Overall mood: rushed – given that I challenged myself this past month to reading classic fiction and dark academia fiction, this month has been a bit of a repetitive one in terms of themes, angles, and character tropes. I am glad I read these books, but it has impacted the way I read this month and how much I read.

Books read:

Selected Poems by Rumi, 4/5

Classic poetry feels so strange to read, either going one of two ways – time-travelly in its ability to drop one into the time in which it was written, or timeless, where you can’t place when it was written. Rumi’s works fit into the latter, and I was honestly amazed at how these poems read and felt to me. With so much to experience and feel, you should definitely browse through his selection of poetry when you can.

A Tarnished Canvas by Anna Lee Huber, 4/5

A long-awaited addition to the series, A Tarnished Canvas had its drama, interesting characters interactions, and swoon-worthy moments. The storyline does set it apart from the general vibe of the series, but it still feels familiar and cosy.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, 4/5

I can see why this is a classic, and the dystopian elements certainly sent a chill down my spine. I wish there was a little more, but I understand where the focus needs to reside for it to truly land. I liked the writing style, and it was one of the easier classics to get through on this list.

Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Abike Iyimide, 4.5/5

This one took a bit for me to warm up to it, and a little more before I truly understood the direction and effect of the novel. In a way, it felt like going from 0 to 100 in one sentence. In fact, that is what happened. I had a whole change with this book halfway through and could not put it down once that detail was revealed. Highly recommend!

Hour of the Star by Clarice Lispector, 4/5

A Brazilian classic that is sombre, gut-wrenching, heartbreaking, and tear-jerking, Hour of the Star shows the power of classic literature outside of the Anglosphere. It is a novel where I wish the narrator was someone else, but I understand why it happened this way. I know I will be looking for more Clarice Lispector novels in the future.

The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake, 4/5

I have a bone to pick with The Atlas Six but my summary is to give it a read, soldier on though the first half, and really let the second half sit with you because if you are anything llike me, you will be flicking through those pages so fast. I went from being bored of this book to being invested, and I have the second one in my October TBR pile.

White Nights by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, 4/5

A short story I was not expecting to come from a man who provides Russian classic literature with its grim, sombre themes and imagery. White Nights is a refreshing romantic short story with a slap of realism, showing the complications and complexities of human emotion, interaction, and promise. If you are looking for a romance with a sad ending, this is for you.

Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka, 4/5

A classic that contains so much more than what is in the text, Metamorphosis makes you think and really examine the themes and characters to break into the meaning behind the text. Once you do, there is no going back, and the messages are all to powerful and sombre. This is my first Kafka, so I will be looking out for more of his work.

An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson, 4/5

This dark academia gives an interesting angle for the “magic system”, and as such the novel has an intense and eerie feel to it from start to finish. Not all the bits were enjoyable or sat well with me, but it is a decent read for you dark academia fiends out there.

Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin, 4/5

This is one of those books you need to read and experience to understand the spectrum of emotions and themes occurring within. It is complex, rough, sensual, melancholic, and raw, and serves as one of the pioneering pieces of queer literature. There is so much to take in from Giovanni’s Room, but the content warnings should also be considered before picking it up.

Tokyo Express by Seicho Matsumoto, 4/5

A classic Japanese crime noir fiction that also feels carries that Old Hollywoodesque feel, yet is so sharp and integrates Japanese culture, life, and customs into the tale effortlessly, providing a compelling, tense read amateur book detectives will love.

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson, 4.5/5

You know I love Shirley Jackson over here, and the spooky season is the perfect time to read her eerie, stunning works of art. Her narrative style is impeccable, her description and immersion superb, and I cannot get over how the tone of The Haunting of Hill House sets such a strong foundation for the novel. You cannot go wrong with picking up a Shirley Jackson novel or short story, and I highly recommend you do!

The Thicket by Noelle W. Ihli, 4/5

The Thicket is one of those horror thrillers that you can see playing out as a movie in your head, every detail so cinematic and well plotted in correlation to what is going on, the vibes, and the characters. It is a solid book rec for the spooky season and a novel that will keep you engaged from start to bloody finish.

Yona of the Dawn Vol. 44 by Mizuho Kusanagi, 4.5/5

This manga series will forever have me in a chokehold and I don’t know how I will survive being drip fed the English translations on a tri-yearly schedule. I can not get enough of this and I may just have to request all of them again and reread them to curb my love (or fuel it) until vol. 45 is released.