Today is another Tuesday, which means it is time for the Broke and The Bookish’s top ten feature. This week’s topic is the Top Ten Things on my reading wishlist.
10. Steampunk YA Westerns
Revenge and the Wild was a steampunk western that I enjoyed it tremendously. That’s the only steampunk western I have heard of.
9. Steampunk Alternate History
I have not read that much steampunk (something I am trying to remedy). But, I have read Scott Westerfeld’s take on one of the world wars retold with a steampunk twist. The concept is something that stuck with me. To make things even more exciting for me, I want different countries as settings and their histories being twisted with magic and technology. That sounds so lovely.
8. Girl Gang
I just want a group of girls being friends and kicking butt. They can be pirates, ninjas, witches, vampires, I don’t care. It’s definitely on my reading wishlist to see a group of female characters bonding and not having a guy in common. Sort of like how The Raven Boys were friends before Blue ever met them. Girls who are friends regardless of love interests is my jam.
7. Gender-swap Historical Fiction
Sort of like And I Darken (I have not read it yet, but the concept is something I live for, honestly). I want a female Alexander the Great, Hamilton (or any Founding Father), Newton, Einstein.
6. Queer disabled people as main characters
As much as I love Magnus/Alec, I am excited for Cassie Clare’s books that center on queer characters more. That’s definitely something on my reading wishlist: more queer characters, especially disabled characters. YA is lacking in terms of including diverse characters. I want to see people from minorities be the chosen ones who go on adventures and do great things.
5. Darkness and Light attraction
Another theme I have on my reading wishlist. Lightness needs darkness to exist. I am tired of seeing the “dark side” reduced to being “evil.” No, it’s a different perspective and surely there’s a middle ground to reach. It’s not “we defeated evil” type of narrative. I want a genuine grappling, and an active back and forth as those sides reach a resolution, if any. Deathless by Cathrynne M. Valente is often shared as an option for those who were upset by the pairing in The Grisha trilogy. It’s definitely on my radar. We need more of that kind of storytelling though.
4. Classics Retold
There are characters I wish got their own stories. Like Mary Bennett, Tiger Lily, Pearl from The Scarlet Letter, Lady Macbeth. A transgender Shakespearean retelling of Twelfth Night would be swell. I used to really be fascinated with the priest in The Scarlet Letter. Just that guilt and his relationship with the villain. Can someone get on that, please?
3. Matriarchy
Keeping up with the theme of girl gangs, I want entire matriarchal societies presented in stories. With warriors and villains and everything.
2. Villains and Anti-Heroes
Wouldn’t be nice to see more stories told from the “villain’s” point of view? I just want a little complexity in characters and how we discuss them. Please don’t do the whole, “Oh, she fell in love” thing. No. There are other reasons that could tip someone over. And, sometimes, “evil” is just a different perspective. I really want a Lady Macbeth story so bad.
1. Retelling of Old Myths/Stories
While I understand the charm of retelling the stories of Greek gods/goddesses, I dream of slews of stories revolving around some old stuff I read in college. Like Cuchlain’s story (The Tain, I believe is what it’s called?). I enjoyed his story way too much because it was so weird and fun.
Your Turn
What are your top ten ideas on your reading wishlist? Please share them in the comments!
I really want a Jekyll/Hyde retelling. I’ve tried two books, but they both ended up being more inspired by the original, not retellings. And I tried a Dorian Gray retelling earlier this year, but it was a disappointment. Supposedly an author who wrote a Peter Pan retelling I liked is going to write a Dorian Gray retelling, so I’ll be excited for that if he does!
I have never read a steampunk YA western. I’ve not had good luck with steampunk in general though.
It would be awesome to have more books with queer disabled MCs and villain POVs!
Oh that Scott Westerfeld alternate history steampunk series (why can’t I remember the name right now?!?!), so good! I especially loved the map/illustrations. It definitely made me curious for similar books, but I can’t say I’ve ever found them.
The lightness/darkness and anti-hero/villain ones speak to my soul. Yes, Dina, yes! That is what I want more of too. Most bad people don’t commit crimes just because they’re evil. There’s usually some sort of moral dilemma there or twist of perspective. I don’t know why more authors don’t take advantage of it. Have you read Vicious by V.E. Schwab? I really liked how the MC there was a very gray character. Definitely recommend!
Villains, antiheroes, and mythology retellings are some of my favorite topics in books as well. 🙂 Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous review! <3
I really do need to read more steampunk. And yes to number 6. Great list!