February has been a month for night-time reading. Thanks to the Perth heatwave bringing along warmer nights, it’s been nice to lounge out on the alfresco, reading while drinking from-the-pack matcha lattes. February also brought about a social media detox on my end, making this past month a notable one for hitting the books.
Let’s have at it below:
Breath by Tim Winton (2008)
4/5
‘Surviving is the strongest memory I have; the sense of having walked on water.’
As an Australian reader, it feels almost basic to say you enjoy reading this author. But damn it I do. I felt like I was out choking on seawater and battling terrifying waves just like Pike. The grip on Aussie childhood is just so uniquely Winton. Just as I’m perfectly content watching rollercoasters and not riding them, I loved reading about that constant chase for exhilaration matched with the equal risk of death. Find out more here.
Everyday Madness by Susan Midalia (2021)
4/5
‘He heard himself laughing out loud. Right there, in front of the shop.He wondered if that’s how it felt: madness.’
I love a good unravelling marriage (in a book, of course). Midalia captures the ways we can be entrapped in our own little worlds so brilliantly that I’m pretty sure I ate this little 280-pager up in one go. The dynamic between chatty Gloria and glum Bernard was just brilliant.
Find out more here.
The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy (1997)
4/5
‘That’s what careless words do. They make people love you a little less.’
There were so many switch arounds, I was breaking my neck keeping up — but so worth it once all the pieces began to settle. All in the lead up to the death of their cousin Sophie Mol, events are laid out one after the other all intertwined in their trauma. And the twin’s grandaunt Baby Kochamma was so fabulously awful.
Find out more here.
The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton (1905)
3/5
‘“Don’t you ever mind,” she asked suddenly, “not being rich enough to buy all the books you want?”’
Urged by the influence of Gossip Girl, I undertook this little classic. I wanted to like The House of Mirth more than I did, and maybe I would if I reread it. But I don’t think I can will myself to do it. I just felt repeatedly bad for, then annoyed at, the main character Lily Bart. For god’s sake either marry for money or quit playing bridge (don’t come at me for my ignorance).
Find out more here.
My Cousin Rachel by Daphne Du Maurier (1951)
4.5/5
‘“There are some women, Philip, good women very possibly, who through no fault of their own impel disaster. Whatever they touch somehow turns to tragedy. I don’t know why I say this to you, but I feel I must.”’
Loved to pieces, but I’m questioning my interpretation. Based on the movies, it seems like it’s completely up in the air whether or not Rachel was a killer/temptress. From my perspective, this was a book about how we’re constantly looking for ways to blame women for wrongdoings, written from the perspective of an unreliable narrator. And the ending, my god, shouldn't that have nailed it in??
Find out more here.
As a little side note, here is how I generally give out my ratings:
1/5 = How did this get published?
2/5 = Didn’t like it, but I can see where others might have.
3/5 = Worth a read, but probably won't pick it up again.
4/5 = Awesome. I'd read it again.
5/5 = Enthralling. Immersive. Likely stayed up all night to read it. Will annoy people by ranting about it all of the next day.