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.
2022 was a year of literary deconstruction and raw voice. I found myself drawn to stories that peeled back the layers of storytelling itself — examining classic structures, dissecting narrative power, and marveling at bold, unconventional voices. It was a year spent equally in the workshop and the gallery, appreciating both the blueprint and the masterpiece.
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.
Mundo del fin del mundo
Luis Sepúlveda
A short, fable-like novel with a strong ecological heart. Its allegorical style is very direct, which is a powerful approach for its message-driven intent.
The Virgin Suicides
Jeffrey Eugenides
A haunting, lyrical novel that feels suspended in memory. I was drawn into the girls’ lives and the collective voice that surrounds them. At times, dated character commentary and uneven pacing pulled me out of the narrative, but the atmosphere and emotional weight linger long after finishing.
The Writer’s Journey
Christopher Vogler
This book is foundational to my work as a writer — Miniature Novels II simply wouldn’t exist without it. This book breaks down the mythic structure underlying so many stories we love. It’s a comprehensive and transformative read for anyone interested in the architecture of narrative. It permanently reshaped the way I understand storytelling structure.
1984
Gorge Orwell
A chilling and disturbingly relevant dystopia. Orwell’s conceptual brilliance is undeniable, though the narrative distance sometimes made emotional connection more elusive for me. Certain descriptive choices felt distracting, but the ending lands with devastating precision. A classic that earns its reputation.
A Room of One’s Own
Virginia Woolf
One of those books that alters your internal landscape. Insightful, incisive, and quietly radical, it feels less like an essay and more like an awakening. Its ideas linger, reshaping how you think long after the final page.
Frankenstein (Spanish Edition)
Mary Shelley
A gripping and timeless novel that still feels astonishingly modern. I was completely absorbed until the narrative shifted into extended introspection, which slowed the momentum for me. Even so, its questions about creation, responsibility, and isolation remain powerful.
Ficciones
Jorge Luis Borges
A labyrinthine, intellectually dazzling collection. These stories are puzzles, philosophical explorations, and literary marvels that challenge the very nature of reality and narrative. This is a book that truly benefits from shared analysis; reading it alongside a literature class unlocked layers I might have missed on my own.
Film for Her
Orion Carloto
A delicate, introspective book that feels like nostalgia captured mid-thought. It feels deeply human, like pages from a private diary filled with warmth and acute observation.
Her Body and Other Parties
Carmen Maria Machado
Sheer, unadulterated brilliance. Machado’s voice is utterly original — blending horror, fantasy, folklore, and visceral reality to explore the female experience. Creepy, clever, sensual, and unforgettable.
El agiotista
Irma Sabina Sepúlveda
Found in my grandpa’s bookcase. Disorienting most intriguingly. This is the kind of book that leaves you questioning whether you fully understood it, and whether that uncertainty is the point.
Dirty Heads
Aaron Dries
A fast-paced, cinematic horror novel that’s nearly impossible to put down. Each chapter escalates the tension, delivering sharp twists and relentless momentum. It plays out vividly, like a film unfolding in your mind.
The Merchant of Venice (Spanish Edition)
William Shakespeare
A dense, chaotic classic that demands close attention. While the themes are compelling, the uniformity of voices made it harder for me to track characters at times. Still, it offers plenty to unpack and debate.
The Catcher in the Rye
J.D. Salinger
I went in skeptical and came out unexpectedly engaged. Holden’s voice is repetitive but distinctive — a narrow, specific lens into adolescent angst. Not life-altering for me, but undeniably effective at capturing a particular kind of restlessness.
The Secret Garden
Frances Hodgson Burnett
A gentle, rewarding read with a slow beginning and a beautifully satisfying conclusion. Some characters tested my patience, but its charm is slow-burning and ultimately wins you over, culminating in a final chapter that feels like a perfect, heartwarming resolution.
The Lightning Thief
The Sea of Monsters
The Titan’s Curse
The Battle of the Labyrinth
The Last Olympian
Rick Riordan
A ridiculously clever and endlessly fun series. Riordan’s witty integration of mythology into the modern world is pure genius, packed with humor and heart. It’s easy to see why these books have become a gateway to reading for so many. I greatly envy Riordan for writing these before me.
Están aquí, entre nosotros
José Alberto Rodríguez Ramírez
A wonderful serendipitous find from a small museum in Linares, Nuevo León. Bought it on a whim, read it that same night in a hotel, and couldn’t stop thinking about it. This collection of local legends is so immersive and atmospheric that it makes the regional folklore feel vividly alive. When I go back, I’m definitely hunting down the sequel.
Emma
Jane Austen
A witty, sharp comedy of manners that showcases Austen’s brilliance in charting the misguided journey of a well-meaning but interfering heroine. It’s a masterful study of self-deception, social observation, and, ultimately, self-awareness.
Klara and the Sun (Spanish Edition)
Kazuo Ishiguro
A contemplative and emotionally complex work of speculative fiction. Told through the unique perspective of an AI observer, it’s a poignant exploration of love, consciousness, and sacrifice that builds to a quietly devastating conclusion. A deeply thoughtful read. I’d recommend this to sci-fi fans who love deeply character-driven, contemplative, and emotionally challenging stories.
