February 2025 Reading Rambles
Books read in February 2025: 9
Total fiction: 4
Total graphic novels: 4
Total nonfiction: 1
February came and went. I think there’s a glitch in the universe — how is time going by so fast lately?
This February, I had a week off for “Ski Week.” I hung out with my friends and family and read many books. I didn’t read as much as I did in January, but I did read longer books this month. I am trying to be more of a #LibraryGirlie. The West Valley branch of the San Jose Public Library has a great graphic novel selection and I am making my way through Junji Ito’s bibliography.
Favorite read of the month: Rejection by Tony Tulathimutte
My friend Claire recommended this to me. It’s kind of a short story collection but more like a novel in stories. Jeezus, this whole book works so well (for the most part)! The last two stories were out of place, but the first five were A+ reads. I was so impressed by the narrative here.
Something that really stood out to me was Tulathimutte’s endeavor to write perspectives that are not his own lived experiences. This book got me in the mood to write a short story and I did, but it was more like a writing exercise to see if I could write from a perspective that isn’t my own (a queer Mexican woman).
Highly recommend this book if you’re also chronically online.
Fiction I read: Thirst by Marina Yuszczuk, Rejection by Tony Tulathimutte, Acts of Desperation by Megan Nolan, and Model Home by Rivers Solomon
Thirst is a stellar queer vampire novel. The ending dragged, but overall it was a haunting read that I’m going to think about for a long time.
Another book that I’m going to be thinking about for a long time is Model Home. Solomon’s other book Sorrowland is the It Girl of cult novels and Solomon delivers blow after stunning blow yet again in Model Home.
I didn’t like Acts of Desperation. It’s been on my TBR and Kindle forever but it was such a drag. This book is everything that I hope to never write.
Graphic novels I read: Lychee Light Club by Usamaru Furuya, Tótem by Laura Perez, Mimi’s Tales of Terror by Junji Ito, and The Liminal Zone by Junji Ito
Lychee Light Club is so sick and twisted. Sooooo sick and twisted! I first read a pirated scanlation of this book when I was 14 because I wanted to impress my 17 year old crush. I should not have been reading something so sick and twisted when I was 14!
I really loved The Liminal Zone. It’s such a standout in Ito’s bibliography. Every single story appealed to my literary sensibilities. I think it’s my new all-time favorite work by him.
Nonfiction I read: Uncanny Valley by Anna Wiener
IDK. I wanted to like this, but it was boring.
This month I got a new tattoo and braved the DMV to get a Real ID. I did both of these things on the same day. I usually feel really happy after getting a new tattoo, so I went to the DMV with peace in my heart and maintained a zen attitude throughout the whole ordeal — even when I failed the renewal test twice (they ask super ridiculous questions!!).
I am writing this a little late. I’ve been busy! I turned 26 on March 2 and then went to Yosemite National Park for a week. More on Yosemite in the March installment of this blog.
Thanks for reading!
