January 2025 Wrap-Up & Favorites

Source: personal collection

Hello and happy new year fellow readers! In 2025, I have a mission to finish those literal book stacks on my bed. Yes, I have book stacks ON my bed because I have nowhere else to put them. Those books won't be there if I read them already. I spent most of my 2024 trying to survive and stay alive (I'm not kidding but that's a topic for another day. When I'm ready to share about it) that I don't feel like having enough 'leisure time' to read even though that's one of the activities that gives me joy. So imagine how joyless I was. No more. The books I finished in January are books I started in December 2024 but didn't manage to finish. One is a holiday-themed fantasy book and another one is a short east-asian literature book. Can you see how desperate I was to complete my 2024 reading goal?

Books read in January

	Spectacular (Caraval #3.5) - Stephanie Garber (★★★)
	Spectacular is a side story from the series Caraval by Stephanie Garber. It still follows the same set of characters as Caraval. It sets after the third book so I wouldn't recommend to read this if you haven't read the main series. Spectacular is magical, which is as expected if you've read Caraval. It fits the theme of holiday season but done in a Caraval fashion. It's fun and easy to read. It's a good remedy if you miss the world of Caraval.
	The Guest Cat - Takashi Hiraide (★★★)
	If I have to describe what this book is about, I'd say that The Guest Cat is basically a book about a couple and their encounter with a cat. This book literally follows their day-to-day life and how this cat slowly seeping into their routine. It's slow-paced and meant to be read while relaxing. It's beautiful and moving in its own way. The book is short but the pacing could make it feel longer than it actually is. However, if you read it with no expectation and no rush, perhaps you'd enjoy reading this book because I did.

January Favorites

Film

Late Night with The Devil

I was browsing through my X feed when I saw many good reviews of this film. I don't usually watch horror films at night especially when I'm alone at home. In fact, I don't usually watch horror films. But I remember how numb I was at work that day and I couldn't wait until the weekend to watch it. I just need to escape. So I watched it immediately after work. It didn't disappoint. Thank God the horror is not the kind which gives you many meaningless jumpscares. It's more psychological, in my opinion. The setting, the format, and the plot twist are not what I've experienced previously so I actually enjoyed watching the film. I agree with the positive reviews, I recommend to watch Late Night with The Devil. If you're the type who get scared easily, don't worry because the horror is subtle. The creepy vibe is unsettling though. Still, I recommend this film to watch.

Miscellaneous

There you go my first 2025 wrap-up and favorites! Hope you all have a good start of the year. Do y'all set reading-related goals? or just go with the flow read whatever you want whenever you want? Either way, I sincerely hope that all readers out there can have enough time and resource to read especially if reading is what's keeping you sane. Here's to a good year ahead!