What I Read in February 2024
2 classics, 1 non-fiction, and some contemporary fiction
Hi there!
I hope it’s not yet to late to do a February wrap up. Last month I read 7 books which is a bit pretty high for me. I almost got it to 8 if I hadn’t stop reading The Bell Jar to start reading an Elif Shafak book. I do not usually abandon books that I like but I got excited with my new book hauls! The Bell Jar was a reread that I can just pick up back again. Some of the books I read were short books which enabled me to get my number up. Most months I only get to read 4 books. But enough about the number, let’s get started on that wrap up.
February Reads
1984 by George Orwell
One down on the books I want to read in 2024. As one of the most popular dystopian fiction ever written, this book needs no introduction. I already know bits of pieces of this book before actually reading it but I wasn’t expecting a love story. I didn’t know it had a love story angle. Reading this though felt like ticking off a list for me. I didn’t take pleasure in reading it but it was not boring either. It dragged on for me but it didn’t feel like a waste of time reading the ideologies presented in this book. I liked how it ended despite feeling helpless and pessimistic. haha
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
Like 1984, this book needs no introduction. Nothing surprised me anymore while reading this but it’s because I know the story already. Still, imagine the people’s reaction when this book was first released. I read this as audiobook narrated by Steve Parker and I really liked the voice acting.
My Body by Emily Ratajkowski
A memoir by model Emily Ratajkowski. It’s hard to review somebody’s memoir because how can I judge someone’s experience? I didn’t personally go through the life they had. I found I didn’t care much about the topics in the book but the last chapter, an essay about Emily’s experience of giving birth, is one of the most beautiful pieces I have ever read.
Infinite Country by Patricia Engel
A story about a family torn by migration and deportation. One half lives in the US, in constant fear of deportation. The other in Bogota, living through the aftermath of a century of violence in Colombia. Both parties wondering if the grass is greener on the other side. I love this book! It’s full of Andean myths at the same time it’s full of real stories of families separated by migration. The narrator was a surprise in the end but it wrapped up the story so well.
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
A dark horror fantasy book for children. Caroline Jones just moved into a new apartment with her parents. It’s summer and she’s bored. She explores the entire apartment complex and comes across a strange door. On the other side is a parallel universe that is a mirror image of the her new home. It is inhabited by versions of her parents who call themselves her "Other Mother" and "Other Father" who have buttons for eyes *gasps* and who wants Caroline to stay in their home forever.
Neil Gaiman is my first favorite author. I have so many favorite authors now but he was the first one. That’s why I’m slowly going through his books, even those for children. There’s a lot of foreboding and a “light in the middle of darkness” moments which is typical for a Neil Gaiman book (which I always love because he delivers it so well). Overall, this was just okay for me because it was predictable. If I were a child reading this for the first time though, I would have love this.
A Burning by Megha Majumdar
My five star read of February. Read my full review here.
The Maid by Nita Prose
To describe this book in one sentence, it would be “A maid is accused of murder which she didn’t commit.” If you have read several murder mysteries already, you’ll probably know how this story will go by just the earlier sentence. What makes this different from others though, is the narrator’s voice. Molly the Maid is different. She doesn’t know how to read social cues, sarcasm, intentions or facial expressions well. She speaks in a straightforward manner and shows her emotions for what it is. Because of this, she has been the subject of ridicule, taunts, and jeers in her workplace. Now, imagine her being a primary suspect and trying to explain to somebody that she’s innocent. The book is to sunshine-y for me though. Ted Lasso sunshine-y.
My March Stack
I just actually finished The Giver as I write this newsletter. I am currently in my mother’s house and I saw a school library copy on my niece’s desk. I always wanted to read The Giver so I picked the book up and finished it within 24 hours. Probably my favorite dystopian book to date. I am also excited to read the other 3 books above as they’ve been on my list for quite some time now. I already started 10 Minutes 38 Seconds. It’s pretty slow but so far so good.
Have you read any of the books above? Talk to me about it. I would love to hear your experience!
I really need to read 1984 again. I didn’t like it at all and abandoned it but maybe it was just the right book at the wrong time. The idea is amazing but the characters were so bland that I couldn’t stomach it.