FEBRUARY 2025 READING LIST
The shortest month brought on the longest reading list I have ever accomplished. I listen to half while I read the other half, mostly in the evening to decompress from the day.
Lately, I have been drawn to books that reflect life—not necessarily memoirs, nonfiction, or self-help. Penn taught me about leading a good life, Grayson spoke to me about friendship, and Berry related the importance of culture, truth, and history. This has led me down a path of literary reading that has brought up several Pulitzer Prize-winning writings to add to my reading list.
Here are the books I read in February:
SOME FRUITS OF SOLITUDE BY WILLIAM PENN
A collection of reflections and maxims put together by the early American Quaker leader William Penn.
The writings of William Penn were mentioned in Adventures of Solitude as one of Grayson’s few precious selections of reading allowed in his hospital recovery room. At first glance, I wasn’t too interested in the musings of a Quaker of old, but I found it thoughtful and insightful. Separated into sections such as avarice, reparations, truth, respect, government, etc. Tag-lined as a book about Reflections and Maxims Relating to Conduct of Human Life, Penn shares his thoughts on life.
Many lines and topics were encouraging to read. So many sections were relatable to today and the society we hope to have but rarely experience. Here are a few lines that stood out to me:
REPERATIONS:
124. We should make more Haste to Right our Neighbor than we do to wrong him, and instead of being Vindicative, we should leave him to be Judge of his own Satisfaction.
POSTERITY:
214. If we could amend the World, we should mend Our selves and teach our Children to be not what we are, but what they should be.
IMPARTIALITY:
414. Partiality is always Indirect, if not Dishonest: For it shews a Byass where Reason would have none; if not an Injury, which Justice every where forbids.
The old English list of maxims should not be overlooked. Yes, the writings are from another era, but many are still true today. I could perfectly understand why Grayson in his book wanted Some Fruits of Solitude during his convalescence. It is a book meant to be read slowly and thoughtfully to let the words impress the reader. This is a book to have on your shelf and occasionally read through a section or two.
4/5 Stars
ADVENTURES IN FRIENDSHIP BY DAVID GRAYSON
Grayson writes about the intricate dynamics of human relationships through a series of country sketches that enlighten the reader about camaraderie and friendship.
I am fully on the David Grayson bandwagon. Although Friendship was not as impactful to me as Solitude, I still gleaned a great deal about life and friendship from this reading.
David Grayson (the pseudonym of Ray Stannard Baker) strove to showcase country life through his interactions with people in the community. Sometimes, it was the blacksmith, the immigrant, or the local preacher. Regardless of the relationship, there were several sketches on life and the friendships created, whether lifelong or in passing. Below are just a few of my favorite lines:
Is it not marvelous how full people are--all people--of humour, tragedy, passionate human longings, hopes, fears--if only you can unloosen the floodgates! As to my companion, he had been growing bitter and sickly with the pent-up humours of discouragement; all he needed was a listener.
My friend, did it ever occur to you that you are unhappy because you have lost connection with life? Because your feet are not somewhere firmly planted upon the soil of reality?
“A friend is one with whom we are fond of being when no business is afoot nor any entertainment contemplated. A man may well be silent with a friend.”
4.5/5 Stars
MURDER ON UNION SQUARE BY VICTORIA THOMPSON
The adoption of Catherine is prevented by somebody’s right as her guardian.
3/5 Stars
MURDER ON TRINITY PLACE BY VICTORIA THOMPSON
Historical context of swilled milk at the turn of the century.
4/5 Stars
MURDER ON PLEASANT AVENUE BY VICTORIA THOMPSON
A woman is kidnapped from Italian Harlem, and everyone believes it is the Black Hand.
3.75/5 Stars
Since I have read so many installments in the Gaslight Mystery series, I decided to review them together. I finished Union Square, and although the story contained its usual mystery and red herrings typical of Thompson's writing, I felt disconnected from it. The same pattern was unfolding, and I considered not continuing the series. I had already read over twenty books in the series and felt I had reached my limit of interest in the characters. I have been listening to the series, and with no other book in my queue, I decided to try Trinity Place.
If Union Square felt predictable and the setting of theater life seemed dull, Trinity Place certainly awakened my senses. I thoroughly enjoyed the infusion of historical references regarding the quality of milk. I was horrified to learn that many children before the 1900s died before the age of five due to the poor quality of milk and the use of beer waste. The mystery aspect also appeared more intricate and kept me guessing until the end. The story had better tension and was more compelling, maintaining the reader's interest.
Excited to see that Trinity Place had regained some of the old spirit of the earlier books in the series, I drove down Pleasant Avenue and was instantly swept away by the world of Italian Harlem and the intrigue of the Black Hand. Although I figured out the culprit earlier in the story this time, I still enjoyed the unfolding of the revelation. Pleasant Avenue ended with tension yet was satisfying in how it concluded. The satisfaction of the ending was somewhat cathartic, as those who caused harm received their comeuppance. Now, I am onto the next book in the series, hoping that the new energy of the Gaslight Mystery series continues.
DRAGONWYCK BY ANYA SETON
This is a gothic romance in which 18-year-old Miranda Wells falls under the spell of her distant relative Nicholas Van Ryn, his opulent world, and the mysterious old mansion called Dragonwyck. The book portrays a country torn between freedom and feudal tradition, divided by the very rich and the very poor. Against the backdrop of anti-rent wars, Miranda learns that the house holds many secrets, and Van Ryn has much to hide under his placid exterior.
After reading Katherine and Avalon, I wanted to try another Anya Seton book. Dragonwyck was appealing, first because of the title and the time period. The story's beginning was slow but built up as it progressed. The book was like Jane Eyre, Rebecca, and Daniel Deronda all rolled into one.
Seton’s strength is in the historical references she includes in her writing. Reading about the patroon system, anti-rent wars, the Astor Place massacre, and questions regarding the feudal system was fascinating. The inclusion of Herman Melville and Edgar Allen Poe was amusing, but I did not feel their characters brought much to the story.
What I struggled with was the depth of the characters. Seton did so well with the background of Katherine and exploring Merewyn's journey in Avalon. In Dragonwyck, there is less background and depth. While I can believe a country girl would be captivated by the allure of wealth and splendor, Miranda comes off as overly naive for someone her age. I appreciate Jeff Turner’s character, who serves as a foil and counterpart to Van Ryn. The story was somewhat predictable but still worth reading.
3.25/5 Stars
MURDER IS ACADEMIC BY CHRISTINE POULSON
Cassandra James, a professor at Cambridge University's St. Ethelreda's College, discovers the dead body of a fellow professor. When she reads her colleague's private papers, she realizes that the death was not an accident. What follows is a search for who may have wanted the head of the English department to meet her demise.
I found Murder Is Academic at a library book sale. The clean cover intrigued me, and the plot involves academia and murder. I enjoyed the cozy setting in the Cambridge-like countryside. Cass’s love of reading was also relatable as she wandered through the stacks of books in her home. There was enough of a mystery to keep me guessing, and I was able to finish the book quickly.
The writing felt mediocre and lacked the crisp, rhythmic flow I expected. The introduction of characters was insufficient; there was at least one instance where a character's name switched from informal to formal and back again, requiring me to look back through pages to confirm who the characters were. There were also a few typos. Although I understand that typos can happen even to the best authors and publishers, I was jolted by two appearing close together near the end of the book.
On one hand, I found the story exciting and the mystery intriguing. The setting of St. Ethelred’s College at Cambridge was appealing and easy to visualize. On the other hand, the plot felt weak, and I struggled to find a reading rhythm due to the disjointed writing and gaps in the background. The book could have benefited from another review to address the gaps better and strengthen the characters.
2.5/5 Stars
REDEMPTION SONG BY BERTICE BERRY
People’s lives intersect at Miss Cozy’s small African American bookshop. Josephine, Fina, and Ross are searching for a rare book, Children of Grace. They have yet to realize what the story will mean to each of them, but something special is about to happen when the bookstore owner insists they read the book together.
I have had Redemption Song on my shelf for some time, having found it at a library sale. The plot seemed intriguing, and the book's length meant it would be short. I have been combing through my bookshelves, finally attempting some I have had for a while. Once I started the book, I could not put it down. Iona's tale was heartbreaking as she related her life in slavery. Her passages read somewhat like Octavia Butler’s Kindred.
Berry's Recipe of Life was powerful because it provided a framework for changing society and encouraging Black people to strive for dignity in a world of white supremacy. The book contains many lines on the meaning of truth, and oh, how do those lines resonate with life today? It also discusses the connection between suffering and comfort. No other culture and heritage in America can better understand the power of joy that comes after severe suffering like Black people can.
"A person has to go through a lot of pain to get to comfort!”
I finished the book with a fresh reminder of the horror of slavery, the impact of generational trauma, and the importance of connecting with others. Every culture that enters America has to assimilate to some degree, but Berry challenges us to hold on to precious elements that make our culture unique. She calls the Black community to better care for children who are without one or both of their parents. In Latino culture, we have the strength of recognizing the integral aspect of generational influences and connecting with our relatives, young and old. This small book moved me, earning a spot on my bookshelf so I can reread it one day.
4.25/5 Stars