Well, it’s been awhile since I’ve posted about the RAD Reading Challenge. If you didn’t already know, I was out on maternity leave. But I’m back now and ready to get my read on!
The next prompt up in the RAD Reading Challenge is read a book with a cover you love. I don’t know about you but this one was an easy prompt for me to find a book. There are so many amazing book covers out there that the hard part was choosing just one! I decided to go with a book I own (because there are way too many of those that I haven’t read yet). I also saw this author speak at the Poe Museum a few years back (which is where I purchased the book) and just fell in love with her spooky style.
The Steep and Thorny Way by Cat Winters is a reimagining of Shakespeare’s Hamlet set in 1920s Oregon when the Ku Klux Klan is beginning to gain momentum. The two main characters are both targets of the Klan. Hannalee is the daughter of a Black man and a white woman and Joe is a gay teen and the son of a pastor. Neither are faring well in this environment.
Their paths cross when Joe drives home drunk one night and hits Hannalee’s father with his car. Hannalee’s father subsequently dies and Joe goes to jail for his murder. You’d think this would be a straightforward case but it is far from it. What ensues is a tale of deception and treachery, prejudice and persecution, and some ghostly characters. Hannalee and Joe don’t know who to trust…but each other.
I really enjoyed this one! Winters is so good at writing an atmospheric novel. I could almost feel the chill in the air as I was reading this one. Her retelling is super creative and readers both familiar and unfamiliar with Hamlet will enjoy the read. I highly encourage you to pick this one up…or any of Winters’ books for that matter!
If you’d like some other recommendations for YA books with gorgeous covers, checkout these:
The Weight of Feathers by Anne-Marie McLemore
Yolk by Mary H.K. Choi
Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova
Me (Moth) by Amber McBride
Scattered Showers by Rainbow Rowell (coming November 2022!)
Looking for more beautiful book covers? Head on over to Rachel’s blog and check out the food-themed books she recommends for teens and adults!
If you missed any of the previous RAD Reading Challenge blog posts, check them out here:
1- 2022 RAD Reading Challenge for Teens!
4- Read a Book With a One-World Title
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