Quarterly Pages: July - September 2025
It's hard to believe that the leaves are starting to change and the days are getting cooler. I'm not complaining about the 20 °C days, though, because this summer's on-again off-again heatwave was excruciatingly painful. As we enter fall, I foresee more days spent indoors, which means more reading.
Towards the end of summer, I felt like I wasn't reading as much as I wanted to. So instead of reading before bed, which typically meant I would read for less than 10 minutes before feeling sleepy and promptly falling asleep, I read first thing in the morning. My dietitian also recommended sitting outside in the sun for at least 10 minutes every day, so I would sit on the fire escape for 30 minutes, reading and soaking up some vitamin D. This has been a refreshing way to start my day, so much so that I actually look forward to it when I wake up. The fresh crisp air, the sun against my skin, and a cup of hot tea have been an absolute dream. I'm taking advantage of the good weather before it gets too cold to even venture outside.
This quarter, I read 11 books, 1 graphic novel, and listened to 1 audiobook. 7 of the books I read are by POC authors. I also had to correct my first Quarterly Pages because I found out that Abby Jiminez is Sicilian and does not identify as Latina. Interestingly, I did read an Abby Jiminez book this quarter. Let's dive in!
Strange Pictures by Uketsu
Recommended by my sister, this was an unusual read that included creepy pictures so bizarre that it gave me goosebumps when reading under the cover of darkness. I had so many questions from the beginning, but rest assured that each story was a building block, ultimately leading to a grand conclusion. The best experience is to enter this experience without knowing anything.
I found it scary initially, especially reading it alone in the dark at night before bed, but gradually the story shifted from horror to a mystery thriller. It is quite a page turner as I'm always left wondering what happens next. The author published a new book this year titled Strange Houses, which I'm definitely intrigued to pick up soon. 3/5 stars
Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher
Every month, the book club that I frequent would first pick a genre by collective voting, and everyone could suggest a book that would eventually be added to a spinning wheel. At the end of our meeting, the host would spin the wheel that determines our book for the following month. The genre for July was fantasy.
Fantasy has always been a genre that intimidated me, because I tried reading NK Jemisin's Broken Earth series, and I felt like it was a challenging read that I couldn't fully immerse myself in. However, I am pleased to say that I thoroughly enjoyed Nettle & Bone, which I find to be an accessible fantasy book that is also a standalone. The length of some fantasy series is also intimidating to me, because what do you mean there are 10 books and 2 novellas that are optional?
In a classic quest story, we follow Marra as she tries to save her sister from an abusive relationship. I liked that the stakes were high enough that we couldn't see any other solution to the problem aside from what transpired within the story, but low enough that it wasn't too stressful to read. I enjoyed all the unique characters that played a role in rescuing her sister, who ultimately became a found family of sorts to Marra. One thing I wish we saw more of is the world they exist in, but I understand there are restraints when it comes to a standalone novel.
I still think about this book fondly, so I would recommend it if you're looking to get into fantasy but also feel intimidated by complex worlds or magic systems. 4/5 stars
The Test by Sylvain Neuvel
I came across this read in a YouTube video about books that feel like Black Mirror episodes. It was on point due to the political commentary on immigration and the ethics of using augmented reality to assess someone's character. Imagine if you had to undergo a completely fictional test without knowing it, during which an incredibly traumatizing situation unfolded.
This was an incredibly timely read, given the current discourse around immigration, especially as an immigrant myself. I felt this deeply and would recommend it if you're looking for a thought-provoking but short read. 4/5 stars
The True Happiness Company: How a Girl Like Me Falls for a Cult Like That by Veena Dinavahi
When we think about cults, we might think of Jonestown or The Manson Family. We may think there's no way we would join a cult, the signs would be too obvious. However, this book changed my mind on that. A cult can manifest in many different shapes and forms – this one in particular wasn't site-specific; instead, members would communicate with one another through Zoom or phone calls.
Veena Dinavahi's memoir was a difficult read, from a school infamous for suicides to a marriage facilitated by the cult, every moment was truly shocking. This was a candid portrayal of how her parents unknowingly came into contact with a cult leader who altered the course of her life. If you enjoyed Educated by Tara Westover, you would like this too!
This was the Completely Booked book club pick of July, where the author joined the meeting virtually. It was a great conversation because she was able to shed further insight into her life and share how she's doing now. According to her, there's a potential documentary in the works, so I'll be keeping an eye out. 4/5 stars
Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez
Abby Jimenez is the only romance author whose new releases I will pick up without hesitation. Say You'll Remember Me is the first book of a new series that hit all the right chords for me.
We have a couple who want to be together, but due to life circumstances, have to reside in different states with no clear solution. They are multifaceted characters with real-world problems, ranging from caregiving for a parent to financial troubles. This book, in particular, dealt with a parent who has dementia, which really tugged at my heartstrings.
I was invested not only in the romance unfolding but also in rooting for the characters who are dealing with the complexities of life. 3/5 stars
The Sweet Flypaper of Life by Roy DeCarava & Langston Hughes
This was one of my finds from the David Zwirner sale that blends fiction and photography by American photographer Roy DeCarava and American writer Langston Hughes.
The book captures life in Harlem after the US Supreme Court decision Brown v. Board of Education in May 1954. From children playing in the streets to men hanging out on stoops, it is a raw and unfiltered glimpse into the lives of people in Harlem. When working on the project, Hughes said, "We've had so many books about how bad life is, maybe it's time to have one showing how good it is."
In today's world, I'll take whatever glimmers of hope I can get. 4/5 stars
The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden
I had pretty high hopes for this read. It was shortlisted for the Booker Prize, and the author won the Women's Prize for Fiction this year, which is an impressive feat for a debut novel.
Set in the summer of 1961, the story unfolds as Isabel unwittingly shares her home with her brother's girlfriend, Eva, in the Dutch countryside for the season. Isabel is a recluse with a routine, whereas Eva is up at odd hours of the night and ventures into corners of the house that she shouldn't. Disdain turns into infatuation as the two grow closer.
I would have enjoyed this a lot more if I could have seen the relationship blossom a little more; instead, it felt very rushed and unlikely. It also reminded me a lot of The Handmaiden (2016) with the lust-filled relationship and twist. It would have been stronger with a slow-burn approach that is filled with tension, which fits the overall vibe of the book better, making the tonal shift less jarring. 3/5 stars
Stone Fruit by Lee Lai
I'm enjoying reading one graphic novel per quarter as a nice palette cleanser in between books. Stone Fruit is a graphic novel centered around the shared connection among three women and a child whom they love wholly.
Bron and Ray are the fun aunties who babysit Ray's six-year-old niece, Nessie, whenever her mom is busy with work. They run wild in the fields together, making up stories and songs as they play. Without Nessie around, Bron and Ray are faced with the challenges of their relationship, typically linked to Bron's mental health and fragmented relationship with her family, as well as Nessie's complicated relationship with her sister.
It was a touching read about accepting ourselves fully and allowing love to seep into the crevices of our lives. Seeing Nessie's point of view and love for her fun but weird aunts was a reminder of the innocence and beauty that come with a child's perspective. 4/5 stars
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
The wheel for the month of August landed on my suggestion for book club. I'm glad that this book was tied to a discussion because there is so much to dissect here. The Bluest Eye is Toni Morrison's first novel, debuting in the 70s. I can only hope to have a fraction of her talent in writing, because this is a masterful piece of literary fiction.
The Bluest Eye is a story of 11-year-old Pecola Breedlove and the people in her community of Lorain, Ohio. With blue-eyed baby dolls, Pecola's only wish is for her eyes to turn blue as a way of gaining the admiration and love she so desires. A love that is typically reserved for the blond, blue-eyed children in America. Set in the autumn of 1941, we witness how Pecola's life spirals in devastating ways.
It was an incredibly heart wrenching beautiful book that will stay in my mind. Toni Morrison is an amazing writer who weaves language together in ways that pack a punch, leaving me breathless. This made for a powerful discussion on race, gender, and beauty standards during the book club. Highly recommend, although check trigger warnings if needed. 5/5 stars
Algospeak: How Social Media is Transforming the Future of Language by Adam Aleksic
I am deeply fascinated by the emergence of new words that ultimately turn slanguage into officials words in the official dictionaries. For instance how brain rot was added into the Oxford dictionary last year and was coined 2024 Word of the Year.
Listening to Algospeak as an audiobook is pretty funny, as the author would have to say slanguage that sounds like gibberish, which made for an entertaining read. This was a comprehensive look into how social media has altered the way we communicate. From changing words as a way of bypassing the censorship to the coopting of words by marginalized communities by the general population, it was eye-opening to learn the evolution of language in our present day. 4/5 stars
Yin Yang Love Song by Lauren Kung Jessen
After the last two reads, I needed something light and comforting. A romcom felt like a good choice, especially one that has characters who have cultural backgrounds that I'm familiar with.
Chryssy Hua Williams comes from a long line of Chinese herbalist, who co-owns a "heartbreak retreat" utilizing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to help people heal. Although they are heartbreak healers, the Hua family is said to have a family curse where the Hua women can never find true love. At first skeptical, Chryssy starts believing in the curse after her 9th breakup. Things change when she meets Vin Chao, a celebrity rockstar cellist known for being a heartbreaker. To increase his next tour's ticket sales and to promote her family's new tea business, the two agree to fake date, which we know how it all ends.
It was a cute read, but the best part was the sprinkling of TCM knowledge throughout the book. I loved learning about how different teas can help with a variety of ailments. If there was a spin-off book focusing on the heartbreak retreat, I would jump on that asap. 3/5 stars
There Is No Antimemetics Division by qntm
The book club pick for September was a sci-fi read that largely existed on Reddit forums until Penguin Random House scooped it up. The book will officially be released on November 11 this year.
This book challenged my intelligence as we are introduced to the idea of "antimemes." What are antimemes? They are "ideas that attack memory, identity, and the fabric of reality itself".
It's a unique sci-fi horror that had an engaging premise, but the non-linear storytelling and lack of strong character development made it a chore to read. As someone who enjoys character-driven stories, this didn't do it for me. Some moments had me locked in, but those were far and few in between. Although this is so far out of my comfort zone, I'm proud of myself for giving it a try. 2/5 stars
Swift River by Essie J. Chambers
I love a good coming-of-age story where family secrets are unraveled. Swift River is exactly that. Set in the summer of 1987, we follow Diamond Newberry, who is biracial in a predominantly white town, as she and her mom navigate the disappearance of her dad seven years later. Her mom is determined to collect the life insurance money after declaring her husband legally dead, so that they would no longer have to hitchhike around town and keep their house.
One day, Diamond receives a letter from a distant relative on her dad's side, in which she learns about the lives of two generations of Newberry women through a series of letters. Swift River is a beautiful and poignant read about identity, love, family, and racism in America. 4/5 stars
The House of Madelaine by Elaine Kraf
The best way to describe this short novel is a fever dream. First published in 1971, Penguin Random House republished it this year, hence the resurgence of this book on social media. We are quickly introduced to the main character, Elaine, as she follows her friend, Florence, into a house to look for Florence's husband. Strangely, they don't fully leave the dimensions of the house and are stuck in this bizarre new reality.
As she fully immerses herself with the cast of strange, quirky characters, she recalls pieces of her life. It's an allegory of reclaiming one's agency after a traumatic time in one's life. Although I can appreciate the creativity that went into this, I didn't particularly enjoy reading it. It was a little too unusual for me, with too much strange imagery that made me feel deeply uncomfortable, which I'm sure is ultimately the point of the book. 3/5 stars
Overall, I'm pleasantly surprised by the amount of 4 star reads, making this a solid reading quarter. My goal for the rest of the year is to start reading the books I already own around my apartment and maybe a spooky read or two for October. I foresee a lot of reading time as the days get colder and darker, the perfect vibe for a fantasy or literay fiction read. Until then, happy reading!
