Unusual Eulogies is a curated record of my reading life. These entries collect brief reflections on the books that have accompanied me at different moments — classics, contemporary fiction, unexpected finds, and the ones everyone was talking about.
This year was all about stories of rebellion and quiet defiance, but told with a haunting, tension-soaked mood. I craved books where the tension wasn’t just in the plot, but in the very air the characters breathed.
I read with a dual heart: as a pure reader getting lost in a story, and as a writer marveling at voice, structure, and the lingering questions a great book leaves behind. Think of this not as a review site, but as a conversation about the stories that stick with us. It’s a reference for anyone curious about what’s on my shelf and, perhaps, a source for your next great read.
Loki: Where Mischief Lies
Mackenzi Lee
This book is a blast of pure, witty fun. A middle school crush recommended it, knowing my legendary soft spot for Loki, and it delivered. It builds out the Marvel version we know with great energy. It’s fast-paced and feels perfectly pitched for younger readers or anyone who loves a charismatic troublemaker.
The Inheritance Games
Jennifer Lynn Barnes
I totally get the hype — this concept is so clever! The puzzle-box mystery is genuinely tense and addictive, packed with twists and family secrets. While love triangles aren’t usually my thing and I’m terrible at committing to series, this is an undeniably entertaining ride for anyone who loves a page-turning gimmick done well.
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Reading this classic felt like attending the most dramatic, decadent party of the century. It’s intentionally over-the-top, a dizzying exploration of obsession and the American Dream. While all that yearning wasn’t entirely my personal scene, its sheer style and efficiency make it a must-read. I’m glad I went; it was a perfect, vivid trip.
Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen
My honest journey with this classic? I found the pacing deliberate, but the writing is so breathtakingly elegant. I fully fell for its magic after watching an adaptation and catching the rhythm of its brilliant social maneuvering. It’s a masterpiece of subtle judgment and simmering tension. A patient read, but one that absolutely rewards you.
The Power Wish
Keiko
I’ll always associate this book with the sound of crickets on my cousins’ porch in South Carolina. It’s a thought-provoking, inspirational read that blends intention-setting with lunar cycles. Less of a traditional book and more of a guided experience, it left me feeling curiously focused and hopeful.
The Hunger Games
Catching Fire
Mockingjay
Suzanne Collins
Why did I wait so long? This series is a masterclass in layered storytelling. Beyond the survival drama, it’s a sharp, relentless commentary on power, media, and rebellion that feels chillingly relevant. The personal relationships serve the larger point — this is brilliant, propulsive fiction with a formidable backbone.
Missing in Tokyo (Spanish Edition)
Graham Marks
This fast-paced mystery had an intriguing setting. Readers who love quick, plot-driven thrillers might find a fun escape here.
The War of the Worlds
H. G. Wells
A foundational sci-fi classic with a truly killer concept. I admired its imagination and historical impact, though the split narrative and prose style felt a bit distant for my modern reader sensibilities. It’s a cool glimpse into the origins of alien invasion stories.
We Were Liars
E. Lockhart
A true BookTok phenomenon! This book explores haunting themes of memory, guilt, and loss with an interesting structural idea. I deeply respect the emotional chord it struck with so many readers. Its haunting tension is undeniable.
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Robert Louis Stevenson
A short, dense, and fascinating dive into the duality of human nature. It takes a minute to settle into its rhythm, but once it does, it becomes a profoundly thought-provoking parable about morality we’re still wrestling with today.
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Oscar Wilde
This book is what happens when a poet writes a novel. Every sentence is a devastating, perfect jewel. It’s a breathtaking meditation on beauty, corruption, and consequence. All hail Oscar Wilde, forever.
A Touch of Darkness
A Touch of Ruin
A Game of Fate
Scarlett St. Clair
This series is my spicy mythological romance phase! It’s a fun, engaging, and steamy reimagining of the classic myth. The characters are charming, the drama is high, and it delivers exactly what fans of the genre crave: fantasy, desire, and addictive tension.
Between Shades of Gray (Spanish Edition)
Ruta Sepetys
This is a deeply moving, emotionally resonant novel. Set during WWII, it handles profound loss and survival with raw, graceful sensitivity. It’s the kind of story that carves a place in your heart and stays there, long after the final page. Beautiful and heartbreaking.
Jane Eyre
Charlotte Brontë
A beautifully written, introspective Gothic journey that truly tested my patience in the best way. The slow burn and the complex power dynamics had me engrossed, even when I was frustrated. Finishing it felt like a hard-won accomplishment. The prose alone is stunning.
Storm Catchers
Tim Bowler
What an unexpected, eerie gem! I adored the ghostly atmosphere, the constant twists, and the remarkably human, flawed antagonist. It’s a clever, atmospheric, and thoroughly fun read that completely pulled me into its world.