Editor's Pick: Current Favorite Book

Editor’s Pick is a blog series where we ask our team of editors, designers, and artists a question once in a while. Usually something along the lines of what is your favorite book, author, piece of writing advice, form of art or expression, or anything that we think would be fun to know. All of us have very different tastes, so it's always interesting to see what we come up with. 
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This week’s question is: What is your current favorite book you've read? 
​(Current because its too hard for us all to pick an absolute favorite book. There's just too many.) 

Suzanne's Pick: Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richarch Bach

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I was about ten years old when my mom saw me looking at all the books on our family bookshelf.  I just loved looking at the titles, the colors, the designs of the book spines.  I noticed a very small book peeking out at me.  I reached for the book and right away the cover and title captured my attention.  There was a photo of a white seagull flying in a blue sky.  I flipped through the book.  Big type and black & white photos of birds in flight.  I looked up at my mom asking her if this was a good book.  She knowingly smiled and said that I really should read it.

Although I was only a 4th grader, I finished the book in an hour and immediately wanted to read it again.  I fell in love with Jonathan.  So much so that it became my favorite boys name for many years.  When I first met my “soon to be husband” and I found out his name was Jon, spelled without a ‘h’, I remembered wondering of his full name was Jonathan (which it was not, but in my mind it was close enough)  :)

On our honeymoon we came across a copy of Jonathan Livingston Seagull in an old bookstore.  I mentioned my story to Jon and asked if he’d ever read it.  Discovering that he hadn’t, we bought the book and actually found a quiet patio and we took turns reading to each other outloud.

It’s now been over 40 years since that first reading and over a dozen more at least.  The entire book is quotable.  Its simple message of love is told in a story that lifts your heart in the air as you become friends with and fly with the gulls.  As circumstances in my life have changed, each reading brings new insights, new favorite passages.  I’ll leave the reader with my favorite passage from my last reading, and may you be inspired to read this insightful and delightful book again, or for the first time.

“Jonathan Seagull discovered that boredom and fear and anger are the reasons that a gull's life is so short, and with those gone from his thought, he lived a long fine life indeed.”

Megann's Pick: They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera

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I found this book while scrolling through the library last week. I started reading it because I was bored, and the cover was gorgeous...and I just didn't stop. Yes, it's just as sad of a story as you would imagine by reading the title. But it's also funny and wonderful, and hopeful in a weirdly doomed way.

​In near-future like world, a technology exists that can predict anyone's date of death. Two boys meet on their last day, and have to decide how they want to spend their last hours. This isn't my usual genre, and I almost would have put the book down, if it wasn't for the characters. Mateo and Rufus are relatable and charming and awkward and inspiring, and watching them fall in love was all the more heartbreaking because I knew the ending. Despite the many tears (or because of the many tears), I highly recommend.

Jon's Pick: Cannery Row by John Steinbeck

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I’ve never read anything else that could put me in another place and time so completely that I am be able to smell it, hear it, and feel like I am really there.  John Steinbeck’s writing makes this story come alive for me.  I first read it over a decade ago after my brother sent it to my wife and I to prepare for our vacation to Monterey, CA.  He wanted us to get a feeling for the flavor of the area, thinking that it would enrich our experience.  It sure did.

​I have read it just a few more times since, but I’ll pick it up from time to time to skim through some of my favorite parts.  I’m always in awe at how quickly I’m back there again, like magic, or a time machine.  And they are all still there; Mack and the Boys are up to their old antics; Doc is busy with his projects; and Lee Chong’s grocery store is always open for business.

I think that what makes this book so special to me is that I was there.  That week was filled with so many wonderful memories, and all those emotions got bottled up together with the book to make it so much more powerful. 

What makes the book so amazing to me is how the author introduces the characters to you, and I feel like I’m meeting old friends. I can listen and hear the conversations; watch them move throughout town; even hang out with Doc down by the ocean collecting octopi. My favorite is when I’m on the road trip with Mack and the Boys as they go hunting frogs, and we're all sleeping out under the stars.

And there is no judgment of anyone.  Because I understand them, I am them.  They are living a life.  At that precise time and place, each with their own motives; riding the emotions of fear, loss, love and hope.  And we celebrate even the smallest successes together. 

Guess I need to go get a me pint of beer… it’s time to read it again. 

Kristann's Pick: Hawksong by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

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Hawksong is a small but powerful fantasy romance novel about two enemies, the avians and serpiente, who have been at war so long that neither side can remember peace. But the heirs of each side have a desire to end the bloodshed that surpasses even the mistrustful wounds of war, if only they can prove to their people that hawks and snakes can resolve their differences and forgive.

This is one of my favorite books for its simple but captivating story, wise and thoughtful characters, diverse dual-cultures and heart touching emotion, all in such a small, unassuming story. It’s one of the books that made me think about things a little differently, and is simply a joy to read. This book, along with the rest of its series, is one of my all-time favorite stories.

What are your favorites?

We'd love to hear what books you are all reading! Feel free to comment with your favorite, or any that you recommend (we know how hard it is to actually pick a single favorite book!) We're always looking for more amazing stories. 

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Have you heard of Bookshop? 

Bookshop is a organization that is working to give bookstores an avenue to sell online. A percentage of all their profits goes to support local bookstores around the country. Bookstore, booksellers, publishers, and authors can also make an account and recommend books and have reading lists (a bit like Goodreads). We just found out about them, and are eager to spread the word!

​You can visit the Starwhale Books page on Bookshop.org to see what books we're reading and view other book recommendations from our team. You can also purchase our published books from Bookshop (like Bellow of the Beast), once it's released! (Which will be on 4-18-20, if you were curious).

​In the mean time, happy reading! 
​Starwhale Books Team
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