-to-do British Black woman reflects on the myriad of microaggressions and social trespasses she experiences while she also contemplates her future. It’s easy (and maybe a bit reductive) for me to say that this one felt too obvious and didn’t really feel like it was saying anything new or groundbreaking. I was waiting for the other shoe to drop, but then it just kind of ended on a flat note. Luckily it was a very short read.

A book set in my home state (Maryland)…

The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris

A rookie FBI agent/student enlists the help of notorious serial killer and cannibal Hannibal Lecter to catch another killer who skins his victims. Being a huge fan of the movie I couldn’t help but notice how incredibly faithful it was in adapting this novel. It goes to show that if the source material is excellent you can pretty much use it as text for an adaptation.

A banned book…

American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis

An NYC yuppie navigates upper class society while also moonlighting as a sadist and serial killer. This one deviates a little bit between source material and adaptation, but still has that darkly comedic sensibility. I actually enjoyed the tonal whiplash from some of the funniest writing I’ve read leading straight into bar-none the most graphic and disturbing filth ever put to page.

A book by an author of color or featuring a main character of color…

The Unworthy by Augustina Bazterrica

A woman living in a post-apocalyptic convent begins to question the nature of her surroundings and even her own past. I enjoyed this one for its simplicity and for how quick a read it was. The story is structured through the protagonist’s journal entries, which make very little effort to ease you into the world. This made it a little difficult to start but later makes it very satisfying to chip away at the history of this world.

A book by an LGBTQ+ author or featuring a LGBTQ+ main character…

We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer

After a woman is visited by a man and his family that claims to be the previous resident of the house she is renovating, things get weird when circumstances prevent them from leaving. This one was a real page-turner for me because it really gets into the premise quickly and keeps the twists coming one after another. Unfortunately it lost steam for me towards the end when the answers proved to be less interesting than the questions.

A book by an author with a disability or featuring a main character with a disability…

Nestlings by Nat Cassidy

A newly-handicapped mother starts experiencing weird happenings surrounding her infant daughter after her family moves into an ancient high-rise apartment complex. I had to slog though this story early on in the summer as nothing about it really compelled me to read more. Eventually as the mystery unravels towards the end I was starting to enjoy where it was going, but by then it was too little, too late.

Reader’s choice…

When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy

A young woman takes in a runaway boy with terrifying powers who is being hunted by something that he claims is his father. I thought this was an absolute blast from start to finish. Not only is it a terrific meditation on how fear can consume and rule your life, but its breakneck pacing and brutal set pieces made it an incredibly quick read.