july 2025 reads
July was absolutely crazy, which is why I'm finally writing my book log nearly a week into August (much like what happened last month with my June reading log). In June, it was more that I was having a hard time with my health and distracted because of that. Last month it was more of that + starting a new project with a new client. The schedule for the project is pretty tight and smoothing out all the wrinkles has been a little bit more time intensive than anticipated. I've also been doing onboarding for a completely unrelated thing with yet another new client, so it's just been a wild wild time.
I think that this is a parent in the reduction in number of books I read in July—though I did managed to read quite a few review copies from NetGalley. So overall, kind of a weird reading month, that I think is going to continue into August because I'm just so busy with work this month.
Anyway, let's get into the books!
Novels, Collections, & Nonfiction
アセクシュアルアロマンティック入門 by 松浦優 (Yu Matsuura)
This book claims to be an introduction to asexuality and aromanticism, but it wasn't really that introductory and I didn't care for it—I'd actually forgotten I read it until I was compiling this list. Embarrassing. The author just spent so much time throwing academic data points and saying that all of the data was inadequate for it to be an accessible introduction.
The Light Eaters by Zoë Schlanger
I listened to this narrated by the author and it was super awesome. I had no idea that there were botanists and other researchers who were looking into plants in a more dynamic way than they've been historically talked about or understood in Western science. Plants are geniuses. I am impressed.
The Bird King by G. Willow Wilson
This is a very cool book that has been on my TBR for several years that I finally rescued. It takes place when the region that, I believe is modern-day Spain, was still a Muslim territory and it's about this kind of fantastical and magical situation where the main characters are running away from the Inquisition. A bit hard to explain, but very cool.
Mad Sisters of Esi by Tashan Mehta
This book was phenomenal. I got a review copy of it for its US release. Please read my detailed review because this book was incredible.
Ancillary Mercy by Ann Leckie
This is the conclusion to the Ancillary series by Ann Leckie, though there are more standalones and short story collections that have stories in the same universe. Satisfying and unexpected ending, if not a little too neatly concluded. I think the world is completely fascinating and I love what the author is doing with gender, so I will definitely be picking up more of her books in this universe.
Sunbirth by An Yu
This is another book that I read a review copy for. I remember being generally satisfied, but July was A Month, so the story has largely left me already.
Oxford Soju Club by Jinwoo Park
My final review copy for July and I really liked this book. It's basically a very calm thriller that tackles themes of identity and finding a place where you belong (and if it's even possible to do that in the first place). Do recommend.
人生写真館の奇跡 by 柊サナカ (Sanaka Hiiragi)
This is so-called cozy fiction and it's been published in English (translation by Jesse Kirkwood) as The Lantern of Lost Memories. Both English title and cover are deceiving because there are no lanterns and certainly no cats, but the authors approach of spirits having to look over all of the photos of their lives before they move on was very interesting. There are only three stories, but be warned that they cover topics of bullying, child abuse, and of course, death.
Manga & Other Comics
ホワイトライアー by 芹澤知 (Tomo Serizawa)
This is a lovely oneshot BL manga about an actor who's in love with a hairstylist. I love what this mangaka does visually and with their storytelling (and it was a pleasure to translate another one of their works into English last year).
The Way of the Househusband Vol. 2 by Kousuke Oono (tr. Sheldon Drzka)
This is more of the same from volume 1. Lots of shenanigans with people misunderstanding the main character because he acts like a criminal when he's doing incredibly mundane things. As with volume 1, the lettering was also super cool.
They Called Us Enemy by George Takei & Steven R. Scott
I don't read many graphic novels in English, but I saw a post from George Takei about this book and decided to read it given gestures at the American political climate. Really approachable and a great educational tool for young people in my opinion.
And that's it! As usual, these are all based on the first thoughts that came to my mind and I didn't go over any of my past reviews to try to remember anything extra about the books. This is all just whatever came to mind as I was speaking into my phone to write the list.
Until next time, happy reading!
Updated 1 month, 2 weeks ago