My life is going through some big changes right now. But at least I’ve been reading. So here’s what’s been on my shelf.

As usual, I’ve been reading a mix of nonfiction, fantasy, and sci-fi. I’ve been mostly into nonfiction recently because it’s been keeping me grounded. What Happened to You? is an amazing book about trauma in the style of a conversation. It presents many of the same ideas as the seminal volume The Body Keeps the Score, but in a less clinical, more digestible way. My therapist recommended it, and I’m so glad she did.

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents is by far one of the best books I’ve ever read. Isabel Wilkerson’s writing style is engaging and poetic while being informative and audacious. Just wow. I learned so much about the history of slavery in this country that I had never known. I started The Warmth of Other Suns recently and look to learn about the migration of African-Americans to the North.

Assassin’s Apprentice is a book I’ve had on the shelf for a long time and finally picked it up at my husband’s suggestion. He’s told me in the past to read it “when you want to feel sad.” The main character, Fitz, sees and experiences an immense amount of pain and trauma. It’s a perfect hero’s story. There are more books in the series that I haven’t read yet.

Finally, Dark Matter is one I picked up from the library because of the cover. Yep, sometimes I do that. And it was worth it. It was smart, fast, and surprising. I will definitely read more of Blake Crouch’s work.