may 2025 reads
I'm writing my reading log more or less on time this month despite a finger injury! I read a lot of books this month once again thanks to the power of audiobooks and commuting. There was a lot of nonfiction and I expect that to continue into June as well since I bought quite a few nonfiction audiobooks in a sale. It also aligns with my goal to read more of the books that I own too! Happy reading and enjoy!
Novels, Collections, & Nonfiction
銀座「四宝堂」文房具店 by 上田健次 (Kenji Ueda)
A translator friend of mine did the English translation (Letters from the Ginza Shihodo Stationery Shop)for this, so I picked it up to give it a try. It's one of those cozy books where each chapter is loosely connected—in this case, chronologically. This one takes place in a stationary shop and it's fine. No complaints really.
Semishigure by Shuhei Fujisawa (tr. Thomas Harper)
This book was so cool. I've never actually read a Japanese samurai novel before and it was so different from what I'm used to. The casualness of the romantic tension was quite interesting. Reading it made me really excited for the new translation of Musashi that's coming out starting next year. Thanks to Honford Star for publishing awesome books.
A Two-Spirit Journey by Ma-Nee Chacaby w/ Mary Louisa Plummer
I read this because of Canada Reads, otherwise I wouldn't have known this memoir existed. I listened to the audiobook and the narration wasn't done by the author, but I suspect the annunciation was done intetionally to match her speaking style. There were many depictions of traumatic incidents, so readers beware.
The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir (tr. Mary Robinette Kowal)
An Icelandic horror novel. Very different from what I usually read and perhaps the first book I've ever read translated from Icelandic. Death of animals, abuse, and other very creepy things happen. I need more in English please.
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes by Caitlin Doughty
Another audiobook, but instead of indigenous memoir, it's about death and the death industry (mostly in North America). I thought it was going to be much creepier, but the writing and narration from the author were very humorous. I only gagged when she talked about embalming in detail!
Erasing History by Jason Stanley
This was another book I listened to and it's basically a primer in how propaganda is used to erase history and manipulate the masses. Very disturbing and very relevant right now. I'll be reading the author's small book on fascism in the same way sometime later this year (whenever my reservation at the library becomes available.
銀座「四宝堂」文房具店 2 by 上田健次 (Kenji Ueda)
This is the second book in the series I introduced above. More of the same, but I liked the stories a bit more in this one. A translation of this is coming out later this year.
The God and the Gumiho by Sophie Kim
I loved the Talon series from this author, so I had to try her foray into adult fantasy. I preferred the Talons series (and still wonder how it was published under a YA imprint), but this was really fun. I love cranky but actually lovable characters. This one was slightly more smutty with more swearing because of the intended audience too, which was interesting to see.
Who's Afraid of Gender? by Judith Butler
I listened to this and while I liked the ideas, it was so hard to focus on because it's so rambly. I think it would've gone better if I'd read it with my eyes in a quiet room instead of trying to listen to the audiobook during my commute.
Swimming in the Dark by Tomasz Jedrowski
This is a book about a gay man in Poland while it was still part of the Eastern Bloc. It made me realize how little I know about the time period and place. It was a very powerful story and I hope the author continues to write.
I Decided to Live As Me by Kim Suhyun (tr. Anton Hur)
I can never say no to something translated by Anton Hur. This is a kind of self help book in small checklist/snippet form. Easy to read and reference again and again. I admire the self-reflection of the author a lot.
The God and the Gwisin by Sophie Kim
I got the arc for this sequel to The God and the Gumiho from NetGalley. Check out my full review for my thoughts on it. They're generally positive, but I preferred the first book.
The Bright Ages by Matthew Gabriele & David M. Perry
A popular history book that I listened to during my commute. It looks at specific moments in time to push back against the idea that the Middle Ages were dark and hopeless. Lots of uplifting of women and putting down of white supremacy. Highly recommend.
Manga
Witch Hat Atelier Vol. 9 by Kamome Shirahama (tr. Stephen Kohler)
Excellent as always. I've already signed out the next volume from the library. It's getting quite dark, so I'm curious to see where the story goes from here!
That's all for May. I didn't write much because it's hard to type without the pointer finger on my right hand, but I hope you enjoy my quick list. I should be able to write more for June at the end of the month! Thanks as always!
Updated 4 months ago