The Monkey Has the Wheel Now

Two posts in 12 hours might be a new record for this Illiterate, but I did say I’ve been reinspired — so now I’m obligated to act like it.

Last night, as I lay in bed contemplating the mess that is my current reading list (literally, the list of books I’m “currently reading”), I had a thought: if this list were a Rorschach test, what would it say about me? After some deep reflection, I’ve settled on “a bipolar monkey high on medical marijuana.”

Let’s be honest, though — “currently reading” is generous. I won’t go so far as to call it a lie… but as I said yesterday, 2025 has been a literary faceplant. What’s more accurate is: “Here’s a list of books I started at some point, read just enough to log them on StoryGraph, and then immediately forgot about for a month or more because my memory is also illiterate.”

So, where was I? Right. My “reading list.”

On one end of the spectrum:
We have Voodoo Science: The Road from Foolishness to Fraud by Robert L. Park — a book that makes me feel like a real scholar. You know, perched in my ivory tower, hawking loogies at the peasants below. It's a deep dive into how evolution made us gullible fools, practically engineered to fall for garbage (social media, crystals, Gwyneth Paltrow, etc.). I was about to go into politics here but decided to pull out like a man terrified of child support. Anyway, I’m 18% in. It’s dense, sharp, and smart — I recommend it, though it could absolutely betray me by chapter 12.

On the opposite end:
A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure by Angela Bell. This was a “gift” from my aunt, complete with a note that read, “For the inner pubescent girl in you.” I’m still reeling from how devastatingly accurate that is. Unfortunately, this book is turning my brain into creamed corn. At 13% in, it’s not tickling anything but my gag reflex. I’ll be sending my aunt a strongly worded email — right after I finish scraping the glitter off my soul.

Now for the good stuff:
Fantasy and sci-fi, my lifeblood.

• The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang (book #2 in The Poppy War series). Let me be clear: this series is barreling its way into my top three of all time, maybe even #1. It’s brutal, brilliant, and full of war crimes — a true fantasy delight. I’m 47% done, and unlike most of this list, I might actually finish it. My spouse won’t read it because the first book gave her nightmares. Glowing endorsement.
• The Big Book of Cyberpunk edited by Jared Shurin. This is a doorstop-sized collection of short sci-fi stories and a solid reminder that (1) this was supposed to be my year of short stories, and (2) I might not be smart enough for short stories. I’m 11% in. The book is great. I am not.

And then we have the honorable mentions:

• The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon. Epic fantasy, beautifully written, massive. I’ve started it three times and abandoned it every time — not because it’s bad, just because I have commitment issues and zero focus. Currently 5% in, probably restarting again soon.
• Exhalation by Ted Chiang. Technically part of our book club. I’ve been holding this copy hostage from Homeschool for over a month, promising to read one story. Still haven’t done it. I’m the problem. It’s me.

And that brings us to today. StoryGraph says I’m 954 pages behind. BUT — and here’s the big win — I’m also 1 day, 16 hours, and 59 minutes ahead of my personal catch-up plan.

So… yay me?