Students, it is officially spring! (at least where we are based, in the Northern Hemisphere…) Traditionally for university students this means Spring Break and Reading Week are around the corner as a new semester of school is in session. At the Mind University we may not have all the traditional trappings of a formal university, but we know reading is what?
Where we live in Los Angeles it’s been summer weather for weeks, but in much of the rest of the country - and the rest of the world - buds are poking through the frost and snow for the first time. Now may be the time you are looking forward to curling up with an “Earl Grey, hot.” by the window, or out on a veranda which has been closed up for the winter months.
In celebration of Spring we have compiled a list of 5 (+1 bonus!), geeky [mostly] prose books to take back to the outdoors as temperatures rise.
As a bonus, because all good reading breaks deserve a good playlist, please enjoy Professor Jason’s playlist What is Life? Beatles-inspired background music.
What is Life? was first mentioned in our Why We Love the Beatles? episode of Geek History Lesson:
“Enough of this jibber-jabber!” as OG Youtube Jason would say … onto the list!
5. Memory’s Legion: The Complete Expanse Story Collection
Written by: James S.A. Corey
Following the release our Geek History Lesson episode on The Expanse we’ve been enjoying a slough of message from readers who checked out The Expanse book and television series. Being lifelong “big readers” ourselves, we’re always particularly gratified to know Students are reading more at our suggestion. This month Memory’s Legion: The Complete Expanse Story Collection was released. It collects all of the digital-only novellas writing team James S.A. Corey released throughout the publishing of The Expanse series. Many of these stories have gone on to be adapted directly into the series itself. For moments of deep exploration and explanation of the world of The Expanse, Memory’s Legion is the collection for you. It does stand on its own, but a reader’s experience will be much stronger with either a reading or watching familiarity with the world of The Expanse. This is actually Jason’s first Spring Read and he has been loving it so far!
4. The Monarchs
Written by: Danielle Paige and Kass Morgan
The Monarchs is the second book in The Ravens series. It is co-written by former Geek History Lesson podcast guest, Danielle Paige and tells the story of a Sorority of witches on the fictional Westerly College. The Ravens also happen to be a powerful coven. Their second adventures sees the sisters dealing with the aftermath of the drama from the first book as they adjust to the new status quo. Like the spring season, protagonists Scarlett and Vivi are in a period of growth - personally, and as a coven - and they are left with the quandary of whether or not to reach out to past sorority sisters (the eponymous “Monarchs”), for help when magical trouble falls upon their house. The Monarchs is a perfect spring read for fans of urban fantasy, witches, and the ever-elusive “strong, female protagonists”.
3. The Complete Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck
Written by/Art by: Don Rosa
Duck comics are always going to be a recommendation from us. Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck is one of the best comic collections that has ever been created - period. Only in the past few years has it enjoyed the scope of praise in larger pop culture it deserves along with this amazing slip case hardbound reprinting. If you are looking for Spring to inspire adventure, change, or delight then The Complete Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck is the book for you! Like The Lord of the Rings or Bone you can dive headfirst into The Complete Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck and get lost in a diverse and complicated mythology you probably never expected from a Disney comic strip. Fans of either iteration of Duck Tales will be delighted to discover the origin of many characters and storylines in this beautiful collection.
2. Mirage: A Novel
Written by: Somaiya Daud
If you listen to Jason & Ashley’s Excellent Adventures you will have heard Professor Ashley profess her love for Mirage: A Novel, in her own words. Mirage: A Novel is a perfect recommendation for any Star Wars fans, especially if you are enjoying the new expanded book universe. The Vathek Empire rules the moon protagonist Amani lives on. When she is kidnapped on the night of her maturation to serve as the body double for the cruel Princess Maram. Intrigue, political machinations, and shades of Dune make their way into this stunning debut space opera. If you are ready to fall in love with a whole new world and your soon-to-be-favourite new heroine Spring forward into Mirage: A Novel.
1. Secret Identity: A Novel
Written by: Alex Segura
Full disclosure, we know and love Alex Segura. He’s the grandfather of our Jupiter Jet comic book series. Even if this were not the case and we had no previous interactions with Segura we guarantee we would absolutely be recommending Secret Identity. It is enjoying much praise from the big book reviews (hey, New York Times!), and is a perfect prose offering for comic book fans. Imagine the backdrop of the Gold and Silver Age of Comic Books where a young female upstart writer doesn’t get her due, so she teams up with a male co-writer … only to have him die on her? Protagonist, Carmen Valdez, is brash and confident - imagine Lois Lane penning Superman’s stories. The mystery skillfully unspools amidst actual comic book pages rendered as additions to the narrative. Fun fact: the comic book pages are lettered by Jupiter Jet, Science! The Elements of Dark Energy, and Super Best Friend letterer, Taylor Esposito (Ghost Glyph Studios). If you are looking to start Spring mysteriously this is the read for you!
And as a bonus …
Super Soldiers: A Salute to Comic Book Heroes and Villains Who Fought for Their Country
Written by: Jason Inman
photo by: Cameron Rice Photography
Super Soldiers is Professor Jason’s examination and comic book superhero and villains who served in the American military. As a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Inman brings personal insights and anecdotes as he determines whether or not these fictional characters would have actually served well. We’re incredibly biased with this recommendation, but it is a project The Mind University is proud of. If you’re a fan of Geek History Lesson we know you’ll dig getting inside one of the minds behind The Mind University this Spring!
header image courtesy of: pixabay