Now look. I know it’s February 2025. But allow me my ramblings anyway. I read more books last year than normal. I had lots of walking around and listening to do. Still, I know it doesn’t compare to your friend who read 121 or whatever. We’re not here to judge each other (I’m not, maybe you are idk), we’re here to judge books by how much they meant to us. :’)
I read 30+ books. Here’s my top shelf:
- Autobiography of Red – Anne Carson. Couldn’t read one page of this without sitting down to write. The description, Anne Carson’s way with adjectives. The images are made of cream, the book put visions into my mind. Still haunted by: “Not a bee crawled up Geryon’s spine on the inside.”
- Iron Widow – Xiran Jay Zhao. It was fresh and full of fire, new love and new ideas that a Westerner like me doesn’t get the chance to read often. It sparked further interest in Chinese writing
- All the young dudes – gamesformay on Archive of Our Own. A Harry Potter fanfic that was written in a way that traditional publishing doesn’t do. It reopened my love of the HP world despite all that its original author has done to tarnish it. Moreso than that, it reminded me of the different ways to write long-form stories.
- The Memory Police – Yoko Ogawa. This one was recommended to me. I’d say I liked this book for the feat of allowing me to see deeper into my friend’s minds. Two of them liked it. If not for them, I think I would’ve DNFd it. It’s slow and I didn’t really enjoy how uneasy it made me feel, but it has a lingering effect. An unsettling aftertaste. Try it out if you’re into dystopian novels, and if you liked The Truman Show and The Giver.
- No Longer Human – Osamu Dazai. I am struck by this book. Lovers of The Bell Jar may enjoy this one. It meant a lot to me as someone who goes through this world feeling outside of things. I’ve fooled myself long enough with my own mask, and this book felt like reading someone’s deepest secrets, like the words you don’t allow yourself to think. Trigger Warning – sexual assault, suicide, misogyny. Despite all these things, I’m in awe. As soon as I find a copy, I’m adding it to my library.
This year expanded my mind in many ways, and I’m eager to await the literary journeys that the Year of the Snake has in store.