I recently started reading The Age of Miracles for the second time, and I was reminded about how great a really good book is, you know? It's told from the perspective of a middle schooler named Julia, who is dealing with all kinds of adolescent complications and dramas -- while the rotation of the earth has slowed and the length of a day has increased to 48 hours. Not only is the story (obviously) engrossing and complicated and inspiring, but the writing is beautiful, too.
Can I go on a nerdy rant for a sec? It is SO HARD to find well-written books about the end of the world. I think apocalyptical stories are super engaging, especially when they explore if and how humanity perseveres. The Age of Miracles nails that really well.
My friend Anna lent me her copy of Station Eleven a few months ago, and I had that eureka, treasure-hunter, discovery moment again! Station Eleven is about how civilization copes with the aftermath of a flu pandemic, told 20 years after the event by a member of a traveling troupe of performers and musicians. Again, the writing is just as good as the engaging storyline. I finished it in three days -- it's one of those novels that makes you want to take a flashlight under the covers so you can stay up reading all night!
I've been trying to find books of a similar genre and quality, but I haven't been having much luck. The Stand was too sci-fi; On the Beach was kinda boring; I liked World War Z (and actually just finished reading it for the second time), but I wasn't blown away by the writing. Do you have any recommendations? What book genres are you obsessed with?
*PS I totally just realized that the title of this post isn't quite right -- these books aren't about the world ENDING, but humanity CONTINUING. And that's why I like them :)
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