At the Moment: May
near-future dystopias and other current favorites
Hello, friends—we meet again at the end of May! I’ve been pretty quiet within my online spaces, but not because I haven’t been writing. Some seasons are for sharing; others are for scribbling in the dark before those scribbles can see the light. Even so, I looked forward to returning to this little ritual of listing my favorite media of the month. In case you missed last month’s, you can check it out here:
Reading
The newest Hunger Games prequel—Sunrise on the Reaping—has gotten a lot of attention since its release in March. If you know the story of the trilogy, you’ve met Haymitch and his liquor bottles, so you know how this prequel—centered on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games—ends. But it’s worth it…getting to know sixteen-year-old Haymitch and the actions of deep love and defiance that shaped him early on casts his cynicism in a new light. This story is intensely tragic, but it adds another layer to the characters and world of Panem in the future. (I also love the Edgar Allen Poe poem woven throughout.)
“Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before;
But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, “Lenore?”
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, “Lenore!”—
Merely this and nothing more.”
- Edgar Allen Poe, “The Raven”
Klara and the Sun is my first Kazuo Ishiguro novel, and now I look forward to reading the several others I’ve already collected for my bookshelf. Featuring one of my favorite fictional settings—a familiar, near future dystopia—this story’s spiritual undertones and mystical, almost religious allusions surprised me. Klara is a kindhearted, whimsical, and highly perceptive “AF,” a solar-powered Artificial Friend created for the sake of companionship. Over the course of this AI’s story, she raises questions about humanity, loneliness, and the nature of faith. I listened to the audiobook, which I’d especially recommend.
Watching
My brother’s favorite show is Andor. While I’m nowhere near as avid of a Star Wars fan as he is, Rogue One is one of my favorite movies, and the show interested me enough to try it, now that season two is out.
I’m only a few episodes in, but I’m impressed by the characterization of less-explored groups in the universe, thought-provoking themes, and cool worldbuilding (and cool music).
Listening
Music
As usual, I listened to many hours of music in May, but I just want to share one song this time. I rediscovered (and reclaimed) one of my favorites from a masterpiece of an album:
What have you been reading, listening to, watching, or playing this spring? Join the conversation by letting me know in a comment below!
I’m currently working my way through the Silmarillion! I really enjoy it so far…yes, the names are a bit of a mouthful 😅 but the theological themes are so rich, and it’s been cool seeing how the lore in LotR develops more fully. As far as music, I’m on a Jess Ray kick…my favorites are “Too Good,” “In the Meantime,” and “Dimensions.” Also! I’m thrilled by your great mushroom photos in this post!!!!! How cool!!!!
Klara and the Sun was a great read, so much longing, I read it when it first came out and I still think about it occasionally. Highly recommend Never Let Me Go.