february wrap-up and march tbr
hint: I basically read nothing, but we ball
Sometimes there comes times in your life where everything decides to go very badly. And all the time youβd usually dedicate toward reading goes instead toward stressing out, trying to finish random tasks that keep piling up and inevitably going to sleep early because itβs all too much.
That is what February was like for me. Consequently I only finished one book (though I did make progress on two others which I finished in the first few days of March (so I didnβt completely flop).
I was going to skip doing a wrap-up but then I remembered: any reading is good reading :) especially in a hectic and stressful month. So without further ado, here is my one book I read in Feb + a March TBR.
Pixel Flesh: How Toxic Beauty Culture Harms Women, Ellen Atlanta | β°β°β°
I finally read it! After this being on TBRs for literal months because it took my library ages to get it in, I am proud to say I have read it.
This is one of the most up-to-date explorations of the issue of beauty I've read - it covers a breadth of topics, with a focus on the social media landscape and how this is impacting changes to women's perceptions of themselves. I thought it was relatable, I saw myself & the people I know in the pages of this book.
I thought the research and the structure was excellent. there is a lot of interesting information here with lengthy and considerate analysis. I liked most her interviews with real women, and the sections focussed on social media, influencers, and the impact of online marketing and beauty culture on young girls. This is where this book shines because it's a genuinely detailed analysis of the cultural and social impacts of this emerging digital landscape.
My one gripe is I feel Atlanta is a little bit of a fence sitter, at times. I would have liked this to perhaps be a little bit more hard hitting and come to some more definitive conclusions. I found the conclusion itself to be extremely weak - with some of her suggestions just being bizarre and unhelpful. along these lines, in general I found the personal sections of this to be disengaging, I don't think her narrative voice is as strong as essay writing. on a more minor note, I thought including quotes by large beauty companies felt incongruent with the rest of the content presented here.
That said, I did appreciate a lot when this book delved more deeply into choice feminism, class analysis and capitalism than many similar books I've read on this topic. this is NOT a book that says 'botox is okay because if it makes you happy :)' and I was massively relieved by that.
Overall would recommend, especially for people new to this topic.
owned tbr - 1/22
Currently reading: Goodbye to Berlin
25 in 2025 - 3/25
Finished Pixel Flesh
March TBR
currently reading:
Yes, the fact Iβm currently reading five books is absolutely ridiculous and not sustainable but it is what it is.
Mister Impossible, Maggie Stiefvater
I read the first book in this series last year and admittedly I wasnβt sure if I was going to continue. I loved the Raven Cycle but I didnβt think Call Down the Hawk had the same magic and whimsy. I still decided to pick this up because I like the characters and the story and wanted to give it a shot but if I never find it mind your business.
Kitchen Confidential, Anthony Bourdain
Iβm listening to the audiobook which is narrated by Anthony Bourdain himself, which Iβm really liking. Iβve wanted to read this book for years so itβs been nice to finally pick it up! My dad was working as a chef growing up so I find some of his anecdotes about the lifestyle of a chef really funny and relatable.
Goodbye to Berlin, Christopher Isherwood
I started this on a whim because I felt like reading something a little more literary and so far Iβm two chapters in. Itβs set in the interwar years in Berlin which Iβm finding really interesting. I donβt have a lot of thoughts given how little Iβve read but so far Iβve liked the prose and Iβll read more soon.
The Golden Raven, Nora Sakavic
The next book in the Foxhole Court series which just dropped this week! Iβm having a similar problem as I am with Mister Impossible in that I just donβt like this follow up series as much as the original. But the plot is picking up a bit now so Iβm hoping it hooks me like the Foxhole Court books did, since it was the second book in that series where I got really into it too.
Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland, Patrick Radden Keefe
I listened to about 30% of this audiobook but have decided to put it on hold and read it physically. I am actually really enjoying it, but it was starting to get a bit dense and Iβd prefer to read it in physical. But when the library loan comes in, Iβll definitely be continuing.
if by some miracle I need more books to read:
Sunrise on the Reaping, Suzanne Collins
This is the only book I KNOW Iβll be reading. Iβm so excited for this, Iβve always wanted this book. It also comes out the day before I have a flight so it will be perfect plane reading material.
On James Baldwin, Colm TΓ³ibΓn
I have been in a bit of a mood to read some essays and this is a collection I bought recently I have been really wanting to get to. I love James Baldwin and Iβve read a lot of his book, but I have been thinking recently it might be nice to supplement that with some books about him and his life, so I think Iβll really like this.
Signs of Damage, Diana Reid
This is a new release Australian novel Iβd love to get to soon! Diana Reid wrote one book I loved (Love & Virtue) and one I thought was okay (Seeing Other People) so Iβve been looking forward to this new one to see what I think. The premise is a little different to her other works, so really looking forward to giving this a shot!