Kinfolklore

For many of us, the first time we explored another world was within the pages of a beloved book. We’ve explored the hallways of Hogwarts with Harry, Ron, and Hermione, we’ve wandered Middle Earth with Frodo, Gandalf, and Sam, and we’ve fought alongside armored bears with Lyra Belacqua. Our first list of book recommendations are fun, thoughtful reads that will keep you engaged with their twists and turns and rapt by the wonder of a new world.

Renegades by Marissa Meyer: A great read, particularly if you enjoy X-Men and the nuances that rise up in a superpowered society. The Renegades trilogy follows a group of prodigies, people with supernatural abilities, who struggle to make sense of a post-war world. In a time where the city is still being rebuilt, and villains still run loose who do you rally behind? The Renegades, prodigies who fight for the common good without oversight? Or the Anarchists, supervillain prodigies who were pushed into hiding after protecting their own at all costs? The lines of right and wrong are blurred, and the deeper you dig the more twists, turns, and tricks you uncover.
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo: The first book in a trilogy starts off with a trip across the Shadow Fold, a barren territory in complete darkness crawling with vicious monsters called the Volcra. The journey across is necessary but almost certainly a death sentence. Yet, when Alina Starkov, a soldier, is commanded to make the trek, something unexpected happens. In an effort to defend her friend from a Volcra attack, she unleashes magic so powerful and rare, it’s only been read about. Her magic is the first real weapon against the Volcra. But she soon finds out the Volcra are the least of her concerns.
Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler: An oldie but a goodie. Parable of the Sower by sci-fi guru Octavia Butler is the first book in a 2-book series, first published in 1993. It follows the life of Lauren Oya Olamina, a young girl with the ability to feel pain and other emotions she witnesses. Lauren lives in a society that has just about fallen apart due to climate change and socioeconomic inequality. Her family and close-knit gated community have managed to keep each other afloat and create a sense of normalcy. But when the dangers of the outside world come storming in, Lauren is forced to journey North to safety, and make some tough choices along the way. This book is not for the faint of heart, in fact if you haven’t read it yet, go ahead and put it on your 2021 reading list. This is not the year to start it.
Maze Runner by James Dashner: Thomas wakes up in a metal elevator as it rises up to the sky entering into a grassland. With no memory of who he is or how he got there, a group of teenage boys find him and much like him, they each arrived with no recollection of their past, just their names and a goal of making it through the dangerous maze that surrounds them. However, Thomas’ arrival has now changed everything about their society and mission when the very next day, a new person enters the maze: a girl, the first girl to enter, and the last person as they learn, to do so. Thomas doesn’t know who she is but she claims to know everything about him. This first book in a 3 part series - there are also prequels - written by James Dasher sees Thomas in this race of self discovery as he joins the team of runners who try to make it to the end of the ever changing maze while avoiding the monstrous creatures roaming its corners. However, Thomas and his fellow runners soon learn that there isn’t a light at the end of every tunnel.
Watchmen by Alan Moore: This 1987 graphic novel has exploded out of the back issues box in your local comic store to part of your literary class reading material. Watchmen, written by famous comic book writer Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons tells the story of what happens to the world where superheroes/vigilantes are put in check. Known for its famous tagline, “Who watches the Watchmen?” We are introduced to a group of heroes who are forced to hang up their capes and cowls but now must come together when one of their own is killed. What makes it even worse, secrets of the past are unraveled and their world gets closer and closer to the explosive end foreshadowed by the nuclear arms race. This award winning 12 issue story (thankfully collected in singular trade in recent years) is the perfect allegory of the events of its time and to be frank our current state.

Post by Rocio Cuevas, Kinfolklore Contributor

Photo Credit: Sharon McCutcheon (@sharonmccutcheon)