February 2025 Wrap-Up & Favorites

Source: personal collection

Hi fellow readers! Hope you all well. Since I have quite some time on my hands lately, I'm going to catch up on my monthly wrap-up post. Here's the book I read in February.

Books read in February

A Perfect Day to Be Alone - Nanae Aoyama (★★★)

A Perfect Day to Be Alone is about Chizu, a 20-year old who just moved in with an old lady in Tokyo, because her mother got a job abroad and she wanted to stay in Japan and be independent. We follow Chizu going through a year of trying to deal with loneliness and gaining independence. Chizu actually represents a part of Japanese society called freeter. Freeter is a person who is not a housewife or a student but is unemployed, or doesn't have full-time employment. Lately, this problem doesn't only happen in Japan but all over the world. I mean, in this economy. Sadly, I think most people can relate to Chizu. Like most Japanese books I've read, there's no exciting plot in this book. It's rather slow-paced but atmospheric and poignant. It might not be for everyone, but if what I just described interests you, then pick this book up and read it.

February Favorites

Series

Apple Cider Vinegar

I randomly picked this series because it kept popping up on my Netflix dashboard. It's compelling story about a fraud committed by a so-called lifestyle and wellness guru who builds her brand based on a lie. Considering how many lifestyle and wellness influencers on social media nowadays, the topic of this series is relevant. What damning is, it's based on a true story, showing how we definitely can't trust anything presented on the social media. Especially regarding our health and wellness, if there's no science that can back it up then don't trust it because the impact is significant on ourselves. It's life and death. Anyway, the visuals are fun, it looks cheery and colorful but the topic is not. I recommend watching this series.

There you have it! I think I mostly spent my February rewatching Hasan Minaj's Patriot Act because it really helps me get through my workweek. All in all, February didn't leave that much impression on me. Mostly because I couldn't wait for April since I'm taking sabbatical leave starting at the end of March. Anyway, I hope February was more exciting for you.