We’re switching things around a little bit this month with our Whatcha Wednesday series. Today marks our second Whatcha Reading post. Hey, hey! Kyra Kyle here. The Geekly Gang may not have as many books to cover this month as we did last month (it’s only been two weeks since our last Whatcha Reading). Whatcha Reading can include novels, poetry, short stories, essays, comic books, and anything in between. As always, feel free to share what you’ve read recently. We’re all part of the Geekly Gang.

Kyra’s Reads

I mentioned The King in Yellow in last month’s Whatcha Reading, but I put it on hold for the moment. A new Barnes & Noble opened up, and I’ve picked up several new titles. One of my favorite aspects of Barnes & Noble is that your local store will carry books by local authors, and one of the poetry books I read last month is What Happens In Nebraska by Cat Dixon.

What Happens In Nebraska by Cat Dixon

Dixon’s What Happens In Nebraska doesn’t pull any punches. Each poem is raw, a wound that refuses to heal. But that doesn’t stop Dixon from playing with her poetry. “Keep Your Options Open” may be the first Choose Your Own Poem I’ve ever seen. It shows that a poet can explore pain while maintaining a sense of whimsy. I also love it when a writer gets specific, and I enjoyed the details in “Missed Connection.” It’s uniquely Omaha. It gives the poem authenticity and the universal theme of loss. What Happens In Nebraska has a lot of highlights; too many to list here, but I’ll share one more. “Horror Movie” begins with a new romance before it descends into the horror of a modern relationship. There’s a reason rom-coms end when the couple gets married.

Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke

I also picked up Rainer Maria Rilke’s Letters to a Young Poet during my recent trip to Barnes & Noble. I haven’t yet finished Letters to a Young Poet, but what I have read makes it a great companion piece to What Happens In Nebraska. Letters to a Young Poet compiles a series of letters Rainer Maria Rilke wrote to a young officer cadet (Franz Xaver Kappus), advising him on writing, love, suffering, and the nature of advice. Rilke’s dense and poetic letters can inspire any artist.

I love Barnes & Noble’s selection of local authors, and they have a great selection of tabletop games. Super Boss Monster, which just shipped to Kickstarter backers, is already available at Barnes & Noble. Usually, tabletop games that go to Kickstarter take a handful of months to reach stores. Barnes & Noble gets many titles early. Be sure to check out your local Barnes & Noble.

Let’s see what Skye has been reading. Take it away, Skye.

Skye’s Reads

Anathema by Keri Lake

After a recent trip to the library, I found some interesting literature. Among them is Anathema. While I’m not far into it, some elements stand out. I like how the author pointed out that this was her first experience with gothic fantasy. Thank you, author, for telling us up front. Trying out new genres and getting outside our comfort zones can only lead to self-improvement.

While I have progressed too far in the novel, he author clearly knows how to start a story. The first sentence of the first chapter: “The forest hadn’t eaten in a while.” That’s one of those sentences that ignites the imagination. And it makes me want to keep reading.

Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake

Another suggestion from my local librarian. Thanks for the recommendation! Also, support your local library. Like Anathema, Three Dark Crowns falls firmly in the fantasy genre. Considering these stories were released after The Lord of the Rings, both have Tolkien-esque qualities. Bonus points to Three Dark Crowns for not starting off with worldbuilding that feels like homework.

What sets this story apart from Anathema is its premise. Three Dark Crowns focuses on royalty (shocker), but in the context of three princesses who are sisters. One will become queen. Only one. She’ll do so by killing her two sisters. This concept has been done before, but it immediately hooked me. From the introduction onward, tension builds. I look forward to exploring it more alongside Anathema.

Kyra Kyle again. Season doesn’t have an entry this week. She’s preparing to graduate from college. Woo hoo! I’m sure she’ll return soon. Thank you for reading, and wherever you are, I hope you’re having a great day.