February Shelved
A month of reads and reviews.
This month I reached for a book I have had halfway finished for months, a book about books, a book outside of my comfort zone, and a romantasy sequel. I hope you enjoy my reads and reviews for February!
Biography of X by Catherine Lacey
I first saw this book on the subway, and I was immediately drawn to the mysterious cover. Biography of X is written from the perspective of a former journalist who has lost her enigmatic wife, X. X was an artist, actress, and author, living through a multitude of personas. When a biography is published about X’s life, her lover is determined to prove what is revealed in the book to be false. The narrator embarks on a journey of discovery into X’s past, interviewing acquaintances and attempting to uncover the truth. But what if the reality she uncovers is more illusory than transparent? I loved the way this book was written: the narrator is a journalist and therefore curious by nature, but her lens is clouded by her obsession with her deceased wife. Each chapter features a series of interviews, littered with footnotes and photographs, despite the book being fiction. I would recommend this book if you are looking for a mystery that blurs the line between fact and fabrication.
Bibliophobia: A Memoir by Sarah Chihaya
I attended the launch event for Bibliophobia at McNally Jackson in Seaport, where author Sarah Chihaya discussed her memoir with Elif Batuan, author of The Idiot. At the event, I couldn’t take notes fast enough to capture the intelligent and thoughtful conversation. Bibliophobia is a story of how books can destroy you, pick you apart, and build you back up again. Chihaya discusses the concept of a “Life Ruiner”: “a book which sets you on the path to a life built by and around reading”. Hers is The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, which forced her to reexamine her perception of herself and the life she had built, challenging what she thought to be true. Chihaya’s writing is accessible yet thought-provoking, and I connected with her sentiments as someone who is also endlessly obsessed with books. This book is one for avid readers, book lovers, and literature enthusiasts.
Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica
This book left my jaw on the floor. Tender is the Flesh tells the story of Marcos, the manager of a meat processing plant, who is adjusting to the “Transition”: animals contracted a mysterious disease and the meat market shifted from selling livestock to “special meat” (humans). Marcos is struggling with his wife’s sudden departure and his father’s deterioration when he is gifted a prized “specimen,” causing him to struggle with societal expectations while navigating his internal desires. Tender is the Flesh provides a reflection of humanity in the most savage sense, and Bazterrica is unafraid to display the cruel and gruesome details. I would recommend this book if you are looking for a dark and contemplative read (and are comfortable with some graphic content).
Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli
It’s February, so I needed a love story in the mix! I enjoyed Heartless Hunter, the first installment in this series, and was excited for the launch of the sequel this month (especially after the cliffhanger ending). In Rebel Witch, Rune, a witch on the run after exposing her magic, and Gideon, a witch hunter with a scarred past, navigate their complicated love for one another in world where they can never be together. While struggling with their feelings for each other, the two must come to terms with reality—a kingdom where witches are sentenced to death for their gifts—and the possibility of the future they wish could be. This duology broke my heart and put it back together in the best way, and I am definitely planning to reread it in the future. If you enjoyed Divine Rivals and A Court of Thorns and Roses, definitely check out the Crimson Moth duology.
And that concludes the books I shelved in February! Thank you for reading and keep an eye out for the March newsletter for our next book club announcement, book events to attend next month, and more!