I hope all my months of reading for the rest of the year are like the month of February. All the books I read were devastating in the way that books should be… books that you don’t want to put down. So… without further ado, here are my February reads:

💞 A Cage Made of Silk by Bae Korst ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

(Book 5 out of 50) In case you didn’t know, a really great place to meet indie authors online is through Threads, which is exactly where I came across Ms. Bae Korst, a self-published author who also knows multiple different languages (which I personally think is so cool) and really knows how to write. A Cage Made of Silk is a novella that follows the life of Mia, who is just trying to navigate the hardships of young adulthood, strained family dynamics, and a complicated love life. Not only should you read Bae Korst’s books, but check her out on her socials, where she will update you on her future projects! Support indie authors! 💘

💐The Wall by Marlen Haushofer ⭐⭐⭐⭐

(Book 6 out of 50) It wasn’t the book’s fault because I did find the premise very interesting, but it took me over a month to finish it. The Wall has a very similar vibe to the book I Who Have Never Known Men, as it covers the topic of isolation and delicate companionship. When faced with yourself and your own will to survive, you keep going until you have nothing left… and then what? This seems to be a recurring theme in the books that I have been reading lately. All in all, a great read, and I do recommend reading this novel!

💗Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

(Book 7 out of 50) It is only February, but this book is most likely going to be the book of the year for me. Not only do I love a good 90s sci-fi novel, but sprinkle in a little religious deconstruction, and this book is one that everyone would benefit from reading. Parable of the Sower is a dark dystopian novel that drags the reader through moments of hope, devastation, and the realities of a society ruled by wealth and monopolized resources. You better believe I already got the second book. In honor of this fantastic novel, I want to share one of my favorite quotes:

“Embrace diversity.
Unite—
Or be divided,
robbed,
ruled,
killed
By those who see you as prey.
Embrace diversity
Or be destroyed.”

🌸Beloved by Toni Morrison ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

(Book 8 out of 50) I asked one of my dearest friends which authors or books I should focus on to honor Black History Month, and she recommended Toni Morrison… and this was the best recommendation I could have ever gotten. Dr. Morrison has such a way of connecting the characters to the setting, demanding the reader feel the emotions that are threaded through her writing. Yet another book (really, author) that I think everyone needs to read. It exposes readers to the horrors of history and how it can keep us trapped within it. I will definitely focus on lining my book shelf with her books.

Fun Fact: Toni Morrison’s birthday was February 18th! Happy Birthday Dr. Morrison! 🥳

Goal Completion: 8 out of 50

If you have any book recommendations or would like to see what my current reading list is now let me know in the comments or follow my socials! Have any of you read these books?

Xoxo,

Shay

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