tiphoric

hello! welcome to my monthly wrap-up where i will be sharing everything i read.

i will be cheating a bit for this wrap-up because this will also include things from january since i didn’t do a proper wrap up then.

what i read

This Brutal Moon, Bethany Jacobs

this is the final book of the Kindom Trilogy that i technically finished on the 1st of january but i counted it as a finished book in 2025. definitely added to my list of fave series!

Cursed Daughters, Oyankan Braithwaite

i guess i thought this would have some commentary on the “curse” mentioned in the title, familial bonds, misogyny, grieving after a loss of a family member to suicide but ultimately, it goes nowhere. the three women we follow felt like empty shells that i could not bring myself to care about and sometimes i struggled to tell any of them apart with the timeline jumping that was done throughout the story. i had high hopes for this one so maybe it’s my own fault for setting my expectations so high. it does have an interesting premise and the potential to be great but it’s lacking a lot. the audiobook is fantastic though so i recommend if you’re going into this.

The Hounding, Xenobe Purvis

young girl does not return smile to man. mass male hysteria ensues.

i admit i am partial to a book that centers siblings especially sisters so i was drawn to the premise of this story almost immediately but…this was fine? it’s not really saying anything new or profound, but i liked the way it was written from different perspectives of the townspeople and that we never get one from any of the sisters. it added to the mystery.

Interesting Facts About Space, Emily Austin

i’ve been wanting to read Emily Austin for a while & was really excited when not one but two of my library holds became available.

i think i liked the build up more but the “reveal” at the end kinda threw me and made me feel like everything i read was for nothing. i loved all the facts about spaces though.

We Could Be Rats, Emily Austin

this one i enjoyed a lot more. this is a story of two estranged sister finding their way back to each other. the first part of the book is told in a series of suicide letters from the younger sister to her older sister. at first i wasn’t sure if i should keep going but wow, i am so glad i did. i devoured this in one sitting. prepare to be on a roller-coaster of emotions if you pick this up.

Sugar, Bernice McFadden

my only completed read of february. this was a very slow reading month. after wrapping this one up, i found myself unable to finish anything i started. it took a lot out of me emotionally so i blame my reading slump on my having to recover.

set in a small town of 1950’s arkansas, this tells the story of two women – Pearl, an older church woman who is still grieving the horrific murder of her young daughter that happened 15 years prior and Sugar, a young sex worker who moves in next door in an attempt to start her life over. soon they form an unlikely friendship.

i quite enjoyed it overall. it’s not perfect but it is impactful & will have you thinking about for days after you’ve finished.

DNF

i am sticking with my “rule” of DNF-ing books that are not bringing me joy or that i am not enjoying. soooo here are some books i started in january/february but that didn’t meet my expectations:

• Nightbitch, Rachel Yoder
• Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, Gregory Maguire
• Bad Nature, Ariel Courage
• I Love You So Much It’s Killing Us Both, Mariah Stovall

watching

Bridgerton, season 4 (completed) – safe to say that i enjoyed this season better than the last one. this was my favorite book back when i originally read the series like 15 or so years ago so i was very much anticipating this season. i definitely have some critiques on the direction this show is taking but overall i had a decent time.

Jujutsu Kaisen, season 3 (ongoing) – of course! the way they are adapting this arc has blown me away. i was a little worried before the season started airing but every episode has been phenomenal.

Anne Shirley, season 1 (currently watching) – this is making me miss Anne With an E. the anime is just as sweet & wholesome. i need to read anne of green gables someday.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, season 2 (ongoing) – !!!!!

Gachiakuta, season 1 (currently watching) – literally just started it this weekend but i’m enjoying it so far! i might have to pick up the manga after my sister & i finish season 1.

aaaand that’s all i have for now! i will try to be on time for my March wrap up but we shall see.

thanks for reading – talk soon!