{"id":312,"date":"2022-12-31T13:57:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-31T19:57:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mbnovels.com\/?p=312"},"modified":"2026-01-27T14:52:06","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T20:52:06","slug":"unusual-eulogies-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mbnovels.com\/en\/2022\/12\/31\/unusual-eulogies-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"Unusual Eulogies | 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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 \u2014 classics, contemporary fiction, unexpected finds, and the ones everyone was talking about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2022 was a year of\u00a0literary deconstruction and raw voice. I found myself drawn to stories that peeled back the layers of storytelling itself \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s a reference for anyone curious about what\u2019s on my shelf and, perhaps, a source for your next great read.<\/p>\n\n\n

4\u20136 minutes<\/div>\n\n\n
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Mundo del fin del mundo<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Luis Sep\u00falveda<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Virgin Suicides<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jeffrey Eugenides<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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A haunting, lyrical novel that feels suspended in memory. I was drawn into the girls\u2019 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Writer’s Journey<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Christopher Vogler<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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This book is foundational to my work as a writer \u2014 Miniature Novels II<\/a><\/em> simply wouldn\u2019t exist without it. This book breaks down the mythic structure underlying so many stories we love. It\u2019s a comprehensive and transformative read for anyone interested in the architecture of narrative. It permanently reshaped the way I understand storytelling structure.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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1984<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Gorge Orwell<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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A chilling and disturbingly relevant dystopia. Orwell\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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A Room of One’s Own<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Virginia Woolf<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Frankenstein (Spanish Edition)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Mary Shelley<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Ficciones<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jorge Luis Borges<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Film for Her<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Orion Carloto<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Her Body and Other Parties<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Carmen Maria Machado<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Sheer, unadulterated brilliance. Machado\u2019s voice is utterly original \u2014 blending horror, fantasy, folklore, and visceral reality to explore the female experience. Creepy, clever, sensual, and unforgettable.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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El agiotista<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Irma Sabina Sep\u00falveda<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Found in my grandpa\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Dirty Heads<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Aaron Dries<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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A fast-paced, cinematic horror novel that\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Merchant of Venice (Spanish Edition)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

William Shakespeare<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Catcher in the Rye<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

J.D. Salinger<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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I went in skeptical and came out unexpectedly engaged. Holden\u2019s voice is repetitive but distinctive \u2014 a narrow, specific lens into adolescent angst. Not life-altering for me, but undeniably effective at capturing a particular kind of restlessness.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Secret Garden<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Frances Hodgson Burnett<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Lightning Thief<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Sea of Monsters<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Titan’s Curse<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Battle of the Labyrinth<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Last Olympian<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Rick Riordan<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

A ridiculously clever and endlessly fun series. Riordan\u2019s witty integration of mythology into the modern world is pure genius, packed with humor and heart. It\u2019s easy to see why these books have become a gateway to reading for so many. I greatly envy Riordan for writing these before me. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Est\u00e1n aqu\u00ed, entre nosotros<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jos\u00e9 Alberto Rodr\u00edguez Ram\u00edrez<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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A wonderful serendipitous find from a small museum in Linares, Nuevo Le\u00f3n. Bought it on a whim, read it that same night in a hotel, and couldn\u2019t 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\u2019m definitely hunting down the sequel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Emma<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jane Austen<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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A witty, sharp comedy of manners that showcases Austen\u2019s brilliance in charting the misguided journey of a well-meaning but interfering heroine. It\u2019s a masterful study of self-deception, social observation, and, ultimately, self-awareness.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Klara and the Sun (Spanish Edition)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Kazuo Ishiguro<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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A contemplative and emotionally complex work of speculative fiction. Told through the unique perspective of an AI observer, it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

2022 was a year of\u00a0literary deconstruction and raw voice. I found myself drawn to stories that peeled back the layers of storytelling itself \u2014 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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":134972872,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_wpcom_ai_launchpad_first_post":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[774386446],"tags":[99034,34014,7215,3328,7758714,178,907,119925,1745,349],"class_list":["post-312","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-unusual-eulogies","tag-book-discussion","tag-book-ratings","tag-book-review","tag-book-reviews","tag-bookish-thoughts","tag-books","tag-reading-list","tag-reading-recommendations","tag-review","tag-writing"],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pfZGWd-52","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":292,"url":"https:\/\/mbnovels.com\/en\/2021\/12\/31\/unusual-eulogies-2021\/","url_meta":{"origin":312,"position":0},"title":"Unusual Eulogies | 2021","author":"Montse \"M.B\" Benavides","date":"December 31, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"This year was all about\u00a0stories 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.","rel":"","context":"In "Unusual Eulogies"","block_context":{"text":"Unusual Eulogies","link":"https:\/\/mbnovels.com\/en\/category\/unusual-eulogies\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":616,"url":"https:\/\/mbnovels.com\/en\/2025\/12\/31\/unusual-eulogies-2025\/","url_meta":{"origin":312,"position":1},"title":"Unusual Eulogies | 2025","author":"Montse \"M.B\" Benavides","date":"December 31, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"These entries capture a unique period of my reading life: a deep, structured dive into\u00a0the mechanics of meaning. Alongside novels and memoirs, I spent a significant amount of time with academic texts \u2014 deconstructing narrative theory, hermeneutics, and the structure of stories. This shelf is a focused exploration of the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Unusual Eulogies"","block_context":{"text":"Unusual Eulogies","link":"https:\/\/mbnovels.com\/en\/category\/unusual-eulogies\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":353,"url":"https:\/\/mbnovels.com\/en\/2024\/12\/31\/unusual-eulogies-2024\/","url_meta":{"origin":312,"position":2},"title":"Unusual Eulogies | 2024","author":"Montse \"M.B\" Benavides","date":"December 31, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"This year\u2019s reading has been a deep dive into\u00a0the anatomy of obsession and of the self. I've been drawn to stories that dissect desperate love, fractured identities, and the haunting legacies we inherit or violently cast off. It's been a journey through raw nerves and beautiful ruins, exploring what happens\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Unusual Eulogies"","block_context":{"text":"Unusual Eulogies","link":"https:\/\/mbnovels.com\/en\/category\/unusual-eulogies\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":407,"url":"https:\/\/mbnovels.com\/en\/2023\/12\/31\/unusual-eulogies-2023\/","url_meta":{"origin":312,"position":3},"title":"Unusual Eulogies | 2023","author":"Montse \"M.B\" Benavides","date":"December 31, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"My reading in 2023 was defined by\u00a0haunting intimacy and fractured perspectives. I was drawn to voices that spoke from the margins of memory, of society, of reality itself, and to stories that explored the raw, complex anatomy of trauma, love, and identity. It was a year of feeling viscerally, in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Unusual Eulogies"","block_context":{"text":"Unusual Eulogies","link":"https:\/\/mbnovels.com\/en\/category\/unusual-eulogies\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":2508,"url":"https:\/\/mbnovels.com\/en\/2026\/07\/09\/please-stop-editing-the-life-out-of-your-story\/","url_meta":{"origin":312,"position":4},"title":"Please stop editing the life out of your story","author":"Montse \"M.B\" Benavides","date":"July 9, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The essence of powerful writing lies in emotional resonance, not just technical perfection; stories should have a heartbeat beyond flawless grammar.","rel":"","context":"In "Behind the Drafts"","block_context":{"text":"Behind the Drafts","link":"https:\/\/mbnovels.com\/en\/category\/the-writing-life\/behind-the-drafts\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":2597,"url":"https:\/\/mbnovels.com\/en\/2026\/08\/11\/writing-for-everyone-is-how-you-reach-no-one\/","url_meta":{"origin":312,"position":5},"title":"Writing for everyone is how you reach no one","author":"Montse \"M.B\" Benavides","date":"August 11, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Critiques of the notion of writing solely for market trends, advocating for authenticity and originality in literature, which ultimately fosters deeper connections with readers.","rel":"","context":"In "Indie Author Confidential"","block_context":{"text":"Indie Author Confidential","link":"https:\/\/mbnovels.com\/en\/category\/the-writing-life\/indie-author-confidential\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mbnovels.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/312","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mbnovels.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mbnovels.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mbnovels.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/134972872"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mbnovels.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=312"}],"version-history":[{"count":27,"href":"https:\/\/mbnovels.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/312\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1806,"href":"https:\/\/mbnovels.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/312\/revisions\/1806"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mbnovels.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=312"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mbnovels.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=312"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mbnovels.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=312"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}